1 / 14Overlooking the pristine waters of the Golfo Dulce, this expansive 766,560-square-meter ranch in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton offers an extraordinary coastal acreage opportunity for USD 1,250,000. The vast property features a dramatic topography where rolling grass hills meet dense tropical jungle, ancient native trees, and active freshwater creeks with natural waterfalls. Positioned high above the coastline, the land provides panoramic views of the gulf while remaining just a ten-minute drive from the world-renowned surf breaks of Pavones. This massive parcel, registered with a construction footprint equivalent to its total land size of 766,560 square meters, serves as a blank canvas for a private estate compound, allowing for the integration of a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits secure fee simple ownership of registered titled land. Holding this property incurs a highly favorable annual municipal tax rate of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value, keeping ongoing carrying costs exceptionally low. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should anticipate standard closing expenses, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a combined notary, registry, and legal bundle averaging between two and four percent of the purchase price.
Acquiring this expansive Pavones ranch is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple property ownership rights as citizens. Because this 189-acre estate sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you can hold the title outright in your own name or through a local corporation.
Operating costs for land of this scale remain remarkably low. The annual municipal property tax is calculated at just one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing the transaction, buyers should budget for a standard closing bundle—covering notary services, registration fees, legal work, and stamps—which typically ranges from two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a transfer tax of approximately one and a half percent. Furthermore, because the purchase price of this estate exceeds the national investment threshold, ownership of this property qualifies you to apply for official Costa Rican residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive estate in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton represents a rare acreage acquisition, priced at USD 1250000. Spanning a vast land size of 766560 m² with an identical registered construction footprint of 766560 m², the property is characterized by its dramatic topography. The terrain features rolling grass hills, ancient forest canopies, natural creeks, and private waterfalls. Situated just ten minutes from the world-class surf of Pavones, the estate offers elevated building sites with panoramic views of the Gulfo Dulce.
For buyers evaluating the financial structure, Costa Rica permits full fee simple ownership for international investors. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. During the acquisition process, buyers should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the transaction value, alongside notary and registration fees that generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price. This raw acreage provides a secure, high-value land holding in one of the most biodiverse regions of the southern Pacific coast.
This expansive 76-hectare ranch is situated in Pavones, within the Golfito canton of the Puntarenas province, a region in the South Pacific of Costa Rica that has become a highly sought-after destination for North American buyers. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this micro-location offers a rare combination of absolute privacy and convenient access to local infrastructure. The property sits just a ten-minute drive from the coastline, renowned globally for its world-class surf breaks. The town center of Pavones is easily accessible for daily needs, while the larger municipal hub of Golfito provides comprehensive services, including regional hospital facilities and a local airport with domestic flights connecting to San Jose. This unique positioning allows residents to enjoy a secluded lifestyle surrounded by rolling grass hills, ancient forest canopies, and natural waterfalls, while remaining connected to essential modern conveniences.
The area is highly attractive for those exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Costa Rica homes for Canadians, particularly due to the favorable investment climate and straightforward ownership laws. Foreign buyers in Costa Rica enjoy fee-simple ownership rights, meaning you can hold title to this massive 189-acre estate in your own name or through a local corporation. From a financial perspective, holding expat real estate Costa Rica is highly efficient; the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, requiring only about one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value each year. When completing the transaction, buyers should plan for standard closing expenses, which typically encompass a transfer tax of approximately 1.5 percent alongside notary and registry fees that generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price. This established legal framework, combined with the region's long-term appreciation potential, makes this Pavones ranch an ideal choice for a private family legacy estate, an eco-investment, or a remote-work sanctuary.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This Pavones ranch presents a compelling acquisition profile for high-net-worth buyers, conservationists, or developers targeting the expanding luxury eco-market. Priced at $1,250,000 for 76 hectares (766,560 square meters), the property is valued at approximately $1.63 per square meter. This rate represents an exceptional entry point compared to more saturated Costa Rican markets like Nosara or Manuel Antonio, where land prices routinely exceed this benchmark by orders of magnitude.
The estate's layout supports a compound-property design, allowing a buyer to construct a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas to maximize short-term rental yields from surf travelers and eco-tourists. Alternatively, long-term leasing of individual casitas offers a stable, passive revenue stream.
Costa Rica's favorable tax structure enhances the holding strategy. The annual property tax is remarkably low, hovering around one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. During the acquisition phase, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to citizens for this non-concession land, providing a highly stable exit strategy should you choose to subdivide the acreage or sell the completed estate in the future.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
The allure of Pavones extends far beyond its physical boundaries, capturing the very essence of what it means to live a life of deliberate, unhurried luxury. In this southern corner of Costa Rica, the passage of time is measured not by the ticking of a clock, but by the rhythmic rise and fall of the Pacific tides and the daily spectacle of the sun dipping below the horizon of the Golfo Dulce. For the visionary buyer, this seventy-six-hectare sanctuary represents the ultimate canvas upon which to paint a legacy of wellness, adventure, and profound connection to the natural world. It is a place where the morning chorus of scarlet macaws replaces the jarring sound of city traffic, and where the air is so pure it feels like a tonic for the soul. Living here means embracing a lifestyle where world-class surf breaks are just a short drive away, yet your home remains a completely private sanctuary, elevated high above the coastal bustle. This unique juxtaposition of thrilling coastal adventure and absolute mountain seclusion appeals directly to those who have achieved success in the modern world but now seek a deeper, more meaningful relationship with their environment.
To own this land is to claim a stake in one of the earth’s most biodiverse and pristine ecosystems, fulfilling a deep-seated aspiration to protect, preserve, and enjoy a private kingdom of ancient forests and rolling green hills. The sophisticated investor recognizes that true luxury is no longer about gold-plated fixtures, but about space, privacy, clean water, and clean air. This property delivers these elements in abundance, offering a rare opportunity to build an architectural masterpiece that respects the contours of the land while framing the dramatic, sweeping views of the gulf below. Whether your vision includes a sprawling family estate, a wellness retreat centered around the property's natural waterfalls, or a self-sufficient ecological haven, this ranch provides the space and freedom to bring those dreams to fruition. It is an invitation to step out of the ordinary and into a life of extraordinary beauty, where the wild spirit of Costa Rica becomes the backdrop to your daily existence, and where your legacy is etched into the very hillsides of Pavones.
Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
