Mountain view
1 / 38This expansive mountain estate in the high-altitude sanctuary of Dota offers a rare opportunity to secure a massive 216,023 square meters of pristine Costa Rican highlands. Priced at USD 1,150,000, the property represents an exceptional holding in the district of La Trinidad, a region celebrated for its cool, refreshing climate and fertile soils. The vast acreage features a harmonious blend of productive agricultural land and dense, native mountain forest, all framed by sweeping views of the surrounding green valleys. A single-bedroom residence serves as the initial footprint on this massive estate, which is prime for further development. Whether your vision involves establishing a private high-altitude estate, a boutique eco-lodge, or a wellness retreat, the topography provides multiple natural building sites amid the rolling hills.
From an investment perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. The acquisition process is clear and well-regulated, with property transfer stamp taxes generally averaging about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Buyers should also budget for a comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary services, registration fees, and legal stamps—which typically ranges between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. This Dota estate represents a secure, deeded investment in one of the country's most authentic agricultural and ecological corridors.
Purchasing this expansive 21-hectare mountain estate in La Trinidad de Dota is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreign citizens the same fee simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this property is located in the interior highlands of the Zona de los Santos rather than on the coast, it is held under standard fee simple title rather than maritime zone concession laws, ensuring secure, absolute ownership.
Acquiring this farm requires standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registration fees, legal duties, and transfer stamps, generally totaling between two and four percent of the transaction value. Additionally, owners are subject to an annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered value of the land in the local canton registry. Because the purchase price of this estate exceeds the national investment threshold, ownership of this property qualifies buyers to apply for residency-by-investment status in Costa Rica.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive mountain farm in the Dota canton of San Jose, situated specifically in the district of La Trinidad, spans an impressive 216,023 square meters of land. Priced at USD 1,150,000, the property currently features a single-bedroom structure set against a dramatic backdrop of rolling green valleys and pristine mountain forests. The fertile terrain provides a highly productive agricultural foundation, combined with native high-altitude woodlands that enjoy a cool, refreshing year-round climate. This unique topography offers multiple natural building sites with sweeping panoramic views, making the acreage exceptionally suited for a private mountain estate, a boutique eco-lodge, or a wellness retreat center.
From a purchasing perspective, international buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are fully protected under Costa Rican law for registered inland titles. When acquiring this property, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally range between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs include an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. This substantial landholding offers a secure, titled investment opportunity in one of the most authentic agricultural and ecological regions of the country.
For North American buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, the high-altitude sanctuary of La Trinidad, Dota, San Jose, Costa Rica offers a distinct alternative to the typical coastal climate. Situated within the celebrated Zona de los Santos region in the province of San Jose, this 21-hectare estate sits in a cool mountain microclimate characterized by refreshing year-round temperatures, rolling green valleys, and mist-shrouded peaks. This specific micro-location is highly sought after by those interested in expat real estate Costa Rica offers outside of the humid beach zones. While the property provides absolute privacy and a quiet agricultural lifestyle, it remains connected to essential services. The regional town centers of the Dota canton are within easy driving distance, providing access to local medical clinics, daily shopping, and traditional dining, while the primary international airport in San Jose is accessible for incoming flights from the United States and Canada.
This expansive acreage enables a lifestyle focused on organic farming, eco-tourism, or the establishment of a private mountain estate. The fertile land is highly productive, making it ideal for cultivating high-altitude crops or developing a boutique mountain lodge. From a legal perspective, Costa Rica homes for Canadians and American buyers are highly secure, as the country permits foreign nationals to hold fee-simple land ownership with the same constitutional protections as local citizens. Unlike coastal properties subject to restrictive maritime concession zones, this inland mountain farm offers full, unrestricted title registration. Buyers should plan for standard transaction costs, which include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value, along with a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are minimal, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the farm. At a purchase price of USD 1,150,000, acquiring this estate also aligns with the investment thresholds that allow foreign buyers to apply for official residency-by-investment programs, making it a premier choice for those seeking to diversify their portfolio with premium Costa Rica real estate for Americans.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This 21.6-hectare mountain estate in La Trinidad de Dota represents a strategic acquisition for high-net-worth buyers seeking asset diversification through fee-simple land ownership, a right fully guaranteed to foreign investors under Costa Rican law. Priced at $1,150,000, the property translates to an competitive valuation of just over $5.30 per square meter. This entry point is highly favorable compared to congested coastal markets, offering significant arbitrage potential for an investor looking to develop a high-end wellness retreat, a boutique eco-lodge, or a private agricultural estate.
The local market in the Zona de los Santos is experiencing a quiet surge in demand from affluent North Americans prioritizing privacy, security, and cool mountain climates over humid beach destinations. While short-term rental yields in this emerging eco-tourism corridor cannot be guaranteed, the region's world-class reputation for coffee production and birdwatching provides a steady stream of high-spending, low-impact travelers. This demographic supports premium nightly rates for secluded mountain cabins.
An ideal buyer profile is an conservation-minded developer or a generational wealth manager looking for a tangible, low-carrying-cost land banking opportunity. Costa Rica’s residency-by-investment program, which applies to properties at this transaction level, adds further incentive for immediate acquisition. Transaction costs are transparent, with a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% and a comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. The annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value, keeping ongoing holding costs remarkably low. A viable exit strategy includes subdividing the 216,023-square-meter parcel into exclusive, low-density luxury estate lots or selling the fully realized boutique lodge to an international hospitality brand.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
For the discerning international investor, acquiring this expansive estate in La Trinidad de Dota is not merely a land transaction; it is the realization of a deeply aspirational lifestyle centered on wellness, prestige, and environmental stewardship. Nestled within the celebrated Zona de los Santos, this region is globally revered not only for producing some of the world's finest gourmet coffee but also for offering an authentic, slow-paced Costa Rican mountain lifestyle that is increasingly rare. Here, the crisp, high-altitude air and dramatic green valleys create a sanctuary where wellness is natural and privacy is absolute. Owning twenty-one hectares in this pristine corridor allows you to align your personal legacy with conservation, designing a private mountain sanctuary or a boutique eco-retreat that honors the surrounding cloud forest. It is an invitation to step away from the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life and embrace a sophisticated, nature-first existence where luxury is defined by vast open spaces, breathtaking mountain vistas, and the quiet prestige of owning one of Dota’s most magnificent agricultural jewels.
La Trinidad, Dota, San José
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
