
1 / 15Imagine standing on a ridge where the whispering canopy of a pristine rainforest meets the endless horizon of Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast. Priced at $1,730,000, this extraordinary 427-acre (173-hectare) estate in the highly desirable Manuel Antonio region offers a rare canvas for visionary investors. The expansive acreage is a harmonious blend of conservation and opportunity, featuring seventy percent untouched, lush tropical jungle alongside thirty percent gently sloping, highly usable terrain. Crystal-clear streams wind through the interior of the acreage, cascading over small, private waterfalls before meeting the majestic river that borders the estate.
The property is fully prepared for immediate development or private enjoyment. Existing infrastructure includes a dedicated stable for horses or cattle, a secure storage facility, and two rustic residences ideal for onsite staff. Natural spring water feeds the existing structures, while a public road stretches over a mile and a half directly through the land, offering effortless connectivity. This central corridor is already equipped with an electric power grid, streamlining any future construction. With newly measured and fully registered national titles finalized in 2024, this sprawling sanctuary represents a secure, high-potential investment. Whether you envision an eco-luxury retreat, a private family compound, or a sustainable residential community, this land delivers the ultimate Costa Rican dream.
This expansive Manuel Antonio estate spans over 427 acres (173 hectares) of pristine Costa Rican landscape, offering an exceptional balance of ecological preservation and investment potential. Approximately seventy percent of the acreage is dedicated to untouched tropical rainforest, while the remaining thirty percent consists of gently sloping, developable terrain that transitions into flatter areas near the riverbank.
The property features functional agricultural infrastructure, including a dedicated stable for horses or livestock, a secure storage facility, and two residences designated for estate staff. Natural water resources are abundant throughout the acreage, highlighted by a major bordering river and several internal freshwater streams featuring small, scenic waterfalls.
Positioned for seamless future development, the estate is bisected by 1.55 miles of public road, providing direct access to the local electrical grid. Fresh spring water is already piped directly to the existing structures. The entire parcel is fully titled within the National Register of Costa Rica, with updated boundary surveys completed in 2023 and officially recorded in 2024.
Positioned in the highly desirable region of Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this expansive acreage offers an unparalleled lifestyle that perfectly balances raw natural beauty with modern convenience. When you buy property in Costa Rica, micro-location is everything. This estate is situated in a unique geographic zone where the vibrant, working fishing port of Quepos meets the world-famous white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park. Future owners can easily transition from a morning of offshore sportfishing at the world-class Pez Vela Marina to an afternoon lounging near the beachfront Manuel Antonio Costa Rica is celebrated for. The local microclimate is characterized by warm, tropical breezes and lush green seasons that keep the surrounding rainforest thriving, making it an ideal setting for those looking to retire, invest, establish a private family compound, or run a remote-work sanctuary surrounded by nature.
This prime property for sale Manuel Antonio offers the peace of a secluded sanctuary while remaining within easy reach of essential regional amenities. The nearby town center of Quepos provides access to professional medical services, local hospitals, supermarkets, and fine dining, while the local domestic airport ensures quick, convenient connections to the international hub in San José. Whether your vision is to create an eco-conscious residential community, build a private equestrian estate, or simply preserve a massive slice of pristine jungle, this location delivers the infrastructure and accessibility needed to bring those dreams to life.
Q: What is the closest major town and airport to this property for sale Manuel Antonio? A: The estate is located in the Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica region, placing it just minutes from the active harbor town of Quepos, which features a domestic airport for quick flights to San José, as well as essential services, dining, and a local hospital.
Q: What kind of lifestyle does the local area support for international buyers? A: This region perfectly pairs a working maritime port with world-famous national-park beaches, allowing residents to enjoy world-class sportfishing, surfing, hiking, and wildlife viewing, while providing a highly supportive environment for remote work, retirement, or eco-investment.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
At an acquisition cost of exactly $1.00 per square meter ($1,730,000 for 173.5 hectares), this Manuel Antonio-Quepos acreage represents a highly competitive entry point compared to typical regional averages for titled development land. The ideal buyer is a preservation-minded developer or a high-net-worth investor seeking a legacy landholding. While we do not project guaranteed returns, the property's dual-nature layout offers distinct exit strategies. An investor could pursue a low-impact eco-lodge concept or subdivide the 30% developable portion into premium acreage estates, while keeping the remaining 70% of pristine rainforest as a private nature reserve or a carbon-offset asset.
Timing is critical, as titled parcels of this scale with direct road access and existing power infrastructure are increasingly rare in the Quepos registry. For rental income, a buyer could construct a primary estate paired with independent guest casitas to target the lucrative Costa Rican eco-tourism market, leveraging the natural waterfalls and river frontage. Alternatively, the two existing worker houses can support immediate on-site management during the planning phases, securing your capital in a tangible, titled asset while the regional demand for ecological luxury continues to rise.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Acquiring this expansive Quepos estate is a secure and straightforward process for international buyers. Because the property is fully registered in the National Register of Costa Rica with newly updated 2023–2024 boundary plans, it qualifies for Fee Simple ownership. This provides US and Canadian investors with the exact same constitutional property rights as Costa Rican citizens. Purchasing this development land easily surpasses the country's $150,000 investment threshold, making you and your immediate family eligible for the investor residency visa. During the transaction, you can expect standard closing costs to range between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, which covers notary fees, transfer taxes, and registration stamps. Once owned, the annual holding costs remain remarkably low, with the municipal property tax rate set at just 0.25% of the registered value. This favorable tax structure ensures your long-term investment remains highly cost-effective.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Embracing the lifestyle of the Manuel Antonio and Quepos region means immersing yourself in a world where untamed Pacific coastlines meet the sophisticated desires of the global elite. This highly coveted stretch of the Puntarenas province has long been celebrated as the crown jewel of Costa Rica, drawing visionary investors, luxury travelers, and wellness seekers from every corner of the globe. Owning a massive estate in this prestigious enclave is not merely an acquisition of land; it is an entry into a lifestyle defined by barefoot elegance, ecological stewardship, and unparalleled coastal adventure. Imagine starting your morning with the sound of exotic birds echoing from your private rainforest canopy, spending the afternoon battling world-class marlin out of the state-of-the-art Marina Pez Vela, and concluding the evening dining on fresh, ocean-to-table cuisine at a five-star cliffside restaurant overlooking the sunset. This region seamlessly bridges the gap between raw, primal nature and high-end modern convenience, offering a sanctuary where you can disconnect from the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life without ever sacrificing the comforts of luxury living.
For the aspirational buyer, this property represents the ultimate blank canvas to manifest a legacy project that aligns with the growing global demand for sustainable luxury and experiential travel. High-net-worth individuals no longer desire conventional, cookie-cutter resorts; instead, they seek authentic, immersive connections with the natural world. By developing a boutique eco-retreat, a private family compound, or an exclusive wellness sanctuary on this expansive acreage, you cater directly to this sophisticated demographic. Your guests or family members can hike along pristine riverbanks, meditate beside private, hidden waterfalls, and observe rare wildlife in its natural habitat, all while knowing that the vibrant social scene, yacht charter fleets, and white-sand beaches of Manuel Antonio are just a short drive away. This is an opportunity to establish yourself as a pioneer in the eco-luxury space, creating a self-sustaining haven that honors the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica while securing an invaluable piece of paradise in one of the most stable, beautiful, and sought-after investment destinations in the Americas.
Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004