1 / 7High above the Pacific in the prestigious Escaleras mountains of Dominical, this commanding luxury estate delivers an unparalleled coastal lifestyle. Positioned at the end of a private road within a secure gated community, the property spans a massive 17,401.5 square meters of land, where the dense rainforest canopy opens to dramatic ocean vistas. The architectural layout is designed for sophisticated tropical living, totaling 954 square meters of construction. The estate features five bedrooms distributed across a main residence and three independent guest casitas. The main house contains two spacious bedrooms and open-concept living areas that flow directly onto the outdoor terraces. The three separate guest casitas each offer a private bedroom suite, providing an ideal arrangement for hosting extended family or operating an upscale boutique rental.
Offered at USD 1,650,000, the estate centers around a spectacular ocean-view swimming pool that serves as the ultimate venue for sunset gatherings. The surrounding grounds include private trails winding through lush botanical plantings, plus a dedicated equestrian zone complete with a horse-training area. From the pool terrace, the famous Whale’s Tail sandbar formation of Marino Ballena National Park is visible in the distance, where humpback whales can be seen breaching during migration seasons. The surrounding canopy is alive with native species; scarlet macaws glide overhead, and toucans frequent the nearby trees. This fully furnished estate represents a rare investment opportunity in a highly biodiverse corridor, combining absolute privacy with convenient access to the beaches and dining of Dominical.
Acquiring this premium Dominical estate is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee-simple property ownership rights as citizens. Located high in the Escaleras mountains, this residential property is held under secure, fee-simple title rather than maritime zone concession.
The transaction involves standard closing costs, which generally range from two to four percent of the purchase price to cover notary services, registration fees, legal representation, and the necessary stamps. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax, typically amounting to one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, is paid at closing.
Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably favorable. The annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, calculated at one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $1,650,000 comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, purchasing this five-bedroom estate qualifies the buyer to apply for investor residency status in Costa Rica.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This luxury estate in the Dominical district is priced at USD 1,650,000 and offers a substantial footprint, featuring 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms across 954 m² of quality construction. The property is situated on a generous land parcel of 17401.5 m² within a secure, gated community in the Escaleras mountains. The architectural layout consists of a main residence with two bedrooms alongside three independent guest casitas, each containing a private bedroom suite. Natural materials, including stone and warm hardwoods, are integrated throughout the contemporary design.
The heart of the outdoor living space is an ocean-view swimming pool and terrace, positioned to capture vistas of the Pacific sunset, the mountain ridges, and the Whale’s Tail sandbar at Marino Ballena National Park. The surrounding acreage functions as a natural sanctuary, featuring private walking trails, botanical plantings, and a dedicated equestrian zone with a horse-training area.
Regarding ownership logistics, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple property rights. Ongoing carrying costs are highly favorable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget for closing expenses, which typically encompass a 1.5% transfer tax and additional notary, registry, and legal fees totaling between 2% and 4% of the transaction price.
Situated high in the Escaleras mountains within the Dominical region of Puntarenas, this estate occupies one of the most prestigious micro-locations in the Southern Zone. For buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, the Escaleras neighborhood is highly sought after for its unique elevation, which combines refreshing mountain breezes with dramatic Pacific Ocean vistas. The property sits within a secure, gated community at the end of a private road, offering an exceptional balance of absolute privacy and convenient accessibility. Residents can easily descend the mountain to reach the vibrant coastal town of Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, known for its world-class surf breaks and organic markets, or head south to Uvita to access essential amenities, modern medical services, and retail centers. This strategic positioning makes Costa Ballena homes highly desirable for those seeking a permanent relocation, a seasonal retirement destination, or a high-end investment property in Uvita.
The local climate is defined by a distinct microclimate where the warm rainforest canopy meets cool mountain air currents. This rich ecological convergence supports an incredible array of wildlife. Instead of a simple forest backdrop, residents share their immediate surroundings with individual species like the scarlet macaw, the iconic toucan, and various hummingbirds that frequent the estate's private trails and botanical plantings. The location effortlessly supports a lifestyle of active exploration and quiet contemplation, whether that involves hiking through the mature jungle on the property, utilizing the dedicated on-site equestrian training area, or exploring the marine sanctuary of nearby Marino Ballena National Park.
Puntarenas is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, offering a compelling alternative to more developed northern provinces by preserving a raw, natural character while still providing robust legal protections for international buyers. When acquiring real estate Dominical Costa Rica, foreign investors enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. From a financial perspective, holding this asset is highly efficient. The annual property tax is remarkably low, hovering around one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Additionally, buyers should plan for standard closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the transaction value, alongside notary and registry fees that generally bundle into two to four percent of the final purchase price. This favorable tax structure, combined with the potential to qualify for residency-by-investment programs at this purchase threshold, solidifies the estate's position as a premier luxury acquisition.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $1,650,000, this estate represents a highly competitive entry point for the ultra-exclusive Escaleras mountain market in Dominical. With 954 square meters of high-end construction set on a massive 17,401.5-square-meter parcel, the property delivers an attractive price-per-square-meter metric that sits well below regional averages for ocean-view estates in this specific luxury corridor.
The compound-property layout—featuring a two-bedroom main house alongside three independent guest casitas—presents an ideal configuration for a premium, high-yield short-term rental business. This structure caters perfectly to multi-generational family retreats or boutique wellness groups, while also offering the flexibility of a long-term rental strategy where an owner can reside in the main villa and lease the individual casitas.
The ideal buyer is a high-net-worth investor, naturalist, or equestrian enthusiast seeking a legacy asset. Costa Rica’s current market timing is highly favorable, driven by a sustained global demand for secure, biodiverse sanctuaries. From a transactional perspective, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low, with annual property taxes hovering around a mere quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should budget an additional two to four percent of the purchase price to cover the closing bundle, which encompasses notary, registry, and legal fees, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. This favorable tax structure, combined with the scarce supply of large acreage in Escaleras, ensures a robust long-term exit strategy.
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Living above the vibrant coastal enclave of Dominical in the prestigious Escaleras mountains represents the pinnacle of Southern Zone lifestyle aspirations. This is a region where the rugged, rainforest-draped peaks of Puntarenas plunge dramatically into the warm waters of the Pacific, creating a dramatic setting for those who demand absolute privacy without sacrificing convenience. For the discerning buyer, ownership here is not merely about acquiring a luxury estate; it is about securing a sanctuary where the rhythm of your day is dictated by the rising of the sun over the mist-shrouded peaks and the slow descent of the evening light into the ocean. The nearby communities of Dominical and Uvita offer a sophisticated yet laid-back coastal culture, blending world-class surf breaks, organic markets, and fine dining with the raw, untamed beauty of Marino Ballena National Park. Choosing this exclusive ridgeline means embracing a life of quiet distinction, where you can host intimate gatherings on your sunset terrace, explore private equestrian trails, and immerse yourself in one of the most biodiverse corridors on earth, all while knowing you have secured a legacy asset in Costa Rica's most coveted luxury market.
Dominical, Dominical, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
