1 / 17This expansive fifty-acre estate in Desmonte, within the highly desirable Atenas canton of Alajuela, represents a rare opportunity to secure a massive tract of untouched Costa Rican countryside for USD 600000. Spanning exactly 200725 m², the property is bordered by two distinct watercourses: the Rio Quebrada Honda and the Quebrada San Francisco. These rivers descend from the high elevations of the Machuca Valley, carving out dramatic waterfalls, deep natural swimming pools, and ancient rock formations. The water sources establish a protected biological corridor where native species thrive. White-faced capuchin monkeys travel through the canopy, while bright green parrots nest in the old-growth trees.
The topography features several natural building sites positioned to capture views of the Pacific coastline and the surrounding mountain ranges. Accessible directly from Highway 3, the location serves as a convenient midpoint between the capital city of San Jose, the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and the beaches of the Pacific coast. Under Costa Rican law, foreign investors can acquire this agricultural land with secure, fee-simple ownership rights. Ongoing ownership costs remain exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should anticipate additional transaction costs, including a transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent and total closing fees ranging between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price to cover notary and registration requirements.
Acquiring this expansive 50-acre farm in Desmonte, Atenas, is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property is located in the Central Valley highlands and does not fall within the restricted maritime concession zones, you will hold absolute deeded title. The purchase price of $600,000 comfortably exceeds the government's threshold for the investor residency category, allowing you to apply for legal residency.
During the transaction, expect the total closing bundle—which encompasses notary fees, registration charges, legal services, and stamps—to range between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value. Ongoing ownership is highly cost-effective, with annual municipal property taxes amounting to just a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral valuation, making this massive acreage remarkably inexpensive to hold over the long term.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive 200,725 m² farm in Desmonte, within the Atenas canton, is available for USD 600,000. The virgin acreage is flanked by two distinct waterways: the Rio Quebrada Honda and the Quebrada San Francisco. These rivers flow directly from the Machuca Valley, creating natural waterfalls and deep swimming pools across the property. The unique topography features natural springs, dramatic rock outcroppings, and hidden caverns. Multiple natural building sites are situated throughout the acreage, positioned to maximize the views of the surrounding mountains and the Pacific coast.
For buyers looking to develop, the property tax is highly favorable, averaging approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value annually. Standard transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle for notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from two to four percent of the purchase price. Foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights on this agricultural parcel, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones.
Situated in Desmonte, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, this expansive fifty-acre farm offers a strategic location in the highly desirable Central Valley region. Positioned along Highway 3, the property serves as a convenient halfway point between the capital city of San Jose, the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and the beaches of the Pacific coast. This micro-location in Desmonte provides a perfect balance for buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, combining rural tranquility with accessibility to essential urban amenities. The canton of Atenas is celebrated for its exceptional microclimate, which maintains comfortable temperatures year-round, making it a favored destination for North American retirees, remote workers, and investors. The local community features a welcoming blend of Costa Rican citizens and international expatriates who enjoy a relaxed countryside pace, weekly agricultural markets, and panoramic mountain vistas.
For those exploring Central Valley Costa Rica real estate, the region offers a stable investment environment. Foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens for titled land outside of concession zones. When purchasing Atenas Costa Rica homes or land, buyers should anticipate transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from two to four percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. This favorable tax structure enhances the long-term value of this massive acreage, positioning it as an ideal choice for those seeking to buy property Costa Rica has to offer.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
At an acquisition price of $600,000 for 200,725 square meters of land, this Desmonte estate represents an entry point of just under $3 per square meter. This pricing sits well below the averages typically commanded by smaller, subdivided parcels in the Atenas region. For the preservation-minded investor or developer, this acreage offers a strategic exit strategy: one can hold the entire fifty-acre parcel as a private legacy estate, or utilize the multiple natural building sites to create a low-density eco-boutique compound.
The financial holding costs are remarkably low. Costa Rica levies an annual property tax of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered municipal valuation, keeping carry costs minimal while you finalize development plans. During the acquisition phase, buyers should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps. Because Costa Rica grants foreign buyers the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens for registered titled land, your investment is fully secure. The ideal buyer is a visionary developer or a private high-net-worth individual looking to capitalize on the growing demand for secluded, nature-first retreats positioned strategically between the capital city and the Pacific coast.
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To understand the true essence of Desmonte is to embrace a lifestyle where time slows down and the natural world dictates the rhythm of your day. Situated in the hills of Atenas within the Alajuela province, this region is celebrated globally for possessing one of the most desirable climates on Earth, where warm, sun-drenched afternoons are tempered by gentle mountain breezes that sweep across the Central Valley. For the discerning buyer, acquiring a massive fifty-acre estate like Finca Dos Rios is not merely a real estate transaction; it is a profound lifestyle transition and the realization of a long-held aspiration to reconnect with the earth. Here, you are invited to step away from the relentless noise of modern urban centers and step into a sanctuary of absolute peace, where your immediate neighbors are the lush canopy trees, soaring tropical birds, and the soothing, rhythmic sounds of the Rio Quebrada Honda and the Quebrada San Francisco. This location appeals directly to those who seek a legacy property—a private family compound, an eco-luxury retreat, or a personal sanctuary where wellness and sustainability are built into the very landscape.
The aspirational draw of this specific corridor lies in its unique geographical positioning, offering an unparalleled balance between secluded mountain living and effortless modern accessibility. Nestled just off Route 3, Desmonte serves as a scenic midway point, granting you the luxury of choosing your daily adventure with ease. On any given morning, you can drive east to access the cultural offerings, gourmet dining, and international airport in San Jose, or head west to spend the afternoon walking the warm sands of the Pacific coast. This strategic location satisfies the modern buyer's desire for dual worlds: the ability to disconnect entirely within a pristine, fifty-acre valley of waterfalls and natural springs, while remaining fully connected to the infrastructure, medical facilities, and conveniences of the Central Valley. It is a place where you can cultivate your own organic gardens, design architectural masterpieces on natural building ridges that capture both mountain and ocean views, and fall asleep to the cool, clean air of the Machuca Valley. Owning a property of this scale in Atenas represents the ultimate luxury of space, privacy, and natural freedom, fulfilling the dream of a authentic Costa Rican lifestyle where the majestic beauty of the land inspires you daily and the promise of a peaceful, balanced future becomes your everyday reality.
Desmonte, Atenas, Alajuela
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
