Mountain view
1 / 15This expansive agricultural estate represents a rare opportunity to secure a legacy property in the southern highlands of Costa Rica, positioned directly adjacent to the famous Eco-Chontales Waterfall. Offered at USD 450000, the estate spans 212600 m² of titled land within the Barú district of the Pérez Zeledón canton. The topography features a series of natural terraces, fertile soil, and productive pastureland where cattle currently graze against a backdrop of panoramic mountain vistas. A clean, rushing river forms a secure natural boundary along the edge of the property, providing essential water security and ecological value. Because a public road divides the estate into two distinct registered planos, buyers enjoy immediate flexibility for a strategic subdivision, a private family compound, or a diversified eco-tourism venture.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this titled acreage. When budgeting for this acquisition, expect the comprehensive closing bundle—which covers notary services, registry filings, legal fees, and stamps—to range between two and four percent of the final purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally requires about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than its market purchase price.
La Lechería de Chontales Farm is held under fee simple title, which is the highest form of property ownership in Costa Rica. Because this inland acreage in Pérez Zeledón sits well outside the restricted maritime zone, foreign buyers enjoy the exact same constitutional ownership rights as local citizens, allowing you to hold the deed directly in your own name or through a Costa Rican corporation.
At a purchase price of $450,000, this acquisition comfortably exceeds the government's minimum investment threshold, making you eligible to apply for investor residency status. During the acquisition process, you can expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registration, and legal stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Once owned, your ongoing carrying costs remain remarkably low; the annual municipal property tax is calculated using a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value rather than its market price, ensuring this expansive 52.5-acre riverfront estate remains highly efficient to hold over the long term.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive 212,600 m² farm in the Barú district of Pérez Zeledón is priced at USD 450,000. The property consists of two registered cadastral plans divided by a public road, which provides excellent flexibility for future subdivision or development. Currently operating as active pastureland with grazing cattle, the fertile terrain features natural building terraces and productive soil suitable for diverse agricultural endeavors.
A major highlight of the acreage is its direct river frontage, which forms a natural boundary along the property. This water source provides ecological value and long-term agricultural resilience. The land offers expansive mountain valley views and sits directly beside the entrance to the Eco-Chontales Waterfall, positioning it in a highly scenic corridor of southern Costa Rica.
From a purchasing perspective, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. The annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping ongoing holding costs predictable. Buyers should plan for standard closing costs, including the property transfer stamp tax and legal registry fees, which typically represent a small percentage of the final transaction value.
Situated in the fertile valley of Barú, Pérez Zeledón, San José, Costa Rica, this expansive acreage offers a rare combination of agricultural utility and ecological beauty. Buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica will find that this micro-location provides a distinct climate, where cool mountain breezes from the high peaks of Pérez Zeledón meet the lush, warm air of the southern Pacific zone. The property sits directly adjacent to the famous Eco-Chontales Waterfall, positioning it in a highly scenic corridor that attracts nature lovers while remaining a peaceful sanctuary. For daily needs, the bustling hub of San Isidro de El General is the nearest major town center, providing comprehensive medical facilities, organic markets, and professional services. This makes the region a premier choice for those researching Perez Zeledon real estate, as it balances rural seclusion with convenient access to the largest city in southern Costa Rica.
The local lifestyle centers on land stewardship, self-sufficiency, and outdoor exploration. With the river forming a natural boundary, the property supports diverse endeavors from active cattle ranching to sustainable farming and off-grid homesteading. The surrounding valley is home to incredible biodiversity; you can regularly spot the fiery-billed aracari feeding in the canopy or watch a white-faced capuchin monkey navigate the river corridor. This San Isidro property Costa Rica buyers are targeting represents a versatile investment in a region known for its strong community character and agricultural heritage.
From an investment perspective, Pérez Zeledón is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, appealing to international buyers who appreciate the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are fully granted to foreigners outside of maritime concession zones. When acquiring this titled farm, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally bundle into 2 to 4% of the purchase price. Additionally, ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price. At this price point, the acquisition may also serve as a pathway for those exploring the country's residency-by-investment programs.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 21.26-hectare farm in Barú, Pérez Zeledón, represents a strategic entry point into the southern mountain region of Costa Rica at an attractive valuation of just over $2.11 per square meter. This pricing sits comfortably below many coastal averages, offering significant room for capital appreciation. The ideal buyer is an eco-developer or agricultural investor looking to leverage the dual-plano configuration, which is split by a public road to allow for immediate subdivision or a low-density hospitality project next to the popular Eco-Chontales Waterfall.
While short-term rental yields are not guaranteed, the property’s direct river frontage and dramatic mountain views provide a strong foundation for an eco-lodge or a conservation-focused estate. For long-term exit planning, the flexible layout supports selling off individual parcels or retaining the land as a working ranch. From a transaction standpoint, foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights. Buyers should budget for standard closing expenses, which typically encompass notary, registry, and legal fees ranging from 2% to 4% of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. Ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price.
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The allure of Barú, Pérez Zeledón, extends far beyond the physical boundaries of the land, offering a lifestyle defined by deep ecological connection and absolute serenity. Nestled in one of the most scenic mountain valleys of southern Costa Rica, this region represents the quintessential sanctuary for those seeking to escape the frantic pace of modern urban life. Here, the rhythm of your day is dictated by the gentle flow of the adjacent river and the whispering mountain breezes rather than alarms and traffic. Living in this pristine corridor means embracing a lifestyle of wellness, where the air is incredibly clean, the surrounding forests are alive with vibrant biodiversity, and the majestic presence of the nearby Eco-Chontales waterfall serves as a constant reminder of nature's raw power and beauty. For the visionary buyer, this property is not just an investment in acreage, but an investment in a legacy of stewardship and self-sufficiency. It appeals directly to the aspirational homesteader, the eco-conscious developer, or the private investor who dreams of cultivating a sustainable haven. Imagine waking up to panoramic mountain views, spending your mornings planning organic orchards or managing a boutique agricultural venture, and your afternoons cooling off by the riverbank. This location offers the rare luxury of complete privacy and immersion in nature without feeling isolated, creating a harmonious balance between rustic adventure and peaceful reflection. It is a place where you can build a custom estate that honors the land, establishing a multi-generational retreat that celebrates the very best of Costa Rica's rich natural heritage and tranquil countryside living.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Barú, Pérez Zeledón, San José