
1 / 13High above the Pacific where the ocean meets the sky, this expansive 286000 m² parcel of land in Pavones, Golfito, represents an extraordinary development opportunity now offered at USD 749000. Positioned as a premier estate or a future eco-lodge, the vast acreage delivers sweeping views of the Golfo Dulce and the ocean. The property is defined by its diverse terrain, which includes the Rio Hierba flowing along the boundary. This freshwater river features deep pools and is home to jumbo river shrimp. A private trail network winds through the acreage, leading past native tropical fruit trees to a three-meter waterfall. These paths are ideal for hiking, horseback riding, or mountain biking, offering encounters with local wildlife like the chestnut-mandibled toucan.
The land features two separate entry points and has direct access to both electricity and water, making it ready for immediate development. Investors can design a compound-property layout featuring a main estate house alongside several independent guest casitas on the multiple pre-cleared building sites. For buyers navigating the acquisition, Costa Rica permits full fee simple ownership for international investors. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Standard closing fees, which encompass notary services, registration stamps, and legal transfers, generally average between two and four percent of the final transaction price. Owner financing is available for this unique Pavones tract.
Acquiring this expansive Pavones estate is a straightforward process for North American buyers, as Costa Rica grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you can hold the deed directly in your own name or through a local corporation. At a purchase price of $749,000, this investment comfortably exceeds the government's financial threshold for residency-by-investment programs, offering a clear pathway to legal residency.
Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low. The annual property tax is calculated at a mere one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value, which is typically much lower than the market price. During the acquisition, buyers should budget for closing fees—covering notary services, registry filings, legal work, and stamps—which generally total between two and four percent of the final purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the declared transaction value.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive 286,000-square-meter parcel in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton represents a rare acreage acquisition, priced at USD 749,000. The property features 286,000 square meters of construction-ready terrain, characterized by multiple natural building sites that overlook the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce. The Rio Hierba borders the boundary line, providing private access to freshwater pools where jumbo river shrimp are found. An established network of private trails winds through the acreage, offering dedicated routes for horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking. These paths lead directly to a pristine three-meter waterfall situated within the property boundaries.
The land is populated with mature tropical fruit trees and native flora that attract local wildlife. The white-faced capuchin monkey travels through the canopy, while the scarlet macaw nests in the old-growth trees. Practical infrastructure is highly accessible, with two distinct entry points to the acreage and connection points ready for both electricity and local water services.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership. This transaction is subject to an annual municipal property tax of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget for closing fees, registry stamps, and notary services, which typically total between two and four percent of the final purchase price. Owner financing is available for this land holding.
This expansive acreage is situated in Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a region in the South Pacific that has become a highly sought-after Costa Rica market for US and Canadian buyers seeking lifestyle, value, and long-term appreciation potential. Positioned near the Golfo Dulce, this micro-location offers a distinct coastal climate where the rainforest meets the sea. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this specific area provides an ideal setting for a private multi-home family estate or a dedicated eco-lodge, utilizing the main house and guest casitas layout. The property is bordered by the Rio Hierba, allowing residents to swim in cool river pools or search for jumbo river shrimp. An onsite trail network accommodates hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, leading directly to a pristine ten-foot waterfall. This environment supports a diverse ecosystem where residents can regularly observe native species, such as the scarlet macaw, in their natural habitat.
For North Americans researching Costa Rica real estate for Americans or Costa Rica homes for Canadians, understanding the local purchasing framework is essential. Expat real estate Costa Rica transactions benefit from fee-simple ownership rights, which grant foreign buyers the same property protections as local citizens. Ongoing holding costs are highly favorable; the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, requiring only about a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value each year. When completing a purchase, buyers should budget for a transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a standard closing bundle of two to four percent to cover notary, registry, and legal fees. At a purchase price of $749,000, this property also positions buyers well within the threshold for the country's residency-by-investment program, making it an attractive option for those planning a permanent relocation or long-term investment in the region.
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Acquiring this 28.6-hectare Pavones estate at the newly reduced price of $749,000 positions buyers at an advantageous entry point of approximately $2.62 per square meter. This unit pricing sits well below typical averages for premium ocean-view acreage in southern Costa Rica, offering a strong foundation for capital appreciation. The property is ideally structured for a high-yield eco-lodge or a multi-home family compound, allowing owners to capture the growing demand for low-density, conservation-minded tourism. Investors can leverage the dual-access points and internal trail network to develop independent rental villas, maximizing short-term yield while retaining a private owner's parcel.
From a market timing perspective, Pavones continues to attract high-net-worth buyers seeking seclusion, making a future subdivided exit highly viable. Costa Rica’s favorable tax structure enhances the holding strategy; annual property taxes are remarkably low, costing just about a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should anticipate closing costs, including notary fees, registry stamps, and legal transfers, to total between two and four percent of the purchase price. This transaction qualifies foreign buyers for fee-simple ownership rights, identical to those of citizens, and establishes a clear path toward residency-by-investment pathways at this price threshold.
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The allure of Pavones extends far beyond the physical boundaries of this seventy-acre estate, offering an unmatched lifestyle that resonates deeply with those who seek a harmonious balance between raw, untouched nature and refined coastal living. Situated in the southern reaches of Puntarenas near Golfito, this region is globally celebrated as a sanctuary for soul-seekers, surf enthusiasts, and conservationists alike. To live here is to adopt a daily rhythm dictated by the tides of the Golfo Dulce and the gentle rustle of the canopy. Aspiring buyers often dream of a life stripped of metropolitan chaos, where the morning alarm is replaced by the call of howler monkeys and the evening wind down involves watching the sun dip below the Pacific horizon from a private vantage point. This property fulfills that exact aspiration, serving as a blank canvas where visionary owners can curate a lifestyle centered on wellness, adventure, and ecological stewardship. Whether your vision involves hosting intimate yoga retreats overlooking the ocean, cultivating an organic farm-to-table lifestyle utilizing the fertile volcanic soil, or simply securing a legacy family compound where multiple generations can reconnect away from the digital grid, this land offers the space and privacy to make those dreams a reality. The surrounding waters of the gulf are a playground for world-class sportfishing, paddleboarding, and whale watching, while the world-famous left-hand point break of Pavones beckons those who chase the ultimate ride. Investing in this slice of Costa Rica is not merely a real estate transaction; it is a conscious decision to step into a life of purpose, tranquility, and profound connection to the earth. Here, the concept of luxury is redefined not by gold-leaf finishes, but by the sheer abundance of clean air, flowing river water, towering ancient trees, and the absolute freedom of expansive, private acreage.
Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004