74-Acre Herradura Ocean-View Eco-Estate: Prime Development Land Near Jaco

This premier 74-acre estate, priced at USD 1,500,000, is situated in the Garabito canton within the scenic Jacó district. The property features eight individual mountain parcels that average over 1.2 acres each, alongside a massive 60-acre private forest reserve. Designed for low-impact development, local regulations permit a single-family home of up to 5,000 square feet on each parcel, ensuring that less than 5% of the total land is occupied by construction. The architectural vision for these home sites utilizes the natural topographic contours of the hillside to support elevated terraces and infinity pools overlooking Herradura Bay.

Infrastructure is already underway to support high-end residential or eco-tourism development. The developers constructed concrete bridges over the Cañablancal River and local streams, securing reliable 4x4 vehicle access. Electrical connectivity is established directly at the property entrance, with the line officially donated to the national power company, ICE, for long-term maintenance. High-speed internet is available for connection, and a natural freshwater spring on the property provides a dedicated source for potable water.

Each of the eight parcels is fully segregated with its own individual property registration number (Folio Real) and registered survey plan (Plano Catastrado) under its own Costa Rican corporation. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy secure fee-simple ownership rights for this inland mountain property, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones. Buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle for notary, registry, and legal fees generally ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are assessed based on the registered cadastral value of the land.

This 74-acre estate in Herradura, priced at $1,500,000, offers a highly strategic acquisition for institutional investors, boutique developers, or high-net-worth buyers seeking a multi-villa compound. The property structure consists of eight individual, pre-segregated parcels averaging over 1.2 acres each (totaling 14 acres), paired with a massive 60-acre private nature reserve. This dual-structure setup provides an exceptional entry point on a price-per-square-meter basis for development-ready land in the highly coveted Central Pacific region.

The investment profile is highly versatile. A buyer can execute a low-density residential exit by developing up to eight mountain estates of up to 5,000 square feet each, capitalizing on the high-demand luxury rental market. Alternatively, the land can be developed into a boutique mountain hotel, an upscale glamping retreat, or an eco-adventure park, subject to obtaining local commercial permits.

Costa Rica’s legal framework highly favors international buyers, granting foreign nationals the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this entire property is located outside the restricted maritime concession zones, buyers enjoy secure, absolute title. To streamline the transaction, each of the eight parcels is already registered under its own Costa Rican corporation, has its own individual property registry number (Folio Real), and possesses its own approved cadastral plan.

Transaction costs are predictable, with property transfer stamp taxes generally averaging around 1.5% of the declared transaction value, and the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are minimized by annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. Additionally, an investment at this price level aligns with the thresholds required to apply for Costa Rica’s residency-by-investment program, offering a clear pathway to residency for international buyers looking to establish a permanent foothold in the country's most accessible coastal market.

The Herradura micro-location within the Garabito canton offers an exceptional balance of secluded mountain elevation and immediate coastal convenience. Situated in the Central Pacific region of Puntarenas, this 74-acre property sits between 450 and 1,000 feet above sea level, creating a distinct microclimate. This elevation delivers cooler mountain breezes and lower temperatures than the sea-level flats, while remaining just 2.4 kilometers from the Costanera Sur highway. Buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica will find that this location bridges the gap between absolute privacy and rapid access to regional hubs. The bustling town center of Jacó is only minutes away, providing access to bilingual schools, medical facilities, legal services, major supermarkets, and banking. Additionally, the world-class marina facilities of Herradura Bay are just down the mountain, while the famous surf breaks of Playa Hermosa homes for sale are easily accessible along the coast.

This specific micro-location is highly influenced by its proximity to the Carara National Park, which helps sustain the local ecosystem. The property itself borders the Cañablancal River and contains natural freshwater springs, serving as a biological corridor for diverse native species. Scarlet macaws fly overhead, and white-faced capuchin monkeys travel through the canopy of the 60-acre private forest reserve. Unlike typical beach property Jaco offers, this estate allows for a lifestyle centered on conservation, remote work, or eco-tourism. Owners can hike through private primary forests containing over 230 identified botanical species, then drive minutes to access high-end dining and nightlife.

As part of the wider real estate Jaco Costa Rica market, Garabito represents a highly developed coastal infrastructure backed by secure legal frameworks. For North American buyers navigating the Costa Rican system, this property offers fee-simple ownership, which is fully permitted for foreign buyers outside of restricted maritime concession zones. Each of the eight parcels within the estate is already segregated with its own individual Folio Real and registered cadastral plan, simplifying the acquisition process. Purchasing this type of land involves standard closing costs, including property transfer stamp taxes and notary fees, while the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. This structured legal environment, combined with the proximity to San José and two major national parks, makes Herradura one of the most secure and versatile investment landscapes in the country.

Acquiring this 74-acre estate in Garabito is a highly secure transaction for international buyers. Because the property sits high above the coastline, it is held under fee-simple ownership rather than the restrictive concession terms typical of beachfront maritime zones. This means foreign buyers enjoy the exact same constitutional property rights as local citizens, allowing for direct ownership under your personal name or a corporate entity.

The investment of $1,500,000 easily surpasses the financial threshold required to apply for Costa Rica’s residency-by-investment program, offering an established pathway to legal residency. Each of the eight individual parcels is already fully segregated with its own distinct registration number (Folio Real) and official survey plan (Plano Catastrado), registered under individual Costa Rican corporations to streamline the transfer process.

During the closing process, buyers should anticipate transaction costs—including notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and stamps—amounting to approximately two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared value. Ongoing annual property taxes are calculated based on the officially registered cadastral value of the land, keeping long-term carrying costs highly manageable for an estate of this magnitude.