1 / 15Perched in the temperate northern highlands, this legendary Spanish Colonial estate offers an unparalleled opportunity to own a private sanctuary or a thriving boutique hospitality business overlooking the majestic waters of Lake Arenal. Situated at an ideal elevation of 1,800 feet, the property enjoys a perfect microclimate where warm, sun-drenched days naturally give way to crisp, refreshing evening breezes. The sprawling 2.7-hectare (nearly seven-acre) parcel is a living masterpiece, draped in lush rainforest and vibrant botanical gardens that attract local wildlife and frame sweeping, unobstructed panoramas of the lake and the rolling green countryside.
Offered at $1,500,000, the estate’s thoughtful layout is designed for both privacy and seamless hosting, featuring a total of nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms distributed across a grand main residence and four independent guest casitas. Each structure exudes classic Spanish Colonial charm, blending traditional architecture with the raw beauty of the surrounding jungle. Located in the highly desirable Guanacaste province, this peaceful retreat is just a 45-minute drive from the adventure hub of La Fortuna—famed for its thermal hot springs, volcanic hiking, and culinary scene—and only ninety minutes from the Liberia International Airport. Whether envisioned as an exclusive family compound or a premier eco-lodge, this estate delivers the quintessential Costa Rican lifestyle with world-class convenience.
Constructed in the timeless Spanish Colonial architectural tradition, this distinguished estate spans nearly seven acres of lush, elevated rainforest and manicured botanical grounds. The compound is designed for both private enjoyment and hospitality operations, featuring a main hotel building complemented by four independent guest casitas. In total, the property offers nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, providing generous accommodations that blend traditional design with the natural beauty of the surrounding environment.
Perched at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet, the estate benefits from a comfortable mountain climate characterized by warm days and naturally cool evenings. The interior spaces open up to the outdoors, where expansive terraces look out over panoramic views of Lake Arenal and the rolling green hillsides. The mature botanical gardens surrounding the residences create a private sanctuary, attracting local wildlife and offering peaceful walking paths throughout the acreage.
Situated in the Lake Arenal region near Tilarán, the property is fully equipped to serve as a boutique business or a grand private estate. It is located just forty-five minutes from the adventure hub of La Fortuna and ninety minutes from Liberia International Airport, offering an ideal balance of secluded natural beauty and convenient accessibility.
Nestled in the lush northern highlands of Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, this exceptional estate offers an unparalleled lifestyle defined by natural beauty and serene highland living. Situated at an elevation of approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, the property benefits from a highly desirable temperate microclimate. Residents and guests enjoy warm, sun-drenched days followed by refreshingly cool mountain breezes in the evening, eliminating the intense coastal heat while preserving a vibrant, green rainforest environment. This unique setting provides the perfect backdrop for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica that combines tranquility with active outdoor adventure.
The location serves as a peaceful sanctuary while maintaining convenient access to key regional hubs and travel infrastructure. The bustling adventure hub of La Fortuna is reachable within a scenic 45-minute drive, offering world-class thermal hot springs, hiking trails around the Arenal Volcano, waterfalls, and diverse dining options. For international travelers, the Liberia International Airport is located approximately one and a half hours away, ensuring seamless arrivals and departures.
While coastal destinations like Tamarindo property or Flamingo Costa Rica homes attract those seeking bustling beach crowds, the Lake Arenal region offers a sophisticated alternative. It appeals to buyers searching for premium Guanacaste real estate that prioritizes privacy, wellness, and connection to nature. The estate layout—featuring a grand main house complemented by four independent guest casitas—is perfectly suited for a boutique hospitality venture, a private family compound, or a remote-work retreat. Whether your goal is to invest in a established business, retire in a peaceful tropical paradise, or enjoy world-class lake recreation, this property highlights the incredible diversity of the Costa Rican real estate market.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This historic country inn, spanning over 2.7 hectares of lush botanical gardens, presents a compelling acquisition for buyers seeking a turnkey hospitality venture or a multi-family estate. Priced at $1.5 million, the property offers an attractive entry point for the Lake Arenal region, where premium acreage with established infrastructure is increasingly rare. The compound architecture—combining a central lodge with four independent guest bungalows—provides maximum operational flexibility. Owners can live on-site while operating a boutique short-term rental business, lease the entire estate for private retreats, or transition the property into a private family compound.
While regional real estate values continue to climb due to the growing popularity of the northern highlands, this estate offers immediate value with its existing nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms, sparing buyers the rising costs and lengthy timelines of new construction. The ideal buyer is an lifestyle investor or hospitality operator looking to capitalize on Costa Rica’s booming eco-tourism market, particularly given the property's proximity to the adventure hub of La Fortuna. With global demand shifting toward wellness and nature-focused travel, securing an established estate of this scale offers both immediate utility and a strong long-term exit strategy.
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Purchasing this Lake Arenal estate is a straightforward and secure process for international buyers. In Costa Rica, foreigners enjoy the same constitutional property rights as citizens. For an inland, non-maritime property of this nature, ownership is typically held under Fee Simple title, registered directly in your name or a holding corporation.
Acquiring this landmark property also positions you for legal residency. Because the purchase price comfortably exceeds the $150,000 threshold, you qualify for the investor visa program, paving the way for a seamless transition to life in Costa Rica.
During the transaction, you can anticipate closing costs to run between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, which covers notary fees, transfer taxes, and registration. Ongoing ownership is remarkably affordable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just 0.25% of the registered value. This favorable tax structure ensures your investment remains highly cost-effective over the long term.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
To immerse yourself in the lifestyle of the Lake Arenal region is to embrace a daily rhythm dictated by the gentle whispers of the highland breeze and the vibrant chorus of the surrounding rainforest. Situated at an ideal elevation of approximately 1,800 feet above sea level, this unique microclimate offers a refreshing alternative to the intense heat of the coastal lowlands. Here, the days are bathed in a comfortable, golden warmth that is perfect for outdoor exploration, while the evenings bring a welcome, crisp coolness that invites you to unwind under a canopy of stars. It is a place where the air is pure, the vegetation is perpetually lush, and the pace of life slows down to match the serene, undulating waters of the lake itself. For the discerning buyer, this region represents the ultimate sanctuary—a harmonious blend of raw natural beauty and refined tranquility. Living here means waking up to panoramic vistas of rolling green hillsides and the shimmering expanse of Lake Arenal, where every sunrise brings a new appreciation for the untouched splendor of Costa Rica’s northern highlands. It is an environment that naturally fosters wellness, creativity, and a deep connection to the earth, making it a highly coveted haven for those seeking to escape the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life.
For the aspiring investor or lifestyle buyer, acquiring a property in this prestigious enclave is about far more than purchasing real estate; it is about securing a legacy and curating an extraordinary way of life for yourself and your guests. The modern traveler increasingly seeks out authentic, immersive experiences that nourish the soul, and this estate serves as the perfect conduit for that aspiration. Imagine owning a private botanical paradise where guests can wander through acres of manicured tropical gardens, spot exotic birds in their natural habitat, and then retreat to the comfort of a beautifully designed Spanish Colonial estate. This property appeals directly to the visionary entrepreneur who dreams of hosting exclusive wellness retreats, intimate eco-lodges, or a boutique country inn that serves as a basecamp for adventure. With the world-renowned attractions of La Fortuna just a short drive away, your guests can spend their days chasing waterfalls, soaking in thermal hot springs, or zip-lining through the rainforest canopy, only to return to the peaceful, elevated sanctuary of your estate as the afternoon cools. This is an opportunity to step into a ready-made lifestyle of prestige and purpose, where you can seamlessly combine a lucrative hospitality business with a deeply fulfilling personal retreat, all while surrounded by one of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.
Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste
Tilarán, Guanacaste
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
