
1 / 19This newly constructed custom residence in the Pavones area redefines affordable coastal luxury, delivering sweeping ocean views for USD 199,000. Positioned on over an acre of rolling hillsides in the tranquil Cuervito neighborhood, the estate balances complete privacy with convenient access, sitting just a short drive down the mountain to the world-class surf breaks and sandy beaches of the Pacific coast. The expansive layout of this modern house maximizes the elevation, capturing cool ocean breezes and framing vistas of the water below. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the home offers generous living spaces that seamlessly connect to the natural landscape, providing a private sanctuary amidst the tropical canopy.
Acquiring this piece of paradise is straightforward, as foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights. When budgeting for this purchase, buyers should anticipate standard transaction fees, which typically include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. The comprehensive closing package—covering notary services, registry filings, legal fees, and official stamps—generally totals between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. Once ownership is secured, holding costs remain exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. This combination of an entry-level price point, substantial acreage, and minimal carrying costs makes this Pavones property an unrivaled investment.
This property is situated in the peaceful mountain community of Cuervito, a highly desirable micro-location positioned just a short drive down the mountain to the world-class surf and sandy beaches of Pavones, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Located in the pristine South Pacific region, this area has become a premier destination for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, offering an ideal balance of coastal access, elevated privacy, and cooler mountain breezes. The surrounding landscape features over an acre of rolling hills, providing a quiet sanctuary for remote workers, retirees, and investors. Unlike the crowded resort towns further north, this part of the Puntarenas province offers a relaxed, authentic coastal lifestyle where residents can enjoy world-class surfing, explore dense tropical forests, and observe local wildlife such as the native toucan in its natural habitat. It represents a highly sought-after Costa Rica market for US and Canadian buyers seeking lifestyle, value, and long-term appreciation potential.
For North Americans navigating the purchasing process, Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Costa Rica homes for Canadians is highly accessible, as foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. When securing this property, buyers should anticipate standard transaction fees, which include a transfer stamp tax representing about 1.5% of the declared transaction value. The comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary services, registry filings, legal fees, and official stamps—typically ranges between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. Additionally, ongoing ownership costs remain remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. This favorable tax structure makes the region an exceptional choice for those exploring expat real estate Costa Rica.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This brand-new custom residence in the Cuervito area of Pavones offers a rare opportunity to secure an ocean-view property for USD 199000. Situated on over an acre of rolling hills, the estate provides exceptional privacy and generous physical space just a short drive down the mountain to the local surf breaks and beaches. The construction features meticulous custom details throughout the layout, maximizing the elevated vantage point to capture views of the Pacific Ocean.
The expansive acreage surrounding the home is characterized by beautiful, undulating terrain that provides a natural buffer from neighbors. This outdoor space offers ample room for future landscaping or additional structures, while the main house is positioned to optimize the coastal breeze.
For buyers navigating the Costa Rican purchase process, fee-simple ownership is fully permitted for foreign investors. Transaction costs typically include a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with the complete closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—generally totaling between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, with the annual municipal property tax assessed at roughly a quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value.
Acquiring this Cuervito property is a straightforward, secure process. In Costa Rica, foreign buyers enjoy the same robust fee simple ownership rights as local buyers for registered real estate outside the maritime zone. Because this home sits on over an acre of elevated land well away from the shoreline, you receive full, outright ownership.
During the transaction, you should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which encompasses professional notary fees, official registry filings, and legal stamps. This bundle includes the property transfer stamp tax, which typically accounts for about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once you take ownership, the ongoing holding costs are remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Additionally, while residency approvals are never guaranteed, this purchase price of $199,000 positions you well to explore the country's investor residency pathways.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This property presents a rare entry point into the Pavones market, priced at $199,000 for over an acre of land. For buyers seeking a strategic acquisition, the price per square meter of land combined with a brand-new custom home sits well below regional averages for ocean-view real estate. The estate operates efficiently as a high-yield short-term rental for surfers targeting the world-class waves nearby, or as a private sanctuary for remote professionals.
Transaction costs remain highly favorable. Buyers should budget approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value for the property transfer stamp tax, with the complete closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—typically totaling between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. With fee-simple ownership fully permitted for foreign buyers, this property represents a secure asset class with a clear exit strategy to future buyers priced out of more expensive Costa Rican micro-markets.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the hills of Cuervito above Pavones is not merely about owning a piece of real estate; it is about embracing a deliberate, soul-stirring lifestyle that most people only ever experience in their dreams. Here, your daily rhythm is dictated by the natural rise and fall of the sun and the distant, rhythmic rumble of the Pacific Ocean. Imagine waking up each morning to a symphony of tropical birds, stepping out onto your terrace with a cup of locally grown Costa Rican coffee, and looking out over your own acre of rolling green hills to check the morning surf conditions from your elevated vantage point. This is a place where the air is clean, the water is pure, and the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life simply melts away. For the passionate surfer, the proximity to the legendary point breaks of Pavones means you can be waxing your board and paddling out into some of the longest left-handed waves in the world within minutes of leaving your front door. For the nature lover, your backyard is a living, breathing sanctuary where scarlet macaws paint the sky in brilliant strokes of red, blue, and yellow, and curious monkeys swing through the lush canopy. It is a sanctuary where you can truly unplug, recharge, and reconnect with what matters most in life.
The modern buyer searching for a home in this pristine corner of Puntarenas is looking for more than just an affordable ocean-view property; they are seeking a profound shift in their quality of life. This home appeals directly to the visionary who craves absolute privacy and a deep connection to the earth, yet refuses to sacrifice the comforts of modern connectivity. It is designed for the remote professional who wants to close their laptop after a productive morning of video calls and immediately transition into a afternoon of world-class surfing, hiking, or simply reading a book in a hammock cooled by ocean breezes. It speaks to the adventurer who values authenticity over commercialization, choosing the tight-knit, supportive community of Cuervito over crowded, overdeveloped tourist traps. Buying here is an aspirational milestone—a declaration that you have chosen to prioritize well-being, adventure, and peace of mind. It represents the realization of a dream where you can live sustainably and harmoniously in one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, secure in the knowledge that you have carved out your own private paradise in the hills of Costa Rica.
Pavones, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004