
1 / 15Acquiring titled beachfront real estate in Costa Rica at an entry price point below market value is an exceptionally rare occurrence, particularly within a highly sought-after resort corridor. Positioned on the 14th floor of the newly completed Punta Esmeralda development, this brand-new 94-square-meter condominium offers an immediate equity advantage for discerning North American buyers. The residence features a functional three-bedroom, two-bathroom layout of modern construction. Because the current owner secured the property during the pre-construction phase and is highly motivated to finalize a sale prior to closing, the unit is positioned on the market for USD 219000. This pricing sits significantly below comparable inventory in the immediate area. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, while the physical placement of the unit overlooks the central swimming pool, the private clubhouse, and the white sands of the beach directly in front.
The condominium is situated within the secure, gated community of Punta Leona, located in the Jaco district within the Garabito canton of Puntarenas. This prime location places residents just fifteen minutes north of the active coastal hub of Jaco, providing convenient access to professional services, supermarkets, and diverse dining options. The immediate bay features calm, current-free waters ideal for swimming, while the adjacent Playa Blanca offers excellent surfing conditions just a short walk away. Beyond the beach, the entire development encompasses 13 acres of land, with the vast majority preserved as protected green space featuring dedicated walking trails where residents can observe local scarlet macaws in their natural habitat.
From a purchasing perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those held by Costa Rican citizens. When budgeting for this transaction, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry fees, and legal stamps. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally requires approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the condominium rather than the retail purchase price. This combination of low carrying costs, instant equity, and premium beachfront positioning makes the property a highly strategic acquisition.
Acquiring this beachfront condominium is a highly secure transaction, as the property is held under fee simple title rather than a concession. In Costa Rica, foreign buyers enjoy the exact same constitutional ownership rights as citizens, allowing you to hold the deed directly in your own name or through a local corporation. Because the purchase price of $219,000 exceeds the national investment threshold, purchasing this residence makes you eligible to apply for legal residency in the country.
During the closing process, buyers should anticipate transaction costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside legal, notary, and registry fees that generally total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Once owned, ongoing holding costs remain remarkably low; the annual property tax is calculated using the registered cadastral value of the condominium, rather than its market price, ensuring highly manageable carrying costs for your international real estate portfolio.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This newly completed, titled beachfront condominium represents a rare acquisition opportunity in the Garabito canton, situated within the highly desirable Jaco district. Spanning 94 m² of pristine construction on a 94 m² land footprint, this sixteenth-floor residence offers an elevated vantage point with panoramic mountain views. The interior layout features three bedrooms and two bathrooms, delivering a modern and efficient living space designed for comfort. Positioned in the prime sector of the development, the unit sits directly in front of the community clubhouse and the central swimming pool, offering immediate access to the resort-style amenities.
Beyond the residence, the secure gated community of Punta Esmeralda encompasses thirteen acres of land, with the vast majority dedicated to protected green space and nature trails. Residents enjoy direct access to a calm, white-sand swimming bay free of strong currents, while active surf breaks are located just a short walk away at the adjacent beach. Condo is being sold unfurnished. Photos are of similar units in the same development.
From a transactional perspective, the property is offered at USD 219000. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy secure fee-simple ownership rights for this titled property. Buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% alongside notary and registry fees that generally total between 2% and 4% of the transaction value. Ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the condominium.
This modern condominium is situated within the secure gates of Punta Esmeralda, a premium enclave nestled inside the renowned Punta Leona private community. Located in the Garabito canton of the Puntarenas province, this micro-location offers an exceptional balance of natural serenity and modern convenience. Residents are positioned just fifteen minutes north of the bustling hub of Jaco, Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This strategic placement provides seamless access to the region's premier dining, shopping, and essential services, while maintaining a peaceful distance from the central tourist corridors. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this region represents one of the most accessible and highly sought-after coastal corridors in the country, easily reached from the primary international airport in San Jose.
The immediate environment of Punta Leona is defined by its rare ecological footprint, featuring a thirteen-acre property where the vast majority of the land is preserved as protected green space. Nature enthusiasts can explore dedicated walking trails winding through the native forest, where white-faced capuchin monkeys swing through the canopy and scarlet macaws fly overhead. The lifestyle here revolves around the pristine, white-sand beach directly in front of the development. This calm bay features gentle waters with no dangerous currents, making it an ideal swimming beach. For those seeking active water sports, the famous surf breaks of Playa Blanca are located just a short walk over to the next beach. This proximity to diverse coastal experiences makes the area highly competitive with other regional markets, drawing frequent comparisons to Playa Hermosa homes for sale and broader real estate Jaco Costa Rica searches.
Whether your goal is to retire in comfort, secure a high-performing investment, or establish a base for remote work, this location delivers. The surrounding Garabito canton is a cornerstone of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, blending local coastal charm with robust infrastructure that appeals directly to international buyers. Ownership of this beach property Jaco is straightforward, as Costa Rica permits fee-simple property rights for foreign buyers. When acquiring this unit, buyers should note that the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the condominium. Additionally, buyers should plan for standard closing costs, which typically encompass the property transfer stamp tax alongside notary, registry, and legal fees. This structured legal framework ensures a secure transaction, allowing you to focus entirely on the exceptional coastal lifestyle provided by this unique beachfront development.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $219,000 for a 94-square-meter footprint, this brand-new beachfront condo offers an entry point of approximately $2,330 per square meter. This rate sits well below typical regional averages for titled beachfront real estate in the Jaco and Los Sueños corridor, primarily because the motivated seller secured the unit pre-construction and is exiting prior to final closing. For the incoming buyer, this transaction structure provides immediate equity upon acquisition. The property is highly suited for individual investors seeking a high-occupancy short-term rental asset, given its position on the sixteenth floor overlooking the pool, clubhouse, and the calm waters of the bay.
From a transaction perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens for this titled property, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones. Ongoing carrying costs are remarkably low, as annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the condo rather than the market purchase price. Buyers should budget between 2% and 4% of the purchase price to cover the complete closing bundle, which includes notary services, registry fees, legal representation, and the standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. This asset represents a liquid real estate play with a clear exit strategy, supported by the growing demand for titled beachfront inventory within the secure, gated gates of Punta Leona.
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Jaco, Garabito, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004