1 / 13This exceptional residential property in the highly desirable canton of Atenas offers a rare combination of value, character, and tropical beauty for USD 224900. Spanning a generous 733 m² corner lot, the estate features 135 m² of thoughtful construction designed to maximize the region's famous year-round climate. The main residence hosts two comfortable bedrooms and one bathroom, arranged in an open-concept layout that feels remarkably spacious. Warmth radiates from the vaulted wood ceilings overhead, while expansive windows frame views of the established tropical gardens, allowing natural light to flood the interior living areas. A large, functional kitchen serves as the heart of the home, offering abundant workspace and connecting effortlessly to the main living space for seamless entertaining. Step outside to the covered outdoor areas, which extend your living space directly into the lush, landscaped grounds. Beyond the physical beauty of the home, purchasing real estate in Costa Rica is highly accessible for international buyers, who enjoy the security of fee simple ownership rights. Ongoing ownership costs remain incredibly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate. During the acquisition process, buyers should plan for standard closing fees, which typically encompass notary services, registry filings, and legal stamps. This property represents an ideal entry point into the Central Valley market.
Acquiring this property in the highly desirable Vista Atenas community is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the exact same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this residence sits in the interior Central Valley rather than a coastal maritime zone, you will hold direct, fee simple title to the entire 733-square-meter parcel and the 135-square-meter home.
From a financial perspective, ongoing ownership is highly cost-effective. Your annual property tax is calculated using the registered cadastral value of the estate, which keeps yearly holding costs remarkably low. During the acquisition, you should budget for standard closing expenses, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $224,900 exceeds the national investment threshold, securing this property positions you to apply for official Costa Rican residency under the country's investment program.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This Atenas property offers 135 square meters of construction on a 733-square-meter corner lot. Built to high standards, the residence features vaulted wood ceilings that add warmth and architectural character to the interior spaces. The open-concept layout includes a generous kitchen with ample workspace, which connects to the spacious living areas. Large windows are positioned throughout the home to maximize natural light and frame views of the mature tropical gardens.
The home includes two well-proportioned bedrooms, consisting of a spacious primary suite and a comfortable guest bedroom, served by one bathroom. Covered outdoor terraces extend the living space directly into the landscaped gardens, allowing residents to enjoy the temperate Central Valley climate.
Priced at USD 224900, this real estate purchase is subject to Costa Rican property laws. Foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. The annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the home rather than the purchase price. Buyers should also budget for the closing bundle, which covers notary fees, registry fees, and legal stamps, typically ranging from two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value.
Situated in the desirable community of Vista Atenas within the Alajuela province, this property offers an exceptional gateway to the renowned Central Valley Costa Rica real estate market. Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica is internationally celebrated for possessing one of the most desirable microclimates in the world, characterized by warm days, refreshing evening breezes, and comfortable year-round temperatures. This unique climate fosters an outdoor-centric lifestyle where residents can enjoy the lush tropical gardens on their own 733-square-meter lot. The local community of Atenas strikes a perfect balance between traditional Costa Rican culture and a welcoming international expat population. Living here means enjoying a relaxed countryside pace while remaining highly connected. The vibrant weekly farmer's market, known locally as the feria, provides fresh tropical fruits and organic vegetables just minutes from your doorstep, while the town center offers cozy cafes, local eateries, and essential services.
For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this location is strategically positioned for maximum convenience. Residents enjoy straightforward access to the capital city of San Jose, the premium shopping and medical facilities of Escazu, and the international airport in Alajuela. The pristine beaches of the Central Pacific coast are also an easy drive away, making weekend surf trips or coastal day excursions a seamless part of daily life. This central positioning makes Atenas Costa Rica homes highly sought after by North American retirees, remote professionals, and long-term investors alike.
Acquiring this home is a straightforward process, as foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. When purchasing this property, buyers should anticipate standard closing expenses, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps that bundle to a small percentage of the final purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax is calculated based on the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, with the annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the home and land, ensuring that maintaining your piece of paradise is as stress-free as the lifestyle itself.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 135-square-meter home on a 733-square-meter corner lot in Vista Atenas presents a highly accessible entry point into the Central Valley real estate market. Priced at $224,900, the property represents an attractive cost per square meter of construction that sits comfortably below the averages found in premium coastal enclaves, making it an ideal choice for retirees, semi-retirees, or single professionals seeking a primary residence or a long-term rental property.
From an investment perspective, the local market in Atenas benefits from steady demand driven by its famous year-round climate. Buyers can leverage the property as a consistent long-term rental for expats or utilize it as a mid-term rental for seasonal visitors. Ownership is straightforward, as Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple title to real property.
Financial carrying costs remain exceptionally low compared to North American standards; the annual property tax is calculated using the registered cadastral value of the home, keeping ongoing overhead minimal. When planning your exit strategy or purchase, anticipate standard closing costs—including notary fees, registry fees, legal services, and stamps—to bundle between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax that typically requires about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. This stable tax structure and low entry price point ensure a highly defensive asset with excellent holding potential.
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Living in Vista Atenas offers a lifestyle defined by an extraordinary microclimate, often celebrated as one of the best in the entire world. This prestigious enclave in the Alajuela province of the Central Valley provides residents with a daily experience of gentle, warm breezes, temperate evenings, and a lush, green landscape that thrives year-round. For the discerning buyer, this property represents more than just a home; it is a gateway to a healthier, more deliberate pace of life where the boundaries between indoor comfort and outdoor natural beauty are seamlessly blurred. Imagine waking up to the gentle chorus of tropical birds, enjoying your morning coffee on the covered terrace surrounded by your own mature gardens, and spending your afternoons exploring the welcoming local community. Atenas is highly favored by retirees, remote professionals, and expatriates alike, offering a safe, friendly, and active social environment where newcomers are warmly welcomed. The town center, with its charming central park, organic farmers' markets, and diverse dining options, is just minutes away, ensuring that while you enjoy absolute privacy and tranquility, modern conveniences are always within easy reach. This location captures the very essence of the highly sought-after Costa Rican lifestyle, combining peaceful rural beauty with excellent infrastructure and accessibility. Purchasing this property allows you to transition into a life of wellness and relaxation, where the natural environment inspires a slower, more appreciative daily rhythm. It is an aspirational haven for those looking to escape the stresses of fast-paced urban living and invest in a sanctuary that nourishes the soul, offering a rare opportunity to secure a piece of paradise in one of the country's most desirable residential destinations.
Atenas, Alajuela
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
