Mountain view
1 / 31This expansive mountain estate in the Rivas district of Pérez Zeledón offers an exceptional opportunity to secure a versatile acreage in one of Costa Rica's most refreshing climates. Priced at USD 150000, the property spans 12336 m² of fertile highland terrain, framed by dramatic views of Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak in the country. The estate is designed with a compound-style layout, currently featuring two cozy, independent cabins that serve perfectly as private guest quarters, rental units, or a comfortable base while you expand. With a generous amount of usable land remaining, there is ample space to construct a grand main residence, additional guest casitas, or a dedicated swimming pool and outdoor lounge area. The rich, productive soil is already cultivated with established coffee plants and a diverse selection of mature, bearing fruit trees, allowing you to enjoy an authentic, self-sustaining agricultural lifestyle. Positioned just twenty minutes from the amenities of downtown San Isidro de El General and twenty-five minutes from the regional Dr. Fernando Escalante Pradilla Hospital, the location balances peaceful seclusion with practical proximity to modern conveniences. For international buyers, the property is held under fee simple ownership, and the annual property tax is conveniently calculated based on the registered cadastral value rather than the market price. Standard closing costs, including notary fees and registry stamps, generally range between two and four percent of the final transaction price, making this an accessible and highly secure investment in Costa Rica's southern highlands.
Acquiring this three-acre mountain farm in Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property is located in the highlands and outside of the maritime zone, you can hold absolute title to the land in your own name or through a local corporation. At a purchase price of $150,000, this investment also positions you to apply for Costa Rican residency under the country's investor category.
During the transaction, you should anticipate closing costs—covering notary fees, legal services, registration, and transfer stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value rather than its market price, ensuring long-term financial predictability for your mountain estate.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive mountain property in the Rivas district of Pérez Zeledón spans 12,336 m² of fertile land and is available for USD 150,000. The estate features two cozy cabins, making it an immediate option for a private mountain residence, a vacation getaway, or an income-producing rental property. The existing structures are surrounded by established coffee plants and a variety of mature fruit trees, offering a productive agricultural foundation.
With significant open acreage, the estate provides ample space for further development, whether you choose to construct a larger main home, add more guest cabins, or design an eco-tourism project. The property is situated in a cool mountain climate, offering clear views of Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak in Costa Rica.
From a practical standpoint, the farm is located just 20 minutes from downtown Pérez Zeledón and 25 minutes from the Dr. Fernando Escalante Pradilla Hospital, ensuring quick access to medical services and shopping.
Regarding ownership logistics, international buyers enjoy secure fee simple property rights in Costa Rica. Annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the estate, keeping ongoing carrying costs predictable. Buyers should also budget for standard closing costs, which typically include notary fees, registry charges, and a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value.
Situated in the tranquil mountains of Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, San José, Costa Rica, this 12,336-square-meter farm offers a distinct microclimate characterized by cool mountain air and refreshing breezes. The property provides a rare vantage point with direct views of Cerro Chirripó, the highest peak in the country. This specific region appeals to those looking to buy property in Costa Rica who favor lush, high-altitude landscapes over coastal heat, yet still require proximity to modern conveniences. The estate sits just a twenty-minute drive from the bustling town center of San Isidro de El General, allowing residents to easily access the regional hub's organic markets, banks, and restaurants. Additionally, the Dr. Fernando Escalante Pradilla Hospital is accessible within a twenty-five-minute drive, ensuring that high-quality medical care is always within reach.
This micro-location supports a self-sustaining, active lifestyle. The fertile soil is already cultivated with producing coffee plants and a variety of mature fruit trees, making it ideal for those interested in small-scale farming or permaculture. The existing infrastructure, which includes two cozy guest cabins, establishes a functional compound layout. This setup allows owners to reside in one structure while utilizing the other as an income-generating rental, or to live on-site while constructing a larger main estate on the expansive acreage.
For buyers exploring Perez Zeledon real estate, this San Isidro property Costa Rica offers an advantageous entry point into the market. From a financial perspective, ownership of this agricultural holding is highly efficient. The annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping ongoing holding costs remarkably low. When finalizing a purchase, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, and legal stamps—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of Costa Rican citizens for registered titled land. This combination of agricultural utility, mountain serenity, and proximity to urban services makes the Rivas property a standout choice in the diverse national real estate market.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
At a purchase price of $150,000 for 12,336 square meters of land, this Rivas property represents an entry point of just over $12 per square meter. This pricing sits well below the averages found in developed coastal corridors, offering a distinct valuation advantage for North American buyers. The estate is configured as a compound property, featuring two existing cabins on a working coffee and fruit farm, which allows for immediate occupancy or dual-stream rental income. An investor can target the short-term market for hikers visiting nearby Cerro Chirripó or secure steady, long-term tenants seeking the cooler mountain climate of Pérez Zeledón.
The ideal buyer is an eco-conscious investor, a hobby farmer, or a developer looking to utilize the remaining acreage for additional cabins or a larger main residence. From a market timing perspective, the demand for mountain retreats near regional hubs like downtown Pérez Zeledón is rising as buyers seek alternatives to humid coastal climates. For an exit strategy, the property can be sold as a multi-unit boutique lodge or subdivided, capitalizing on the proximity to the local hospital and urban amenities.
Regarding transaction costs, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with total closing fees, including notary and registry services, generally ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping holding costs low while your capital appreciates.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Embracing the lifestyle of this mountain retreat in Pérez Zeledón means trading the frantic pace of modern life for a deeper connection to nature, where your daily rhythm is set by the gentle mountain breezes and the changing light on the peaks of Cerro Chirripó. Aspiring landowners will find that this region offers an unparalleled opportunity to cultivate a self-sustaining lifestyle, surrounded by the rich agricultural heritage of Rivas. Imagine starting your mornings walking through your own private coffee paths, harvesting fresh fruit from mature trees, and breathing in the crisp, clean air that makes this highland valley so desirable. For those who dream of establishing a legacy estate, a wellness sanctuary, or a boutique eco-rental property, this acreage serves as the ultimate canvas. It appeals directly to the conscious investor who values environmental stewardship, privacy, and the peace of mind that comes with owning a substantial piece of fertile land. Here, you can design a life of quiet sophistication and mindful living, secure in the knowledge that you are just a short drive from the essential conveniences of downtown, yet worlds away in your own private mountain sanctuary.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Rivas, Pérez Zeledón, San José