1 / 52A massive private reserve in the Baru district of Perez Zeledon combines extraordinary natural water features with raw development potential. Spanning an impressive land size of 245,375 m², this $1,900,000 USD estate sits just ten minutes inland from Dominical beach, capturing both cool mountain breezes and coastal proximity. The centerpiece of the acreage is a dramatic 80-meter waterfall hidden within the forest canopy, complemented by roughly 500 meters of pristine river frontage running along the front boundary.
Currently, the holding includes a two-bedroom residence that provides immediate living quarters while you master plan the broader terrain. Internal private roads wind through the jungle, offering direct vehicle access to the base of the cascade and the riverbank. Extensive ocean-view and forest-view ridgelines yield multiple natural building pads, giving future owners absolute creative freedom to construct a multi-structure compound or wellness retreat without restrictive covenants.
Infrastructure elements are already secured to facilitate immediate expansion. The estate borders a public road for easy year-round entry, with electricity accessible at the boundary line and a functional artisanal well on-site to simplify municipal water permitting. Off the market for decades, this expansive property presents an unencumbered canvas for serious investors seeking high-value acreage in a thriving southern region.
The estate occupies a distinct micro-location in Baru, Perez Zeledon, San Jose, Costa Rica, where coastal elevation intersects with the interior mountain topography. Situated roughly five to ten minutes from the surf breaks and coastal amenities of Dominical beach, the land offers prompt access to the Pacific oceanfront while maintaining the cooler temperatures and absolute privacy associated with the surrounding hillsides. Essential regional services are anchored nearby in San Isidro, the commercial center of the canton, which delivers regional hospital facilities, administrative hubs, banking, and local markets within a convenient drive. International travel is linked through the airport and transit infrastructure in San Jose.
This 245,375-square-meter parcel exemplifies the flexibility of Perez Zeledon real estate, serving as a platform for a secluded multi-structure family compound, an eco-focused estate, a remote work retreat, or a sustainable agricultural operation. The terrain features a 500-meter river frontage along its lower boundary, while an internal private road traverses the primary forest to reach an exceptional 80-meter private waterfall. Multiple building sites across the 24.5-hectare footprint allow for unconstrained development, supported by public road frontage, available grid electricity, and an operational artisanal well designed to secure water permits for construction.
For foreign buyers seeking to buy property in Costa Rica, full direct fee simple title is guaranteed, as the land sits entirely outside the restricted Maritime Zone. When acquiring San Isidro property Costa Rica, overall transaction expenses include property transfer stamp taxes of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside a standard legal closing bundle covering notary fees, legal services, and registry filings that totals between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs remain highly efficient, as annual property tax assessments are calculated exclusively from the registered cadastral value of the land.
Explore more about this area on our page.
Priced at USD 1,900,000, this expansive 245,375 m² estate in the Baru district of Perez Zeledon provides an immediate foothold in the region with an existing two-bedroom residence. The layout serves as a functional starting point while you capitalize on the unencumbered freedom to design a master-planned compound. Because the parcel has zero building covenants, you hold full architectural liberty across multiple gentle building sites scattered throughout the terrain, each capturing distinctive forest or ocean views.
The outdoor environment is defined by incredible natural landmarks, centered around a private 80-meter waterfall located within the boundaries. A scenic river borders the front edge of the property for roughly 500 meters, creating a dedicated riparian corridor. Navigating the land is simple thanks to an internal private road that leads straight down to the base of the waterfall and the riverbank. Practical infrastructure is already in place to support expansion, including direct public road frontage, accessible grid power, and an operational artisanal well designed to secure water permits for upcoming construction projects.
Acquiring this 245,375-square-meter holding in Baru presents a secure, straightforward legal landscape for North American purchasers. Because the property is situated entirely outside the coastal Maritime Zone, buyers secure clear Fee Simple title, granting foreign investors identical ownership rights to native Costa Rican citizens.
Closing expenses typically aggregate between 2% and 4% of the agreed purchase price, a standard range that encompasses all legal fees, notary services, official public registry filings, and the transfer stamp taxes that usually amount to roughly 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Ongoing holding costs are equally favorable; annual property tax liabilities are determined strictly by the parcel's officially registered cadastral valuation rather than market estimates. Furthermore, the $1,900,000 purchase price far exceeds the capital threshold required to apply for Costa Rican investor residency programs, offering a clear path toward permanent legal residency while securing a pristine mountain estate.
Review title types and due diligence in our .
At $1,900,000 for 245,375 square meters of land, this parcel offers a competitive price per square meter relative to buildable ocean-view and riverfront acreage in the Southern Pacific corridor. Positioned only ten minutes from Dominical beach, the holding presents strong short-term or long-term rental positioning, whether developed into an eco-focused commercial lodge, a wellness retreat, or a multi-dwelling family legacy compound.
The ideal buyer for this Baru holding is an international investor or private developer looking for complete freedom from restrictive covenants. With no building restrictions, existing electricity access, and a functioning artisanal well to secure construction permits, master planning can proceed immediately across the estate's multiple topographies.
From a legal and timing perspective, foreign purchasers hold standard fee-simple ownership rights over the entire property because it falls outside of maritime concession boundaries. Closing costs—which incorporate property transfer stamp taxes of roughly 1.5% alongside legal, notary, and registry fees—typically aggregate between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs remain exceptionally manageable, as annual property tax assessments are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than speculative commercial valuations.
Model rental income for this property with our .
Living in this elevated stretch of Baru offers an extraordinary lifestyle tailored for visionary buyers seeking to harmonize raw tropical grandeur with modern, high-end living. Situated in the sweet spot where the lush Talamanca mountain range dips toward the Pacific Ocean, the microclimate here is legendary for its temperate, cooling ridge breezes and vibrant biodiversity. Owning 24.5 hectares in this specific corridor places you just five to ten minutes from the world-class surf, coastal dining, and vibrant community of Dominical beach, yet far enough above the coastline to enjoy absolute tranquility and lower ambient temperatures. The daily rhythm here is dictated by the soothing acoustics of your private 80-meter waterfall and the constant canopy chatter of toucans, macaws, and capuchin monkeys. While the land provides a profound sense of seclusion, the bustling regional hub of San Isidro de El General is within easy reach, supplying premium organic markets, healthcare facilities, private amenities, and essential municipal services. International travel is equally seamless, with straightforward highway routes connecting you to the San Jose capital region and international aviation gateways.
For high-net-worth investors, eco-conscious developers, or legacy-minded families, this massive $1,900,000 USD holding represents the ultimate canvas for architectural self-expression. Unencumbered by restrictive HOA guidelines or neighborhood development covenants, the acreage inspires grand buyer aspirations. You might choose to expand the existing two-bedroom residence into a multi-structure private family compound, establish a world-class holistic wellness retreat centered around the river and private waterfall, or create an exclusive low-impact eco-lodge that capitalizes on multiple ocean-view and forest-view building plateaus. The existing internal road network and established public road frontage make moving across the 245,375-square-meter footprint simple, ensuring that future expansion projects unfold smoothly.
Acquiring this land is further streamlined by Costa Rica’s investor-friendly legal system, which grants international purchasers the exact same fee-simple property rights as local citizens. Because this parcel is situated safely outside the coastal concession zone, buyers hold direct, unencumbered fee-simple title to the entirety of the land mass. From a financial management perspective, annual holding costs are exceptionally favorable, with ongoing property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than speculative market pricing. Standard closing procedures and legal transfer fees—encompassing notary services, registry filings, legal counsel, and transfer stamps—typically sum to between 2% and 4% of the total purchase amount. Furthermore, an investment of this size comfortably exceeds the minimum capital threshold required to apply for residency-by-investment status in Costa Rica. Securing this Baru estate allows you to step directly into an elite coastal mountain lifestyle, preserving an irreplaceable natural sanctuary while capturing immense long-term value in one of the Southern Pacific’s most coveted real estate markets.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Baru, Perez Zeledon, San José