

This exceptional estate in the peaceful Pan de Azúcar countryside of Atenas offers a rare combination of natural beauty, privacy, and proven versatility. Positioned on an 1835-square-meter parcel shaded by mature Guanacaste trees, the property features a total construction footprint of 220 square meters. The layout is designed as a compound, featuring three independent, thoughtfully structured guest cabins arranged around a central swimming pool and a spacious sun deck. With four bedrooms and three bathrooms distributed across the structures, this estate functions beautifully as a private family retreat, a boutique guest lodge, or a dedicated wellness compound.
Listed at USD 325,000, the property captures sweeping views of the Pacific horizon and the surrounding forest canopy. Guests and residents can spend quiet afternoons by the pool, listening to the local birdsong, or gathering on the deck to watch the evening sunset. Located just ten minutes from the conveniences of downtown Atenas, the estate provides a secluded atmosphere without sacrificing accessibility.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this property, as it sits outside the restricted maritime concession zones. When planning your acquisition, anticipate a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally requires about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate. This Atenas compound represents an accessible entry point into the region's premium real estate market, combining immediate rental potential with long-term investment security.
Acquiring this four-bedroom estate in Atenas is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Located outside the maritime zone, this property provides secure, outright ownership. At a purchase price of $325,000, this transaction also positions buyers to meet the threshold for Costa Rica's investor residency program.
During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs—which encompass notary fees, registration, legal services, and stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Once owned, ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable. The annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the 1,835-square-meter parcel and its 220-square-meter construction, keeping your yearly carrying costs predictable and favorable.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This versatile compound in the Pan de Azúcar countryside of Atenas spans a generous 1,835-square-meter land parcel. The property features 220 square meters of total construction, thoughtfully distributed across three independent guest cabins and a main residence to offer a total of four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Designed to blend with the surrounding forest canopy, the structures sit beneath mature Guanacaste trees. The outdoor living space centers around a spacious swimming pool and an expansive sun deck, positioned to capture views of the Pacific Ocean and evening sunsets.
Offered at USD 325,000, this estate is ideal for a boutique lodge, rental investment, or private multi-dwelling compound. From a purchasing perspective, international buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. Buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally accounts for about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual municipal property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate.
Situated in the peaceful countryside of Pan de Azúcar, just a ten-minute drive from the downtown center of Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, this property offers a strategic position within the highly desirable Central Valley Costa Rica real estate market. Atenas is internationally recognized for its exceptional year-round temperate microclimate, which provides comfortable temperatures without the need for constant air conditioning. This specific micro-location combines a relaxed countryside pace with easy access to essential amenities, making it a perennial favorite for North American relocations. Residents can enjoy the weekly local farmers' market, known as the feria, while remaining within a convenient driving distance of the capital city of San José, the premium shopping and medical facilities of Escazu, and the international airport in Alajuela.
For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this estate functions beautifully as a private family compound or a boutique hospitality venture. The property features a main residential structure alongside three separate guest cabins, all arranged around a central swimming pool and sun deck. This layout enables a lifestyle focused on outdoor living, remote work, or active rental income generation. The elevated terrain delivers clear Pacific Ocean views and mountain vistas, with the natural canopy of mature Guanacaste trees attracting local wildlife, including individual sightings of native birds.
Acquiring these Atenas Costa Rica homes is straightforward, as foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens for registered land outside of maritime concession zones. When purchasing this USD 325,000 property, buyers should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value applies. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land and construction, rather than the market purchase price. This favorable tax structure makes it highly attractive to buy property Costa Rica as a long-term investment or retirement destination.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $325,000, this 1,835-square-meter estate in the Central Valley region of Atenas presents a highly competitive entry point into the Costa Rican market, averaging just over $1,477 per square meter of constructed space. The compound structure—comprising three independent guest cabins alongside a central pool and sun deck—offers immediate flexibility for buyers targeting the short-term rental market, wellness retreats, or a multi-family compound. Foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to Costa Rican citizens for this titled property, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones.
Financially, the ongoing carrying costs are remarkably low, as the annual property tax is calculated using the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price. Buyers should budget between 2% and 4% of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, and the standard property transfer stamp tax. This property is particularly suited for North American buyers seeking a lifestyle transition or an active income-generating asset. With Atenas consistently drawing retirees and digital nomads due to its famous climate, this versatile estate represents a timely acquisition with a clear exit strategy back into the robust expatriate resale market.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
To understand the true allure of this property, one must first understand the rhythm of life in Atenas, Alajuela. Widely celebrated for possessing one of the most desirable climates in the entire world, this region of Costa Rica’s Central Valley offers an unparalleled quality of life where the air is consistently fresh, the temperatures are perpetually comfortable, and the surrounding mountains remain a vibrant, lush green year-round. Living in the peaceful countryside of Pan de Azúcar means embracing a lifestyle of slow-paced luxury and deep connection to the natural world, all while remaining a mere ten minutes from the charming, welcoming center of downtown Atenas. For the aspiring buyer, this estate represents far more than a sound real estate acquisition; it is the physical manifestation of a long-held dream to escape the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life and step into a world of mindful living. Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of Guanacaste leaves, spending your afternoons lounging by the pool under a canopy of tropical trees, and ending your days gazing out at the spectacular Pacific sunsets painting the horizon. This property appeals to the visionary investor, the wellness practitioner, or the family seeking a multi-generational sanctuary where physical well-being and peace of mind are the ultimate dividends. It caters to those who value privacy without isolation, and who wish to curate an authentic Costa Rican experience for themselves or for paying guests seeking a restorative retreat. Here, the aspirational lifestyle of "Pura Vida" ceases to be a mere travel slogan and becomes your daily reality, offering a harmonious balance of natural beauty, community warmth, and endless opportunity.
Atenas, Alajuela
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004