Mountain view
1 / 12This self-sufficient mountain homestead in the Chires district of the Puriscal canton offers an established foundation for off-grid living in Costa Rica. Priced at USD 290,000, the property spans a generous 2,912 square meters of land, featuring a modest yet highly functional 80-square-meter home. The residence contains one air-conditioned bedroom and an elevated deck of approximately 200 square feet that overlooks the mature jungle canopy. Designed for immediate occupancy, the fully furnished interior includes a complete kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, a washing machine, a practical living room, and a covered carport with a large enclosed storage area underneath.
The true value of this estate lies in its mature permaculture systems and water security. New owners inherit a productive food forest yielding bananas, plantains, papayas, pineapples, mangoes, jackfruit, soursop, lemons, and cacao. Protein sustainability is supported by three active tilapia tanks, complemented by a large greenhouse for year-round cultivation. Water independence is secured through a private spring water supply with a backup tank, a rainwater harvesting system for irrigation, and access to community water. The surrounding canopy is home to scarlet macaws, while monkeys can be observed in the nearby trees, and toucans frequent the branches overhead. For buyers navigating the purchase, foreign ownership is fully permitted under fee-simple terms. Transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price, in addition to a modest annual property tax based on the registered cadastral value.
This property is situated in Chires, Puriscal, San José, Costa Rica, a region that perfectly bridges the tranquil highlands of the Central Valley with the warm energy of the Central Pacific coast. When you buy property in Costa Rica, finding a micro-location that balances agricultural richness with coastal accessibility is rare. This location offers exactly that, positioned just twenty minutes from the sands of Playa Bejuco and Playa Bandera. Residents can easily transition from the cool mountain breezes of Puriscal to the surf of the Pacific, or drive forty-five minutes to explore the famous Manuel Antonio National Park and the bustling coastal hub of Jacó. Essential services, including supermarkets, banking, and professional healthcare, are readily accessible in nearby Parrita and Loma, ensuring that rural self-sufficiency does not mean isolation.
For North American buyers comparing Central Valley Costa Rica real estate to Escazu homes or Atenas Costa Rica homes, this sector of Puriscal offers a distinct, nature-first lifestyle. The area is highly sought after by digital nomads, retirees, and conservationists who prioritize ecological integration. Here, the daily backdrop includes regular sightings of scarlet macaws flying overhead, toucans nesting in the canopy, and sloths moving through the trees. High-speed Starlink internet enables seamless remote work, while the local community hub, Selvatica Eco Retreat, provides wellness amenities such as yoga, breathwork, and massage therapy.
Navigating the purchase of this homestead is straightforward under national law, which grants foreign buyers the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. When budgeting to buy property Costa Rica real estate experts recommend accounting for local transaction fees. The property transfer stamp tax generally requires about 1.5% of the declared transaction value, while the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary services, registry fees, and legal stamps—typically ranges between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Additionally, owners are subject to an annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. This secure legal framework makes investing in the unique microclimate of Puriscal a highly stable and rewarding endeavor.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This functional one-bedroom homestead in the Chires district of the Puriscal canton is situated on a 2912 m² parcel of land. The residence features an 80 m² construction footprint, offering a practical layout designed for self-sufficiency. Inside, the home includes a complete kitchen equipped with a dishwasher, a washing machine, and an adaptable living room. The air-conditioned bedroom provides comfort, while high-speed Starlink internet supports remote work requirements.
Constructed with utility in mind, the property features a covered carport and a large enclosed storage area beneath the home. Outdoor living is centered around a 200-square-foot elevated deck that overlooks the mature jungle canopy. The surrounding grounds feature established permaculture systems, including three active tilapia tanks, a large greenhouse for year-round cultivation, and a mature food forest producing lemons, cacao, soursop, and jackfruit.
Infrastructure is a key highlight, supported by a newly installed electric pole, community water service, a private spring water supply with a backup tank, and a rainwater harvesting system. Located within St. Michael’s Sustainable Community, this property is available for USD 290000. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. Buyers should budget for transaction costs, which include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside registry, notary, and legal fees that typically bring the total closing bundle to between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership incurs an annual property tax calculated from the registered cadastral value.
This property features a clean fee simple title, allowing international buyers to secure full ownership rights. Under Costa Rican law, foreign purchasers enjoy the same property rights as local citizens when acquiring real estate outside of restricted maritime zones. With a purchase price of $290,000, this transaction meets the financial threshold for the country’s residency-by-investment program, offering a clear pathway to legal residency for qualified buyers.
During the acquisition process, buyers should anticipate closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and government stamps—to range between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally accounts for approximately one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs include a modest annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate. These established legal frameworks ensure a secure, transparent transaction for North American buyers investing in this sustainable homestead.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
At a purchase price of $290,000 for 2,912 square meters of land and an 80-square-meter home, El Nido represents an entry-level, asset-backed investment in Costa Rica’s growing eco-market. The property offers a competitive price per square meter for the Central Valley and Central Pacific transition zone, particularly when factoring in the value of the mature food forest, private spring, greenhouse, and tilapia tanks. For the ideal buyer—such as a digital nomad, retiree, or homesteading enthusiast—this infrastructure saves years of development costs.
From an income perspective, the property is suited for niche mid- to long-term rentals targeting remote workers who require the installed Starlink internet, or eco-tourists seeking a rustic, self-sufficient lifestyle near Playa Bejuco. Buyers should budget for transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that typically bundle into 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are low, calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. With owner financing available for up to 60% of the purchase price at 8% interest over 11 years, this property provides an accessible entry point with a clear exit strategy tied to the rising global demand for certified sustainable homesites.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
The true allure of this mountain sanctuary lies in the rare lifestyle it affords, seamlessly bridging the gap between raw, untouched Costa Rican wilderness and a deeply intentional, wellness-oriented community. Living in this unique microclimate on the slopes of Puriscal means waking up to the complex, melodic calls of scarlet macaws and toucans, with the morning mist rising off the dense jungle canopy just beyond your deck. For the aspiring homesteader, digital nomad, or retiree, this location represents the ultimate escape from the frantic pace of modern urban life, trading concrete and traffic for rich volcanic soil, pure mountain spring water, and clean, ocean-breezed air. It is a place where your daily rhythm is dictated by the sun and the seasons, allowing you to cultivate your own organic produce in the morning, work seamlessly via high-speed satellite internet in the afternoon, and wind down with a short drive to the coast for a sunset surf.
This region appeals directly to those who harbor a deep-seated aspiration for self-reliance and environmental stewardship, yet still crave a sense of connection and community. Rather than living in isolating solitude, residents here share a collective vision of ecological preservation and mindful living, often gathering at nearby eco-retreats for yoga, breathwork, and wellness therapies, or collaborating on local conservation initiatives like turtle release programs on the nearby beaches. The surrounding landscape serves as a natural playground, offering endless opportunities for horseback riding through verdant valleys, hiking hidden mountain trails, and exploring pristine river beds. It is a lifestyle that nourishes both the body and the soul, offering a profound sense of peace and security that simply cannot be found in conventional developments. Here, luxury is redefined not by opulent finishes, but by the wealth of biodiversity at your doorstep, the purity of your water source, the security of your own food forest, and the unparalleled freedom of a simpler, more purposeful way of life.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Chires, Puriscal, San José