Mountain view
1 / 15This operational eco-luxury estate in Piedades Sur, within the culturally rich San Ramón canton, presents a rare investment opportunity priced at USD 1,500,000. Spanning a generous 48,031 square meters of pristine mountain land, the property features 820 square meters of thoughtful construction. The layout currently encompasses twelve guest bedrooms and twelve bathrooms, designed specifically to capture the cool mountain breezes and sweeping views that stretch all the way to the ocean. At the heart of the estate, guests can gather around the infinity-edge saltwater pool and adjacent jacuzzi, or find quiet contemplation in the glass-walled yoga studio and dedicated spa facility, which features a steam room, sauna, and cold plunge pool. The compound is anchored by a main lodge structure containing an open-air restaurant with a professional kitchen, a distinctive tea room, and a private owner's residence. More than half of the expansive acreage is dedicated to protected, private forest, where quiet walking trails wind past ancient trees, allowing guests to spot individual scarlet macaws or hear the distinct call of a nesting toucan.
Purchasing this commercial estate involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs, which typically include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Buyers should also budget for a comprehensive closing bundle covering notary fees, registry filings, and legal stamps, which generally totals between 2 and 4 percent of the final purchase price. Ongoing ownership incurs an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land and structures. Because Costa Rican law permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple ownership of registered real estate outside of maritime concession zones, international investors can secure this mountain sanctuary with the same direct property rights as local citizens.
This premium commercial estate in Piedades Sur, San Ramón, spans a massive 48,031 square meters of land, featuring 820 square meters of high-quality construction completed in 2017. The compound includes twelve guest bedrooms and twelve bathrooms, designed specifically to function as an elite wellness retreat. The architectural layout features a main operational hub alongside private guest quarters and an included private residence. High-end interior highlights include a professional-grade kitchen servicing an open-air restaurant, a dedicated tea room, and a glass-walled yoga studio equipped with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that invite natural mountain breezes.
The outdoor amenities are anchored by an infinity-edge saltwater pool, a jacuzzi, and a comprehensive spa facility containing dedicated treatment rooms, a steam room, a plunge pool, and a sauna. Over half of the expansive acreage is preserved as a protected private forest with established walking trails. Practical infrastructure is fully integrated, featuring fiber-optic internet connectivity, a private aqueduct system, and solar-heated mountain water.
Acquiring this USD 1,500,000 property involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value. The complete closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry fees, legal services, and stamps—typically totals between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price, alongside a modest annual property tax. Foreign investors enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights.
Nestled in the highlands of the Central Valley, the property at Piedades Sur, San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica offers a distinct microclimate characterized by cool mountain breezes and sweeping panoramic views that stretch from the green ridges down to the ocean. Located ninety minutes from the San José International Airport, this location provides international travelers with straightforward transit while preserving a sense of complete seclusion. The nearby town of San Ramón, historically recognized as a cultural hub of writers and political figures, offers organic markets, artisan shops, and essential services, making it a highly practical alternative to more congested Escazu homes or the warmer climates of Atenas Costa Rica homes.
For buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this region represents an emerging market within Central Valley Costa Rica real estate. The local geography supports active lifestyle pursuits, including hikes through nearby cloud forests, waterfall excursions, canopy zip-lining, and tours of local coffee plantations. This balance of mountain peace and accessibility makes the location highly attractive for wellness operators, remote-work investors, or those seeking a permanent relocation.
When purchasing this property, international buyers benefit from the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. Navigating the acquisition involves standard transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside legal, notary, and registry fees that typically bring the total closing bundle to between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership requires an annual property tax calculated on the registered cadastral value. Additionally, the investment level of $1,500,000 positions foreign buyers to comfortably meet the threshold for Costa Rica's residency-by-investment program, securing a permanent stake in one of the country's most promising mountain corridors.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 48,031-square-meter eco-luxury estate in Piedades Sur, San Ramón, presents a highly strategic entry point into Costa Rica’s booming wellness tourism sector, which is currently expanding at over ten percent annually. Priced at $1,500,000, the property features 820 square meters of high-end construction, including twelve guest rooms and a private residence valued at $375,000. This translates to an incredibly competitive valuation per square meter for a fully operational luxury facility.
The ideal buyer is a visionary hospitality investor or wellness operator who recognizes that while the current twelve-room scale limits immediate maximum profitability, the infrastructure is fully prepared for an expansion to more than twenty rooms. This scaling is the key to unlocking highly lucrative short-term group retreat revenue.
Transactions in Costa Rica permit straightforward fee-simple ownership for foreign buyers. Investors should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that bundle into 2% to 4% of the final purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are minimized by manageable annual municipal property taxes based on the registered cadastral value.
An exit or diversification strategy is built directly into the land itself; with extensive frontage bordering a public road, future owners retain the flexible option to segregate and sell off individual lots, or develop complementary private wellness villas.
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Securing this premier wellness retreat in the Central Valley highlands is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreign nationals the same fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this property is located in the mountain region of Piedades Sur, San Ramón, it sits outside the coastal maritime zone, allowing for direct, outright ownership.
To finalize the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs that typically range between two and four percent of the purchase price. This bundle encompasses notary fees, land registry charges, and legal expenses, alongside a property transfer stamp tax that generally amounts to approximately 1.5 percent of the transaction value. Ongoing ownership carries a modest annual property tax calculated directly from the registered municipal value. Furthermore, because the acquisition price of $1,500,000 comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, purchasing this estate qualifies the investor to apply for official Costa Rican residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Living in Piedades Sur, San Ramón, is an invitation to embrace the authentic, slow-paced essence of Costa Rica’s majestic Central Valley highlands. This region appeals directly to the aspirations of visionary buyers who seek to escape the sterile uniformity of traditional luxury destinations in favor of a deeper, more soulful connection to the earth. Here, the crisp mountain air, rich volcanic soil, and sweeping vistas that stretch toward the distant Pacific horizon create a natural sanctuary where wellness is not merely a marketing concept, but a daily way of life. For the discerning investor or retreat operator, acquiring a property in this cultural heartland—famed for its artistic heritage, mist-shrouded cloud forests, and verdant coffee plantations—represents the ultimate alignment of lifestyle and purpose. It is a place where your guests can wake to the symphony of tropical birds, wander through private forested trails, and decompress in a climate that remains spring-like year-round. By establishing a presence in this emerging eco-tourism corridor, you are not just purchasing real estate; you are securing a legacy of stewardship, positioning yourself at the forefront of the global transformational travel movement, and offering an aspirational lifestyle of mindful living, physical rejuvenation, and quiet sophistication.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Piedades Sur, San Ramón, Alajuela