1 / 32This expansive 60,702-square-meter acreage in the hills above Dominical represents a rare, high-potential canvas for developers or private estate buyers seeking raw land with exceptional utility. Priced at USD 275,000, the property features a highly favorable topography, with approximately 80 percent of the total acreage classified as usable terrain. Decades ago, this fertile ground thrived as an active cocoa plantation. While those original plantings have grown wild over thirty years of untouched natural regeneration, the rich agricultural history underscores the productivity of the soil.
A network of solid internal roads remains intact, offering immediate access throughout the acreage, which also directly borders a paved public road. Essential infrastructure is already positioned at the property boundary, including fiber-optic internet connectivity, electricity, and reliable municipal water supplied by the Platanillo ASADA. Located in the cool, breezy climate of Platanillo, the land sits just a fifteen-minute drive from the surf breaks of Dominical beach, while the commercial hub of San Isidro is accessible within thirty minutes.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this property, which sits outside the restricted maritime concession zones. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. Buyers should plan for standard transaction expenses, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside a comprehensive closing bundle covering notary, registration, and legal fees that typically ranges between 2 and 4 percent of the final purchase price.
Acquiring this expansive Platanillo property is a straightforward process for North American buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. Located outside of the restricted maritime zone, this parcel allows for outright ownership under your own name or a local corporation. Because the purchase price exceeds the national investment threshold, securing this land also positions you to apply for legal residency in Costa Rica.
During the transaction, you can expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and municipal stamps—to total 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 is highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated solely on the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping your yearly carrying costs remarkably low.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive 60,702-square-meter parcel in the Dominical area represents a versatile development canvas, priced at USD 275,000. Historically operated as a cocoa plantation, the acreage has remained untouched for three decades, resulting in rich soil and lush, natural growth across the terrain. Approximately 80 percent of the total land area consists of highly usable, gently sloping topography. This makes the property exceptionally well-suited for a private agricultural estate or a multi-lot residential subdivision.
The property features a network of internal roads that remain in solid, functional condition, providing immediate access throughout the interior. The boundary of the land directly touches a paved public road, ensuring straightforward logistics for construction machinery. Essential modern infrastructure is already positioned at the property entrance. High-speed fiber-optic internet, electrical grid connections, and legal hookups for municipal water from the local Platanillo ASADA are all available for immediate hookup.
From a financial perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. Buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and a property transfer stamp tax calculated at approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value.
This expansive acreage is situated in Platanillo, a sought-after upland community nestled in the mountains just behind Dominical, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica will find that this specific micro-location offers a cooler, more comfortable mountain climate while remaining exceptionally close to the coast. The laid-back surf village of Dominical, where the dense rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean, is located just a fifteen-minute drive down the mountain. This makes the property ideal for those who value the authentic, uncrowded character of the Costa Ballena region. For daily necessities, medical services, and extensive shopping options, the bustling city of San Isidro is accessible within a thirty-minute drive.
The location enables a variety of lifestyles, from establishing a private agricultural homestead on the historic cocoa farm terrain to developing a multi-family residential project. Infrastructure is already positioned at the public road entrance, including electricity, fiber-optic internet for remote work, and legal water provided by the local Platanillo ASADA.
When acquiring real estate Dominical Costa Rica, international buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those held by local citizens. Investing in this property Uvita and Dominical buyers should note that annual property taxes are highly favorable, calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. During the acquisition process, buyers should budget for standard closing costs—which encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—typically totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax that generally amounts to about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. This makes securing Costa Ballena homes and land parcels an efficient and transparent financial endeavor.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $275,000 for 60,702 square meters of land, this property represents an entry point of approximately $4.53 per square meter. This rate sits well below the regional average for the Dominical-Uvita corridor, offering a distinct valuation advantage for strategic buyers. The expansive acreage is highly versatile, suited for either a low-density residential community development or a private agricultural estate. Investors can target the short-term rental market by constructing a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas, or opt for long-term land banking.
The ideal buyer is a developer or individual investor seeking to capitalize on Costa Rica's fee-simple ownership laws for foreigners. Current market timing is highly favorable as infrastructure expands outward from Dominical, which is located just a fifteen-minute drive away. For your exit strategy, the property can be subdivided or sold as a completed estate. Transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with the total closing bundle—covering notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the hills above Dominical offers a rare lifestyle that perfectly balances the raw, untamed energy of the Pacific Ocean with the cool, refreshing serenity of the mountain highlands. Here in Platanillo, the air is notably crisper and more comfortable than down on the beachfront, yet you are never more than a fifteen-minute drive from the world-class surf, bohemian cafes, and vibrant community of Dominical beach. This unique microclimate allows you to spend your mornings catching waves on the coast, your afternoons tending to your private gardens in the cool mountain breeze, and your evenings watching the clouds drift lazily through the lush green valleys. For those seeking a deeper connection to nature, this region is a sanctuary where the daily soundtrack is composed of chirping toucans, distant howler monkeys, and the gentle rustle of gentle breezes through the canopy. It is a place where life naturally slows down, encouraging a lifestyle focused on wellness, sustainability, and outdoor adventure. Whether you are an avid surfer, a yoga enthusiast, a birdwatcher, or simply someone who appreciates the peace of a rural retreat, this location provides the ultimate canvas for a life well-lived.
For the visionary buyer, this expansive property represents far more than just a parcel of land; it is the key to realizing a long-held aspiration of freedom, self-sufficiency, and legacy. The sheer scale of the acreage, combined with its rich agricultural history as a former cocoa plantation, inspires dreams of creating a sustainable family homestead, a private eco-estate, or a boutique wellness community. Imagine waking up to panoramic views of the verdant valley, walking along your own private nature trails, and harvesting fresh tropical fruits from your backyard. There is a profound sense of satisfaction that comes from owning a significant piece of Costa Rican paradise, where you have the space to breathe, create, and build without limitation. This is an opportunity to step away from the relentless pace of modern urban life and establish a meaningful sanctuary that can be cherished for generations. It appeals to those who value privacy and natural beauty but refuse to compromise on modern conveniences like high-speed internet and reliable utility access. By investing in this versatile land, you are not just purchasing real estate; you are investing in a healthier, more intentional way of life, surrounded by the legendary warmth of the local community and the breathtaking beauty of the Southern Zone.
Dominical, Puntarenas
Dominical, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
