
1 / 15Wake to the awe-inspiring sight of the Arenal Volcano framing your morning horizon from this exceptional estate, perfectly positioned in the coveted highlands of Alajuela. Spanning a generous 5,000 square meters of lush, fully fenced grounds, this turnkey sanctuary offers a rare combination of private residential luxury and immediate cash-flow potential. Located just ten minutes from the region’s world-renowned thermal hot springs and twenty minutes from the vibrant heart of downtown La Fortuna, the estate is beautifully landscaped with manicured tropical gardens and even features its own private vanilla plantation—an ideal touch for eco-conscious owners.
The estate’s versatile compound layout features two distinct, fully furnished residences designed to maximize privacy and comfort. The spacious main home serves as a welcoming retreat, offering three bedrooms, a single bathroom, open-concept living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen, and a secure garage with parking space for up to three vehicles. Set apart from the primary residence is a charming, independent secondary home. This self-contained guest house features one bedroom, one bathroom, a lower-level storage area, and a private balcony overlooking the verdant Costa Rican landscape. Offered at $459,000, this versatile property is a premier opportunity to secure a private tropical estate, a lucrative vacation rental, or a dedicated multi-generational family compound in one of Central America's most celebrated destinations.
This sprawling 5,000-square-meter estate features two distinct, fully furnished residences designed to maximize privacy and investment potential. The main house offers a comfortable, integrated layout with three bedrooms, a single bathroom, a spacious living room, a dining area, and a kitchen. For vehicle storage, the home includes a garage that accommodates up to three cars.
Steps away, the independent second home provides an excellent setup for guests or rental income. This two-story structure features one bedroom, one bathroom, a lower-level storage room, and a private balcony designed to capture the surrounding natural beauty.
Outside, the fully fenced property is enveloped by meticulously kept gardens and its very own vanilla plantation, offering unique opportunities for sustainable agricultural pursuits. Residents can relax on the balcony or wander the grounds while enjoying direct, breathtaking views of the Arenal Volcano. Situated just ten minutes from the region's famous hot springs and twenty minutes from downtown La Fortuna, this turnkey estate perfectly balances secluded tropical living with convenient access to premier local attractions.
For North Americans seeking to buy property in Costa Rica, the northern highlands of Alajuela offer an unparalleled blend of dramatic natural beauty and modern convenience. Nestled within the Canton of San Carlos, this region has become a premier destination for Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Costa Rica homes for Canadians alike. This specific micro-location, situated just a short drive from the vibrant town center of La Fortuna and the region's world-famous geothermal hot springs, provides an idyllic setting where lush rainforests meet majestic volcanic backdrops. The local climate is pleasantly warm and tropical, nourished by gentle mountain breezes that keep the air fresh and the surrounding flora incredibly vibrant.
Living in La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela, Costa Rica means embracing a lifestyle centered on wellness, adventure, and connection with nature. Whether your goal is to retire in a peaceful sanctuary, establish a remote work base surrounded by greenery, or invest in the thriving eco-tourism market, this area delivers. The community is welcoming and highly accessible, featuring a well-established network of medical clinics, shopping centers, and dining options, with international airports reachable via scenic, well-maintained highways. San Carlos is a vital part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, offering a tranquil alternative to bustling coastal towns while maintaining strong infrastructure. For buyers exploring the expat real estate Costa Rica market, this location perfectly balances secluded, secure country living with effortless access to outdoor recreation, from hiking and wildlife watching to relaxing in natural thermal waters.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $459,000 for a expansive 5,000-square-meter parcel, this estate offers a highly competitive entry point into the lucrative La Fortuna real estate market, averaging under $92 per square meter of land including two fully furnished, turnkey residences. This dual-dwelling configuration presents a versatile investment framework: owners can maximize high-yield short-term vacation rentals via the independent one-bedroom guest house—leveraging the highly marketable, direct views of the Arenal Volcano—while occupying the three-bedroom main home, or lease both structures simultaneously to optimize cash flow.
The ideal buyer profile spans lifestyle investors, multi-generational families, or eco-conscious buyers drawn to the established on-site vanilla plantation. Costa Rica’s tourism sector continues to break arrival records, driving sustained demand for private, secure acreage just ten minutes from the famous local hot springs. This surging regional popularity secures a viable exit strategy, as turnkey, income-producing compound properties with premium volcano views remain the most liquid assets in the Alajuela province. While future rental yields depend on individual management and occupancy fluctuations, the structural layout and prime location position this estate as a highly resilient asset.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Acquiring this premium inland estate is a straightforward and highly secure process. In Costa Rica, properties located outside the restricted maritime zone—such as this expansive acreage near La Fortuna—are typically held under Fee Simple title, granting foreign buyers the exact same constitutional ownership rights as local citizens. To finalize the transaction, you should anticipate closing costs ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, which cover notary fees, registration duties, and transfer taxes. Once you are the registered owner, the ongoing carrying costs are remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just 0.25% of the property's registered value. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $459,000 comfortably exceeds the country's $150,000 investment threshold, purchasing this dual-home estate qualifies you and your immediate family to apply for residency under the investor visa category, securing your long-term future in paradise.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Embracing the lifestyle of La Fortuna, San Carlos, means stepping into a world where the rhythm of daily life is dictated by the gentle whispers of the tropical breeze and the majestic, silent presence of the Arenal Volcano. This region of Alajuela, Costa Rica, has long been celebrated as a sanctuary for those who seek to align their daily existence with the restorative powers of nature. For the discerning buyer, acquiring this expansive estate is not merely a real estate transaction; it is the realization of a deeply held aspiration to live deliberately, surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty while enjoying the peace of mind that comes with a secure, private sanctuary. Imagine waking up each morning to the sight of the sun rising over the iconic volcanic peak, casting a golden glow across your manicured gardens and the lush green leaves of your personal vanilla plantation. Here, the air is clean, the water is pure, and the sense of community is warm and welcoming. This is a place where you can truly slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with what matters most, all while knowing that the modern conveniences and vibrant culture of downtown La Fortuna are just a short, scenic drive away.
The aspiration for a balanced, harmonious life is fully realized in the thoughtful layout of this dual-residence property. It caters perfectly to the modern desire for multi-generational living, hosting cherished guests in absolute comfort, or establishing a highly lucrative stream of passive income without compromising your personal privacy. The independent guest house, with its elevated balcony overlooking the verdant landscape, offers a private retreat where visitors can immerse themselves in the tranquil Costa Rican lifestyle. Whether you choose to share this paradise with friends and family or open your doors to travelers seeking an authentic eco-tourism experience, the estate provides a seamless blend of hospitality and personal seclusion. The inclusion of a sustainable vanilla plantation further elevates the property, appealing to those who dream of cultivating the land, engaging in boutique agriculture, or simply enjoying the pride of ownership that comes with nurturing a rare and valuable crop. This unique feature transforms the estate from a beautiful home into a living, breathing testament to sustainable luxury and ecological stewardship.
Living in this coveted corridor of San Carlos also means having world-class wellness and adventure right at your doorstep. The close proximity to the region's famous natural hot springs allows you to integrate therapeutic, mineral-rich soaking into your regular self-care routine, turning what is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience for others into your everyday reality. For the adventurous spirit, the surrounding landscape offers endless opportunities for exploration, from hiking lush rainforest trails to discovering hidden waterfalls. Yet, when the day is done, you return to a fully fenced, secure haven that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle. This property represents the ultimate convergence of natural splendor, investment security, and lifestyle design. It is an invitation to step into a legacy of wellness, freedom, and prosperity in one of the most beautiful and stable regions of Central America, fulfilling the dream of a tropical paradise that is uniquely and securely yours.
La Fortuna, San Carlos, Alajuela
San Carlos, Alajuela
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004