
1 / 11Unlock a high-yield stream of passive income in the heart of one of Costa Rica’s most dynamic coastal corridors. Situated in the bustling center of Herradura, just moments from the world-class Marina at Los Sueños, Plaza Chemita represents a rare, dual-income commercial powerhouse designed for the savvy North American investor. This versatile property spans an impressive 822 square meters of land and matching construction, masterfully divided to maximize your return on investment. The ground level features six highly visible retail storefronts that capture the steady, year-round foot traffic of locals and affluent tourists alike. Above these commercial spaces, the property transitions into a residential haven featuring three separate apartments, offering a combined total of seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. These units are perfectly positioned to capitalize on the insatiable demand for both premium long-term housing and lucrative vacation rentals. Offered at $650,000, this fully realized income generator allows you to immediately capture the economic momentum of the Jacó and Herradura region. Whether you choose to lease the storefronts to local entrepreneurs or operate the entire estate as a boutique mixed-use portfolio, this property delivers the ultimate combination of stability, high tenant demand, and long-term capital appreciation in paradise.
This versatile commercial plaza is engineered for maximum utility, featuring a robust dual-purpose layout that spans a generous 822 square meters of total construction on an equally sized 822-square-meter parcel. The structural design maximizes the high-traffic footprint in the heart of Herradura, offering a rare combination of retail and residential spaces under one roof. The property is divided into nine distinct income-generating units, consisting of six highly visible storefronts on the lower level and three independent rental apartments above.
The residential portion of the estate comprises a total of seven bedrooms and four bathrooms, distributed across the three apartments. These living spaces are designed to capture the steady demand for both long-term residency and vacation rentals in the growing Jaco and Los Sueños micro-region. Each apartment features functional layouts with dedicated kitchen and living areas, allowing owners to cater to tourists or local professionals.
Positioned in a high-density zone, the infrastructure is fully equipped to handle high-occupancy demands, supported by reliable municipal connections. The storefronts feature wide glass entryways designed to optimize product display and customer flow, while the entire complex is situated to provide easy access and parking for visitors.
Nestled in the vibrant canton of Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this exceptional commercial property offers an unparalleled foothold in one of the country's most dynamic coastal corridors. Located in the heart of Playa Herradura, the property sits at the epicenter of a region renowned for its high-end tourism, world-class sportfishing, and championship golf. For North Americans looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this micro-location delivers the ultimate fusion of tropical paradise and robust infrastructure. The area is famous for its warm, tropical microclimate, offering year-round sunshine that draws a steady stream of international visitors, remote workers, and affluent retirees.
Positioned just minutes from the shoreline, this location provides effortless access to the region's most celebrated attractions. Residents and visitors can enjoy the tranquil waters of Herradura Beach, explore the world-renowned Los Sueños Marina, or take a short drive to the bustling surf hub of Jaco for extensive dining, nightlife, and shopping. When compared to other Playa Hermosa homes for sale or residential real estate Jaco Costa Rica offers, this central Herradura location stands out for its high-traffic commercial viability. Essential amenities are incredibly convenient, with modern medical clinics, major supermarkets, and bilingual schools located right in the immediate area, while the Juan Santamaría International Airport in San José is easily accessible via a well-maintained highway.
Garabito is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, making it a premier destination for those seeking a lucrative beach property Jaco area travelers frequent. Whether your goal is to secure a high-yield commercial asset, establish a local business, or invest in the booming Central Pacific rental market, this strategic location ensures your investment is supported by a thriving local economy and constant visitor traffic.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring Plaza Chemita represents a highly strategic entry point into the lucrative Garabito commercial sector. Priced at $650,000, this dual-purpose property features an equal 822 square meters of both land and construction, translating to an efficient valuation of approximately $790 per square meter. This is exceptionally competitive for the high-demand Jaco and Los Sueños micro-market. The asset's unique layout—combining six street-level commercial storefronts with three residential apartments—allows savvy investors to diversify their risk profile. Owners can optimize cash flow by pairing stable, long-term commercial leases with high-yield short-term vacation rentals, capturing the steady influx of visitors to Playa Herradura.
The ideal buyer is an income-focused investor or an expat entrepreneur seeking a self-sustaining yield property with built-in operational flexibility. With Costa Rica experiencing sustained tourism growth, securing a multi-unit commercial footprint in a central, high-traffic beach town offers a natural hedge against inflation. A viable exit strategy is supported by the property's prime location; as the region continues to develop, this versatile tract can eventually be sold to institutional buyers or individual operators looking for established, cash-flowing commercial real estate.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Acquiring Plaza Chemita is a straightforward and highly secure process under Costa Rican law. Because this commercial property is located outside the restricted maritime zone, it is typically held under Fee Simple title, granting foreign investors the exact same constitutional ownership rights as local citizens. To secure this high-yield asset, buyers should budget approximately 2% to 4% of the $650,000 purchase price for standard closing costs, which cover notary fees, transfer taxes, and registration. Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low, with the national annual property tax set at just 0.25% of the federally registered value. Furthermore, because this transaction comfortably exceeds the country's $150,000 investment threshold, purchasing this multi-unit commercial plaza automatically qualifies you and your immediate family to apply for legal residency under the investor category (*inversionista*), paving the way for a seamless transition to the Costa Rican lifestyle.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Living and investing in the Garabito region of Puntarenas represents the ultimate realization of the coastal Costa Rican dream, seamlessly blending the laid-back rhythm of the "Pura Vida" lifestyle with the sophisticated amenities sought by discerning North American buyers. This dynamic corridor, stretching across Jaco, Los Sueños, and Playa Hermosa, has evolved into the gold standard for tropical living, where raw natural beauty meets modern convenience. For the forward-thinking investor, acquiring a property in this region is not merely a financial transaction; it is an entry point into a highly aspirational lifestyle defined by year-round sunshine, vibrant outdoor recreation, and a deep connection to the ocean. Imagine starting your morning with a walk along the warm sands of Playa Herradura, watching the local fishermen bring in the daily catch, and spending your afternoon navigating the world-class fairways of a championship golf course or embarking on a world-renowned sportfishing charter from the nearby Los Sueños Marina. This is a place where the rainforest meets the sea, offering an unparalleled backdrop for those who wish to escape the cold winters of the north without sacrificing the comforts of high-end infrastructure, premium dining, and reliable healthcare.
The aspiration to own a piece of this tropical paradise is driven by the desire for freedom, flexibility, and a tangible asset that aligns with personal wellness and financial growth. Garabito caters perfectly to the modern entrepreneur and remote investor who values a balanced life, where business can be managed effortlessly from a beachside café while enjoying a steady stream of passive income. The local community is a welcoming, cosmopolitan melting pot of friendly Costa Ricans and international expats, creating a rich cultural tapestry that makes transition and integration incredibly smooth. Here, the pace of life slows down just enough to allow you to appreciate the spectacular Pacific sunsets, yet the energy of the region remains vibrant and forward-looking. By securing a footprint in this rapidly growing coastal hub, you are positioning yourself at the center of Costa Rica's most successful tourism and residential growth story. It is an opportunity to build legacy wealth, enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle filled with surfing, hiking, and boating, and participate in the thriving local economy. This region does not just promise a change of address; it promises a complete transformation of how you live, work, and play, making it the most coveted destination for international buyers looking to secure their own slice of paradise.
Garabito, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004