1 / 15This historic rainforest estate in Puerto Jiménez, within the Golfito canton, offers a rare opportunity to own a fully furnished hospitality property with a storied past. Priced at USD 340000, the estate spans 5732 m² of mature tropical gardens and dense jungle canopy. Once serving as a social hub during the region's gold rush era, the property has been thoughtfully converted into a functioning lodge that comfortably accommodates up to twenty-five guests. The layout features a versatile mix of private cabins, double rooms, and quadruple rooms, alongside a secluded jungle cabin that boasts its own natural, spring-fed pool.
For North American buyers, purchasing this estate is straightforward, as Costa Rica permits foreign nationals to hold fee-simple land ownership. Operating costs remain highly competitive; the annual property tax is remarkably low, averaging approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. When finalizing the purchase, buyers should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of about one and a half percent of the transaction value, plus an additional two to four percent for notary, registry, and legal fees. This versatile compound-property functions beautifully as a boutique commercial lodge or a private multi-family estate, surrounded by the native flora and fauna of the Osa Peninsula.
Acquiring this historic lodge in Puerto Jiménez is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens for properties outside the maritime zone. Because this parcel sits on inland acreage, you enjoy secure, absolute ownership of the land and its structures.
The financial carry costs for this property are remarkably low. The local municipality assesses an annual property tax of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value, which is typically much lower than the actual market purchase price. During the transaction, buyers should budget for closing costs—including notary fees, registration, stamps, and legal transfers—which generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard transfer stamp tax of roughly one and a half percent. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $340,000 exceeds the national threshold for investor status, purchasing this estate positions you to apply for official Costa Rican residency, offering a clear path to establishing a permanent foothold in the country.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This historic hotel property in the Puerto Jiménez district of the Golfito canton is situated on a generous 5,732 m² parcel of land. Offered at USD 340,000, the estate features a main lodge structure alongside individual guest cabins. The layout includes private cabins, double rooms, and quadruple rooms, plus a dedicated jungle cabin.
The buildings are delivered fully furnished, accommodating up to 25 overnight guests. Outdoor features include mature tropical gardens and a unique spring-fed pool adjacent to the jungle cabin. The structures preserve the architectural character of the regional gold rush era, having previously served as a local bar and historic jailhouse.
Purchasing this real estate involves standard Costa Rican transaction fees. Buyers should budget for a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at roughly one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens.
Situated in the southern region of Puntarenas province, this historic property offers a strategic foothold in Puerto Jiménez, Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This specific micro-location on the Osa Peninsula is highly sought-after by North American buyers who want to buy property in Costa Rica that combines raw biodiversity with investment viability. For those exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans, the area delivers an authentic rainforest setting while remaining accessible to the regional airport in Puerto Jiménez, local medical clinics, and essential town amenities. The South Pacific zone of Golfito has emerged as a premier destination for Costa Rica homes for Canadians and US buyers seeking long-term appreciation potential, a dedicated remote work environment, or a active retirement venture.
The local microclimate supports a lush jungle canopy, where residents regularly observe native wildlife such as the scarlet macaw or the white-faced capuchin monkey in their natural habitats. This setting enables a lifestyle centered on eco-tourism, conservation, and wellness, far removed from overdeveloped tourist hubs. For expats navigating the purchase process, expat real estate Costa Rica operates under favorable ownership laws, allowing foreign buyers to hold fee-simple title to land outside of restricted maritime zones.
Financially, owning this estate is highly efficient. The annual municipal property tax in Costa Rica is remarkably low, running at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. When completing the transaction, buyers should anticipate property transfer stamp taxes of about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a standard closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically totals between two and four percent of the purchase price. This affordable tax structure enhances the appeal of the 5,732-square-meter property as a secure, low-overhead investment.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this historic 5,732-square-meter hotel property in Puerto Jiménez for $340,000 presents a highly competitive entry point into the Osa Peninsula hospitality market. At under $60 per square meter of land—inclusive of the fully furnished lodge infrastructure that accommodates up to 25 guests—the valuation sits well below typical primary-market averages for developed coastal real estate in Costa Rica. The property offers versatile rental income pathways, allowing an owner-operator to target high-yield short-term ecotourism groups across the private cabins, double rooms, and the unique spring-fed pool cabin, or transition to a stable long-term retreat lease.
This opportunity is ideal for conservation-minded lifestyle investors or hospitality operators seeking a turnkey asset with a rich historical narrative. Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to secure fee-simple ownership, ensuring your investment is protected under the same constitutional rights as citizens. Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should budget an additional two to four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes legal fees, notary services, registry filings, and the standard transfer stamps. This low-carrying-cost structure, combined with growing global demand for remote rainforest lodging, supports a viable mid-to-long-term exit strategy through resale to boutique hospitality brands or private estate buyers.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Stepping into the vibrant rhythm of Puerto Jiménez is like entering a world where time slows down and the raw, untamed beauty of the Osa Peninsula dictates the pace of daily life. For the visionary investor, this region represents the ultimate frontier of ecological luxury and authentic Costa Rican living. Nestled within the Golfo Dulce region of Puntarenas, this historic enclave is world-renowned as a sanctuary for biodiversity, attracting conscious travelers, researchers, and adventure seekers from every corner of the globe. Owning a piece of this paradise is not merely a real estate acquisition; it is a profound lifestyle transition. Imagine waking up to the complex, melodic symphony of scarlet macaws soaring through the canopy, spending your afternoons exploring pristine marine habitats, and winding down your evenings beneath a canopy of stars untouched by urban light pollution. The local community is a warm, welcoming tapestry of conservationists, expats, and multi-generational Costa Ricans who share a deep respect for the land and a commitment to sustainable living. This property offers the rare chance to step into this coveted lifestyle immediately, inheriting a legendary piece of local history while carving out your own legacy as a guardian of the rainforest. Aspiring lodge owners and hospitality entrepreneurs will find themselves at the helm of a highly distinctive venture that appeals directly to the modern traveler’s craving for authenticity, history, and deep connection to nature. Here, the dream of leaving behind the corporate grind to run a soulful boutique hotel becomes a tangible reality. You are not just purchasing real estate in Golfito; you are securing a front-row seat to one of the most intense biological places on earth, where the rainforest meets the sea and every day promises a new encounter with the extraordinary.
Puerto Jiménez, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
