1 / 28This grand hacienda-style estate in the Atenas canton of Alajuela represents a rare architectural canvas, offering visionary buyers the chance to restore one of the region's most expansive private residences. Listed at USD 1500000, the property spans a massive construction footprint of 929.03 m² under Spanish tile roofs. The estate is designed around a classic colonial layout, featuring soaring vaulted wood ceilings, intricate wrought iron accents, and timeless indoor-outdoor spaces that integrate with the surrounding mature tropical gardens and towering palms. With a total of 8 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, the compound-style configuration provides immense versatility for hosting guests or creating a private family sanctuary.
At the heart of the estate lies a generous swimming pool, framed by expansive open living spaces that capture the gentle breezes of the Central Valley. The layout seamlessly balances grand social areas with private retreats, all evoking the warmth and character of old-world architecture. Beyond the physical structure, the financial advantages of ownership in Costa Rica are highly compelling. The annual property tax is remarkably low, averaging approximately a quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value each year. When completing the purchase, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. For international buyers, Costa Rica permits full fee-simple ownership of titled land, making this historic Atenas estate a secure and prestigious addition to any global real estate portfolio.
Acquiring this estate in the Central Valley municipality of Atenas is a straightforward process, as Costa Rican law grants foreign buyers the exact same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property is located in an established inland residential area rather than a coastal maritime zone, you will hold absolute, fee simple title to both the land and the structures.
With a purchase price of $1,500,000, this transaction comfortably exceeds the minimum financial threshold required to apply for Costa Rica’s investor residency program. During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs—which encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing holding costs remain highly favorable; the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, calculated at just one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive estate in Atenas represents a premier opportunity to acquire a grand tropical hacienda spanning 929.03 m² of construction. Built with classic architectural integrity, the residence showcases Spanish tile roofs, colonial detailing, vaulted wood ceilings, and wrought iron accents. The main house and its accompanying guest casitas are designed around a timeless indoor-outdoor layout, seamlessly connecting the interior spaces to the mature tropical gardens and towering palms that frame the property.
Offered at USD 1500000, the compound features a total of 8 bedrooms and 7.5 bathrooms, providing abundant space for family and guests. At the heart of the outdoor living area is a private swimming pool, surrounded by expansive terraces designed for entertaining.
For buyers considering the financial structure of this purchase in Alajuela, Costa Rica permits full fee-simple ownership for foreign investors. Ongoing ownership costs are highly favorable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the standard closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, and the property transfer stamp tax.
This grand hacienda-style estate is situated in Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, a region internationally celebrated for possessing one of the most desirable microclimates in the world. Nestled within the scenic Central Valley, this specific location offers an ideal balance of warm daytime temperatures and refreshing mountain breezes. North American buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica will find a welcoming community characterized by a harmonious mix of local residents and international expats. The relaxed countryside pace of Atenas is complemented by its highly strategic position. Residents enjoy easy access to the capital city of San Jose, the premium shopping and medical facilities of Escazu, and the international airport in Alajuela. Additionally, the pristine beaches of the Central Pacific coast are just a scenic drive away, making it effortless to transition from mountain vistas to coastal excursions.
Living in this region allows for a lifestyle centered on wellness, agricultural abundance, and outdoor recreation. The weekly farmer's market, or feria, serves as a community hub where residents gather to purchase fresh local produce and artisan goods. For those exploring Central Valley Costa Rica real estate, this property presents an exceptional opportunity for a permanent retirement destination, a multi-generational family compound, or a high-end investment. The expansive estate features a main house and guest casitas, providing a versatile layout for hosting visitors or managing a private rental.
Acquiring Atenas Costa Rica homes is a straightforward process, as foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. When purchasing this USD 1,500,000 luxury property, buyers should anticipate standard transaction costs. The annual property tax is highly favorable, hovering around a mere one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Additional transaction expenses include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges between two and four percent of the final purchase price. This investment also meets the threshold to potentially qualify buyers for the country's residency-by-investment program, securing a long-term foothold in this peaceful tropical haven.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 929.03-square-meter estate in Atenas presents a highly strategic entry point into the Central Valley’s luxury market. Priced at $1,500,000, the property represents an acquisition cost of approximately $1,615 per square meter of construction. This rate is highly competitive for a grand hacienda-style footprint of this scale, especially when compared to premium coastal regions. The compound layout, featuring eight bedrooms and seven and a half bathrooms divided between a main house and guest casitas, allows for flexible monetization. Owners can pursue a high-yield short-term rental strategy by leasing the individual casitas to eco-tourists and wellness travelers, or secure stable, long-term tenancy from expatriates relocating to the Central Valley.
This estate is ideally suited for visionary buyers, multi-generational families, or boutique hospitality operators looking to capitalize on Costa Rica's robust residency-by-investment program, which aligns well with this purchase price. From a transactional perspective, foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. Ongoing carrying costs are remarkably favorable; the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, structured at roughly a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Buyers should budget an additional two to four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which encompasses notary fees, registration, and the standard transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. With Atenas consistently ranked as a top retirement destination, this estate offers a clear exit strategy backed by enduring land value and steady demand for premium, large-scale acreage.
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Living in Atenas means embracing a lifestyle where the boundaries between indoor elegance and outdoor natural beauty simply melt away. This legendary region of Alajuela is celebrated globally for possessing one of the most perfect climates on earth, characterized by gentle mountain breezes, warm sunny days, and cool, refreshing evenings that perfectly complement the architectural design of this grand hacienda. For the discerning buyer, this estate represents far more than a premium real estate acquisition; it is an invitation to curate a bespoke sanctuary tailored to an aspirational vision of tropical luxury. Imagine waking up to the soft rustle of towering palms, spending your afternoons lounging by your private swimming pool, and hosting unforgettable gatherings under vaulted wood ceilings that echo the rich heritage of Costa Rica's Central Valley. This property appeals directly to visionary investors, retirees, and families who refuse to compromise on space, privacy, or character. Here, you can establish a legacy estate that serves as a private sanctuary from the fast-paced modern world, while remaining deeply connected to a welcoming, sophisticated local community. It is a rare chance to transform a historic architectural canvas into the ultimate tropical masterpiece.
Atenas, Alajuela
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
