Mountain viewCommanding the most strategic gateway in the Quepos region, this iconic three-story commercial landmark presents a rare acquisition opportunity for visionary investors seeking to capture the high-volume traffic flowing between the town center and Manuel Antonio. Listed at USD 985,000, the property spans a prime 840 m² land parcel and features an extraordinary 9,149 m² of constructed space, historically operating for over two decades as a famous regional entertainment venue. The architecture is instantly recognizable, designed with castle-inspired elements and a unique river crossing directly beneath the main entrance. The layout is highly versatile, offering three distinct levels that can be adapted into a luxury boutique hotel, a high-end shopping plaza, a multi-tenant food court, or corporate offices.
The ground level features dual access points from major public roads, a dedicated caretaker apartment, and a covered outdoor barbecue area adjacent to the main structure. Two grand staircases ascend to the second level, which previously hosted an exclusive VIP lounge and is ideally suited for conversion into premium office suites or luxury apartments. On the third level, the property offers three bedrooms configured as two independent studio apartments, which frame spectacular, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and the world-class Marina Pez Vela. This upper level also includes an expansive open-air terrace, providing a dramatic setting for a rooftop restaurant or further structural expansion. Ownership is secured under Costa Rica’s fee simple laws for foreign buyers, with annual property taxes calculated on the registered cadastral value, while standard closing costs, notary fees, and registry stamps generally range between two and four percent of the final transaction price.
This commercial property for sale Manuel Antonio region offers an unmatched strategic position at the absolute gateway of Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The micro-location is highly prized because Quepos and Manuel Antonio pair a working fishing port with world-famous national-park beaches minutes away. Positioned where virtually every resident and tourist must pass when entering or leaving the area, this location guarantees maximum visibility for anyone looking to buy property in Costa Rica for commercial purposes. The property sits near the world-class Marina Pez Vela, offering views of the yachts and the Pacific Ocean. This proximity to the marina, local beaches, and the bustling town center ensures a steady stream of foot and vehicular traffic, making it an ideal hub for a restaurant, shopping plaza, or corporate offices.
The local climate is tropical and warm, supporting a vibrant coastal lifestyle where visitors and residents split their time between sportfishing, visiting the national park, and dining. For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee simple ownership for foreign nationals, meaning you can secure this prime real estate with the same ownership rights as a local citizen. When acquiring this commercial asset, buyers should note that the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land and structures. Additionally, buyers should budget for the property transfer stamp tax, which typically runs around 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that generally ranges from 2% to 4% of the final purchase price. This high-traffic location represents a secure way to invest in one of the country's most proven tourism markets.
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This prominent commercial property in the Quepos canton spans a land size of 840 m² and features a massive construction footprint of 9149 m². Built with a highly distinctive castle-inspired architectural style, the three-story concrete structure is engineered for high-capacity commercial use. The ground level, which historically operated as a famous regional nightclub, includes the main venue spaces, a caretaker apartment, and a covered outdoor barbecue area. This level offers dual access points from both the main entrance to Quepos and Manuel Antonio, as well as a secondary public road.
Two grand staircases on either side of the building lead to the second level, an expansive area suitable for conversion into independent office spaces, retail shops, or storage facilities. The third level features two studio apartments, bringing the total count to 3 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms across the entire estate. This top tier also boasts an open-air terrace overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Marina Pez Vela, providing a scenic outdoor space for future expansion.
Acquiring this USD 985000 property involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Buyers should also budget for a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees, which typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs include an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate.
Acquiring this prominent commercial property in Quepos is a straightforward process for international investors. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy the same fee simple ownership rights as local citizens, allowing you to hold the deed to this high-visibility structure securely in your own name. Because the purchase price of this three-story commercial building exceeds the national investment threshold, securing this asset also establishes your eligibility to apply for investor residency status in Costa Rica.
During the acquisition, you should anticipate standard closing costs—covering notary fees, legal services, registration, and stamps—which generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Once the purchase is complete, your ongoing carrying costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the property rather than its market price.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Priced at USD 985,000, this commercial asset presents a rare acquisition in the Manuel Antonio and Quepos region, offering 9,149 square meters of construction on an 840-square-meter land parcel. The property is ideal for visionary developers, corporate groups, or hospitality operators aiming to capitalize on the high-traffic corridor between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Investors can target immediate cash flow by converting the three levels into a multi-tenant commercial plaza, a boutique food hall, or co-working offices, complemented by short-term rental income from the two third-level studio apartments overlooking Marina Pez Vela.
From a financial perspective, Costa Rica offers foreign buyers secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of citizens. The annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value, keeping ongoing holding costs highly manageable. Buyers should budget approximately 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which encompasses notary fees, registry costs, legal services, and the standard property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Acquiring this asset at this price point also positions the buyer well within the threshold to apply for the national residency-by-investment program. The exit strategy is supported by the scarcity of high-visibility commercial real estate at the primary entrance to Quepos, ensuring strong long-term asset appreciation and liquid appeal for future institutional buyers.
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For the visionary investor, acquiring this landmark property is not merely a commercial real estate transaction; it is an entry into the very soul of the Central Pacific’s most dynamic coastal lifestyle. Quepos has long been celebrated as the undisputed gateway to Manuel Antonio, a region where the lush, biodiversity-rich rainforest meets the sparkling, warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. By securing a footprint at the literal threshold of this bustling port town, you are positioning your enterprise at the epicenter of a thriving local culture and an affluent international tourism market. Here, the daily rhythm is defined by world-class sportfishing at the nearby Marina Pez Vela, afternoon strolls along pristine sandy beaches, and sunset gatherings overlooking the ocean. Owning this iconic structure allows you to tap directly into this high-energy, aspirational lifestyle, transforming a historic local landmark into a modern hub of commerce, hospitality, or luxury living that reflects the sophisticated desires of both affluent expats and eager globetrotters.
To command this prominent location is to capture the imagination of every traveler who enters the region. The sheer visibility of the property aligns perfectly with the aspirations of forward-thinking entrepreneurs who recognize that in Costa Rica’s competitive tourism sector, location is the ultimate luxury. Imagine welcoming guests to a chic open-air rooftop lounge where they can sip craft cocktails while watching yachts glide into the marina, or establishing a boutique commercial plaza that serves as the premier social gathering spot for the community. This property offers the rare chance to build a legacy project in a market known worldwide for its natural beauty and robust economic resilience. It is an invitation to transition from a standard investment portfolio to an active, rewarding lifestyle where business success is seamlessly integrated with the laid-back elegance, tropical warmth, and unparalleled adventure of Costa Rica’s gold coast.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Quepos, Puntarenas