
1 / 15This premium parcel of land in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton offers a rare development opportunity for buyers seeking a coastal retreat. Spanning 1,748.75 m² in the peaceful community of La Hierba, the property features a unique three-level terraced layout. This topography is ideal for a compound-property design, allowing you to construct a primary residence on the spacious lower level, surrounded by private gardens, while utilizing the upper two levels for guest casitas or rental units. A natural stream flows behind the property, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere, and an on-site well is already dug, requiring only minor cleaning and deepening to become fully functional. Electricity hookups are highly accessible due to the close proximity of main road power lines.
Priced at USD 110000, this land sits just 300 meters from the beach, offering mountain views and quick access to two world-class surf breaks. The location is exceptionally convenient, situated five minutes from Pilon, ten minutes from the center of Pavones, and close to local supermarkets, restaurants, and a newly opened medical office. Ownership is secure, as Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple title to real estate outside concession zones. Buyers should budget for annual property taxes, which run approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value, while standard closing fees, registry costs, and notary stamps generally total between two and four percent of the final transaction price.
Securing this 1,748.75-square-meter terraced property in La Hierba is a straightforward process for international buyers. In Costa Rica, foreign investors enjoy the same robust property ownership rights as locals, allowing for direct fee simple title ownership outside of restricted maritime concession zones. Because this lot sits 300 meters back from the high-tide line, it avoids the complex regulations of the immediate beachfront maritime zone.
Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at a mere quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing your purchase, expect a standard closing cost bundle—which covers notary fees, legal services, registration, and stamps—to range between two and four percent of the transaction price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Additionally, while this specific lot is priced at $110,000, your investment can serve as a strong foundation toward meeting the financial thresholds required for Costa Rican residency-by-investment programs.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This premium 1,748.75 m² parcel in the La Hierba community of Pavones, within the Golfito canton, presents a rare development canvas priced at USD 110000. The land features a highly functional three-level terraced topography, engineered naturally to support a multi-structure compound. The lower tier provides an expansive footprint ideal for constructing a primary residence enveloped by private gardens. The upper two terraced levels offer independent building pads, perfectly suited for constructing private guest casitas or high-yield rental units that capture the surrounding mountain views.
A natural stream flows behind the property boundary, enhancing the tranquil atmosphere. Infrastructure preparation is already underway with an on-site well, which requires only minor cleaning and deepening to reach full functionality. Grid electricity connection is highly straightforward, as the property sits close to the main road where power lines are established.
Acquiring this fee-simple property involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs. Buyers should budget for a 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 holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at about a quarter of a percent of the property's registered cadastral value.
This exceptional 1,748.75-square-meter parcel is situated in La Hierba, a tranquil coastal enclave within the Pavones district of the Golfito canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. For North Americans seeking to buy property in Costa Rica, this South Pacific region has emerged as a highly sought-after destination. It offers an ideal combination of long-term appreciation potential, lifestyle value, and natural beauty for both US and Canadian buyers. This specific micro-location is highly coveted by surf enthusiasts, retirees, and remote workers alike, as it sits just 300 meters from the beach and provides convenient access to two world-class surf breaks. The property is positioned a mere five-minute drive from Pilon and only ten minutes from the vibrant town center of Pavones. Essential local amenities are remarkably close, including several restaurants, supermarkets, and a recently opened medical clinic, which provides peace of mind for those looking at Costa Rica homes for Canadians and Americans.
The unique three-level terraced layout of this lot allows for a compound-property design, where a buyer can construct a primary residence on the spacious lower level and build separate guest casitas or rental units on the upper two levels. Beyond the lifestyle appeal, the financial aspects of acquiring Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Canadians are highly favorable. Annual property taxes are exceptionally low, hovering around one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value of the land. When purchasing expat real estate Costa Rica, buyers should also budget for closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the transaction value, alongside notary and registry fees that generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price. This property represents a secure investment in a region known for its pristine environment and welcoming community.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
At a purchase price of $110,000 for 1,748.75 square meters of land, this terraced property in La Hierba offers an entry point of approximately $63 per square meter. This positioning is highly competitive for coastal real estate situated only 300 meters from the beach. The three-level topography is optimized for a compound-property development strategy, allowing an investor to build a primary residence on the spacious lower tier while constructing income-generating guest casitas on the upper two levels. This layout supports a flexible rental strategy, capturing short-term vacationers drawn to the two nearby world-class surf breaks, or long-term tenants seeking proximity to Pavones and Pilon.
The ideal buyer is an individual looking to build a custom coastal retreat with built-in rental versatility. Carrying costs remain remarkably low, as the annual municipal property tax in Costa Rica is assessed at just 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 standard closing bundle, which includes notary, registry, and legal fees, alongside a transfer stamp tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. With a newly opened doctor's office nearby and easy utility connection to the main road, this emerging pocket of the southern zone represents a timely acquisition before infrastructure improvements drive land values closer to regional averages.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the southern zone of Puntarenas Province means embracing a lifestyle where the clock is governed by the tides and the natural rhythms of the rainforest. This specific pocket of the southern zone, nestled near the legendary waters of Pavones and the quiet shores of La Hierba, appeals to a very specific caliber of buyer. These are individuals who seek to disconnect from the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life without completely sacrificing the essential comforts of connectivity and community. Here, your morning routine does not begin with a commute, but rather with the sound of scarlet macaws gliding over the canopy and the gentle rush of the nearby stream. Aspiring landowners envision a life where world-class surf breaks are practically in their backyard, allowing them to grab a board and be in the water within minutes of waking up. It is a sanctuary for wellness enthusiasts, creative minds, remote executives, and passionate surfers who recognize that true luxury lies in privacy, clean air, and untouched natural beauty. Building a custom estate on this terraced land offers the rare chance to design a legacy home that seamlessly blends indoor comfort with the vibrant outdoor ecosystem. Buyers are drawn to the promise of cultivating their own tropical gardens, harvesting fresh fruit from their yard, and hosting friends on wide verandas that overlook the verdant mountains. This is not just a real estate purchase; it is an intentional transition toward mindful living, environmental stewardship, and personal rejuvenation in one of the most biodiverse places on earth, where the warmth of the local community matches the year-round tropical climate.
Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004