
1 / 15Wake up to the gentle mist rising off the water and the sun illuminating the lush hillsides of Tierras Morenas. This exceptional estate, priced at an attractive $235,000, offers a rare combination of space, versatility, and commanding vistas of Lake Arenal and the nearby volcano. Spanning a generous 2,200 square feet, the primary residence bridges the enduring strength of its original 2000 construction with tasteful modern upgrades. Inside, soaring ceilings and custom doors crafted from rich, exotic local hardwoods infuse the home with warmth and authentic Costa Rican character. The expansive main level centers around a gourmet kitchen, dining, and living area, where oversized windows draw in abundant natural light and frame the dramatic landscape. This central hub flows effortlessly onto a broad covered terrace, creating a perfect setting for alfresco dining and watching the sunset over the water.
The main house features four generous bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, ensuring ample privacy for family and visitors. Upstairs, a massive multi-purpose recreation room opens up to panoramic, unobstructed lake views, offering a flexible canvas for a private yoga studio, a creative workspace, or an additional master suite. Outside, the half-acre parcel balances privacy with easy maintenance, featuring mature landscaping and space for a personal vegetable garden. Enhancing the property's versatility is a cozy, detached one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest casita. Offered partially furnished, this dual-dwelling layout is perfectly positioned to serve as a private family sanctuary or an income-generating rental property in one of Guanacaste's most scenic regions.
Constructed in 2000 and recently updated with modern finishes, this solid 2,200-square-foot residence blends structural durability with refined local artistry. The interior showcases Costa Rican craftsmanship, featuring rich exotic wood doors and ceilings that run throughout the home. Oversized windows flood the open-concept layout with natural light, highlighting a spacious gourmet kitchen, dining area, and living room designed for effortless hosting. The main house accommodates four generous bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, complemented by a versatile upper-level recreation room. Currently utilized for games, this expansive space captures unobstructed lake vistas and can easily transition into a wellness studio, executive office, or an additional bedroom suite.
The living area flows directly onto a deep, covered terrace, creating a seamless transition to the outdoors. Situated on nearly half an acre of manicured grounds in Tierras Morenas, the property features established garden spaces previously used for growing fresh vegetables and herbs. In addition to the primary residence, the estate includes a separate, cozy one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest casita. This dual-dwelling configuration, offered partially furnished, provides an ideal setup for multi-generational living or immediate rental income generation.
Nestled in the serene highlands of Tierras Morenas within the Canton of Tilarán, this property offers a refreshing alternative to the traditional coastal market. While many investors focus exclusively on finding a beachside Tamarindo property or browsing Flamingo Costa Rica homes, the lush, temperate highlands surrounding Lake Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, present a highly desirable microclimate characterized by cool mountain breezes and rich, fertile soil. This distinct region allows buyers to enjoy a tranquil, rural lifestyle centered around outdoor recreation, wellness, and self-sufficiency, while remaining within reasonable driving distance of the international airport in Liberia, regional medical facilities, and the vibrant coastal towns of the Pacific. It highlights how Tilarán is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, bridging the gap between peaceful highland retreats and high-energy beach destinations.
For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this specific micro-location delivers an unmatched quality of life. The area is a haven for active retirees, remote professionals, and lifestyle investors who appreciate a slower pace of life surrounded by dramatic freshwater views and rolling green hills. Whether your goal is to cultivate a personal organic garden in the rich volcanic soil, establish a remote work sanctuary with an inspiring backdrop, or secure a reliable income-generating asset in the growing Guanacaste real estate sector, this location accommodates every ambition. The dual-dwelling configuration of the main residence and the separate one-bedroom guest casita provides the ultimate flexibility, allowing owners to live on-site while capturing steady rental yields from visitors drawn to the world-class windsurfing, hiking, and natural beauty of the Arenal region.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Offered at an incredibly competitive price point of $235,000, this property represents a highly strategic acquisition in the sought-after Lake Arenal region. With 204 square meters of solid construction set on a generous 2,023-square-meter lot, the purchase price translates to approximately $1,152 per square meter of building space. This is exceptionally favorable when compared to regional averages for upgraded, view-centric homes in Guanacaste.
The dual-structure configuration—comprising a spacious four-bedroom main residence and a separate, cozy one-bedroom, one-bathroom guest cottage—unlocks versatile investment pathways. Owners can capitalize on the region's growing popularity by leveraging the independent guesthouse for short-term vacation rentals to capture premium nightly rates, or secure steady cash flow via long-term tenancies, all while maintaining complete privacy in the primary home.
This setup is ideal for North American buyers seeking a lifestyle transition, a multi-generational retreat, or a semi-retirement property with built-in income potential. As global demand for wellness-oriented destinations rises, securing a turn-key, partially furnished lake-view estate at this valuation offers a protective entry point. The robust local real estate market and the unique dual-dwelling layout ensure a straightforward exit strategy, appealing to future lifestyle buyers and yield-focused investors alike.
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Purchasing this Tierras Morenas estate is a straightforward and highly secure process. In Costa Rica, foreign buyers enjoy the exact same constitutional property ownership rights as local citizens. Because this property is located in the interior Lake Arenal region of Tilarán rather than on the protected coastline, it does not fall under Maritime Zone restrictions; instead, properties in this area are typically held under Fee Simple title, offering you absolute ownership.
When planning your acquisition, you should budget approximately 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover standard closing costs, which include notary fees, registration fees, and transfer taxes. Ongoing ownership is remarkably affordable, with the annual municipal property tax set at a highly favorable 0.25% of the property's registered value. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $235,000 comfortably exceeds the national threshold of $150,000, purchasing this compound—which features both a primary residence and a separate guest casita—makes you fully eligible to apply for residency in Costa Rica under the investor visa category.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Living in the Tierras Morenas region of Tilarán, near the majestic shores of Lake Arenal, represents a profound lifestyle shift for those seeking to escape the frantic pace of modern urban existence. This pristine corner of Guanacaste is highly coveted by international buyers who aspire to reconnect with nature without sacrificing modern comforts. Here, the daily rhythm is dictated by the gentle rising of the sun over the freshwater lake, the soothing whispers of mountain breezes rustling through the lush green canopy, and the dramatic, ever-changing silhouettes of the nearby volcano. It is a sanctuary where wellness and outdoor recreation are woven into the very fabric of daily life. Residents can spend their mornings navigating the calm waters of the lake on a paddleboard, windsurfing in world-class conditions, or hiking through vibrant forest trails teeming with exotic birds and monkeys. In the afternoons, the cool, elevated climate of Tilarán provides a refreshing mountain respite from the intense heat of the coastal lowlands, making it one of the most comfortable and temperate microclimates in all of Central America.
For the discerning global citizen, owning a home in this specific region of Costa Rica is not merely a real estate transaction; it is the realization of a long-held aspiration to live deeply, sustainably, and authentically. The local community is a welcoming tapestry of friendly Costa Rican neighbors and a diverse, active expatriate population, offering an enriching cultural environment where newcomers feel immediately at home. The fertile volcanic soil of the region inspires a self-sufficient lifestyle, inviting you to cultivate your own organic vegetable gardens, harvest tropical fruits, and embrace a farm-to-table culinary routine right from your own backyard. This is a place where you can slow down, breathe the cleanest air, and focus on what truly matters—whether that means dedicating your time to creative pursuits in a panoramic home studio, hosting memorable gatherings for loved ones on a spacious terrace, or simply watching the mist roll across the water at dusk. This property offers the rare chance to secure a permanent foothold in this ecological paradise, fulfilling the ultimate dream of a balanced, peaceful, and purposeful life defined by the natural beauty of Lake Arenal.
Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste
Tilarán, Guanacaste
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004