1 / 24This three-level custom estate commands an elevated position in the verdant hills rising above Pavones and Pilon, offering an exceptional vantage point over the Pacific Ocean. Priced at USD 765,000, this owner-occupied residence has been meticulously maintained, preserving its premium craftsmanship without the wear of the rental market. The unique architectural layout maximizes both privacy and panoramic vistas, making it an ideal alternative to the lengthy process of custom construction. The sprawling estate lot provides a sense of seclusion, situated in one of the most peaceful and highly coveted sectors of the Pavones region.
The main residence is designed to blend indoor comfort with the surrounding tropical environment, featuring expansive windows that frame the ocean. Outside, the property features a private swimming pool set within manicured grounds, offering a quiet space to relax while listening to the calls of the scarlet macaw. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership for registered titled land, which is fully applicable to this property. Buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, including a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the transaction value, alongside notary and registry fees that typically total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at roughly a quarter of a percent of the property's registered cadastral value.
This custom-built, three-story luxury residence in Pavones is offered at USD 765000. Because the current owner occupies the estate, the property has been meticulously maintained and has never been utilized as a rental. The unique architectural floor plan spans three levels of construction, specifically designed to maximize privacy and frame views of the ocean from its elevated vantage point in the green hills.
The estate lot provides an expansive footprint that ensures quiet seclusion. High-quality materials and premium construction standards are evident throughout the interior spaces, which transition to outdoor terrace areas overlooking the surrounding canopy.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits fee-simple property ownership, meaning you can secure registered title to this estate under the same constitutional protections as citizens. The transaction involves standard closing costs, which typically range from two to four percent of the purchase price for legal, notary, and registry fees. This total includes a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Ongoing ownership expenses are low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at just a quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value.
Priced at $765,000, this owner-occupied Pavones estate presents a compelling acquisition when analyzed on a cost-per-square-meter basis, particularly given the pristine condition of a custom three-level home that has never been subjected to the wear and tear of the rental market. For the incoming investor, the property offers versatile utility. It can be positioned immediately as a high-end short-term vacation rental targeting surfers and luxury travelers seeking ocean views, or retained as a private primary residence.
Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to secure fee-simple ownership with the same constitutional protections as citizens, making this titled property outside the restricted maritime concession zones a highly secure asset. Buyers should anticipate transaction costs, including a transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5% of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle for notary and registry fees that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with annual property taxes hovering around a mere quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value.
This estate is ideal for buyers seeking residency-by-investment, as the purchase price comfortably exceeds the current government thresholds for investor status. Acquiring an established, meticulously maintained custom home avoids the escalating material costs and delays of building from scratch in the southern zone, offering an immediate footprint in a highly sought-after market.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
This premium estate is situated in the green hills rising above Pavones and Pilon, a highly sought-after micro-location in the South Pacific region of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This specific area has become a premier destination for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, particularly US and Canadian buyers seeking an ideal balance of coastal tranquility, long-term asset appreciation, and exceptional value. Positioned away from the busier tourist corridors, the elevated setting offers a cooler mountain breeze and sweeping ocean views while keeping you within easy reach of the world-class surf breaks of Pavones and the local town center. For daily conveniences, medical clinics, and regional transport, residents can easily access the nearby hub of Golfito, while international travel is facilitated through regional airports connecting directly to San José.
The local community attracts a sophisticated mix of retirees, remote professionals, and lifestyle investors. For North Americans exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans, this region offers a secure investment landscape. Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple land ownership with the same constitutional protections as citizens, which is a major draw for those browsing Costa Rica homes for Canadians. While coastal concession zones closer to the high-tide line operate under distinct leasehold structures, this titled hillside property provides secure, outright ownership. Buyers navigating expat real estate Costa Rica should note that the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, running at just a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Additional transaction costs, including the transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent and overall closing fees ranging from two to four percent, make acquiring this turn-key estate a highly transparent and straightforward process.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this premium Pavones estate is a straightforward process for North American buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property sits in the lush hills overlooking the coast rather than directly on the shoreline, it is held under secure, registered fee simple title rather than a maritime concession. Your transaction will involve standard closing costs, which typically bundle notary fees, registry stamps, and legal services into an amount totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a transfer tax of approximately one and a half percent. Once your purchase is complete, the ongoing holding costs are remarkably low, with annual municipal property taxes amounting to just a quarter of a percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Additionally, because the purchase price of seven hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, acquiring this estate establishes your eligibility to apply for official Costa Rican residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Stepping onto this extraordinary estate is not merely about acquiring a piece of real estate; it is about choosing a deeply intentional way of life in one of the most legendary, untouched corners of the planet. Pavones is a place that captures the imagination of those who seek to disconnect from the relentless pace of modern metropolitan life and reconnect with the raw, rhythmic beauty of nature. Here, the passage of time is measured not by the ticking of a clock, but by the rise and fall of the tides and the daily symphony of the rainforest. This region has long been whispered about among global travelers, ocean enthusiasts, and purveyors of fine living who crave authenticity over commercialization. Living in the green hills above Pavones and Pilon offers an unparalleled sanctuary where the dense, vibrant canopy of the Costa Rican jungle meets the dramatic expanse of the Pacific Ocean. It is a rare sanctuary where you can wake up to the calls of scarlet macaws and howler monkeys, spend your afternoon riding some of the longest warm-water waves in the world, and wind down your evening watching the sunset paint the sky in brilliant hues of gold and violet from your own private vantage point. This is a lifestyle defined by wellness, adventure, and an overwhelming sense of peace that is increasingly difficult to find in today's world.
For the discerning buyer, this property represents the realization of a long-held aspiration: to own a legacy home that serves as both a private sanctuary and a launching pad for a life of extraordinary experiences. The modern luxury buyer is no longer satisfied with cookie-cutter developments or crowded tourist hubs; instead, there is a profound desire for space, privacy, and a genuine connection to the local environment. This three-story custom estate perfectly aligns with those aspirations, offering an elevated lifestyle that balances sophisticated architectural design with the laid-back, soulful essence of the Southern Zone. It appeals directly to the visionary investor, the remote executive seeking an inspiring backdrop for creative thinking, or the family looking to establish deep roots in a safe, welcoming, and pristine community. By choosing this estate, you are embracing a philosophy of abundant living where luxury is defined by the quality of your surroundings, the purity of the air you breathe, and the exclusivity of your ocean views. It is an opportunity to cultivate a healthier, more balanced existence, where the boundaries between indoor sophistication and outdoor adventure are seamlessly blurred. This property is not just a residence; it is a profound statement of achievement and a commitment to a life well-lived in harmony with one of the world's most spectacular natural landscapes.
Pavones, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
