1 / 64Positioned directly along the Costanera highway in the Bahía Ballena district of the Osa canton, this modern boutique resort property represents a rare, fully permitted investment opportunity priced at USD 1,490,000. The estate spans 5,382 m² of lush Pacific coastline land and features 11,754 m² of total construction. Designed by the globally renowned firm Gensler Architects in collaboration with Bernard Judge, the master plan emphasizes sustainable architecture. The completed first phase of the project consists of a master building currently operating as a five-bedroom, six-bathroom luxury boutique hotel. To minimize the environmental footprint, the structure was built using seventy percent recycled cement, sustainable local hardwoods, and low-impact lighting. The layout includes five independent guest suites, a dedicated reception office, an on-site manager apartment, a commercial laundry facility, and a staff kitchen. Outside, the grounds accommodate a private swimming pool, professional landscaping, and a secure septic system, with water supplied by a registered private well. Positioned directly across from the marine sanctuary of Marino Ballena National Park, the property offers guests views of the Pacific Ocean and immediate access to offshore coral reefs. With three additional building footprints already designed and ready for future permitting, this versatile estate functions perfectly as an operational compound or a scalable commercial resort.
At a purchase price of $1,490,000 for 5,382 square meters of land and 11,754 square meters of construction, this boutique resort project in Bahía Ballena represents a highly strategic acquisition. The property features a fully operational five-suite master house that has functioned as a luxury boutique hotel for three years, alongside shovel-ready plans for three additional buildings. This compound-property configuration allows an incoming investor to generate immediate short-term rental income from the existing suites while executing the expansion of the remaining twelve permitted units.
The ideal buyer is a developer or hospitality operator seeking fee-simple ownership in Costa Rica, which is fully permitted for foreign buyers outside of restricted maritime zones. This transaction will incur standard closing costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with the total closing bundle typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs include an annual property tax calculated on the registered cadastral value.
With Uvita experiencing sustained tourism growth, this Gensler-designed asset offers a clear exit strategy: complete the remaining three buildings to establish a fully realized luxury spa resort, or position the expanded, income-producing hospitality compound for acquisition by a mid-sized boutique hotel brand.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Situated in the highly desirable region of Bahía Ballena, Osa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this exceptional property offers an unparalleled opportunity to secure prime real estate Dominical Costa Rica has to offer. Located directly on the Costanera Highway, the property provides seamless access to the nearby town center of Uvita, ensuring that essential amenities, dining, and shopping are just a short drive away. This strategic location places owners and guests in the heart of the Costa Ballena, a region celebrated for its dramatic meeting of lush rainforest mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The property sits directly in front of Playa Ballena, a key component of the Marino Ballena National Park. This protected marine sanctuary is famous as the largest breeding ground for humpback whales in the Pacific, and the four small islands situated just offshore—easily accessible by kayak—are home to the largest coral reef on the Pacific coast of the country.
For buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this micro-location offers a unique blend of high-end tourism potential and serene natural beauty. The area is ideal for investors seeking a boutique hospitality venture, a wellness retreat, or a private family estate. The local climate is characterized by warm tropical breezes and a vibrant ecosystem where individual species like the scarlet macaw and the white-faced capuchin monkey thrive in the surrounding canopy.
This coastal tract represents a key segment of the diverse Costa Rica real estate market, where foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, though coastal concession regulations apply to maritime zones. Transactions in this region typically involve a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with total closing bundles, including notary and registry fees, ranging from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. At this investment level, buyers may also explore residency-by-investment pathways, making this property Uvita a highly strategic acquisition for long-term residency and capital appreciation.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This five-bedroom, six-bathroom estate in the Bahía Ballena district of the Osa canton is priced at USD 1,490,000. Spanning a land size of 5,382 m² with 11754 m² of construction, the property features a completed master building operating as a five-suite luxury hotel. Designed by the global architectural firm Gensler in collaboration with Bernard Judge, the structure was built using sustainable local wood and seventy percent recycled cement. Low-level lighting is integrated throughout the property to minimize environmental impact on the surrounding rainforest.
The main building contains five fully furnished suites, an office, a security guard and manager apartment, a laundry room, and a dedicated staff kitchen. Three additional resort buildings are fully planned and construction-ready on the site.
The property utilizes a septic tank system, with plans designed for a future treatment plant. Water is supplied via a privately concessioned and approved well located on the sister property. Fully permitted and registered under fee-simple ownership guidelines, this estate offers direct proximity to the marine sanctuary of Marino Ballena National Park.
Purchasing this Uvita resort property is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property sits in the coastal Ballena region, ownership is secured through registered title, though any prospective development near the maritime zone must align with standard coastal concession regulations. The $1,490,000 purchase price easily surpasses the national threshold for the investment-based residency program, offering a direct pathway to legal residency for the new owner.
During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs—covering notary fees, registration, legal services, and government stamps—that typically range between two and four percent of the transaction price. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value is due at closing. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered municipal value of the land and structures.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Living in Bahía Ballena is an invitation to align your daily life with the natural rhythms of one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Here, the boundaries between indoor luxury and the outdoor world dissolve, allowing you to wake up to the gentle chorus of howler monkeys and the distant, rhythmic crash of the Pacific tide. This pristine stretch of the Osa Peninsula is not just a place to reside; it is a sanctuary for those seeking a profound lifestyle shift. The surrounding rainforest, thick with vibrant tropical flora and teeming with exotic wildlife, serves as a constant reminder of the raw, untouched beauty of Costa Rica. For the discerning buyer, this location represents the ultimate realization of a lifelong dream: owning a piece of paradise where conservation and luxury coexist in perfect harmony. Whether you are walking along the golden sands of the nearby beaches, exploring the lush canopy, or simply enjoying the sunset from your private terrace, the lifestyle here is defined by peace, wellness, and an enduring connection to the earth.
For the visionary investor or those looking to transition to a more meaningful way of living, this property fulfills the highest aspirations of tropical ownership. It appeals directly to the desire for a legacy estate that offers both personal sanctuary and exceptional utility. Imagine owning a retreat where family and friends can gather to unplug from the frantic pace of modern life and reconnect in a setting of unparalleled natural beauty. The promise of Bahía Ballena lies in its ability to offer a sophisticated, slower-paced existence without sacrificing modern comforts or accessibility. It is a destination that attracts global citizens who value sustainability, mindful living, and the prestige of owning a masterfully designed property in one of the world's most celebrated ecological corridors. By acquiring this estate, you are not just purchasing real estate; you are securing a front-row seat to the wonders of the Marino Ballena National Park, establishing a permanent foothold in a thriving international community, and embracing a lifestyle where luxury is measured by clean air, vibrant marine life, and the quiet luxury of absolute tranquility.
Bahía Ballena, Osa, Puntarenas
Osa, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
