1 / 18This elevated sanctuary in Bello Horizonte, Escazu, redefines sophisticated Central Valley living, offering what are widely considered the most spectacular, unobstructed city views in the entire San Jose region. Positioned within the secure, gated enclave of Altos de Marbella, this expansive 330-square-meter residence in Tower 100 delivers an exceptional blend of security, privacy, and refined architectural detail. Priced at USD 490,000, the condominium is designed for buyers who demand space and elegance. The layout features three generous principal bedrooms, a dedicated service room that functions perfectly as a fourth bedroom, and four complete bathrooms.
The heart of the home is a vast living area that flows effortlessly onto a private balcony, where the glittering city lights of San Jose create a dramatic evening backdrop. A separate, fully equipped kitchen and a dedicated laundry room ensure the floor plan remains highly functional and organized. Set on a sprawling 15,000-square-meter parcel of shared community land, residents enjoy access to premium amenities, including a pristine swimming pool and professional on-site security. For peace of mind, ownership is secured through fee simple rights, which are fully granted to international buyers. When planning your acquisition, note that the ongoing annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the condominium, while the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary, registry, and legal stamps—typically ranges between two and four percent of the final purchase price.
The Altos de Marbella development occupies a commanding position in Bello Horizonte, a highly desirable neighborhood within Escazú, San José, Costa Rica. This specific micro-location on the western side of the Central Valley is celebrated for offering some of the most dramatic, unobstructed valley and city views available from any residential high-rise in the region. Residents enjoy a temperate mountain microclimate that remains comfortable year-round, eliminating the need for constant air conditioning. The surrounding community of Escazú blends cosmopolitan dining, upscale shopping centers, and international schools with quiet hillside vistas, making it the premier address for executives, retirees, and families who want to buy property in Costa Rica while remaining close to the capital city.
Living in these Escazú homes means having essential amenities just minutes away. The master-planned gated community sits on a vast 15,000-square-meter land parcel, providing a secure, park-like environment with a shared swimming pool, while keeping residents within easy driving distance of the CIMA Hospital, multi-specialty medical centers, and the Juan Santamaría International Airport. This strategic location makes it highly practical for frequent travelers and remote workers who require reliable infrastructure.
For those looking to secure Central Valley Costa Rica real estate, the purchasing process is straightforward. Foreign buyers enjoy the same fee simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. When you buy property Costa Rica legal structures require a property transfer stamp tax, which typically amounts to about 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Additional closing expenses, covering notary fees, registry costs, and legal stamps, generally range between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership is also highly cost-effective, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the condominium. Furthermore, the purchase price of this luxury condo meets the threshold for residency-by-investment programs, offering an official pathway to establish legal residency in the country.
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This luxury condominium residence in the secure Altos de Marbella community of Escazu, San Jose, offers 330 square meters of sophisticated construction set within a gated property footprint of 15,000 square meters. Positioned in the Bello Horizonte neighborhood, the residence is celebrated for delivering some of the most expansive and dramatic city views available in the entire San Jose area. The interior layout features four bedrooms, including three spacious principal bedrooms and an additional service room, alongside four bathrooms. Designed for effortless hosting and daily comfort, the floor plan includes a separate kitchen, a dedicated laundry room, exceptionally large living spaces, and a private balcony engineered to maximize the panoramic Central Valley vistas.
The gated community infrastructure provides residents with premium shared amenities, including a swimming pool and professional security. For international buyers acquiring this USD 490000 property, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee simple ownership. Buyers should anticipate closing fees, notary charges, and registration stamps typically totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the condominium.
Acquiring this premium high-rise residence in Escazu is a straightforward process, as Costa Rican law grants foreign buyers the exact same fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this condominium sits outside of any maritime concession zones, you will hold absolute, secure title to your real estate. During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate a closing cost bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—that typically totals 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. Ongoing ownership is highly cost-effective, with annual property taxes calculated solely on the registered cadastral value of the condominium rather than the market purchase price. Additionally, because the investment in this luxury property exceeds the national threshold for real estate purchases, your ownership qualifies you to apply for Costa Rican residency-by-investment status.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Priced at $490,000 for 330 square meters of high-end construction, this condo in the Altos de Marbella development presents a highly competitive valuation of approximately $1,485 per square meter. This rate sits well within, and often below, the average for premium high-rise real estate in the exclusive Escazu region. For the investment-minded buyer, the property offers versatile potential. While the local executive market supports steady long-term corporate rentals, the three-bedroom layout plus service quarters also appeals to the high-end short-term market, though prospective buyers should evaluate seasonal occupancy variations rather than expecting guaranteed yields.
The ideal buyer profile spans North American retirees seeking a secure foothold in the Central Valley, or remote professionals capitalizing on Costa Rica’s residency-by-investment pathways, which are accessible at this purchase threshold. From a transactional standpoint, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. When structuring the acquisition, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally total between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are notably favorable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the apartment, keeping carrying costs highly manageable compared to similar luxury markets in the United States and Canada.
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Living in Bello Horizonte, Escazú, represents the pinnacle of Central Valley sophistication, offering an enviable lifestyle where cosmopolitan convenience meets the serene natural beauty of Costa Rica. For the discerning buyer, acquiring a residence in this exclusive enclave is not merely a real estate transaction; it is an entry into a prestigious community that perfectly balances security, privacy, and accessibility. Perched high above the valley floor, residents enjoy a temperate mountain climate that naturally cools the home, eliminating the need for constant air conditioning and allowing for an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that is uniquely Costa Rican. The surrounding neighborhood of Escazú is widely regarded as the country's premier lifestyle destination, home to upscale shopping centers, gourmet dining establishments, international schools, and state-of-the-art medical facilities. This prime location ensures that while you are enjoying the quiet sanctuary of your gated hillside retreat, the vibrant energy and cultural amenities of San José are just a short drive away. Aspiring homeowners who target this region are seeking a seamless transition into a life of comfort and prestige, where they can host elegant gatherings against a backdrop of twinkling city lights or enjoy quiet mornings on the balcony watching the mist rise off the distant mountains. The generous proportions of this three-hundred-and-thirty-square-meter condominium cater specifically to those who refuse to compromise on space, quality, or prestige. It appeals to executive families, retirees looking for a secure lock-and-leave lifestyle, and international investors who recognize the enduring value of prime real estate in the country's most sought-after postal code. By choosing a home in this landmark development, you are aligning yourself with an elite standard of living, securing a legacy property that offers unparalleled peace of mind, breathtaking daily vistas, and an unmatched sense of arrival every time you pass through the secure gates.
Escazu, San José
Escazu, San José
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
