Mountain view
1 / 64Perched 1,600 meters above sea level within the pristine cloud forests of Cartago, this self-sustaining mountain estate offers an extraordinary sanctuary where untamed wilderness meets architectural refined living. Spanning 470,000 square meters of private land adjacent to the Tapantí National Park buffer zone, the off-grid compound captures sweeping mountain vistas and crisp highland air just twenty minutes from the municipal center of Cartago. Offered fully furnished at USD 2,200,000, the property encompasses a total of 1,640.02 square meters of construction, seamlessly balancing grand entertaining spaces with private, tranquil retreats.
The residential compound features five total bedrooms and five bathrooms, thoughtfully arranged across distinct structures. The main residence houses three principal bedrooms with en-suite baths, alongside an adjacent guest suite designed for complete privacy. Everyday life centers around an expansive interior layout, featuring a fully equipped kitchen, formal living and dining quarters, and a dedicated media lounge. The central hearth includes a cozy fireplace, a custom bar, a built-in pizza oven, and a professional grill area. Outdoors, a secondary social pavilion provides a standalone lounge and bar perched directly over scenic alpine valleys. A separate staff residence accommodates on-site property management, while the surrounding acreage includes dedicated agricultural zones currently hosting a hydrangea plantation alongside organic vegetable fields. This legacy estate in Aguacaliente presents a rare opportunity for self-reliant highland luxury.
Acquiring a 470,000-square-meter mountain estate at $2,200,000 translates to a highly competitive land cost per square meter, especially given the extensive 1,640.02-square-meter total construction footprint. From a yields perspective, this compound structure—comprising a five-bedroom main residence, an adjacent guest room, and a separate secondary social building—allows a future owner to explore a dual short-term and long-term rental strategy. High-end eco-retreats near Tapantí National Park draw boutique travel demand, while the individual residential units allow for hosting paying visitors while maintaining private quarters.
This asset aligns with high-net-worth buyers seeking lifestyle diversification or those pursuing Costa Rican residency-by-investment, for which a purchase at this price threshold qualifies under current immigration frameworks. Market timing remains favorable as demand for secluded Central Valley luxury acreage expands among North American investors. Buyers should budget for standard acquisition friction; the property transfer stamp tax typically accounts for around 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle covering notary fees, registry costs, legal representation, and official stamps generally ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing annual holding costs include property taxes assessed on the registered cadastral value. The estate offers a clear exit strategy via resale to institutional wellness brands, eco-hospitality operators, or private legacy buyers.
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Situated in Aguacaliente, Cartago, Costa Rica, this estate occupies a distinct microclimate in the Central Valley Costa Rica real estate market. Positioned at an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level, the property benefits from crisp mountain air and cool temperatures characteristic of the high-altitude Tropical Mountain Forest. The acreage borders the buffer zone of Tapantí National Park, establishing an environment where native flora and fauna thrive as an integral part of daily life. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe species like the resplendent quetzal independently navigating the forest canopy, free from dense crowds.
While providing absolute seclusion on 47 hectares of land, the location remains exceptionally practical. Downtown Cartago sits just a 20-minute drive away, granting prompt access to regional hospitals, commercial centers, fine dining, and essential civic services. Buyers researching options to buy property in Costa Rica will find this area offers a quiet, rural atmosphere while maintaining efficient road connections to the capital and international transit hubs. For those evaluating Escazu homes or Atenas Costa Rica homes for cooler weather and elevated terrain, Aguacaliente delivers a private alternative centered around agricultural potential and wilderness access.
The expansive grounds allow owners to pursue remote work, eco-tourism development, or active agricultural projects, continuing the existing operations of vegetable farming and hydrangea cultivation. Cross-border buyers seeking to buy property Costa Rica can secure title through fee simple ownership. Essential transaction logistics involve customary municipal real estate taxes, a transfer stamp tax near 1.5% of the declared value, and standard closing bundles encompassing notary services, registry fees, and legal charges that generally range between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at USD 2,200,000, this private mountain estate in the Aguacaliente district of Cartago offers a substantial compound footprint, combining 1,640.02 m² of total construction across a 470,000 m² land parcel. The primary residence features three bedrooms with three dedicated bathrooms, alongside a fully equipped kitchen, a dedicated dining area, a laundry room, and extra storage space. An expansive interior entertaining room serves as a central focal point, outfitted with a built-in bar, a fireplace, a specialized pizza oven, a television lounge, and an integrated barbecue setup.
The compound's five-bedroom, five-bathroom layout extends beyond the main residence to include an adjacent guest room with its own bathroom, a separate caretaker cottage, and an independent secondary social pavilion complete with a private bar that overlooks the surrounding mountain range. Positioned 1,600 meters above sea level near the Tapantí National Park buffer zone, the vast 47-hectare grounds encompass a working hydrangea plantation and active vegetable farming areas.
Acquiring real estate in the Central Valley region is straightforward for foreign purchasers, who enjoy fee simple ownership rights. Buyers should account for standard transaction expenses, including the property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5% of the declared value, alongside notary fees, registry costs, and legal charges that together bring total closing costs to between 2% and 4%. Ongoing annual property taxes are calculated directly from the estate's registered cadastral value.
International buyers acquire real estate in Costa Rica under fee simple title, granting non-citizens identical property ownership rights as local nationals. Located in the Central Valley region of Cartago, this 47-hectare mountain estate carries direct, fee simple ownership outside restricted coastal zones.
Acquisition costs include the standard property transfer stamp tax, calculated at roughly 1.5% of the transaction's declared value. The complete closing bundle—comprising notary fees, legal representation, government registry fees, and legal stamps—typically totals between 2% and 4% of the overall purchase price. Ongoing annual holding costs involve a local property tax based on the farm's official registered cadastral value.
At a purchase price of $2,200,000 USD, this transaction far exceeds the current government minimum threshold required to apply for Costa Rican residency-by-investment, offering a clear pathway toward official legal residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Life in Aguacaliente offers an extraordinarily rare balance for the discerning investor who seeks the untamed serenity of Costa Rica’s central highlands without sacrificing the effortless connectivity of modern living. Situated just twenty minutes from the historic and bustling downtown hub of Cartago, this grand 47-hectare mountain estate elevated at 1,600 meters above sea level presents an incomparable sanctuary for those who aspire to live intentionally, surrounded by pure alpine air and rich ecological biodiversity. Bordering the pristine buffer zone of the renowned Tapantí National Park, the location invites a profound lifestyle shift where the soothing rhythm of the tropical mountain forest replaces urban noise, and where vibrant flora, native hydrangeas, and an abundance of exotic bird species become part of your everyday morning routine. For the visionary high-net-worth buyer, acquiring a legacy property of this magnitude is about far more than just acquiring luxury real estate; it is an investment in personal wellness, sustainability, and ultimate privacy. The sheer scale of the 470,000-square-meter grounds provides an expansive personal realm for organic cultivation, quiet reflection, and grand social entertaining against a dramatic backdrop of sweeping mountain panoramas. Whether hosting sophisticated gatherings across the estate’s 1,640.02 square meters of custom-designed, fully furnished living spaces—complete with a dedicated social pavilion, bar, pizza oven, and outdoor hearth—or simply relaxing in absolute seclusion, the estate caters to every high-end pursuit. Furthermore, the property's prime location within the coveted Central Valley region makes it an exceptional candidate for international buyers contemplating long-term residency through Costa Rica's recognized investment programs. It is an extraordinary opportunity to claim a private off-grid haven where sustainable agricultural potential, architectural elegance, and proximity to major municipal amenities converge seamlessly. Owning this distinguished Cartago residence means embracing a coveted lifestyle of health, tranquility, and prestige, establishing an enduring family benchmark in one of Central America’s most ecologically breathtaking and stable destinations.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Aguacaliente, San José, Cartago