1 / 30This modern, light-filled sanctuary offers a sophisticated entry point into the coveted Pacific coastal region of Palo Seco. Listed at USD 199000, this fully furnished estate delivers a rare combination of intimate luxury and expansive acreage, perfectly suited for North American buyers seeking an active tropical retreat or a high-performing investment property. The residence spans 850 square meters of total construction, centering around a masterfully designed one-bedroom, one-bathroom villa. The home features a wrap-around terrace, large glass doors, and expansive windows that flood the living space with natural light. High-end modern amenities include a private swimming pool, high-speed internet, satellite television, and grid power connectivity, all engineered for low-maintenance living with the potential for an easy off-grid conversion.
The villa sits on a generous land parcel of 8094 square meters, which includes an adjacent, buildable two-acre lot. This additional acreage guarantees permanent privacy and provides the flexibility to construct a larger main residence or guest casitas in the future. Located within a secure gated community, the property features its own private nature trail where you can observe white-faced monkeys, three-toed sloths, and vibrant toucans in their natural habitat. While the home feels entirely secluded with no other houses in sight, on-site property management and friendly neighbors are just a five-minute walk away. The pristine sands of the local beach are a twelve-minute drive from your door, while the world-class slips at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos are twenty-two minutes away, and the famous Manuel Antonio National Park is reachable in a half-hour.
From a purchasing perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of local citizens. When finalizing the transaction, buyers should budget for closing costs—including notary, registry, and legal fees—which typically range from two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the estate rather than the market purchase price. With professional on-site management already in place, this Palo Seco estate is fully prepared to operate as a turn-key vacation rental or a private seasonal haven.
This modern one-bedroom villa in Palo Seco offers 850 square meters of total construction, combining a luxurious, low-maintenance design with an abundance of natural light through expansive glass doors and large windows. The fully furnished interior is designed for easy care without sacrificing upscale comfort, featuring a cozy living space, satellite television, and high-speed internet. Outside, the property boasts a private swimming pool and a spacious wrap-around terrace, perfect for taking in the serene rainforest views. The villa is connected to grid power and can easily be converted to an off-grid home if desired.
Situated on an expansive 8,094-square-meter land parcel, the property includes an adjacent lot of over two acres, providing permanent privacy and the potential to build an additional residence. Located within a secure gated community, residents benefit from on-site property management, making this USD 199,000 home an excellent investment for part-time living or rental income.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits fee simple ownership. Purchasing this property involves a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with total closing costs, including notary and registry fees, typically ranging from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Additionally, the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the estate.
This property presents a highly efficient entry point into the Costa Rican market at a purchase price of $199,000, which includes the existing 850-square-foot luxury villa and an adjacent parcel of over two acres. For the investment-minded buyer, this dual-lot configuration establishes an immediate exit or expansion strategy, allowing you to retain the current home as a rental unit while constructing a larger primary residence on the neighboring land. The on-site property management team facilitates seamless transitions between personal use and short-term or long-term rental placement, appealing directly to buyers seeking a part-time tropical retreat.
From a financial perspective, ownership costs remain remarkably low. Annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price, keeping ongoing carrying costs highly manageable. Buyers should anticipate standard transaction fees, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registration, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens, making this an exceptionally stable asset class. This property is ideal for active couples looking to secure a private, low-maintenance foothold near Playa Seco and Marina Pez Vela before regional land values rise further.
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Positioned in the pristine coastal region of Palo Seco, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this property offers North American buyers an ideal entry point into the Southern Pacific zone. The estate sits just twelve minutes from the shoreline of Palo Seco, twenty-two minutes from the world-class Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, and thirty minutes from the famous Manuel Antonio National Park. This strategic location allows residents to enjoy a tranquil rainforest microclimate while remaining close to essential coastal amenities. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this setting balances secluded natural surroundings with convenient access to regional hubs.
The local community provides a secure environment for expatriates seeking a transition to Central America. The home is situated within a gated development that features on-site property management, making it an excellent option for Costa Rica homes for Canadians and Costa Rica real estate for Americans who plan to reside here part-time. The surrounding landscape is characterized by dense tropical foliage, where residents can regularly observe local wildlife, such as the white-faced capuchin monkey, the three-toed sloth, or the chestnut-mandibled toucan along the private nature trails.
For buyers navigating expat real estate Costa Rica, the financial structure of ownership is highly favorable. Foreign nationals enjoy fee-simple ownership rights, identical to those of Costa Rican citizens, for properties outside the maritime concession zones. The ongoing carrying costs are exceptionally manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land and structures. During the acquisition process, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically totals between two and four percent of the purchase price. This combination of low holding costs and prime location makes the Palo Seco estate a secure, high-value investment.
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Acquiring this property is a straightforward process, as Costa Rican law grants foreign buyers the exact same fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this home sits outside the maritime concession zone, you will hold outright, secure title to both the villa and the adjacent acreage. Your ongoing holding costs are remarkably low; the annual property tax is calculated as a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value, which keeps yearly carrying costs highly manageable.
When finalizing the purchase, expect standard closing expenses—including legal fees, notary services, registration stamps, and the property transfer stamp tax—to total between two and four percent of the transaction price. Furthermore, because the purchase price of this estate exceeds the national threshold for real estate investment, acquiring this property positions you to apply for official Costa Rican residency. Our team coordinates with trusted local legal counsel to guide you through every step of the closing process, ensuring your investment is fully protected.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Embracing the Palo Seco lifestyle means trading the relentless noise of modern city living for the rhythmic, restorative cadence of the Costa Rican rainforest. Here, your morning alarm is replaced by the gentle, exotic melodies of toucans nesting in the canopy, and your daily commute becomes a scenic twelve-minute drive to the pristine sands of Playa Seco. This region of Puntarenas appeals to a specific caliber of buyer—one who seeks a harmonious balance between raw, untouched nature and sophisticated, modern comfort. It is a sanctuary designed for those who aspire to disconnect from the grid without sacrificing the luxury of high-speed connectivity, a refreshing private swimming pool, and the secure peace of mind that only an exclusive gated enclave can provide. Whether you are seeking a permanent personal sanctuary to foster your own wellness and adventure, or a high-performing investment property that captures the growing global demand for eco-luxury travel, this villa delivers an unparalleled lifestyle. It represents a rare opportunity to secure your own private piece of paradise, where the vibrant biodiversity of Manuel Antonio is your backyard, and the world-class maritime amenities of Marina Pez Vela are just a short drive away.
Palo Seco, Puntarenas
Palo Seco, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
