
1 / 15Wake up to the gentle murmur of water and the golden glow of a tropical sunrise over the pristine waters of Lake Arenal. Offered at $339,000, this turnkey, fully furnished sanctuary delivers an unparalleled lakefront lifestyle in the peaceful enclave of Nuevo Arenal. Completed in 2023 to exacting American standards, the residence features 120 square meters of sophisticated interior living space situated on a generous 0.6-acre (2,428.11 square meter) parcel. Designed with brilliant architectural foresight, the home serves as a luxurious haven while offering effortless structural expansion potential into a two-level estate.
Inside, the open-concept layout showcases a premium kitchen adorned with rich granite countertops, self-closing cabinetry, a mobile central island, and high-end appliances, including an LG refrigerator and a Samsung gas oven. This culinary space flows naturally into the inviting living room and out onto a massive 408-square-meter covered terrace. This expansive outdoor deck serves as the heart of the home, where you can dine alfresco in the cool lake breezes. The master suite offers a private retreat, complete with a walk-in shower, elegant fixtures, and a custom cedar walk-in closet featuring a built-in wall safe and laundry station. Securely positioned behind an electric gate with a shared driveway, the property also boasts a massive 253-square-meter workshop and garage area ripe for conversion into a guest suite or home office, while the grassy shoreline invites you to launch kayaks directly into the calm bay.
Constructed in 2023 to rigorous North American standards, this modern lakefront residence offers 120 square meters of high-end interior living space on a generous 0.6-acre lot. The home was strategically designed as a guest house with structural foresight, allowing for an effortless future conversion into a two-level primary estate. Behind a secure electric gate and shared driveway, the property features a spacious garage and a massive 253-square-meter workshop and storage area, presenting an ideal canvas for transformation into a home office, recreation room, or an additional bedroom suite.
Inside, the open-plan layout centers around a premium kitchen outfitted with durable granite countertops, self-closing cabinetry, a mobile central island, and high-end appliances, including an LG refrigerator and Samsung gas oven. The kitchen flows into a comfortable living area, which transitions seamlessly to an expansive 408-square-meter covered terrace. This outdoor sanctuary serves as a natural extension of the home, perfect for dining and entertaining against the backdrop of dramatic lake views.
The private quarters feature a spacious principal suite complete with a luxurious en-suite bathroom, walk-in shower, and a custom cedar walk-in closet equipped with a stacked washer and dryer, a built-in wall safe, and a self-draining dehumidifier. For ultimate peace of mind, the entire property is protected by a sophisticated exterior security system, making it a secure, turnkey haven.
Nestled in the highlands of the Tilarán canton, Nuevo Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste, Costa Rica offers a refreshing, temperate microclimate and a peaceful lifestyle that stands in beautiful contrast to the bustling coastal regions. While many investors search for traditional Tamarindo property or high-end Flamingo Costa Rica homes, this lush lakeside sanctuary presents a unique alternative for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica. Located in a tranquil bay along Lake Arenal, the area is a haven for active outdoor living, allowing residents to launch a kayak, paddleboard, or rowboat directly from their doorstep. The local community of Nuevo Arenal retains an authentic, welcoming Costa Rican charm while providing essential daily conveniences, including local bakeries, cozy coffee shops, pharmacies, grocery stores, restaurants, medical offices, and banks.
This location perfectly balances secluded natural beauty with convenient regional connectivity. The larger hub of Tilarán is just a 45-minute drive away, offering expanded professional services and retail options. When you crave the saltwater and sand, the beautiful Pacific beaches of Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco are a scenic two-hour drive from the property. Additionally, international travel is highly accessible, with the Liberia International Airport located just an hour and a half away. Whether you are looking to retire in a cooler mountain breeze, establish a remote work base surrounded by nature, or secure an income-generating vacation rental, this region represents a highly attractive segment of Guanacaste real estate. It combines the quiet charm of lakefront living with the long-term appreciation and security that makes Costa Rica's diverse property landscape so appealing to North American buyers.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This turnkey property represents a highly strategic entry point into the Lake Arenal micro-market, priced at $339,000. With 120 square meters of high-end interior living space situated on a generous 2,428.11-square-meter (0.6-acre) lakefront parcel, the acquisition cost reflects strong value for newly constructed, American-standard luxury in this region. The estate’s physical layout offers a unique risk-mitigation tool for investors: the existing one-bedroom home was engineered for an effortless two-level expansion, while the massive 253-square-meter workshop and garage structure can be converted into additional bedrooms or a separate guest unit to maximize rental yields.
For the lifestyle investor or digital nomad, this configuration supports a flexible exit and income strategy. You can occupy the primary suite while renting out the secondary spaces, or operate the entire estate as a premium short-term vacation rental capitalizing on the private lake access. While local regulations and occupancy fluctuations mean returns cannot be guaranteed, the property's location just 1.5 hours from Liberia International Airport and its walkable proximity to Nuevo Arenal’s town center position it exceptionally well to capture high-value, long- and short-term tenants seeking a mix of natural serenity and modern convenience.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Acquiring this premium lakeside property is a straightforward and highly secure process. In Costa Rica, real estate situated outside the maritime zone—such as this inland gem in Nuevo Arenal—is typically held under Fee Simple title, granting foreign buyers the exact same constitutional ownership rights as local citizens. To finalize the transaction, you should anticipate closing costs ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, while the ongoing holding costs remain remarkably low with an annual property tax of just 0.25% of the registered value. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $339,000 comfortably exceeds the nation's $150,000 investment threshold, purchasing this home qualifies you and your immediate family to apply for residency under the investor visa program, paving a smooth path toward your new life in paradise.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
To fully appreciate this property is to understand the rare, transformative lifestyle that Nuevo Arenal offers to the discerning global citizen. Nestled along the northern highlands of Guanacaste, this region has quietly become one of Costa Rica's most coveted sanctuaries for those seeking a harmonious balance between raw natural beauty and refined modern comfort. Unlike the bustling, arid coastal corridors, the microclimate around Lake Arenal is characterized by lush, emerald landscapes, refreshing mountain breezes, and a spring-like climate that persists throughout the year. It is a place where life naturally slows to a more intentional pace, dictated by the gentle rise and fall of the sun over the water rather than the demands of a hectic schedule. Here, your morning routine is redefined by the soft chatter of tropical birds, the mist rising off the glassy bay, and the simple pleasure of launching your kayak directly from your own shoreline into the pristine waters of the lake.
For the aspirational buyer, this estate represents far more than a premium piece of real estate; it is a gateway to a life of wellness, privacy, and deep connection with nature. The local community of Nuevo Arenal retains its authentic Costa Rican charm while warmly embracing an international demographic of entrepreneurs, retirees, and creatives who value safety, tranquility, and environmental stewardship. Living here means enjoying the ultimate luxury of space and time, where you can spend your afternoons exploring quiet country roads, visiting local artisan bakeries, or simply reading a book on your expansive covered terrace as a gentle afternoon rain cools the air. Yet, this idyllic seclusion never feels isolated. The nearby town of Tilarán provides a robust network of professional services and retail options, ensuring that all your practical needs are met within a scenic short drive. Furthermore, the seamless connectivity to Liberia International Airport means you can transition from the global stage to your private lakeside sanctuary in just ninety minutes, while the sun-drenched gold coast beaches of Playa Hermosa and Playa del Coco are always within reach for a spontaneous weekend coastal escape. This is a rare opportunity to secure a legacy property that aligns perfectly with your vision of a balanced, purposeful life—a place where luxury is measured not just by high-end finishes, but by the sheer quality of the daily experience.
Nuevo Arenal, Tilarán, Guanacaste
Tilarán, Guanacaste
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004