1 / 48Positioned high in the Costa Azul development of Tres Rios within the Ojochal region, this USD 249000 parcel spans 8835 m² of rolling terrain designed for an ambitious multi-structure estate. The property features two distinct, pre-cleared building areas with separate access points from two public roads, making it ideal for constructing a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas or rental cabinas. From the primary building site, the topography perfectly suits a cantilevered architectural design, which would frame views of the Pacific Ocean, the Terraba River, and the surrounding mountain ridges. The secondary building site offers an expansive footprint, highly capable of hosting a large secondary home where a two-story layout would unlock panoramic marine vistas.
Between these building sites, the gentle topography provides ample space for private swimming pools, landscaped gardens, or permaculture projects. The local ecosystem is remarkably active; scarlet macaws and toucans frequent the canopy, while coatis and agoutis move through the undergrowth. A short walk leads to a freshwater river pool, while basic supplies are accessible at the highway convenience store just minutes down the gravel access road. Acquiring this fee-simple land involves standard Costa Rican closing costs, which generally range from 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover notary, registry, and legal fees, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. Ongoing ownership is subject to a modest annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Situated in the southern zone of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, the serene community of Tres Rios offers an exceptional microclimate where cool mountain breezes meet the warm air of the Pacific Ocean. This specific location provides a tranquil, nature-focused alternative to busier tourist hubs, making it a highly attractive option for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica. Located just a short distance from the culinary hub of Ojochal, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, residents enjoy easy access to fine dining, pristine beaches, and essential services. The property is positioned only a few minutes from a paved road that connects directly to the main highway, where a local convenience store supplies daily essentials. A nearby river with a refreshing natural swimming hole adds to the immediate outdoor appeal of this neighborhood.
This region of the South Pacific represents a premier sector of Ojochal Costa Rica real estate, particularly favored by North American buyers seeking a balance of natural beauty, long-term appreciation potential, and a self-sustaining lifestyle. The 8,835-square-meter parcel of land is ideal for establishing a private estate, a remote-work sanctuary, or a permaculture farm. The local ecosystem is remarkably active; property owners frequently share their space with native wildlife. You can expect regular visits from scarlet macaws, and individual encounters with toucans, hummingbirds, and tanagers are common in the canopy. On the ground, gentle creatures like the agouti and the coati traverse the rolling terrain.
For those exploring Costa Ballena property options, this lot presents a secure investment structure. Foreign buyers in this region enjoy fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of local residents for registered land outside of maritime concession zones. When purchasing this property, buyers should plan for standard transaction costs. These include the property transfer stamp tax, which typically amounts to approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. The comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—generally ranges between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. Additionally, ownership of this real estate entails an ongoing annual property tax, which is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. At a purchase price of USD 249,000, this property also aligns with the investment thresholds that allow buyers to apply for the official Costa Rican residency-by-investment program.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at USD 249000, this expansive 8835 m² property in the Ojochal region offers a premium canvas for a custom compound. Located within the Costa Azul development in Tres Rios, the acreage features multiple building sites accessed via two public roads. This dual-access layout is ideal for constructing a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas or rental cabinas. The primary building site is perfectly suited for a cantilevered architectural design, which would frame views of the Pacific Ocean, the Terraba River, and the surrounding mountains. A second, exceptionally large building site can easily accommodate a spacious home, where a two-story layout would unlock panoramic marine vistas.
The gently rolling terrain provides ample space for additional construction or permaculture gardens. Natural highlights include a nearby river with a refreshing swimming hole, located just minutes away. The local ecosystem is highly active; residents regularly observe toucans feeding in the canopy, along with frequent visits from parrots, coatis, agoutis, and various hummingbirds.
Infrastructure is highly accessible, with the property reached via a gravel four-wheel-drive road just minutes from the paved main road and a local convenience store. For buyers, foreign nationals enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights. Transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value, with the total closing bundle—covering notary fees, registry filings, and legal stamps—typically ranging between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership is subject to an annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Acquiring this premium parcel in Tres Rios is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the exact same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property sits outside the maritime concession zone, you will hold absolute deeded ownership of the land. At a purchase price of $249,000, this investment comfortably exceeds the financial threshold required to apply for Costa Rican residency under the investor category.
During the acquisition, you should anticipate total closing costs—which bundle the notary fees, land registry charges, legal services, and government stamps—to range between two and four percent of the final purchase price. This includes the standard property transfer stamp tax, which typically accounts for about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once the purchase is complete, your ongoing carrying costs remain remarkably low, with annual municipal property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Priced at $249,000 for 8,835 square meters of land, this property offers an attractive entry point into the Southern Zone market, costing approximately $28 per square meter. This competitive rate provides excellent financial headroom for a multi-structure development. The dual public road access allows investors to build a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas, maximizing short-term rental income potential from tourists seeking proximity to the nearby river swimming hole.
The ideal buyer is a developer or individual investor looking to capitalize on Costa Rica’s fee-simple ownership rights for foreigners. When planning your exit strategy or initial purchase, expect a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are conveniently calculated based on the registered cadastral value. With the regional market experiencing steady demand, securing a multi-unit parcel at this price point offers a clear path toward future capital appreciation or a high-yield rental portfolio.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
This exceptional parcel in Tres Rios represents more than just premium acreage; it is a gateway to the highly coveted Southern Zone lifestyle, where the raw, dramatic beauty of the Costa Rican rainforest meets the sophisticated charm of Ojochal. Known far and wide as the culinary capital of the country, Ojochal offers an unparalleled lifestyle that seamlessly blends gourmet dining, active outdoor adventure, and a deeply welcoming international community. For the aspiring expatriate or visionary investor, this property captures the very essence of that dream. Imagine starting your mornings with a cup of locally grown coffee on your future veranda, serenaded by the calls of toucans and parrots, before heading down to a nearby river swimming hole to cool off in the pristine, refreshing waters. Here, the pace of life slows down, allowing you to realign with the rhythms of nature without sacrificing modern conveniences. The proximity to the coastal highway means you are never far from pristine beaches, local organic markets, and essential services, yet your private sanctuary remains tucked away in a peaceful mountain enclave. This is an invitation to design a life of conscious luxury, where you can grow your own organic produce in rich volcanic soil, host friends in a custom-designed architectural masterpiece overlooking the Pacific, and immerse yourself in a community that values sustainability, wellness, and the pure joy of living. Whether your goal is to build a private family estate that serves as a multi-generational sanctuary or to establish a boutique eco-retreat that generates consistent rental income, this land provides the ultimate canvas for your aspirations.
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
