
1 / 18This expansive 10,117-square-meter parcel in Ojochal, situated within the Osa canton, presents a rare opportunity to secure a premier front-ridge building site in the Tres Rios phase three sector for USD 189,000. Positioned high above the landscape, the property commands panoramic views of the Terraba River and the Pacific Ocean. The pre-cleared, oversized building pad is fully prepared for construction, eliminating the need for initial site preparation and offering an ideal canvas for a primary estate, a vacation home, or a multi-structure compound featuring a main house and private guest casitas. Dense, mature jungle borders the property, creating a natural corridor where white-faced capuchin monkeys travel through the canopy and scarlet macaws fly directly overhead.
Purchasing this real estate at this price point aligns with the investment thresholds required to apply for Costa Rican residency. Under national law, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of local citizens. Standard transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax, which generally equates to about 1.5% of the declared value, while the comprehensive closing bundle covering notary, registration, and legal fees typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
This premium parcel in the Ojochal district of the Osa canton spans 10,117 m² of pristine land, offered at USD 189,000. Positioned on a front ridge in the Tres Rios phase three sector, the property features a massive, pre-graded building pad that requires no additional site preparation. The expansive layout is optimized for a main house and secondary guest casitas, providing a ready-to-build canvas for a private compound. The site delivers unobstructed views of the Térraba River and the Pacific Ocean.
The building site is surrounded by dense jungle canopy, creating a natural corridor where local fauna travels directly through the property. Owners will regularly observe white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys moving through the trees. Scarlet macaws and toucans frequently nest in the immediate canopy, offering daily wildlife viewing directly from your future terrace.
Purchasing this real estate qualifies foreign buyers to apply for the Costa Rican residency-by-investment program. Owners benefit from fee-simple ownership rights, with annual property taxes calculated solely on the registered cadastral value. Standard transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with total closing fees, notary services, and registry filings typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price.
This ocean-view parcel is situated on a front ridge in the phase three section of Tres Rios, within the highly desirable Ojochal, Osa, Puntarenas, Costa Rica micro-region. Positioned in the southern zone of the country, this area is celebrated for its dense jungle canopy and dramatic coastal topography. The specific location offers sweeping views of the Terraba River and the Pacific Ocean, providing a serene setting for buyers looking to acquire Costa Ballena property. The local climate is characterized by refreshing mountain breezes and a lush, green environment that supports a rich array of native fauna. Property owners here regularly observe scarlet macaws flying overhead, toucans nesting in the canopy, and three distinct species of monkeys moving through the surrounding trees.
For North American buyers researching Ojochal Costa Rica real estate, this location balances natural isolation with convenient access to the regional amenities of the Osa canton. The nearby town center of Ojochal is famous for its culinary scene, while essential services, beaches, and regional transport links are all within an easy drive. This makes the site highly suitable for building a permanent retirement residence, a vacation home, or an eco-tourism rental.
When you buy property in Costa Rica, understanding the local financial framework is essential. This parcel is held in fee simple ownership, which grants foreign buyers the same secure property rights as Costa Rican citizens. The ongoing holding costs are highly favorable, as the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. During the acquisition process, buyers should budget for the property transfer stamp tax, which typically amounts to approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that generally ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Furthermore, purchasing this lot at its current valuation meets the investment threshold required to apply for the official Costa Rican residency-by-investment program, making it an excellent strategic addition to the diverse Costa Rica property landscape.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This 10,117-square-meter lot in the Tres Rios area of Ojochal presents a highly strategic entry point into the Southern Zone’s real estate market at a competitive valuation of under nineteen dollars per square meter. Given the expansive, pre-cleared building pad, an investor can construct a primary residence alongside independent guest casitas to maximize short-term rental income from the region's active eco-tourism sector. This dual-occupancy layout allows owners to capture premium nightly rates from travelers seeking private ocean views and immediate proximity to the surrounding jungle canopy, where scarlet macaws and three distinct monkey species are regularly observed directly from the building site.
For buyers seeking a long-term exit strategy or capital preservation, the property's purchase price of $189,000 satisfies the minimum threshold required to initiate the Costa Rican residency-by-investment process. From a transactional perspective, foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of local citizens. Ongoing holding costs remain exceptionally low, as annual property taxes are calculated solely on the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price. Buyers should budget approximately two to four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, and the standard property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent. This raw land parcel requires no additional site preparation, allowing immediate development to capitalize on the region's growing inventory deficit.
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Acquiring this premium 10,117-square-meter parcel in Tres Rios offers a straightforward path to secure land ownership in Costa Rica. As a foreign investor, you enjoy the same fee simple property rights as local citizens, allowing you to hold the deed directly in your own name or through a personal corporation. Because this ridge-line property sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you receive absolute ownership of the land.
The financial structure of the transaction is highly favorable. Your ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, as the annual property tax is calculated from a modest registered cadastral value rather than the market purchase price. During the acquisition, you should anticipate closing costs—which bundle the notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and government stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Furthermore, at a purchase price of $189,000, this investment meets the capital threshold required to apply for Costa Rican residency under the current investor program, allowing you to establish a permanent foothold in this tranquil region.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Embracing the lifestyle of the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica means aligning your daily rhythm with the natural world while enjoying the sophisticated comforts of a truly international community. Nestled in the hills of the Osa Peninsula region near Ojochal, this property offers an unparalleled gateway to a life defined by wellness, adventure, and peaceful contemplation. Imagine waking up to the gentle call of howler monkeys and the vibrant flash of scarlet macaws slicing through the morning mist, all while sipping locally grown organic coffee on your future veranda. This region is world-renowned for its dramatic where-the-mountains-meet-the-sea geography, creating a microclimate that keeps the jungle lush and the air wonderfully fresh. For the discerning buyer, this location represents the ultimate escape from the frantic pace of modern urban life, trading concrete jungles for canopy views and traffic noise for the soothing sounds of the Terraba River and distant ocean waves. It is a place where wellness is not a luxury but a daily practice, whether that means practicing yoga on your private deck overlooking the Pacific, hiking through ancient rainforests, or surfing the pristine breaks of nearby beaches.
Beyond the raw natural beauty, the local community of Ojochal offers a unique cultural fusion that elevates the living experience. Known widely as the culinary capital of Costa Rica, this charming jungle town attracts expat chefs, artists, and entrepreneurs from all corners of the globe, resulting in an extraordinary selection of gourmet restaurants, boutique cafes, and artisanal markets. Living here allows you to enjoy complete, uncompromised privacy on your expansive ridge-top estate while remaining just minutes away from a vibrant social scene, high-quality French bakeries, and essential modern amenities. The local lifestyle seamlessly blends active outdoor recreation—such as kayaking through the mangroves, birdwatching, and deep-sea fishing—with a warm, welcoming community spirit that makes newcomers feel instantly at home. For buyers aspiring to build a legacy estate, a seasonal vacation home, or a permanent sanctuary for retirement, this property is more than just a piece of land; it is the foundation for a life of purpose, connection, and natural luxury in one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Ojochal, Osa, Puntarenas
Osa, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004