Ocean view
1 / 60This exceptional ocean-view estate in Uvita offers a rare combination of immediate livability and premium development potential on the first ridge of Bahia Ballena. Priced at USD 699,000, the expansive 8,026-square-meter property features sweeping views to the south and west, capturing seasonal sunsets and the striking silhouette of Isla Ballena. Unlike remote mountain tracts, this parcel sits just two minutes from Highway 34, sparing your vehicle from punishing mountain roads while keeping local schools, shops, and dining options within easy reach. The land is thoughtfully laid out with three distinct building areas. On the main building site, a six-meter by three-meter swimming pool is already positioned to capture the marine panorama. Nearby, a two-bedroom, one-bathroom wooden casita provides comfortable, immediate accommodations. This configuration allows you to reside on-site while constructing a primary residence of up to 350 square meters on the main pad, utilizing the existing structure later as a guest house. Two additional smaller building pads, connected by cleared walking paths, lead to scenic viewpoints ideal for private gazebos or seating areas. The property features 1,076 square meters of total construction, with legal water and electricity already fully operational. From a legal perspective, foreign buyers enjoy secure fee-simple ownership rights here. Buyers should note that annual property taxes are calculated using the registered cadastral value, while standard closing costs, including notary fees and registry stamps, typically add a small percentage to the transaction.
Acquiring this premium Uvita property is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens for properties located outside the maritime zone. Because this parcel sits on the first ridge line above the highway, it is held under secure, fee simple title rather than a concession. With a purchase price of $699,000, this investment comfortably exceeds the minimum threshold required to apply for residency-by-investment status in Costa Rica, offering a direct pathway to legal residency for you and your family.
During the acquisition, you can expect total closing expenses—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and documentary 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. The annual property tax is calculated as a small fraction of the registered cadastral value of the land and structures, rather than the market purchase price, ensuring that maintaining your ocean-view estate remains highly affordable over the long term.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This premium Uvita property, offered at USD 699000, spans a generous land size of 8026 m² on the very first ridge of Bahia Ballena. The expansive parcel features a total construction area of 1076 m², which includes a functional two-bedroom, one-bathroom wooden home situated at the rear of the main building pad. This existing structure serves as an ideal temporary residence or guest house while you construct a primary villa of up to 350 square meters on the main building site.
The outdoor living space is anchored by a newly constructed six-by-three-meter swimming pool, strategically positioned to capture uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean, southern coastline, sunsets, and Isla Ballena. The grounds also feature two additional, smaller building pads connected by cleared walking paths that lead to private scenic viewpoints, perfect for future gazebos or seating areas.
In terms of infrastructure, the property is fully equipped with legal water and active electricity connections. Situated just two minutes from Highway 34, the estate offers effortless access to local schools, shops, and bus routes without the wear and tear of steep mountain roads.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this titled land. When purchasing, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass notary, registry, and legal fees ranging from two to four percent of the transaction value, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate.
This premium parcel is situated in the Bahia Ballena sector just south of central Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. As the commercial and cultural anchor of the Costa Ballena region, Uvita has evolved into a highly desirable destination for North Americans looking to buy property in Costa Rica. The area is celebrated for its dramatic jungle-covered ridgelines, the famous whale-watching marine territory, and a sophisticated, wellness-oriented expat community. For those searching for property Uvita offers a rare balance of raw natural beauty and modern convenience. This specific micro-location sits on the very first coastal ridge, a mere two-minute drive from Highway 34. This immediate highway access eliminates the long, bumpy mountain drives that typically wear down vehicles in this region, making daily trips to local schools, grocery stores, bus routes, and medical services exceptionally convenient.
The lifestyle here is defined by panoramic ocean views stretching toward the south and west, capturing seasonal sunsets and the silhouette of Isla Ballena. The property itself spans 8,026 square meters of land and features a unique layout with two smaller building pads in addition to the expansive main building site. Walking paths wind through the acreage, leading to scenic viewpoints that are ideal for peaceful seating areas. A wooden guest casita is positioned at the back of the lot, allowing you to live on-site or manage rentals while constructing a primary residence of up to 350 square meters. A completed six-meter by three-meter swimming pool is already integrated into the ocean-view vantage point.
Acquiring real estate Dominical Costa Rica buyers find attractive is straightforward, as foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to Costa Rican citizens. When purchasing these Costa Ballena homes and lots, buyers should anticipate closing costs, including notary, registry, and legal stamps, which generally total between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value applies. Ongoing ownership costs are highly manageable, with the annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. This investment threshold also positions buyers to explore the country's residency-by-investment pathways.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 8,026-square-meter property in Uvita presents a strategic entry point into the southern Pacific zone of Costa Rica. Priced at $699,000, the estate offers immediate utility through its existing two-bedroom wooden home, pool, and multiple building pads. Investors can leverage the existing structures for immediate rental income, targeting short-term vacationers drawn to the ocean views, or utilize the cabin as a temporary residence while constructing a primary villa of up to 350 square meters on the main building site.
The local real estate market continues to favor accessible ocean-view parcels. Because this lot sits just two minutes off Highway 34, it avoids the steep, vehicle-damaging dirt roads common in the region, preserving long-term asset value and appealing to a broader pool of future buyers. From a transactional perspective, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, as annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price. Buyers should budget between 2% and 4% of the purchase price to cover the closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry costs, legal representation, and the standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. This asset is ideal for buyers seeking a phased development project with a clear exit strategy in a high-demand tourism corridor.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in this exclusive enclave of Bahia Ballena means embracing a lifestyle where the raw, untamed beauty of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast becomes the backdrop to your daily routine. Imagine waking up to the gentle chorus of howler monkeys and tropical birds, stepping out onto your pavilion to watch the morning mist rise over the rainforest canopy, and planning your day around the tides of the nearby beaches. Here, the transition from your private sanctuary to the vibrant local culture of Uvita is effortless. You can spend your mornings walking the pristine shores of the nearby national park, exploring local farmers' markets filled with organic tropical fruits, or dining at world-class boutique restaurants, all while knowing your peaceful retreat is just a two-minute drive up the hill. This location perfectly serves the aspirations of those seeking a harmonious balance between modern convenience and natural preservation. It is a place designed for visionary buyers who want to design a custom architectural masterpiece that honors the surrounding landscape, offering an unparalleled venue for entertaining guests against the backdrop of dramatic Pacific sunsets and the iconic silhouette of Isla Ballena.
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004
Uvita, Puntarenas