Ocean view
1 / 6This premium 747-square-meter parcel in the Garabito canton offers a rare opportunity to secure a prime piece of Costa Rican real estate for USD 150,000. Situated in the tranquil district of Tárcoles, the property sits within the secure, master-planned residential community of Secret Garden, directly bordering the protected wilderness of Carara National Park. The land features fully prepared internal road access, providing a seamless foundation to build a custom luxury villa designed to frame the sweeping, panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya. Every evening, the horizon transforms with vibrant sunsets over the water, while the neighboring national park ensures a constant connection to regional biodiversity. Scarlet macaws fly overhead, and the calls of howler monkeys echo through the mature forest canopy that borders the property line. The location balances absolute privacy with exceptional accessibility, positioned just minutes from the Costanera Highway for quick travel to the marina at Los Sueños, the beaches of Jacó, or the international airport in San José. For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of registered land. When purchasing this property, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs—including notary, registry, and legal fees—which generally range from two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Once acquired, ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
This 747-square-meter parcel is situated in Tárcoles, Garabito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, bordering the protected wilderness of Carara National Park. This positioning creates a distinct microclimate where cooler mountain breezes from the conservation area meet the warm coastal air of the Pacific. Residents in this private residential community, Secret Garden, enjoy daily panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya, with Pacific sunsets visible directly from the property. The location balances natural isolation with accessibility, situated just minutes from the Costanera Highway. This arterial road provides rapid transit south to the active surf and dining hub of Jacó, north to the agricultural center of Orotina, and east to the capital city of San José, making it highly practical for remote workers, retirees, and international investors looking to buy property in Costa Rica.
The local community in Garabito is a key part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, offering a transition from the dense rainforests of the central Pacific to developed coastal infrastructure. For those researching real estate Jaco Costa Rica or searching for Playa Hermosa homes for sale, this Tárcoles property offers a quieter, nature-focused alternative while keeping the amenities of a major beach property Jaco within a short drive. Scarlet macaws fly overhead from the neighboring national park, and the nearby Tárcoles River estuary provides a unique river-meets-ocean ecosystem.
From an investment perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of Costa Rican citizens. When purchasing this property, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping carrying costs low while your coastal asset appreciates.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This premium parcel spans exactly 747 m² of prime development land within the secure, gated gates of the Secret Garden residential community. Situated in the scenic Tárcoles district within the Garabito canton, the property is fully prepared for immediate construction. The terrain features an engineered internal access road that leads directly to the building site. This elevated position provides unobstructed, panoramic views of the Golfo de Nicoya, offering a front-row seat to daily Pacific sunsets. The property borders the protected wilderness of Carara National Park, allowing owners to observe local wildlife, such as the scarlet macaw, in its natural habitat.
Priced at USD 150000, this lot represents a secure real estate investment in Costa Rica, where foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights. When planning your purchase, expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—to range between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. Ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land. This shovel-ready lot combines pristine natural surroundings with quick access to the Costanera highway, connecting you to Jacó and San José.
Acquiring this 747-square-meter parcel in the Secret Garden development is a straightforward process for North American buyers. In Costa Rica, foreign investors enjoy the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens, meaning you hold absolute deeded ownership of the land. Because this property is situated outside the maritime zone, you own the title outright.
During the acquisition, you should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps, generally totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax, usually representing about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, is due at closing. Once you take ownership, your ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable. The annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land, keeping your yearly carrying costs predictable and favorable.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
At a purchase price of $150,000 for a 747-square-meter parcel, this property represents an entry-level acquisition cost of approximately $201 per square meter. This pricing sits competitively within the Garabito canton, especially given the panoramic views of the Gulf of Nicoya and the immediate proximity to the Carara National Park boundary. For the ideal buyer—typically a North American investor seeking to build a custom primary residence or a high-yield vacation rental—the financial structure is highly favorable. Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple title to real property outside of the maritime concession zones.
On-going holding costs remain low, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land, rather than its market retail price. During the acquisition phase, buyers should budget for transaction expenses, including a property transfer stamp tax that typically equates to roughly 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a standard closing bundle of notary, registry, and legal fees that generally averages between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. The location near Tárcoles offers strong exit-strategy flexibility, as the demand for custom-built homes with ocean views near Jacó and San José continues to rise, driving long-term capital appreciation.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Stepping onto this exceptional parcel of land in Tárcoles is an invitation to embrace a lifestyle where the raw, untamed beauty of Costa Rica becomes the backdrop to your daily existence. Situated in the heart of the Garabito canton, this unique location serves as a dramatic ecological bridge where the dense, emerald canopy of the Carara National Park meets the warm, shimmering waters of the Pacific Ocean. For the discerning buyer, this is not merely a piece of real estate; it is a blank canvas upon which to paint a life of quiet luxury, deep wellness, and profound connection to the natural world. Imagine waking each morning to the gentle symphony of exotic birds, stepping out onto a custom-designed terrace to watch the morning mist rise over the Gulf of Nicoya, and spending your afternoons exploring the rich biodiversity of one of the country’s most celebrated conservation areas. This is a sanctuary designed for those who seek to escape the frantic pace of modern metropolitan life without sacrificing accessibility or comfort. The aspiration here is to build a legacy home that honors its environment—a tropical retreat where indoor and outdoor spaces fluidly merge, allowing the cool mountain breezes and the scent of the sea to circulate freely.
Living in this exclusive pocket of Puntarenas offers an unparalleled balance between secluded tranquility and vibrant coastal adventure. While your immediate surroundings within the Secret Garden community promise absolute peace and discretion, the energy and convenience of the Central Pacific coast are always within easy reach. Just a short drive away, the bustling hub of Jacó provides world-class dining, boutique shopping, and a lively social scene, while the nearby marina facilities offer world-renowned sportfishing and yachting opportunities. This strategic positioning appeals directly to the visionary investor or retiree who demands the best of both worlds: a private, secure residential enclave bordered by protected wilderness, yet perfectly connected to modern infrastructure and premium lifestyle amenities. Whether your dream is to cultivate a tropical garden filled with native flora, design an architectural masterpiece that frames the dramatic golden sunsets over the gulf, or simply secure a high-value asset in a region experiencing steady appreciation, this homesite delivers on every front. It represents a rare chance to align your personal wellness with the rhythms of nature, establishing a permanent foothold in a tropical paradise where the rainforest meets the sea.
Tárcoles, Garabito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
