Mountain view
1 / 15This structural masterpiece in the Carara district of Turrubares offers a rare entry point into the high-end Costa Rican market. Listed at USD 460000, the property spans a generous 1627 m² land parcel and features 300 m² of advanced concrete construction. Currently completed to the gray-shell stage, the main house and integrated guest quarters are engineered to accommodate 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. This advanced structural state spares you the complex, time-consuming foundational work, allowing you to immediately begin the interior design phase. You can personalize the layout, select premium finishes, and install a custom infinity pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Perched high above the coastline, the estate delivers uninterrupted 180-degree views where the ocean meets the mountains. Cool coastal breezes sweep across the elevation, creating a comfortable microclimate. The surrounding tropical canopy provides natural privacy, where you can observe the scarlet macaw flying overhead. Positioned along National Route 320, the property sits near the Carara National Park and the upcoming Santa Lucia Jungle Hacienda by Marriott, ensuring strong long-term appreciation. Under Costa Rican law, international buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership. When budgeting for this purchase, please note that the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value, while standard closing fees, notary services, and transfer stamps typically add a combined 2% to 4% to the final transaction price.
Acquiring this 300-square-meter concrete structure in Garabito for $460,000 presents a highly strategic entry point into the Central Pacific market. With the complex, structural grey-stage construction already completed on the 1,627-square-meter lot, an investor can bypass the initial development risks. The finished property holds an estimated market value of approximately $1,400,000, allowing the next owner to capture significant equity appreciation upon completing the architectural finishes.
This property is ideal for developers, luxury hospitality operators, or private buyers seeking to establish a high-end wellness retreat, a corporate getaway, or a premium vacation rental. The location in Camaronal Arriba is highly advantageous, situated near the upcoming Santa Lucia Jungle Hacienda, an Autograph Collection by Marriott. This major hospitality development anchors local real estate values and drives upscale tourism to the immediate area.
From a transactional perspective, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to Costa Rican citizens. Buyers should anticipate closing costs, including notary, registry, and legal fees, ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax calculated at approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Ongoing holding costs remain highly competitive, as annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the property rather than its post-completion market valuation. This favorable tax structure, combined with the flexible development options, makes the asset an outstanding vehicle for a lucrative mid-term exit or a high-yield short-term rental operation.
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This high-end development opportunity in Camaronal Arriba, Garabito, sits at a unique geographical crossroads where the Central Valley meets the Central Pacific coast. Positioned along National Route 320, the property occupies an elevated vantage point in the Carara, Turrubares, San José, Costa Rica region. This micro-location is highly sought after by those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, as it bridges the cooler mountain breezes of the interior with the warm coastal climate of the Pacific. Buyers exploring Central Valley Costa Rica real estate often compare this area to established enclaves like Atenas Costa Rica homes or Escazu homes, yet Turrubares offers a distinct, nature-focused alternative. It is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, combining pristine privacy with rapid capital appreciation.
The lifestyle enabled here is one of seamless convenience and deep connection to the tropical environment. Situated near the Carara National Park, residents can observe local wildlife, such as the scarlet macaw, in its natural habitat. The property is positioned within easy driving distance of essential services and premier coastal amenities, including the sands of Playa Jacó, the boating facilities at Los Sueños Resort & Marina in Playa Herradura, and the white sands of Punta Leona. Furthermore, the nearby development of the Santa Lucia Jungle Hacienda, an Autograph Collection by Marriott hotel near Carara National Park, underscores the region's emergence as a luxury destination. Whether you intend to complete this 300-square-meter structure as a private multi-family estate, a wellness retreat, or a high-yield vacation rental, this location delivers the infrastructure and accessibility required to secure a premium investment in the growing Costa Rican market.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This unfinished luxury estate in the Carara district of Turrubares offers a unique investment opportunity at a purchase price of USD 460000. Spanning a land size of 1627 m², the property features an advanced structural shell of 300 m² of construction. The complex concrete work and foundational engineering are already complete, allowing the next owner to bypass the initial phases of building. This structural framework is designed for a five-bedroom, four-bathroom configuration, allowing buyers to customize the interior layout, choose high-end materials, and design a bespoke kitchen and primary suite.
The elevated building site provides a 180-degree panoramic vantage point with uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean and the surrounding mountains. The design accommodates expansive outdoor terraces and a pool area positioned to capture the coastal breezes and daily sunsets. Access to the property is direct and convenient via National Route 320.
From a legal perspective, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights. Ongoing ownership costs include an annual property tax calculated on the registered cadastral value of the property. Buyers should also budget for closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps, alongside a property transfer stamp tax based on the declared transaction value.
Acquiring this premium property in the Central Valley region of Carara, Turrubares, is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rica grants foreign nationals the same robust fee simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this real estate sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you will hold secure, direct title to the 1,627-square-meter parcel and its 300-square-meter structure.
During the acquisition, buyers should budget for transaction costs, as the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary fees, registry entries, legal services, and documentary stamps—typically ranges between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally requires about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once you hold the title, your ongoing carrying costs remain highly manageable; the annual municipal property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the estate rather than its market valuation. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $460,000 comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, this acquisition positions you to apply for official residency-by-investment status in Costa Rica.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Embracing the Costa Rican lifestyle in the elevated enclave of Camaronal Arriba, Turrubares, means choosing a life of profound tranquility, natural wonder, and effortless coastal connection. This unique region captures the very essence of the "Pura Vida" philosophy, offering a daily existence defined by the soothing rhythms of the Pacific Ocean and the lush, untouched beauty of the surrounding tropical rainforest. Imagine waking up each morning to the gentle rustle of canopy leaves and the distant, rhythmic murmur of the sea, stepping out onto your private terrace to watch the morning mist rise over the majestic mountains. Here, the clean mountain air blends seamlessly with refreshing coastal breezes, creating a microclimate that is both invigorating and deeply restorative. For the discerning buyer, this location represents far more than just a real estate acquisition; it is an invitation to curate a bespoke sanctuary where wellness, privacy, and natural luxury coexist. Whether your aspiration is to establish a prestigious family estate, an exclusive wellness retreat, or a high-yielding vacation rental, this property serves as the ultimate canvas for your vision. The surrounding area is a playground for the soul, where you can spend your days exploring the rich biodiversity of nearby Carara National Park, surfing the world-class waves of Playa Jacó, or embarking on deep-sea fishing adventures from the nearby Los Sueños Marina. As the sun begins its descent, painting the sky in dramatic hues of amber, violet, and crimson, you will find yourself drawn back to your elevated ridge, realizing that this spectacular 180-degree panorama of the Pacific is yours to command. This is a place where ambitious dreams find their footing, offering a rare opportunity to step into a lifestyle of unmatched serenity, prestige, and connection to the very best of Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast.
Carara, Turrubares, San José
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004