1 / 10Perched on the rolling hillsides of Pavones, this expansive forty-thousand-square-meter estate offers a rare combination of elevated ocean views and immediate coastal access. Located just two kilometers up the road from the shoreline, the property sits in the highly desirable La Yerba neighborhood, positioning residents perfectly between the vibrant hub of Pavones and the world-class surf breaks of Pilón. The existing ocean-view house has been meticulously maintained by its current owner-occupants, serving as a pristine, move-in-ready residence or a highly functional base while you plan future developments. Because the property features extensive public road frontage, the massive four-hectare parcel offers incredible flexibility, allowing a buyer to easily utilize multiple natural building pads for guest casitas, subdivision, or private family compounds.
Offered at USD 400,000, this estate represents an exceptional value proposition where the sheer size of the land and its premium location make the beautifully kept home feel like an added bonus. Beyond the physical beauty of the rolling acreage, acquiring this property is supported by Costa Rica’s favorable investment climate, which permits straightforward fee-simple ownership for international buyers. Ongoing ownership costs remain highly manageable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. When finalizing the purchase, buyers should anticipate typical transaction costs, including a transfer stamp tax of roughly one and a half percent of the declared value, alongside a standard closing bundle of notary, registry, and legal fees that generally run between two and four percent of the purchase price.
This property is situated in the highly desirable neighborhood of La Yerba, positioned in the southern region of Pavones, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. This specific micro-location is highly sought after by US and Canadian buyers because it sits directly between the main town of Pavones and the world-class surf breaks of Pilon. Residents enjoy a tranquil, elevated setting in the South Pacific hills while remaining just two kilometers up the road from the beach. This positioning makes the location ideal for active retirees, remote workers, and surfers who want to buy property in Costa Rica. The surrounding area offers a distinct microclimate where cool breezes roll off the ocean and move up through the four hectares of rolling hills, creating a comfortable environment for outdoor living and small-scale hobby farming.
For North Americans exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans or Costa Rica homes for Canadians, this region represents an exceptional opportunity for long-term appreciation and lifestyle investment. The local community has a welcoming, relaxed character that appeals to those seeking expat real estate Costa Rica. From a financial perspective, purchasing this home involves a straightforward legal process, as foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens for titled properties outside of concession zones. Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably low; the annual municipal property tax is approximately one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing the purchase, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, with total closing costs—including notary fees, registry fees, and legal stamps—typically ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price. This combination of low carrying costs, a prime location near legendary surf, and substantial acreage makes the property a standout choice in the Pavones market.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Positioned in the highly sought-after La Yerba neighborhood of Pavones, this expansive property spans 40,000 m² of rolling hills and is offered at USD 400000. The estate features a meticulously maintained, owner-occupied main residence situated just two kilometers from the beach. Because the current owner resides on-site, the structural integrity and daily upkeep of the home are exceptional. The house is positioned to capture views of the ocean, while the surrounding acreage offers multiple natural building pads. Extensive public road frontage provides excellent accessibility and outstanding potential for future development or subdivision.
For buyers considering the financial aspects of purchasing in Costa Rica, foreign nationals enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership. Ongoing ownership costs are remarkably low, with the annual property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget for the standard closing bundle, which covers notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps, typically totaling between two and four percent of the purchase price. This combination of substantial acreage, a turn-key residence, and favorable tax structures makes the Pavones estate a highly secure investment.
Acquiring this four-hectare estate in Pavones is a straightforward process, as Costa Rican law grants foreign buyers the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. Located outside the restricted maritime zone, this property offers secure, outright ownership. At a purchase price of $400,000, this investment also positions you to apply for Costa Rican residency under the country's current investor program.
Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low. The annual municipal property tax is approximately one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value, which is typically much lower than the actual market price. During the acquisition, you should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes professional notary fees, legal services, registration stamps, and the standard transfer tax. This clear legal framework ensures your coastal acreage remains a secure, low-overhead asset.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Acquiring this 40,000-square-meter estate in Pavones for $400,000 presents a highly competitive entry point of just $10 per square meter, a valuation where the existing, owner-occupied home functions essentially as an immediate asset bonus. For the incoming investor, the extensive public road frontage and multiple natural building pads unlock a versatile exit strategy: the acreage can be held intact as a private compound, subdivided for individual lot sales, or developed with secondary guest casitas to capture the high-demand short-term rental market positioning surfers between Pavones and Pilon.
The ideal buyer is a preservation-minded investor or lifestyle expat seeking tangible land value with low carrying costs. In Costa Rica, annual holding expenses are remarkably favorable; the municipal property tax is exceptionally low, hovering at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. Transactional friction is also highly manageable, with transfer stamp taxes averaging about 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, and total closing fees—encompassing notary, registry, and legal services—typically ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price. Securing a four-hectare parcel with ocean views at this price point represents a rare, time-sensitive window in a rapidly appreciating southern zone.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the coveted hills of La Yerba represents the ultimate realization of the Southern Zone dream, a rare lifestyle where the raw, untamed beauty of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula region meets the quiet comfort of an elevated ocean-view sanctuary. For those who aspire to step away from the relentless pace of modern metropolitan life, this four-hectare estate offers a profound sense of place and a daily rhythm dictated only by the tides and the sun. Imagine waking up to the distant rumble of the Pacific, checking the swell from your own vantage point, and knowing that some of the most legendary waves on the planet are just a short, scenic drive down the hill. This location perfectly bridges the gap between the vibrant, surf-centric energy of central Pavones and the serene, world-class point breaks of Pilón, allowing you to curate your days around world-class surfing, beachcombing, or simply watching the changing colors of the gulf from your private hillside. It is a lifestyle designed for the conscious seeker—someone who values deep privacy, clean air, and the luxury of space, yet desires the warmth of a welcoming, tight-knit coastal community.
For the visionary buyer, this property is not merely a home, but a blank canvas for a legacy estate or a multi-generational family compound. The aspiration to live sustainably and harmoniously with nature is fully realized here, where forty thousand square meters of rolling terrain invite you to plant organic orchards, establish permaculture gardens, or build additional guest cottages along the extensive public road frontage. Whether your goal is to create a private eco-retreat where loved ones can gather to disconnect from the digital noise, or to share this slice of paradise with like-minded souls who appreciate the magic of the Puntarenas coastline, the sheer scale of this land supports your grandest ambitions. This is where your aspirations of ownership, stewardship, and adventure converge. You are not just buying real estate; you are securing a front-row seat to one of the richest ecosystems on earth, establishing a permanent foothold in a legendary surf destination, and designing a life of quiet luxury, freedom, and natural wonder high above the shores of Pavones.
Pavones, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
