
1 / 38Perched along a pristine ridgetop in the Vergel sector of Punta Mala, this expansive 8,772-square-meter parcel offers an elevated vantage point where the dramatic peaks of the southern zone meet the Pacific horizon. Offered at USD 247,000, the property represents a rare opportunity to secure a substantial footprint in the Ojochal region. The land is characterized by its dual-view orientation, capturing both sweeping ocean vistas and rugged mountain backdrops. Designed for those who value privacy without isolation, the estate features a dedicated building area with its own independent road access, providing a clean slate to construct a custom principal residence alongside independent guest casitas.
The topography of the parcel allows for creative architectural layouts that maximize the natural cooling breezes of the ridge. A short ten-minute drive connects you to the pristine plunge pools of the El Pavon Waterfall, while a 25-minute descent leads to the main coastal highway. The culinary and cultural hub of Ojochal is accessible within a 35-minute drive, requiring a four-wheel-drive vehicle to navigate the scenic mountain approach. Under Costa Rican law, international buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of citizens, with the property safely positioned outside the restrictive maritime concession zones. This premium acreage is fully prepared for immediate development, offering a tranquil sanctuary amidst one of the country's most spectacular natural landscapes.
This premium ridgetop lot in Vergel, located within the Ojochal region, spans 8,772 m² of land and is priced at USD 247,000. The property features a dedicated building area with its own independent road access, providing a clean canvas for a custom estate. Positioned on a high ridge, the building site is designed to capture expansive views of the Pacific Ocean alongside the dramatic mountain peaks of the Southern Zone.
The site requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle for access, preserving the quiet seclusion of the neighborhood. Essential natural attractions are nearby, with the plunge pools of the El Pavon Waterfall located a ten-minute drive from the property boundary. The main highway is reachable in 25 minutes, while the dining and services of Ojochal are a 35-minute drive away.
In Costa Rica, international buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which grant the same property protections as those held by local citizens. This fee-simple status applies directly to registered, titled land outside of the restricted coastal concession zones. When finalizing the purchase, buyers should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the transaction value, alongside notary and registry fees that generally total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs include an annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
Situated within the South Pacific region of Puntarenas, the mountain community of Vergel in Punta Mala offers a distinct microclimate and a tranquil alternative for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica. This 2.16-acre ridgetop parcel sits high enough to capture consistent mountain breezes and sweeping ocean views, yet remains highly accessible to the region's primary coastal hubs. A four-wheel-drive vehicle brings you down the ridge to the main highway in twenty-five minutes, while the vibrant culinary and cultural hub of Ojochal is just a thirty-five-minute drive from the property. This strategic location allows residents to enjoy absolute privacy on their land while remaining within easy reach of the gourmet restaurants, retail shops, and daily amenities that make Ojochal Costa Rica real estate so highly sought after by North American buyers.
The surrounding Costa Ballena property market is celebrated for its dramatic intersection of rainforest-covered mountains and the Pacific Ocean. From this specific homesite, outdoor recreation is exceptionally close; the natural plunge pools of the El Pavon Waterfall are located just a ten-minute drive away. For United States and Canadian citizens exploring Ojochal, Puntarenas, Costa Rica as a destination for retirement, remote work, or long-term investment, the local real estate framework is highly favorable. Foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those of Costa Rican nationals for registered titled land outside of restricted maritime concession zones. When purchasing, buyers should plan for standard closing costs, which encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps that typically total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the declared value. This stable legal structure, combined with the natural beauty of the Osa region, positions this ridgetop lot as an exceptional value with significant long-term appreciation potential.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $247,000 for 8,772 square meters of land, this ridgetop parcel in Vergel offers a competitive entry point into the southern zone market, translating to approximately $28 per square meter. This pricing provides excellent value compared to fully developed ocean-view parcels closer to the coastal highway. The property is ideally suited for a buyer looking to construct a primary residence alongside a secondary rental casita, utilizing the dual-access road setup.
Investors can target the high-demand short-term rental market, appealing to travelers who seek proximity to natural attractions like the El Pavon Waterfall, located just ten minutes away. Alternatively, a long-term rental strategy offers stable, ongoing returns.
Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to secure fee-simple ownership of this property, which sits outside the restrictive maritime concession zones. Buyers should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price for the closing bundle, which covers notary, registry, and legal fees, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent. Annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. This land represents a timely acquisition in a growing market, offering a clear exit strategy through future resale to buyers seeking established estate homes in the Ojochal region.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Acquiring this 2.16-acre ridgetop property in Vergel is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this land sits high in the mountains rather than on the immediate shoreline, it is held under secure fee simple title rather than maritime zone concession laws. The purchase price of $247,000 comfortably exceeds the government's minimum threshold for the residency-by-investment program, allowing you to initiate your residency application through this real estate acquisition.
During the transaction, you can expect closing costs—which bundle the notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Once the purchase is complete, your ongoing local carrying costs remain highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the registered cadastral value. Our legal team ensures the entire transfer is fully registered and protected, securing your mountain investment with absolute transparency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Living in the southern Pacific zone of Puntarenas represents a conscious shift toward a lifestyle defined by natural rhythms, sensory richness, and an intentional pace of life. This exceptional ridgetop property in the Vergel sector of Punta Mala serves as your personal gateway to the highly coveted Osa lifestyle, a way of being that seamlessly blends raw tropical beauty with sophisticated modern comforts. From this elevated vantage point, your daily existence is framed by the dramatic interplay of the Costa Rican elements: the morning mist rising off the dense mountain canopy, the cool breezes sweeping inland from the Pacific Ocean, and the brilliant golden hues of the coastal sunset. It is a place where the boundaries between indoor luxury and outdoor majesty dissolve, inviting you to start your mornings with the calls of exotic birds and end your evenings under a brilliant canopy of stars, completely removed from the noise and stress of conventional urban living.
For the discerning buyer, this location offers an aspirational sanctuary that does not require you to sacrifice connection for the sake of seclusion. While your private ridgetop feels like a world of its own, the vibrant community of Ojochal is just a short drive away down the mountain. Renowned as the culinary capital of the southern zone, Ojochal provides an eclectic and sophisticated social scene, featuring world-class dining, local artisan markets, and a welcoming, diverse community of expatriates and locals alike. You can spend your afternoon exploring the pristine, uncrowded beaches of the Osa coastline or swimming in the refreshing freshwater pools of the nearby El Pavon Waterfall, and still return to the culinary delights of Ojochal for an exquisite dinner. This unique balance of deep natural immersion, rugged outdoor adventure, and refined community life makes the property the ultimate canvas for those seeking to design a custom estate, a lucrative rental property, or a peaceful retirement haven that embodies the very best of Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast.
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004