
1 / 71Perched high above the Pacific in the southern region of Puntarenas, this masterfully engineered estate in Pilón de Pavones redefines off-grid luxury. Built by a European craftsman as his personal residence, the property spans an expansive 23,848 square meters of lush jungle terrain, culminating in a private, year-round creek with its own natural waterfall. The estate features a total of 420 square meters of construction under roof, prioritizing structural integrity with a main residence built of reinforced concrete and steel. This principal home offers three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper level, while the lower level hosts a private, self-contained rental suite with its own dedicated entrance and bathroom.
Designed for seamless multi-generational living or high-yield rental income, the compound includes three additional independent guest dwellings. Two separate rental houses each feature two bedrooms and one bathroom, complemented by a unique, steel-framed treehouse rental. In total, the estate offers eight bedrooms and five bathrooms, completely furnished and powered by an advanced off-grid solar system utilizing 24 solar panels. Residents can take in ocean views from the private swimming pool, surrounded by pristine canopy where scarlet macaws and white-faced capuchin monkeys move through the trees. Priced at USD 950,000, this estate represents a secure investment. Foreign buyers enjoy full fee-simple ownership rights. Ongoing ownership costs remain remarkably low, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value, while standard closing fees, notary services, and registry stamps generally total between two and four percent of the final purchase price.
Acquiring this premium estate in Pilón de Pavones is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens for registered land outside the maritime zone. Because this property sits on over twenty-three thousand square meters of private land, you hold secure, absolute title to both the main residence and the four independent rental structures.
Financially, the ongoing holding costs are remarkably low. The annual municipal property tax is highly favorable, calculated at just one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value each year. When completing the transaction, buyers should budget for standard closing expenses, which typically bundle notary fees, registration stamps, and legal transfers into an additional two to four percent of the purchase price. Furthermore, because the purchase price of nine hundred and fifty thousand dollars comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, ownership of this estate qualifies you and your immediate family to apply for official Costa Rican residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Constructed by a European builder for his own family, this estate features reinforced concrete and steel framing across a total footprint of 420 m². The main residence contains three bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper level, while a separate private rental suite with its own entrance and bathroom occupies the lower level. The estate also includes three detached rental structures: two independent houses, each configured with two bedrooms and one bathroom, and a steel-framed treehouse rental. In total, the property provides eight bedrooms and five bathrooms, all fully furnished.
Situated on 23848 m² of land in the Puntarenas region, the estate borders a creek with a natural waterfall. The outdoor living spaces feature a swimming pool, spacious terrace areas, and ocean views. For utility infrastructure, the property operates fully off-grid, utilizing a solar power system equipped with 24 solar panels.
Acquiring this USD 950000 property involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs. Buyers should budget for a property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically totals between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are bolstered by a low annual property tax, which is calculated at approximately a quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value.
The southern coast of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, offers a distinct microclimate where the dense rainforest directly meets the Pacific Ocean, establishing a highly sought-after setting for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica. Situated in the southern zone near the world-class surf of Pavones, the Pilón area provides a tranquil, off-grid lifestyle that appeals directly to North American buyers. This location allows residents to live amidst untouched nature while remaining within driving distance of regional hubs that offer essential medical services, local markets, and regional airports. For Americans and Canadians seeking a complete change of pace, this region provides an ideal environment for remote work, retirement, or running an eco-conscious hospitality venture. The presence of a private waterfall and a flowing creek on the property grounds enhances the cooling microclimate, offering a natural sanctuary where one can regularly observe scarlet macaws in the canopy or hear the calls of howler monkeys traveling through the trees.
As part of the diverse landscape of Costa Rica real estate for Americans, the province of Puntarenas represents a secure and well-regulated market. Foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens for registered titled land, which is a major draw for Costa Rica homes for Canadians. From an investment perspective, the ongoing carrying costs are remarkably favorable compared to North American standards. The annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, requiring only about a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. When purchasing expat real estate Costa Rica, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass a transfer stamp tax of approximately one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that generally bundle into two to four percent of the purchase price. At this investment level, buyers may also explore the country's residency-by-investment pathways, securing a permanent foothold in a region celebrated for its safety, stable governance, and peerless natural beauty.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This 23,848-square-meter estate in Pilón de Pavones represents a highly strategic acquisition for buyers seeking immediate cash-flow diversification. With a total of 420 square meters of high-quality construction priced at $950,000, the property offers an entry point of approximately $2,261 per square meter. This is highly competitive for a luxury ocean-view compound featuring a main home with a separate downstairs rental, two independent two-bedroom rental houses, and a steel-framed treehouse rental.
The estate is ideal for multi-generational families or lifestyle investors targeting the premium eco-tourism market. The off-grid infrastructure, powered by 24 solar panels, significantly lowers ongoing operational overhead, maximizing net yields on short-term rentals.
From a transaction perspective, Costa Rica offers foreign buyers secure fee-simple ownership. Ongoing holding costs are exceptionally low, with the annual property tax rate set at just about a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should budget an additional 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover the standard closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry fees, and the property transfer stamp tax. This asset provides a clear exit strategy as a turnkey, income-producing compound in a rapidly appreciating southern zone.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the southern reaches of Puntarenas Province, particularly within the legendary coastal enclave of Pilón de Pavones, represents the ultimate realization of the Costa Rican dream for affluent buyers seeking a profound connection to nature without sacrificing sophisticated comfort. This region is world-renowned not just for its legendary, long-peeling warm-water surf, but for its raw, untouched biodiversity where the dense tropical rainforest literally meets the edge of the Pacific Ocean. To own a home here is to adopt a lifestyle dictated by the natural rhythms of the sun, the tides, and the gentle whisper of the sea breeze. Your mornings begin with the therapeutic sounds of a rushing creek and the calls of scarlet macaws flying overhead, while your afternoons are spent gazing at the shifting blues of the ocean from your elevated vantage point. This is a place where the hectic pace of modern metropolitan life is instantly replaced by a deep, restorative peace, attracting visionary investors, wellness seekers, and surf enthusiasts who demand absolute privacy and environmental harmony.
For the discerning global buyer, this estate represents far more than a premium real estate acquisition; it is a legacy asset that fulfills the highest aspirations of self-directed, sustainable luxury living. The desire to disconnect from municipal grids and live entirely self-sufficiently is no longer a compromise, but the ultimate modern luxury. Here, you can host family and international travelers alike in an exclusive jungle sanctuary, sharing a lifestyle of conscious stewardship, organic abundance, and unmatched tranquility. Whether your goal is to establish a multi-generational family compound, operate a boutique eco-resort, or simply retreat to a private sanctuary where the air is pure and the water is clean, this property elevates your daily existence into an art form. It appeals directly to those who have achieved success and now seek significance, offering a rare opportunity to cultivate wellness, adventure, and financial productivity in one of the most beautiful and biologically intense places on earth.
San José, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004