
1 / 5Perched high on the verdant hillsides of Pavones, this expansive mountain estate offers an extraordinary combination of privacy, versatility, and value for the discerning investor. Priced at an exceptional USD 150000, the entire property spans a generous 25000 m² of land, presenting a rare acreage opportunity in one of the region's most sought-after coastal mountain enclaves. The estate features a lovely main house designed to capture the refreshing mountain breezes and panoramic views, while the surrounding acreage has already been thoughtfully segregated into three detached lots. This unique compound layout provides the ultimate flexibility, allowing you to preserve the entire acreage as a private sanctuary, develop additional guest casitas, or sell off the individual parcels.
Acquiring this Pavones property is a straightforward process, as foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee simple ownership rights. When planning your investment, it is helpful to note that the annual property tax is remarkably low, averaging approximately a quarter of a percent of the registered cadastral value each year. Additional transaction costs include a transfer stamp tax of about 1.5 percent of the declared value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, and legal stamps—typically ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price. Whether you seek a multi-dwelling family compound or a strategic land-banking opportunity, this versatile mountain estate delivers unmatched potential.
Securing this Pavones estate is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this mountain property sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you can hold the title directly in your own name or through a local corporation. At a purchase price of $150,000, this acquisition positions you well for the country’s residency-by-investment program, which currently carries a minimum threshold of $150,000.
Ongoing holding costs are remarkably low. The annual property tax is highly favorable, calculated at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing the transaction, you should budget for standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and transfer stamps. These combined closing expenses generally total between two and four percent of the final purchase price, ensuring a transparent and secure transfer of your new hillside acreage.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This hillside estate in Pavones, Puntarenas, spans a total land size of 25000 m² and is offered at USD 150000. The compound-property configuration features a main house situated on a private mountain parcel, alongside three detached and already segregated lots. This layout provides immediate flexibility, allowing owners to retain the entire six-acre mountain estate for maximum privacy or utilize the pre-segregated parcels for future construction.
The main residential structure is designed to capture the expansive mountain views. The property relies on local utility infrastructure, with the segregated lot design offering independent access points across the acreage.
From a financial perspective, ownership of this Pavones property is secured through fee simple title. The annual property tax is highly favorable, calculated at approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget for standard closing costs, which generally range between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover notary fees, registration, and stamps, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value.
For North American buyers researching how to buy property in Costa Rica, the southern tip of the Puntarenas province offers an unmatched combination of raw natural beauty and long-term investment potential. This specific property is situated in the hills above Pavones, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a region celebrated globally for its legendary point break and pristine, undeveloped coastline. This micro-location provides a cooler, elevated mountain climate while keeping you within easy reach of the local beach and the town center of Pavones. For healthcare and travel, residents can access regional medical clinics and local airstrips in the southern zone, making it a highly viable destination for retirees, remote workers, and surfers alike. This area of the South Pacific has become a highly sought-after Costa Rica market for US and Canadian buyers seeking lifestyle, value, and long-term appreciation potential. The surrounding rainforest canopy is home to diverse native species; you will frequently observe the scarlet macaw flying overhead or spot a white-faced capuchin monkey moving through the nearby trees.
Navigating the financial aspects of Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Costa Rica homes for Canadians is remarkably straightforward. When purchasing this property, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership rights, which are identical to those held by Costa Rican citizens. Ongoing ownership costs are exceptionally low compared to North American standards; the annual property tax is just approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. During the acquisition process, buyers should budget for a property transfer stamp tax of about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a standard closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from two to four percent of the purchase price. This makes the region a highly accessible choice for anyone exploring expat real estate Costa Rica.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This Pavones estate presents a rare entry point into the southern Puntarenas market at just $150,000 for a massive 25,000 square meters of land. At a mere $6 per square meter, this pricing sits well below regional averages for ocean-view mountain acreage, offering an exceptional buffer for capital appreciation. The property structure—featuring a main house and the potential to develop three already segregated, detached lots—allows a buyer to execute a multi-pronged exit strategy. You can sell the individual parcels to recoup your initial capital while retaining the primary residence, or develop guest casitas to establish a high-yield short-term rental compound.
The ideal buyer is an investor seeking privacy or a developer looking for a turnkey subdivision project. Costa Rica’s current market momentum, driven by remote work trends and growing tourism in the southern zone, makes this an opportune time to acquire large acreage. Operationally, holding costs are remarkably low; the annual municipal property tax is approximately a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should budget an additional two to four percent of the purchase price to cover the standard closing bundle, which includes transfer taxes, notary fees, and registry stamps. This low-carrying-cost structure maximizes your long-term hold potential.
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To truly understand the allure of this property, one must look beyond the physical boundaries of its six acres and immerse themselves in the legendary lifestyle of Pavones, Puntarenas. Tucked away in the pristine southern zone of Costa Rica, Pavones is a place where time slows to the rhythm of the tides and the natural world dictates the pace of daily life. This is not just a location; it is a sanctuary for those who yearn to disconnect from the frantic energy of modern metropolitan life and reconnect with the raw, unfiltered beauty of the earth. For surfers, Pavones is a holy grail, home to one of the longest and most perfect left-hand point breaks in the entire world. Yet, the magic of this region extends far beyond its legendary waves. Here, the ancient rainforest meets the warm waters of the Golfo Dulce, creating a vibrant ecosystem where scarlet macaws paint the sky in brilliant hues of red and blue, and toucans call out from the canopy just beyond your balcony. Living here means waking up to the gentle symphony of howler monkeys and the soft rustle of tropical breezes through the palms, starting your day with a cup of locally grown coffee as the morning mist rises off the forested hillsides.
For the aspirational buyer, this estate represents the ultimate blank canvas upon which to paint a life of profound freedom, wellness, and self-determination. It appeals directly to the visionary who looks at a sprawling, elevated hillside and sees not just land, but a legacy of sustainable living, multi-generational gathering, or creative entrepreneurship. Whether your dream is to establish a private family compound where children can roam free through lush gardens, build a collection of eco-conscious guest cottages that harmonize with the jungle, or simply cultivate a personal paradise of fruit trees and organic gardens, this property provides the space and the structural versatility to make that vision a reality. There is a deep, quiet luxury in having this much space to breathe, to think, and to create, far removed from the noise and pollution of the city. It is a rare opportunity to step into a lifestyle of authentic luxury—one defined not by ostentatious displays, but by the richness of clean air, pure water, absolute privacy, and a deep connection to a warm, welcoming local community. This is where your aspirations of a balanced, purposeful life in paradise finally find their home.
Pavones, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004