
1 / 14Commanding an elevated vantage point in the highlands of Cocal Amarillo, this premier acreage overlooks the pristine waters of the Golfo Dulce, with sweeping panoramas that stretch from Pilón all the way to Punta Zancudo. Offered at USD 812,640, the expansive 20,316 m² estate represents a rare development opportunity in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton. The land has been meticulously prepared into several distinct building plots, each accessed via a private internal road and a shared easement that ensures absolute privacy. Thanks to its high-altitude mountain positioning, the property enjoys a continuous, cooling breeze that naturally tempers the tropical climate.
Surfers will appreciate the strategic location, which sits central to the legendary waves of Punta Salea. A short ten-minute drive connects you to the popular destination of Río Claro de Pavones. Natural water resources are abundant, with a small river running through the lower boundary of the property alongside an artesian well, while electrical infrastructure is situated just 300 meters away. Each individual plot is optimally positioned to support the construction of a main house and accompanying guest casitas, ensuring every structure captures the dramatic ocean views. Ownership is secured under fee simple terms, with an annual property tax rate of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Buyers should also budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the standard closing bundle, which encompasses notary, registry, and legal fees.
Acquiring this 20,316-square-meter parcel in the Pavones highlands is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee simple property ownership rights as citizens. Because this mountain property sits well outside the restricted maritime zone, you can secure full, outright title to the land. The purchase price of $812,640 comfortably exceeds the national threshold for the investor residency program, offering you a direct pathway to legal residency.
During the acquisition, expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and stamps—to range between two and four percent of the purchase price, with the property transfer stamp tax itself typically accounting for about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once owned, ongoing holding costs are remarkably low; the annual municipal property tax is just one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value, making this expansive Golfo Dulce view estate an incredibly efficient long-term asset to hold.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive 20,316 m² development property in the Pavones district of the Golfito canton is priced at USD 812640. The acreage is thoughtfully divided into multiple building plots, each accessed via a private internal road and a shared easement that ensures privacy. Positioned at an elevated mountain altitude, the land benefits from consistent, cooling breezes and commands panoramic views of the Golfo Dulce, spanning from Pilón to Punta Zancudo.
For future construction, water resources are highly secure. A small river runs through the lower portion of the property, providing a reliable natural water source alongside an existing artesian well. Electrical infrastructure is highly accessible, with grid connection points situated just 300 meters away. These natural and physical features make the land uniquely suited for building multiple custom ocean-view homes.
Acquiring this real estate involves standard Costa Rican transaction costs, including a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the transaction value, alongside notary, registry, and legal fees that typically total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing ownership costs are highly favorable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of a percent of the property's registered cadastral valuation.
This exceptional 20,316-square-meter development property is situated in the highlands of Cocal Amarillo, a central micro-location within the famous Pavones area of Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Positioned in the southern region of the country, this area has become a highly sought-after destination for North Americans looking to buy property in Costa Rica. Buyers from the United States and Canada are drawn to this specific part of the South Pacific due to its unique microclimate. The elevated mountain position of the land ensures constant, refreshing breezes that keep the atmosphere cool and pleasant year-round.
For those exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans, the location offers an ideal balance of natural seclusion and accessibility. The property is situated just a ten-minute drive from Río Claro de Pavones, which serves as the primary hub for local tourism. Surfing enthusiasts will appreciate the close proximity to the world-class waves at Punta Salea, one of the most celebrated surf breaks in the region. The land itself looks out over the Golfo Dulce, providing expansive views that stretch from Pilón all the way to Punta Zancudo. This makes the location perfect for those seeking expat real estate Costa Rica that supports a lifestyle centered on outdoor recreation, ocean views, and coastal tranquility.
For Canadians looking at Costa Rica homes for Canadians, understanding the local purchasing framework is essential. Foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights for titled land outside of concession zones. When you buy property in Costa Rica, the ongoing holding costs are remarkably favorable; the annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, requiring only about a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value each year. Additional transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent, alongside a standard closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges between two and four percent of the final purchase price. This combination of low carrying costs, strategic location in Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, and strong long-term appreciation potential makes this highland tract a premier choice for international investors.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Priced at $812,640 for 20,316 square meters of land, this Pavones acreage represents a strategic acquisition at approximately $40 per square meter. This entry point is highly competitive for ocean-view acreage in the southern zone, especially given the subdivision potential of the multiple internal plots. The ideal buyer is a developer or a private investor seeking to build a multi-villa family compound or a boutique rental estate. The layout supports a main residence alongside independent guest houses, capitalizing on the high demand for short-term vacation rentals near the world-class surf at Punta Salea and the popular eco-tourism hub of Río Claro de Pavones, located just ten minutes away.
From a financial perspective, Costa Rica offers a highly favorable holding environment. The annual municipal property tax is exceptionally low, structured at roughly a quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the closing bundle, which encompasses notary fees, registration, and legal stamps, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of citizens. This solid legal framework, paired with the scarcity of large parcels featuring guaranteed natural water sources and direct views of the Golfo Dulce, ensures a highly viable exit strategy through individual parcel sales or the liquidation of a completed luxury villa estate.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Living in the picturesque highlands of Cocal Amarillo offers a rare entry into the legendary lifestyle of Pavones, a world-renowned destination where the rhythm of the tides shapes the flow of daily life. For the passionate surfer, the strategic central location of this acreage places you just moments from the iconic breaks at Punta Salea, a highly favored local spot celebrated for its clean, rolling waves. Beyond the surf, the immediate region is rich with natural wonders, including the pristine waters of Río Claro de Pavones, the area's most popular tourist attraction, which sits just a ten-minute drive from your gate. This unique positioning allows residents to easily transition from high-energy marine adventures to the absolute serenity of their private mountain sanctuary. The aspirational buyer seeking this level of real estate is looking for more than just land; they are seeking a profound connection to nature, where the daily backdrop is a panoramic sweep of the Golfo Dulce stretching from the shores of Pilón all the way to Punta Zancudo. Here, the constant mountain breezes cool the ridge, creating an inviting microclimate that elevates the outdoor living experience. This property represents the ultimate tropical dream: a place where you can design a private family compound or a series of exclusive eco-luxury villas, all while immersed in the peaceful, untouched beauty of Costa Rica's southern zone. It is an invitation to slow down, embrace the coastal lifestyle, and secure a legacy estate in one of the most beautiful and sought-after regions of the country.
Pavones, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004