1 / 24Unlocking an unprecedented development opportunity in the coveted Central Valley, this expansive 180,000-square-meter parcel in Atenas represents a rare canvas for visionary investors. Priced at USD 6,500,000, the massive estate is entirely flat and fully usable, a highly sought-after topography in this mountainous region. The land is strategically positioned directly adjacent to Route 27, providing exceptional visibility and seamless transit. This prime location places future residents or commercial patrons a mere 40 minutes from the high-end dining and shopping of Escazú, and just one hour from the Pacific Ocean beaches.
Versatility is the defining characteristic of this acreage, which features mixed-use zoning. This designation permits a wide array of options, from a luxury residential community to a commercial hub or a wellness retreat. Infrastructure is already in place to facilitate immediate construction, with established water and electricity connections, alongside a parallel secondary road that ensures controlled, secure access to the property. The surrounding landscape offers sweeping views and the tranquil, temperate climate that makes the canton of Atenas world-famous.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this titled land. When structuring your acquisition, expect the closing bundle—which encompasses notary, registry, and legal fees—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Additionally, annual property taxes are conveniently calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the estate, keeping ongoing carrying costs highly manageable for a holding of this magnitude.
Acquiring this premier 18-hectare parcel in Atenas provides North American investors with the highest level of property ownership available in Costa Rica. Because this development land sits outside the maritime zone, foreign buyers enjoy the exact same fee simple ownership rights as local citizens, allowing you to hold the title directly in your own name or through a Costa Rican corporation.
The transaction process is highly structured and secure. During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and government stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price. This includes the standard property transfer stamp tax, which typically accounts for about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once ownership is registered, your ongoing carrying costs remain remarkably low, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than its market purchase price. Furthermore, because this investment significantly exceeds the national threshold for real estate acquisitions, purchasing this property makes you eligible to apply for investor residency status in Costa Rica.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This premier development parcel in Escobal de Atenas spans 180,000 m² of entirely flat, fully usable terrain. Priced at USD 6,500,000, the property features highly versatile mixed land-use zoning, which permits a wide range of residential, commercial, or industrial projects.
The site is fully prepared for immediate construction, with established connections to the local water and electricity grids. A dedicated secondary road runs parallel to the property boundaries, ensuring secure, controlled access points for future residents or customers.
Strategically positioned directly adjacent to Route 27, the land offers exceptional visibility and connectivity. It sits just 40 minutes from the high-end amenities of Escazú and a convenient one-hour drive from the Pacific beaches, all while maintaining the peaceful natural environment and scenic views characteristic of the Atenas region.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership. Buyers should anticipate closing costs, including notary fees, registry fees, and stamps, to total between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. Ongoing annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Positioned in the highly desirable canton of Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, this expansive 18-hectare parcel in Escobal de Atenas offers an unparalleled opportunity for those looking to buy property in Costa Rica. Known globally for its exceptional microclimate, Atenas provides a comfortable, warm atmosphere year-round that has made it a perennial favorite for North American relocations. The local community of Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica delivers a welcoming mix of locals and expats, offering a relaxed countryside pace alongside essential conveniences. Residents can enjoy weekly agricultural ferias, dramatic mountain vistas, and a central location that perfectly bridges the Central Valley and the Pacific coast.
This specific micro-location is defined by its extraordinary connectivity. Situated directly adjacent to Route 27, the property ensures rapid transit to the country's most important hubs. You can reach the high-end shopping, dining, and private medical facilities of Escazu in just 40 minutes, making this a prime alternative to traditional Escazu homes. Furthermore, the closest Pacific coast beaches are only a one-hour drive away, allowing for spontaneous day trips to the ocean.
For those analyzing Central Valley Costa Rica real estate for investment, commercial, or residential development, this flat, 100% usable land is fully equipped with water and electricity. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of citizens. When acquiring Atenas Costa Rica homes or development land, buyers should note that the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. Additional transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary, registry, and legal fees—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. This property represents a secure, high-potential asset in a region celebrated for its natural beauty and strategic location.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 180,000-square-meter parcel in Escobal de Atenas presents a highly strategic entry point for institutional developers or high-net-worth investors. Priced at $6,500,000, the acquisition breaks down to approximately $36 per square meter. This is an exceptionally competitive rate for completely flat, 100% usable land with mixed-use zoning directly adjacent to Route 27. The property is uniquely positioned for a phased master-planned community, combining commercial roadside ventures with a private residential enclave. Investors can leverage Costa Rica's residency-by-investment program, as the purchase price far exceeds the minimum investment threshold.
From a financial perspective, holding costs are minimized because the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value, which is typically lower than the market purchase price. Buyers should budget an additional 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and the transfer stamp tax. The exit strategy is highly flexible: a developer can subdivide the flat acreage into premium individual lots, construct a mixed-use commercial and residential hub, or hold the land as a high-exposure asset along the country's primary highway artery connecting the Central Valley to the Pacific coast.
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Nestled within the sun-drenched hills of Alajuela, the charming canton of Atenas is globally celebrated for possessing one of the most desirable climates on earth, offering a lifestyle defined by perfect balance, wellness, and natural beauty. This unique region of the Central Valley seamlessly blends the warmth of traditional Costa Rican culture with the sophisticated expectations of international investors and high-net-worth buyers. Here, life slows down just enough to appreciate the spectacular mountain views and the gentle, year-round breezes, yet the pulse of modern convenience is never out of reach. Discerning buyers who envision a project in Escobal de Atenas are not just acquiring land; they are securing a gateway to an aspirational lifestyle where wellness, outdoor recreation, and community connection thrive. This location appeals directly to those who seek a peaceful sanctuary without sacrificing connectivity, offering a rare opportunity to design a master-planned community or an eco-conscious commercial hub that caters to the growing demand for sustainable, high-end living. Future residents of your development will enjoy the daily luxury of waking up to panoramic vistas of rolling green hills, exploring local organic markets, and breathing some of the cleanest air in the country, all while knowing that the premier shopping, private schools, and world-class medical facilities of Escazú are a mere forty minutes away. Furthermore, the ability to transition from a tranquil mountain retreat to the warm sands of the Pacific coast in just one hour elevates the everyday experience, making it effortless to enjoy a coastal sunset before returning to the cool, comfortable evening temperatures of the highlands. This strategic positioning taps into the ultimate Costa Rican dream—a harmonious existence where untouched natural beauty meets unparalleled accessibility, fulfilling the deepest aspirations of modern families, retirees, and forward-thinking entrepreneurs alike.
Atenas, Alajuela
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
