Mountain view
1 / 14This prime acreage in the heart of Manuel Antonio represents a rare development opportunity in Costa Rica’s most high-profile tourism corridor. Priced at USD 750,000, the expansive 12,554 m² property features a highly functional L-shaped topography that rises to a prominent hilltop. From this elevated vantage point, cool breezes sweep in directly from the Pacific Ocean, rustling through the dense canopy. While the current single-bedroom structure serves as a baseline footprint, the true value lies in the versatile terrain. Trimming select branches on the hilltop reveals ocean views, though the current landscape remains an untouched sanctuary of old-growth trees and native flora. A white-faced capuchin monkey might swing through the branches overhead, while a scarlet macaw glides across the valley.
The estate is bordered by a successful boutique hotel and a sprawling eco-tourism park complete with a dedicated butterfly atrium and a reptile conservation center. Dual public road frontage provides exceptional utility. The primary boundary faces the main thoroughfare connecting Quepos to the national park, offering maximum commercial exposure. Meanwhile, the secondary public road frontage on the opposite side of the tract serves as a quiet, private entrance ideal for a luxury residential estate or a secluded eco-lodge. Ownership is secured via fee simple title, which is fully permitted for international buyers. When acquiring this acreage, buyers should budget for closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry filings, and legal stamps. Additionally, ongoing ownership expenses are highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
This strategic parcel of development land is situated in Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, a premier destination within the South Pacific region. This specific market has become one of the most sought-after areas for United States and Canadian buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica for capital appreciation, long-term investment, or a dedicated tropical lifestyle. The property sits directly along the primary thoroughfare connecting the town of Quepos with the world-famous Manuel Antonio National Park. This highly visible location ensures that any commercial or hospitality venture will benefit from the consistent flow of international tourism passing by daily. For those seeking a balance of accessibility and seclusion, the property features a second public road frontage on its opposite side, which provides a natural, private entrance suitable for a residential estate, guest casitas, or a dedicated service portal.
The microclimate of this specific hillside is defined by refreshing breezes that sweep upward from the Pacific Ocean, cooling the elevated terrain. The surrounding neighborhood is characterized by successful boutique hotels and established eco-tourism enterprises, including an adjacent nature conservancy complete with a butterfly atrium, hiking trails, and a reptile exhibit. This neighboring green space ensures that the local canopy remains intact, allowing native wildlife to move freely across the property. White-faced capuchin monkeys travel through the trees, while scarlet macaws fly overhead, creating an immersive natural environment. Investors looking for a property for sale Manuel Antonio will find that this 12,554-square-meter tract offers the ideal topography for a private luxury estate, a collection of rental bungalows, or an eco-lodge.
From a legal and financial perspective, purchasing real estate in this region is highly accessible for international buyers, who enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as Costa Rican citizens. When acquiring this property, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value is due at closing. Ongoing carrying costs are remarkably favorable, as the annual property tax is calculated using a low rate applied directly to the registered cadastral value of the land, making this an incredibly efficient asset to hold while finalizing architectural and development plans.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
This premium acreage in Manuel Antonio spans 12554 m² of workable, L-shaped topography, offering a rare development footprint in Costa Rica’s premier tourism corridor. Positioned between Quepos and the national park, the land features extensive frontage on two separate public roads. This dual-road access allows developers to establish a high-exposure commercial storefront on the main thoroughfare while maintaining a completely private residential or service entrance on the secondary public road.
The terrain rises to a prominent hilltop that captures cooling Pacific breezes and overlooks the surrounding canopy. While the current natural state preserves a dense jungle habitat, selective tree trimming reveals potential ocean views. The property is bordered by an active eco-tourism project featuring a butterfly atrium and reptile park, ensuring a constant presence of native wildlife. Currently registered with 1 bedroom, the land is highly adaptable for a private estate, a boutique eco-lodge, or a multi-villa rental development.
Acquiring this USD 750000 property grants foreign buyers secure fee-simple ownership rights. Buyers should budget for closing bundle costs, which typically encompass notary, registry, and legal fees ranging from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally requires about 1.5% of the declared transaction value, while ongoing annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Acquiring this premium Manuel Antonio acreage is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rica grants foreigners the same fee simple ownership rights as citizens. Because this property sits outside the maritime concession zone, you can hold the title outright in your own name or through a local corporation. At a purchase price of $750,000, this investment comfortably exceeds the financial threshold required to apply for Costa Rican residency under the investor category.
During the acquisition, you can expect total closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registration, legal services, and stamps—to range between two and four percent of the purchase price, with the property transfer stamp tax specifically accounting for about one and a half percent of the declared transaction value. Once owned, your ongoing carrying costs remain highly manageable; the annual municipal property tax is calculated as a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value, rather than its market price, ensuring long-term financial efficiency for your development project.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
Acquiring this 12,554-square-meter parcel in Manuel Antonio represents a highly strategic entry into Costa Rica’s most resilient tourism market. Priced at $750,000, the land is valued at approximately $60 per square meter, a highly competitive rate for prime acreage situated directly between Quepos and the national park entrance. This pricing provides an advantageous entry point compared to premium-priced finished inventory in the region.
The ideal buyer is a developer or private investor looking to capitalize on the severe shortage of local rental inventory. The property is uniquely suited for a mixed-use project, such as a boutique eco-lodge or a collection of private rental bungalows, utilizing the dual public road frontage to separate commercial guest access from service entries.
From a financial perspective, holding costs are remarkably low. Annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price, keeping ongoing overhead minimal. Buyers should budget between two and four percent of the purchase price to cover the complete closing bundle, which includes notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps, alongside the standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights identical to those of citizens. With the regional demand for eco-tourism accommodations continuing to outpace supply, this parcel offers a clear exit strategy, whether through the future sale of subdivided luxury estate lots or a fully realized hospitality venture.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Nestled along the central Pacific coast of Puntarenas, Manuel Antonio represents the absolute pinnacle of Costa Rican eco-luxury, where the boundary between sophisticated living and untamed wilderness seamlessly dissolves. For the discerning global investor, acquiring property in this highly coveted enclave is not merely a transaction; it is the realization of a deeply held aspiration to live in harmony with one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. Here, the daily rhythm is dictated by the gentle rise of the tropical sun, the calls of howler monkeys echoing through the canopy, and the refreshing evening breezes that sweep inland from the ocean. This region has long been the darling of international travelers and affluent expatriates who seek an active, wellness-oriented lifestyle defined by world-class sportfishing, pristine white-sand beaches, and immersive rainforest adventures. By securing a foothold in this thriving market, buyers align themselves with a prestigious community that values environmental stewardship just as much as high-end comfort. The sheer scarcity of sizable, workable acreage in this geographical hotspot ensures that any future development will command immediate attention and respect. Whether your vision entails crafting an exclusive private sanctuary hidden amidst the lush foliage or launching a boutique hospitality venture that caters to the steady influx of affluent eco-tourists, this location delivers an unmatched backdrop of natural prestige. Investing here allows you to capture the very essence of the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, translating a passion for natural beauty into a legacy asset that promises both personal fulfillment and enduring value in Costa Rica's premier destination.
Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
