
1 / 16This expansive development acreage in the Perez Zeledon canton offers a rare combination of commercial adaptability and natural beauty in the southern region of San Jose province. Situated in the district of Palmares, the property spans 177,500 square meters of highly versatile land positioned at an elevation exceeding 690 meters above sea level. Priced at USD 3,799,000, this massive tract of land sits just moments from the Inter-American Highway, providing exceptional visibility and effortless transit access. The bustling city center of Perez Zeledon, home to a population of approximately 130,000 residents, is located a convenient ten-minute drive away, ensuring that any future development remains connected to essential urban services, medical clinics, schools, colleges, and social hubs.
The physical layout of the acreage accommodates diverse development pathways, from a private country club or a luxury gated community of residential estates to a subdivided condominium project or a commercial facility. The terrain features panoramic views, and the master plan can easily incorporate premium amenities such as a communal pool, recreational spaces, or private estates. For North American buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership, meaning foreign investors enjoy the same secure property rights as local citizens. When acquiring this registered title, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a comprehensive closing bundle of notary, registry, and legal fees that generally ranges from 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. This significant capital investment also positions qualified buyers to explore the country's residency-by-investment pathways.
This expansive 177,500-square-meter land holding in the Palmares district of the Perez Zeledon canton is listed at USD 3,799,000. Positioned at an elevation exceeding 690 meters above sea level, the property offers a cool, comfortable climate and a highly adaptable landscape. The acreage is situated just a few meters from the Inter-American Highway, providing direct accessibility and excellent visibility for potential developments. Located a convenient ten-minute drive from the city center of Perez Zeledon, which has a population of 130,000, the location balances a rural setting with immediate access to schools, colleges, medical clinics, and shopping hubs.
The physical characteristics of this massive parcel make it highly suitable for commercial ventures, a private country club, a secure residential complex, or a luxury condominium development. Investors can also choose to subdivide the land into individual residential lots. The property features views and is designated for development within a gated community framework. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights for this registered property. Buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with total closing fees, registry costs, and notary services typically ranging from 2% to 4% of the final purchase price.
This 17.75-hectare development tract in Palmares de Perez Zeledon represents a strategic acquisition for institutional developers or high-net-worth investors seeking to capitalize on Costa Rica’s growing inland economy. Priced at $3,799,000, the land cost breaks down to approximately $21.40 per square meter, offering a competitive entry point for a parcel of this scale with direct proximity to a major urban hub of 130,000 residents. The property is highly versatile, suited for subdivision into individual residential lots, a private country club, a gated condominium community, or a commercial manufacturing facility.
Because Costa Rica permits foreign nationals to hold fee-simple land ownership with the same constitutional protections as citizens, international buyers can secure this entire acreage outright. Investors should anticipate standard closing costs, including notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps, which generally range between 2% and 4% of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5%. The annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value. This asset is positioned for a lucrative exit strategy, whether through phased parcel sales, commercial leasing, or full-scale residential development, catering to the region's rising demand for modern infrastructure.
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Positioned in the southern zone of the San Jose province, Palmares, Perez Zeledon, San Jose, Costa Rica offers an exceptional microclimate at an elevation exceeding 690 meters above sea level. This elevation tempers the tropical heat, delivering comfortable temperatures that appeal directly to North American buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica. The property spans 17.75 hectares, equivalent to approximately 43 acres, and sits just a few meters from the Inter-American Highway. This strategic position ensures effortless accessibility while remaining a convenient ten-minute drive from the bustling city center of San Isidro de El General. Residents and investors enjoy a tranquil countryside setting without sacrificing proximity to essential urban amenities, including local schools, colleges, medical clinics, and vibrant social hubs.
This region has become a standout sector of Perez Zeledon real estate, attracting those who want to invest, retire, or establish commercial ventures. The sheer scale of this San Isidro property Costa Rica allows for diverse development pathways, from a private residential complex or country club to a subdivided lot project. Under Costa Rican law, international buyers enjoy the security of fee-simple ownership, meaning foreigners hold the same property rights as citizens. This is a significant advantage over maritime concession zones, which are subject to different regulatory frameworks. When acquiring this estate, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which typically encompass a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, alongside a comprehensive closing bundle of notary, registry, and legal fees that generally ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. This substantial acreage represents a premier opportunity within the diverse Costa Rican property landscape.
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Acquiring this expansive 17.75-hectare property in Perez Zeledon is a straightforward process for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreign nationals the same fee simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this inland acreage sits well outside the restricted maritime zone, you will hold secure, registered title to the land. The purchase price of $3,799,000 comfortably positions you to qualify for Costa Rica's investor residency program, streamlining your transition to living in the country.
During the acquisition, you can expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—to average between two and four percent of the transaction value, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Once the transfer is complete, your ongoing carrying costs remain highly manageable, with annual municipal property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the property's registered cadastral value.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
To truly appreciate the value of this 43-acre development farm, one must understand the unique lifestyle and soaring buyer aspirations associated with Palmares and the wider Perez Zeledon region. Situated in the lush, verdant valley of San Isidro de El General, this location represents the ultimate frontier for visionary investors, high-net-worth developers, and future residents seeking an authentic, elevated Costa Rican experience. At an elevation exceeding 690 meters above sea level, the property escapes the intense, humid heat of the sea-level coast, offering a delightfully temperate climate characterized by warm, sunny days and cool, refreshing mountain breezes at night. This microclimate fosters an active, health-conscious outdoor lifestyle where residents can cultivate organic gardens, hike through pristine mountain trails, and enjoy a clean, pollution-free environment. The surrounding community of Perez Zeledon, with its vibrant population of 130,000, blends the warmth of traditional Costa Rican culture with the modern conveniences of a rapidly growing urban center. It is a place where local farmers' markets, artisanal coffee shops, and traditional sodas coexist harmoniously with bilingual private schools, modern medical clinics, and professional services. Buyers who target this region are often driven by the aspiration to build something legacy-defining—whether that is an exclusive gated community of luxury eco-estates, a wellness-focused country club, or a high-end commercial hub that serves as a landmark for the entire valley. They envision a lifestyle that bridges the gap between peaceful rural seclusion and urban connectivity, where one can spend the morning overseeing a thriving business or walking the quiet, rolling hills of their private estate, and the afternoon driving down the scenic mountain highway to surf the world-class waves of the Southern Pacific coast. This property appeals directly to those who refuse to compromise, offering the rare opportunity to capture the tranquil essence of the Costa Rican countryside while remaining just a ten-minute drive from the heartbeat of a bustling city. It is an aspirational canvas for those who want to shape the future of sustainable luxury living in one of Central America's most stable, welcoming, and breathtakingly beautiful regions.
Palmares, Perez Zeledon, San José
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004