
1 / 14This expansive acreage in the San Pablo district of Turrubares represents a rare opportunity to acquire a massive 28,432-square-meter parcel of premium Costa Rican land for USD 455,000. Situated in a region celebrated for its exceptional climate, this undeveloped canvas features a highly usable topography characterized by flat areas, gentle undulations, and natural terraces. The estate is fully equipped to support a high-end development, with ready access to potable water, electricity, and high-speed internet connectivity. It is an ideal setting for a luxury boutique hotel, an exclusive wellness retreat, a high-end glamping project, or a private sustainable estate.
Positioned strategically within the Turrubares canton, the property offers complete mountain privacy while maintaining convenient access to major transit routes. This location places owners and guests within easy driving distance of the Central Pacific beaches, including the coastal hub of Jacó, as well as the amenities of the Greater Metropolitan Area. The surrounding landscape functions as a vibrant natural sanctuary, featuring pristine wilderness, panoramic mountain vistas, and established nature trails. A single white-faced capuchin monkey might be spotted navigating the canopy, while a solitary scarlet macaw glides overhead, underscoring the deep connection to nature.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this land. When finalizing the purchase, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which encompass notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps that typically total between two and four percent of the final purchase price. Additionally, property transfer stamp taxes generally account for approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a modest annual property tax calculated from the registered cadastral value.
Acquiring this premium development land in San Pablo de Turrubares is a straightforward transaction for international buyers, as Costa Rican law grants foreigners the same fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens. Because this property sits in the mountainous Central Valley region rather than a restricted maritime zone, you can hold the title outright in your own name or through a local corporation.
During the acquisition, you should anticipate a standard closing cost bundle that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. This comprehensive bundle covers professional notary fees, official registry charges, and legal expenses. A key component of these transaction costs is the property transfer stamp tax, which generally accounts for approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value. Once the purchase is complete, your ongoing holding costs remain highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated as a small fraction of the registered cadastral value. Furthermore, because the purchase price of $455,000 comfortably exceeds the national investment threshold, this transaction qualifies you and your immediate family to apply for official residency-by-investment status in Costa Rica.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This expansive development land in the San Pablo district of the Turrubares canton spans 28,432 square meters of versatile terrain. Priced at USD 455,000, the property features a combination of flat areas, gentle undulations, and natural terraces that overlook the surrounding mountain landscapes. The local climate has earned the region a reputation as the Mediterranean of Costa Rica, providing an ideal setting for an eco-conscious development, a wellness retreat, or a private estate.
Essential infrastructure is readily available to support new construction. Developers can access potable water and electricity, and high-speed internet connectivity is viable across the site. The natural topography allows for strategic building placement to maximize privacy and panoramic views while preserving the local biodiversity.
For international buyers, Costa Rica permits fee-simple property ownership. Purchasing this land involves standard transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value. The complete closing bundle—which encompasses notary fees, registry fees, legal services, and stamps—typically totals between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. Additionally, owners are subject to an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land.
The central region of San Pablo, Turrubares, San José, Costa Rica, represents one of the country's most compelling microclimates, frequently compared to the Mediterranean due to its warm, low-humidity mountain air. Situated in the province of San José, this location bridges the gap between the cooler highlands of the Central Valley and the warm beaches of the Central Pacific. Future owners can easily access the coastal surf of Jacó Beach or travel inland to the urban amenities, private hospitals, and international airports of the Gran Área Metropolitana. This strategic positioning makes the region a highly competitive alternative to traditional expat hubs, appealing to those who might otherwise look at Atenas Costa Rica homes or Escazu homes but desire more acreage, absolute privacy, and raw natural beauty.
For buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this 28,432-square-meter parcel in the Cerro Rayo sector offers a versatile canvas. The topography features flat sections, gentle undulations, and natural terraces that are highly suited for an eco-retreat, a luxury glamping project, or a private conservation estate. The local ecosystem is rich with native biodiversity; you can regularly observe the scarlet macaw soaring overhead or hear the calls of the howler monkey in the surrounding canopy. This rural tranquility is fully compatible with modern remote work or commercial operations, as the property has access to electricity, potable water, and high-speed internet connectivity.
When navigating Central Valley Costa Rica real estate, foreign buyers benefit from the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. Acquiring this development land involves standard transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax that typically equates to about 1.5% of the declared value. The complete closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry charges, legal services, and municipal stamps—generally totals between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price of $455,000. Additionally, holding this land incurs an annual municipal property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. At this investment level, international buyers may also explore eligibility pathways for the national residency-by-investment program. This property offers a rare combination of pristine wilderness and strategic accessibility, making it an outstanding choice to buy property Costa Rica.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
For institutional developers and high-net-worth buyers targeting the wellness sector, this 28,432-square-meter parcel in San Pablo, Turrubares, presents a highly competitive entry point at exactly $455,000. At approximately $16 per square meter, this acquisition sits well below the pricing typically found in congested coastal strips, offering a distinct cost advantage for an eco-lodge, glamping project, or private estate. The ideal buyer is an ecotourism operator or developer seeking to capture the growing demand for mountain wellness retreats that remain accessible to both the Central Pacific beaches and the San Jose metropolitan area.
Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to secure fee-simple ownership of this land, providing robust asset protection. Transaction costs are structured predictably: buyers should budget approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value for the property transfer stamp tax, with the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—typically ranging between 2 and 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are minimized by an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. With the property priced well above the minimum threshold for residency-by-investment programs, international buyers can also explore residency pathways through this acquisition. This positioning secures a strong exit strategy, allowing future liquidation to conservationists or wellness hospitality groups as the Turrubares region continues to gain prominence.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Choosing to invest in San Pablo de Turrubares means embracing a lifestyle defined by the harmonious intersection of raw, untouched nature and sophisticated modern aspirations. Known affectionately as the Mediterranean of Costa Rica due to its highly desirable, temperate mountain microclimate, this region offers a rare sanctuary where the air is crisp, the views of Cerro Rayo are sweeping, and the pace of life slows to a restorative rhythm. For the visionary buyer, this land represents more than just a real estate transaction; it is an invitation to curate an exclusive ecological haven that caters to the global demand for wellness, mindfulness, and deep environmental connection. Imagine waking up to the gentle whispers of a pristine forest canopy, spending the afternoon navigating natural terraces and scenic hiking trails on your own private estate, and enjoying an evening under a clear, star-studded sky. This location satisfies the deepest desires of high-net-worth investors, wellness entrepreneurs, and retirees who refuse to compromise on privacy or convenience. It allows you to cultivate a self-sustaining lifestyle, establish a world-class luxury glamping retreat, or build an architectural masterpiece that honors the surrounding biodiversity, all while remaining effortlessly connected to the vibrant energy of the Central Pacific coast and the essential amenities of the capital.
San Pablo, Turrubares, San José
Principal broker

In Costa Rica since 2004