1 / 16Tucked into the verdant, rolling hillsides of San Buenas within the Ojochal region, this expansive 11,996 m² parcel offers an exceptional canvas for your custom architectural vision. Priced at USD 130,000, the property is accessed via a private, sweeping driveway that ascends to a generous, pre-cleared building platform. This elevated home site is perfectly positioned to capture dramatic, uninterrupted views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Wild palm trees and dense, mature jungle border the estate, creating a natural sanctuary of absolute privacy while maintaining straightforward, reliable access to the nearby coastal highway.
The layout of this premium lot is ideal for a multi-structure compound. You can design a primary residence positioned to face the mountain vistas, while leaving ample space for a detached guest casita, a private swimming pool, and landscaped tropical gardens. Individual howler monkeys travel through the high canopy, and green iguanas can often be seen sunning themselves on the nearby branches. As a foreign investor, you can secure this land with full fee-simple ownership rights, just like a local citizen, as this property sits entirely outside the restricted maritime concession zones. Buyers should plan for standard closing costs, which generally bundle notary, registry, and legal fees into a total of two to four percent of the purchase price, alongside a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Annual property taxes are conveniently calculated using the registered cadastral value of the land.
This expansive 11,996 m² parcel in the Ojochal region offers a prepared, elevated building site known locally as a plantel. The designated construction footprint is surrounded by wild palm trees and dense jungle foliage, providing an exceptional level of privacy. Positioned in the San Buenas hills, the property features clear views of the local mountains on one side. Access is secured via a long, private driveway that leads directly to the main building area.
Priced at USD 130000, this lot represents a secure investment opportunity under Costa Rican law, which grants foreign buyers the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens. This fee-simple status ensures your land title is fully registered and protected, avoiding the restrictions associated with maritime concession zones. Buyers should plan for standard transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5% of the declared value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are low, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Acquiring this 11,996-square-meter lot in San Buenas, near Ojochal, presents a highly strategic entry point into the Southern Zone market at just under $11 per square meter. This pricing sits well below the regional average for prepared building sites, offering immediate equity potential for the incoming investor. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy fee-simple ownership rights identical to citizens, ensuring secure, registered title to the entire three-acre parcel. The transaction involves standard closing costs, including transfer stamps typically averaging around 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside registry and notary fees that generally bundle into a two-to-four percent range.
The ideal buyer is a developer or private investor looking to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-luxury rentals. By constructing a primary residence paired with independent guest casitas on the expansive, pre-graded flat building area, owners can target the lucrative short-term rental market. This dual-occupancy layout maximizes yield compared to long-term leasing, though both strategies remain viable as Ojochal expands. With Costa Rica's residency-by-investment thresholds attracting high-net-worth buyers, this property serves as an excellent land-banking asset or a high-yield development project with a clear exit strategy to future expatriates seeking completed, private mountain-view estates.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
This exceptional 11,996-square-meter parcel is situated in the San Buenas hills, a tranquil micro-location just minutes from Ojochal, Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Positioned within the highly desirable Costa Ballena region of the South Pacific, this area has become one of the most sought-after destinations for North American buyers looking to buy property in Costa Rica. The local climate is defined by refreshing mountain breezes and a lush rainforest canopy that hosts incredible local biodiversity, including the frequent sight of majestic toucans nesting in the surrounding wild palms. Residents here enjoy a peaceful, private lifestyle that perfectly balances remote work, retirement, and natural preservation, all while remaining within easy driving distance of the region's famous volcanic sand beaches, pristine national parks, and the sophisticated culinary scene of downtown Ojochal.
For those evaluating Ojochal Costa Rica real estate, this property offers a secure path to ownership. In Costa Rica, foreign buyers enjoy the same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens, meaning you can hold the registered title to this land outright. This is a distinct advantage over coastal concession or maritime zones, which are subject to different leasehold structures. When purchasing this Costa Ballena property, buyers should anticipate standard transaction costs, which include a property transfer stamp tax calculated at approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that typically ranges from 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. This combination of security, low carrying costs, and long-term appreciation potential makes the southern zone an unrivaled investment destination.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 11,996-square-meter parcel in San Buenas near Ojochal is a straightforward process for international buyers. In Costa Rica, foreign nationals enjoy the same constitutional rights to property ownership as citizens. This land is held under fee simple title, meaning you obtain absolute ownership rather than a concession or leasehold structure, which are typically reserved for specific maritime zones along the immediate coastline.
To secure the transfer, buyers should anticipate closing costs—encompassing notary fees, registration duties, legal counsel, and stamps—ranging between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard transfer tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared value. Additionally, owners are subject to a modest annual property tax calculated from the registered cadastral value. While Costa Rica offers residency-by-investment pathways for real estate acquisitions, this specific lot's price of $130,000 USD sits below the current minimum threshold required for investor status, meaning buyers would utilize alternative residency categories or standard tourist entries to enjoy their mountain-view retreat.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
To understand the true value of this property, one must look beyond the physical boundaries of its nearly three acres and step into the coveted lifestyle that defines Ojochal and the surrounding San Buenas region. This is a corner of Costa Rica where the pace of life is dictated by the rising sun, the gentle rustle of wild palms, and the distant, soothing calls of the jungle canopy. For the discerning buyer, this land represents more than just a real estate transaction; it is the canvas upon which a life of deliberate, mindful luxury can be painted. Ojochal has earned a global reputation as a sophisticated sanctuary, celebrated for its incredible culinary scene, where international chefs craft world-class cuisine just minutes from pristine, undeveloped beaches. Living here means enjoying a rare duality: the absolute seclusion of an elevated mountain retreat where your nearest neighbors are the toucans and monkeys, paired with the effortless convenience of a vibrant, welcoming community. It is a place where expatriates and locals alike share a passion for preservation, wellness, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
For those aspiring to build a legacy estate or a private wellness sanctuary, this property answers the deep-seated desire to escape the frantic noise of modern metropolitan life without sacrificing comfort or accessibility. Imagine waking up to the cool mountain breeze rolling off the peaks, sipping locally grown coffee on a veranda that overlooks your own private jungle valley, and spending your afternoons exploring the dramatic sea caves of nearby Playa Ventanas. The generous, pre-graded building footprint invites ambitious architectural designs—perhaps a contemporary tropical villa featuring floor-to-ceiling glass to frame the mountain vistas, or an eco-conscious retreat that blends seamlessly into the surrounding flora. This is an investment in personal well-being, offering a sanctuary where you can disconnect, recharge, and live in harmony with one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth. By securing this hidden gem in the southern zone of Puntarenas, you are not just purchasing land; you are claiming your piece of the legendary Costa Rican dream, establishing a private stronghold of peace, privacy, and natural splendor that will inspire and rejuvenate you for decades to come.
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Ojochal, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
