1 / 14This premier commercial maritime acquisition in the Golfito district of the Golfito canton represents a rare, fully licensed marina operation on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, priced at USD 3200000. Spanning a massive land and concession footprint of 918637 m², the property functions as a highly profitable, multi-income business with over two decades of continuous operations. The physical infrastructure features 5 bedrooms configured as hotel rooms, alongside multiple offices, retail spaces, storage units, a leased restaurant, and a licensed diesel fuel station. As one of only five marinas in the country authorized to issue two-year cruising permits, the facility commands exceptional prestige and steady maritime traffic. The purchase price allocates approximately $2,600,000 to the real property assets and $600,000 to the operating business, which includes the rights to a pending second-phase expansion to construct 40 additional slips within the generous approved concession area.
From an investment perspective, foreign buyers enjoy the security of fee simple ownership rights, though maritime concession zones are governed by specific regulatory frameworks. Ongoing ownership costs are highly favorable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value of the property. During the acquisition process, buyers should anticipate a property transfer stamp tax of about 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with the total closing bundle—encompassing notary fees, registry filings, legal services, and stamps—typically ranging between 2% and 4% of the final purchase price. This established harbor business offers immediate positive cash flow and significant expansion potential in a protected deep-water port.
Acquiring this operational marina in Golfito involves navigating Costa Rica’s maritime concession regulations, which govern commercial waterfront properties. Unlike standard fee-simple real estate, this business operates within a fully licensed concession zone, granting secure, long-term operational rights under Costa Rican law. International buyers enjoy the same legal protections as local citizens when acquiring these concession rights.
Financially, the transition is straightforward. The annual municipal property tax is highly favorable, calculated at approximately one-quarter of one percent of the property's registered cadastral value. During the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing fees—covering notary services, legal registration, and transfer stamps—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price. Additionally, because the investment amount exceeds the national threshold for capital investment, purchasing this commercial asset positions the new owner to qualify for Costa Rican residency.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This established commercial enterprise in the Golfito district of the Golfito canton represents a rare institutional-grade acquisition. Offered at USD 3200000, the property spans an expansive land size of 918637 m² and features a fully licensed marina infrastructure alongside a five-bedroom hospitality footprint. The physical assets include five dedicated hotel rooms, multiple offices, retail spaces, storage units, and a leased restaurant facility. The marine infrastructure is anchored by a licensed diesel fuel station and a highly coveted official marina license, which authorizes the operation to issue two-year cruising permits to international vessels.
The structural layout is designed for immediate cash flow, with the five bedrooms configured as active lodging units to support the marina's diverse revenue streams. The expansive concession area provides the physical space required for a planned second-phase expansion, which is designed to add forty additional slips to the existing dockage.
From a regulatory standpoint, foreign investors enjoy secure ownership rights in Costa Rica, though concession zones are subject to specific maritime regulations. Ongoing holding costs are highly favorable, with the annual municipal property tax rate set at approximately a quarter of a percent of the property's registered cadastral value. Buyers should anticipate standard closing fees, including transfer taxes and notary registry stamps, which generally range between two and four percent of the final transaction value.
The deep-water port of Golfito, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, offers a distinct microclimate and geographical advantage for North American buyers. Situated in the sheltered waters of the Golfo Dulce in the South Pacific region, this area is protected from the open ocean swells, creating a calm harbor that has served mariners for decades. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this region represents a highly sought-after market that combines raw natural beauty with practical marine infrastructure. The surrounding rainforest meets the water's edge, where residents frequently observe scarlet macaws flying overhead and bottlenose dolphins swimming in the quiet bay. This unique setting provides an ideal environment for sport fishing enthusiasts, retirees, and remote investors seeking long-term appreciation potential away from the highly congested tourist hubs of the northern coast.
For US citizens and Canadian buyers exploring Costa Rica real estate for Americans, the local market in Golfito provides a direct path to property ownership. Costa Rica homes for Canadians and Americans are subject to favorable ownership laws, as foreigners enjoy the same fee-simple property rights as citizens, though maritime concession zones are governed by distinct regulatory frameworks. When acquiring real estate here, buyers should anticipate an annual municipal property tax rate of approximately one-quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Additionally, the property transfer stamp tax generally amounts to one and a half percent of the declared transaction value, while the comprehensive closing bundle—covering notary fees, registry charges, and legal stamps—typically ranges from two to four percent of the purchase price. This established legal framework makes expat real estate Costa Rica a secure and transparent investment. The town of Golfito itself provides essential modern conveniences, including a local hospital, domestic airport connections, and direct road access to the regional center, ensuring that daily amenities and emergency services are always within reach.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this operational marina business for $3,200,000 represents a rare, value-driven entry point into the Pacific Costa Rican maritime sector. The purchase price allocates $2,600,000 to the real property and $600,000 to the business enterprise, which spans a massive 918,637 square meters of land in Golfito. This pricing is highly competitive compared to Pacific coast alternatives, driven by the seller's strategic liquidation of domestic assets. The property yields immediate, diversified cash flow from slip leasing, five hotel rooms, five bathrooms, retail and office rentals, concierge services, a licensed diesel fuel station, and a leased restaurant.
For the incoming investor, the immediate holding costs are remarkably low, with annual municipal property taxes hovering around a quarter of one percent of the registered cadastral value. Standard closing fees, including notary, registry, and legal stamps, generally range between two and four percent of the transaction value. The ideal buyer is an institutional investor or a maritime operator capable of executing the approved second-phase expansion to construct forty additional slips within the concession zone. This expansion unlocks significant short-term rental upside, while the rare, fully licensed status—allowing the issuance of two-year cruising permits—secures a highly liquid exit profile.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Nestled within the protected waters of Golfito in Costa Rica’s southern Puntarenas province, this property offers a rare gateway to an enviable coastal lifestyle that appeals directly to the aspirations of high-net-worth investors and maritime enthusiasts alike. Golfito is world-renowned for its dramatic, jungle-draped mountains that plunge directly into a tranquil, deep-water bay, creating a safe harbor that has long been a sanctuary for international sportfishermen, yacht captains, and eco-travelers. Owning a fully licensed marina in this pristine region is not merely a commercial acquisition; it is an entry into an exclusive, laid-back lifestyle where the rugged beauty of the rainforest meets the sophisticated demands of the global yachting community. The incoming owner will step into a prestigious role as a key stakeholder in a premier Pacific destination, hosting discerning travelers who seek out this unique corner of Central America for its world-class billfishing, rich biodiversity, and untouched natural landscapes.
For the visionary buyer, this asset represents the realization of a long-held aspiration: owning a profitable, self-sustaining waterfront business in a tropical paradise. The established reputation of the facility, combined with its steady cash flow from slip leases, lodging, and retail tenants, allows an investor to enjoy a seamless transition into the local community without the typical stresses of a start-up venture. Whether your goal is to actively manage the expansion of the additional forty slips or to enjoy a more passive role while a dedicated local team handles the daily concierge and fuel operations, this property delivers the ultimate balance of professional utility and personal freedom. It is an invitation to trade the frantic pace of traditional metropolitan markets for the rewarding, sun-drenched rhythm of the Costa Rican coast, all while securing a highly coveted, limited-supply maritime concession that will serve as a legacy asset for generations to come.
Golfito, Golfito, Puntarenas
Golfito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
