1 / 7This expansive parcel in the Garabito canton offers a rare combination of generous acreage, flat building topography, and complete ownership security for international buyers. Priced at USD 79500, the property spans a registered land size of 5030 m² with an equivalent construction allowance of 5030 m², providing an ideal canvas for a custom estate. Situated in the peaceful hills of the Jacó district, the land features fertile soil and panoramic 360-degree views of the surrounding tropical canopy.
The property is located within Columbus Heights, an uncrowded residential community of 223 oversized parcels where paved roads wind through lush forest. A natural creek runs nearby, bringing the soothing sound of water to the area. While the setting feels entirely secluded, you are positioned just fifteen minutes southeast of downtown Jacó and a short drive from beachfront restaurants.
For North American investors, this lot represents a secure fee-simple acquisition outside of the restricted maritime zone, meaning you hold the same absolute ownership rights as a local citizen. The flat terrain minimizes excavation costs, making the site exceptionally easy to develop. With a handful of premium homes already established and others currently under construction, this location balances natural privacy with the infrastructure needed for a seamless build.
Acquiring this premium parcel in Columbus Heights is a straightforward process for international buyers. In Costa Rica, foreign investors enjoy the same robust fee-simple ownership rights as local citizens, allowing you to hold the deed to this inland property directly in your name or through a local corporation. Because this lot sits safely outside the restricted maritime zone, you avoid the complex leasehold structures associated with beachfront concession land.
During the acquisition, you can expect closing costs—which bundle notary fees, registration stamps, and legal transfers—to total between two and four percent of the purchase price, alongside a standard transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent. Once the transaction is complete, your annual property tax obligations will be calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. While this specific purchase price falls below the current minimum threshold required to automatically qualify for the national residency-by-investment program, holding registered land in a secure development like Garabito provides a stable, long-term foothold in one of Central America's most secure real estate markets.
Review title types and due diligence in our fee simple vs concession guide.
This premium parcel in the Garabito canton offers a rare development footprint within the tranquil district of Jacó. Priced at USD 79500, the property features a generous land size of 5030 m² alongside a designated construction allowance of 5030 m². The exceptionally flat topography provides an optimal, uncomplicated foundation for building a custom estate, a main residence, or a compound featuring private guest casitas. Fertile soil runs throughout the acreage, offering an ideal medium for cultivating lush, private gardens to frame the panoramic, 360-degree natural views.
Situated within the low-density Columbus Heights community, the property benefits from high-quality infrastructure, including paved internal roads. The development consists of 223 spacious lots, ensuring long-term privacy as only a select number of homes currently exist. A natural creek flows nearby, enhancing the peaceful atmosphere of the surrounding forest.
Under Costa Rican law, international buyers enjoy secure, fee-simple ownership rights for registered properties outside of restricted maritime concession zones. Buyers should anticipate property transfer stamp taxes of approximately 1.5% of the declared transaction value, with total closing fees, including notary and registry services, generally ranging between 2% and 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing annual property taxes are calculated directly from the registered cadastral value.
Situated within the lush hills of Columbus Heights, this premium 5,030-square-meter parcel offers a rare opportunity to buy property in Costa Rica that balances secluded mountain tranquility with rapid access to the central Pacific coast. Located in the Garabito canton of the Puntarenas province, the property sits just fifteen minutes southeast of the bustling hub of Jacó and approximately ninety minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport. This strategic position allows residents to enjoy a peaceful, nature-first lifestyle while remaining close to the region's premier medical clinics, modern supermarkets, and professional services. The immediate area is defined by its proximity to the ocean, placing you just minutes from local beachfront restaurants, coastal cantinas, and the world-class surf breaks that make Playa Hermosa homes for sale highly coveted by international buyers.
The development of Columbus Heights itself consists of 223 expansive lots, yet it remains an uncrowded, low-density community with only a few existing homes and select new builds currently underway. This ensures long-term privacy and a quiet atmosphere where the natural landscape takes center stage. Paved internal roads provide smooth, year-round access to the property, which is bordered by a seasonal creek and surrounded by dense tropical foliage. The local microclimate is characterized by warm coastal breezes and rich, fertile soil, making the land ideal for those interested in small-scale gardening or cultivating tropical fruit trees.
For buyers exploring real estate Jaco Costa Rica, this specific lot stands out due to its exceptionally flat topography, which significantly simplifies the construction process for a custom estate. The elevated geography delivers panoramic, 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, offering a dramatic backdrop for a permanent residence, a vacation home, or an investment property. The surrounding forest canopy serves as a natural corridor for local wildlife, where residents frequently observe white-faced capuchin monkeys moving through the trees or scarlet macaws flying overhead.
Garabito is part of Costa Rica's diverse property landscape, representing a secure and highly regulated market that appeals directly to North American investors. Under Costa Rican law, foreign buyers enjoy the exact same fee-simple ownership rights as citizens, meaning you can hold registered title to this land outright. Because this parcel is located outside the restricted maritime concession zones, it is not subject to leasehold complications. Buyers should anticipate standard transaction costs, including a property transfer stamp tax that typically averages around 1.5 percent of the declared value, alongside a comprehensive closing bundle covering notary, registry, and legal fees that generally ranges from 2 to 4 percent of the purchase price. Annual property taxes are conveniently calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the land. Whether you are looking to retire, invest, or build a custom home in a secure enclave, this lot delivers the perfect combination of accessibility and natural beauty.
Explore more about this area on our regional guide page.
Acquiring this 5,030-square-meter parcel in Columbus Heights presents a highly strategic entry point into the Pacific coastal market at a competitive valuation of just under $16 per square meter. This pricing sits well below the regional averages for fully serviced, build-ready lots near Jacó. For the forward-thinking investor, the property offers versatile exit and development strategies. You can construct a primary estate alongside independent guest casitas to maximize short-term rental income from eco-tourists, or hold the land long-term as the low-density community of 223 oversized parcels continues to mature.
Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to secure fee-simple ownership with the same constitutional protections as citizens. Because this lot sits outside the restricted maritime concession zones, you enjoy absolute title security. Buyers should budget approximately 2% to 4% of the purchase price to cover the comprehensive closing bundle, which includes notary, registry, and legal fees, alongside the standard property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5%. Ongoing holding costs remain exceptionally low, with annual property taxes calculated directly from the registered cadastral value. With Jacó expanding rapidly, securing a flat, fertile acre and a quarter at this price point represents an increasingly rare market timing opportunity.
Model rental income for this property with our rental income calculator.
Embracing the lifestyle of Garabito means immersing yourself in a region where the rugged beauty of the Central Pacific coast meets the sophisticated desires of modern global citizens. Living just fifteen minutes from the energetic pulse of Jacó allows you to curate a daily routine that balances absolute serenity with vibrant coastal culture. Imagine starting your morning with a quiet walk along the nearby shoreline, listening to the gentle crash of the waves, and stopping by a rustic beachfront cantina for a fresh tropical breakfast. By afternoon, you can easily transition from your peaceful mountain sanctuary to the bustling streets of Jacó, where high-end dining, boutique shopping, and a thriving international community await. This unique geographic positioning satisfies the deep-seated aspiration for a life less ordinary—one where you do not have to choose between the therapeutic isolation of a lush forest canopy and the convenient luxuries of a modern resort town. It is an invitation to step away from the predictable rhythms of conventional suburban living and instead embrace a dynamic, active lifestyle defined by outdoor adventure, wellness, and a profound connection to the natural world.
For the forward-thinking investor or the adventurous soul seeking a legacy homestead, this location represents the ultimate canvas for self-determination. The desire to build a custom residence in Costa Rica is often rooted in a yearning for space, privacy, and a closer alignment with nature, all of which are delivered in abundance by this expansive, flat parcel. Here, you have the rare freedom to design an architectural masterpiece that harmonizes with the surrounding environment, utilizing the fertile soil to cultivate private botanical gardens or organic orchards. This is where your aspirations of sustainable luxury come to life, offering a secure sanctuary where you can disconnect from the digital noise of the modern world while remaining just a short drive from key regional infrastructure and international travel hubs. Whether your vision is a contemporary eco-villa that blends seamlessly into the green hillsides or a sprawling tropical estate designed for multi-generational gatherings, this property provides the physical space and the inspiring backdrop to turn those aspirations into a tangible, daily reality.
Jacó, Garabito, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
