1 / 39High above the Pacific on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, this massive 890,000-square-meter estate represents one of the most significant private landholdings in Puntarenas. Located in the exclusive hills of Mal Pais, the property borders the pristine Cabo Blanco National Park, forming a seamless ecological corridor of protected jungle, rolling hills, and freshwater streams. At an elevation that captures cool mountain breezes, the estate features multiple natural plateaus that overlook the light-sand beaches and world-class surf breaks of Santa Teresa, situated just two kilometers down the mountain road.
Offered at USD 20,000,000, the estate features 600 square meters of total construction, thoughtfully arranged as a main residence and guest casitas to preserve privacy. In total, the fully furnished compound offers eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms, making it an ideal private sanctuary or a boutique hospitality venture. The outdoor living spaces center around a swimming pool, surrounded by hiking trails that wind through the mature forest canopy. Here, the local fauna thrives, with howler monkeys moving through the treetops and scarlet macaws nesting in the native Pochote trees. For international buyers, Costa Rica permits straightforward fee-simple ownership of this titled mountain acreage. Under local regulations, your ongoing annual property tax is calculated using the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the purchase price. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should anticipate standard closing costs, which include notary fees, registry filings, and a property transfer stamp tax that generally totals around one and a half percent of the transaction value.
This 890,000-square-meter estate in Mal Pais presents a rare institutional-scale land banking opportunity. Priced at $20,000,000, the property features 600 square meters of existing construction across an eight-bedroom, seven-bathroom layout, consisting of a main lodge structure and guest casitas. At approximately $22.47 per square meter, the pricing reflects the immense premium of owning a contiguous tract of mountain terrain bordering the Cabo Blanco National Park, a valuation that stands apart from standard residential parcel averages in the region.
The ideal buyer is a high-net-worth individual, conservationist, or boutique hospitality developer seeking a generational asset. The existing structures, sold fully furnished with a swimming pool, allow for immediate operation as a high-end eco-hotel or private compound. Owners can leverage short-term luxury rentals to offset holding costs, or transition the property into a long-term conservation hold.
Costa Rica permits foreign buyers to hold fee-simple ownership of this mountain acreage. Transaction costs include a property transfer stamp tax of roughly 1.5% of the declared value, with total closing fees—encompassing notary, registry, and legal services—typically ranging from 2% to 4% of the purchase price. Ongoing holding costs are highly manageable, as annual property taxes are calculated based on the registered cadastral value rather than the purchase price. This pricing structure, combined with the absolute scarcity of large parcels bordering national parks, provides a clear exit strategy through future parcel subdivision or a premium sale to a conservation trust.
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The expansive property landscape of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, offers an exceptional environment for international buyers seeking a secure and private retreat. Situated in Mal Pais, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this ninety-hectare estate sits directly adjacent to Cabo Blanco National Park, the oldest nature reserve in the country. This unique geographical positioning creates a contiguous stretch of protected forest, offering an unparalleled microclimate where the mountain jungle meets the coast. For those looking to buy property in Costa Rica, this specific micro-location provides a rare combination of absolute privacy and convenient coastal access. The light sandy beaches of Mal Pais and Santa Teresa are located just two kilometers downhill, placing some of the finest surf breaks in Central America within minutes of the estate.
This location is ideal for North Americans looking to transition to a lifestyle of remote work, active retirement, or conservation-focused investing. The region has become a premier destination for Costa Rica real estate for Americans and Costa Rica homes for Canadians who value pristine natural surroundings without sacrificing accessibility. The property itself features a network of private hiking trails, freshwater streams, rolling hills, and elevated plateaus that showcase views of the Pacific Ocean.
Navigating the acquisition of such an estate is straightforward for international investors, as expat real estate Costa Rica options benefit from fee simple ownership laws that grant foreigners the same property rights as citizens. When purchasing, buyers should note that the annual property tax is calculated based on the registered cadastral value of the estate, rather than the market purchase price. Additionally, buyers should plan for a property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5 percent of the declared transaction value, alongside a standard closing bundle that covers notary, registry, and legal fees. This pristine mountain-to-ocean acreage represents a highly secure, long-term investment in one of the most exclusive coastal enclaves in Puntarenas.
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This expansive property in the Mal Pais district of the Puntarenas canton represents a rare scale of private land ownership. Spanning 890,000 square meters of contiguous jungle, mountains, and streams, the estate borders the Cabo Blanco National Park. The physical improvements total 600 square meters of construction, which houses 8 bedrooms and 7 bathrooms configured across a main structure and guest accommodations. The fully furnished interiors are designed to frame the surrounding forest and the ocean views. Outside, a private swimming pool serves as the focal point of the cleared grounds, which connect directly to a network of private hiking trails winding through the hills.
From a practical perspective, this USD 20000000 estate offers fee simple ownership, a right fully protected under Costa Rican law for international buyers. When finalizing the acquisition, buyers should anticipate closing costs—covering notary fees, registry submissions, and legal stamps—that typically range from 2% to 4% of the purchase price, alongside a standard property transfer stamp tax of approximately 1.5%. Ongoing ownership costs include an annual property tax calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land and structures.
Acquiring this expansive Mal Pais mountain estate is a straightforward process for international buyers. Because the property sits outside the restricted maritime zone, you can secure full fee simple ownership, granting you the exact same property rights as a local buyer. The transaction involves standard closing costs, which typically range from two to four percent of the purchase price to cover notary fees, registration, legal services, and the mandatory transfer stamp tax. Once ownership is registered, your ongoing carrying costs remain highly manageable, as the annual property tax is calculated directly from the registered cadastral value of the land rather than the market purchase price. Furthermore, because the acquisition price of this jungle oasis far exceeds the national investment threshold, purchasing this estate positions you to apply for official Costa Rican residency.
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To own a legacy estate of this magnitude in Mal Pais is to claim a life of rare distinction, where the raw, untamed beauty of Costa Rica’s Southern Nicoya Peninsula becomes the backdrop for your daily existence. This is a destination reserved for those who seek to disconnect from the frantic pace of the modern world without sacrificing the sophisticated comforts of a world-class coastal retreat. Living here means waking up to a symphony of howler monkeys and exotic birds echoing from the adjacent national park, spending your mornings exploring your own private mountain trails, and dedicating your afternoons to chasing the perfect wave along the sun-drenched shores of Santa Teresa. The local lifestyle is a seamless blend of barefoot luxury, wellness, and adventure, attracting visionary buyers who value environmental stewardship, absolute privacy, and the rejuvenating power of nature. It is a place where your neighbors are forward-thinking global citizens, artists, and entrepreneurs who share a deep respect for the land and a passion for the legendary "Pura Vida" way of life. This ninety-hectare sanctuary offers the ultimate canvas for your aspirations, whether you envision creating an ultra-exclusive eco-resort, a private family compound, or a holistic wellness retreat that harmonizes with the ancient forest. Here, the boundaries between indoor luxury and outdoor adventure dissolve, allowing you to cultivate a lifestyle centered around physical well-being, mental clarity, and deep connection to the earth. You can spend your days surfing world-class breaks, dining at acclaimed farm-to-table restaurants just minutes away, and then retreating to your secure mountain stronghold to watch the sunset paint the Pacific Ocean in shades of gold and violet. This is more than a real estate acquisition; it is an investment in a sustainable, high-vibrational future and a commitment to preserving one of the most spectacular natural landscapes on the planet.
Mal Pais, San José, Puntarenas
San José, Puntarenas
Principal broker
In Costa Rica since 2004
