We know how hard it can be to judge the value of a property in a market without true comparables. Costa Rica does not have MLS services like Zillow and there is no centralized documented history about what properties have sold for in the past. As realtors, it is a part of our challenge to accurately evaluate homes based on the current market value and we wanted to share some of our process with you. The properties listed below are all ocean view properties that are currently for sale, although not all are listed with our brokerage, Osa Tropical Properties. We have chosen properties that we think are fairly well priced for their current market value to show you what you can purchase in different parts of the Costa Ballena, and we have chosen properties in a price bracket ($600,000 - $800,000) that is one of the most popular with buyers in this region at this moment. Depending on where you look at properties in Costa Ballena, you will have closer proximity to different services, amenities, and attractions. You will also notice that each region has different prices reflecting the perceived value of different locations. Further north (Matapalo, Dominical, Dominicalito), you will find higher prices for older homes because of the historical popularity of Dominical as the central hub of tourism in this region.  Uvita has been growing in popularity with tourists in the last five years thanks to the growth in services in this commercial center for Costa Ballena.  Ojochal has some newer constructions on typically smaller properties than those further north, although the usable size of the property is generally larger (flatter as opposed to perched on a cliffside).  And Chontales is the undiscovered part of Costa Ballena that has newer homes with great views for a lower price.

Private Ocean View Home

Location: Matapalo Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO):  2 hours 45 minutes Distance from the Costanera Highway: 15 minutes Year Built: 2008 Architectural Style: Spanish Colonial State of Property: Aged aesthetic and outdated furniture but in a state of good repair Size of Construction: 2,250 Sq. Ft. Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3.5 Acreage: 5.25 Acres View: Ocean  Pool: Yes Price: $650,000 Advantages: This high elevation home is fairly outdated but in good condition so it is move-in ready. Close to Playa Matapalo. Disadvantages: The bedrooms and bathrooms are all fairly small and the view is not as spectacular as other homes. There is not much parking space and it takes at least 20 minutes to drive up the mountain from the highway.  

Ocean View Villa In A Great Setting

Location: Dominical (Pacific Breezes Development) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 3 hours Distance from the Costanera Highway: 5 minutes Year Built: 2008 Architectural Style: Classical modern State of Property:  Size of Construction: 1,722 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Acreage: 3 Acres View: Ocean Pool: Yes  Price: $749,000 Advantages: Large windows, great ocean view, and large property for lots of privacy. Close to great beaches and amenities. Beautiful decor and finishes Disadvantages: Small pool size and small terrace space. Not a lot of buildable room.  

Ocean View House In Exclusive Development

Location: Dominical (Dominicalito Heights) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 3 hours 20 minutes Distance from the Costanera Highway: 6 minutes Year Built: 2004 Architectural Style: Mediterranean State of Property: Updated interior and recently renovated Size of Construction: 3,884 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Acreage: 5.75 Acres View: Ocean Pool: Yes  Price: $696,000 Advantages: Private property, large acreage, spacious rooms, minutes to beaches, and newly remodeled. Disadvantages: Outdated furniture and exterior, small windows, dark rooms, and not much shaded outdoor terrace. A bit of highway noise.  

Modern Ocean View Home With Warm Aesthetic

Location: Uvita (Calle Bejuco) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 3 hours 30 minutes Distance from the Costanera Highway: 10 minutes Year Built: 2017 Architectural Style: Luxury contemporary State of Property: Updated interior and recently renovated Size of Construction: 2,498 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 2 Bathrooms: 2 Acreage: 0.60 Acres View: Ocean Pool: Yes  Price: $689,000 Advantages: Amazing Whale’s Tail view from most parts of the home, lovely tropical aesthetic Disadvantages: Small lot size, low ceilings, steep and long drive from the highway, and small home size.  

Ocean View Fixer-Upper Home

Location: Uvita (Kura Road) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 3 hours 35 minutes Distance from the Costanera Highway: 15 minutes Year Built: 2017 Architectural Style: Spanish colonial State of Property: Outdated with a poorly maintained exterior Size of Construction: 2,498 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 6 Acreage: 0.73 Acres View: Ocean Pool: Yes (needs renovation)  Price: $699,000 Advantages: Amazing Whale’s Tail view from most parts of the home, next door to a $3 million home, extra cabin for rental, in a very popular part of Uvita for rentals. Disadvantages: Old construction and furniture, small kitchen, terrace and pool in a state of disrepair, steep and long drive from the highway, and small home size with a roof visible in the view below.  

Ocean View House With Private Apartment

Location: Ojochal (Calle Morales) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 3 hours 35 minutes Distance from the Costanera Highway: 5 minutes Year Built: 2017 Architectural Style: Contemporary two-story State of Property: Very well maintained Size of Construction: 3,884 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 7 Acreage: 1.34 Acres View: Ocean Pool: Yes  Price: $749,000 Advantages: Great sunset views, good income potential with many private ensuites, lots of covered living space, and the property is easy to access and close to town and amenities. Disadvantages: Exterior opening bedrooms make it a challenge for families with young kids.  

Private Luxury Ocean View Estate

Location: Chontales (Sueños del Tropico) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 4 hours Distance from the Costanera Highway: 10 minutes Year Built: 2018 Architectural Style: Contemporary single story State of Property: New and well-maintained Size of Construction: 2,893 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Acreage: 0.60 Acres View: Ocean  Pool: Yes Price: $649,000 Advantages: Fairly new construction with spacious rooms, large pool, amazing gardens, and lots of entertainment space. Solar power and good privacy from neighbors in a very quiet and nature-filled neighborhood. Disadvantages: In a lesser-known region of Costa Ballena that is just beginning to grow and with a smaller sized lot. There is a vacant lot next door, which can be both a disadvantage or an advantage if someone were to buy both this property and the vacant lot.  

Sophisticated Ocean View Home

Location: Chontales (Sueños del Tropico) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 4 hours Distance from the Costanera Highway: 10 minutes Year Built: 2014 Architectural Style: Contemporary luxury two-story State of Property: Like new and well-maintained Size of Construction: 3,200 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3.5 Acreage: 0.43 Acres View: Ocean  Pool: Yes Price: $749,000 Advantages: A luxury home with great style and flow in a peaceful neighborhood. This property has amazing ocean and mountain views and has good separation from neighbors with lots of great amenities on the property. Lots of fruit trees on the property. Disadvantages: In a lesser-known region of Costa Ballena that is just beginning to grow and with a smaller sized lot. Multi-level construction and a vacant lot for sale next to this property (both advantage and disadvantage)  

Elegant Contemporary Home With Ocean View

Location: Chontales (Sueños del Tropico) Distance from San Jose Airport (SJO): 4 hours Distance from the Costanera Highway: 10 minutes Year Built: 2014 Architectural Style: Elegant contemporary one-story home State of Property: Like new and well-maintained Size of Construction: 3,200 sq.ft. Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Acreage: 0.54 Acres View: Ocean  Pool: Yes Price: $695,000 Advantages: An elegant home that is spacious and well-constructed with very impressive architectural details. Beautiful sunset views for most of the year. Lots of fruit trees and a vacant lot next door that will not be sold or built on. Disadvantages: Not as large of a property as some others in this list.

Final Verdicts

Although places like Ojochal and Chontales are a little further to get to from the airport, the quality of luxury homes tends to be higher with relatively newer constructions that you can find for similar prices in Dominical and Uvita. [gravityform id="2" title="true" description="true"]