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Essential Design Features for Your Costa Rica Dream Home: A Comprehensive Guide
Essential Design Features for Your Costa Rica Dream Home: A Comprehensive Guide

March 14, 2025 in Life in Costa Rica, Tips for Buyers, Real Estate in Costa Rica

Costa Rica, with its stunning natural landscapes and tropical climate, offers a unique living experience that blends indoor comfort with outdoor paradise. When purchasing or building a home in this Central American gem, certain design features can significantly enhance your lifestyle and property value. This comprehensive guide explores the essential design elements to prioritize in your Costa Rican home search or construction project.

The Art of Staging A Home For Sale in Costa Rica
The Art of Staging A Home For Sale in Costa Rica

February 2, 2024 in Tips for Sellers, Selling Process

Staging your home for sale in Costa Rica is about creating global appeal for a diverse array of dreamers looking to make their life in a new place.

Exceptional Living in Escaleras, Costa Rica
Exceptional Living in Escaleras, Costa Rica

May 13, 2023 in Discover Costa Rica, Life in Costa Rica, Real Estate in Costa Rica

Escaleras, Costa Rica is a place that promotes a sense of wellbeing, deep relaxation, and helps you attune yourself with the natural world. This is a popular community in the South Pacific that exudes architectural grandeur blending elegantly with the exotic landscape. Those who have searched Costa Rica’s coastlines for the perfect location to begin the dream of living in a tranquil, natural, and breathtaking location will often conclude that Escaleras is it.

The Escaleras Environment

The mountainous community of Escaleras begins at around 1000ft elevation, with homes nestled amongst old growth rainforest and its abundant wildlife. This region of Costa Rica is home to families of sloths, toucans, monkeys, exotic insects, and enchanting birdlife. Wildlife corridors have been preserved as much as possible in the developed regions of Escaleras, where large acreage properties are left mostly forested for privacy and maintaining a connection with the local wildlife. Living in Escaleras can often elicit the feeling that you are living up in the tree canopy as you see the stunning wildlife pass by at eye-level daily. The select tracts of land that were cleared for development are open to the full magnificence of the hillside jungles, untouched by man, as well as the jaw-dropping ocean view reaching out below. The ruggedness of nature becomes a gentle blanket of green stretched out as you look down towards the rolling Pacific Ocean. This area is known for its dramatic views of the dynamic coastline, including the world-famous Whale’s Tail beach formation, Caño Island, and the Osa Peninsula. The mountainous terrain in Escaleras is home to an abundance of winding rivers and some of the most sensational waterfalls in all of Central America. Several properties in Escaleras have rivers and waterfalls within walking distance of their front door with picturesque backdrops and serene, ambient sound. In this sensational environment, hardly a sound other than nature’s cacophony can be heard. 

Envision lounging on your elevated terrace while monkeys and toucans visit travel across the treetops above you. The sounds of the rain forest in perfect harmony with the ocean below. *Click the image to visit this Escaleras listing for sale.[/caption]

Homes in Escaleras

The incredibly pristine environment around Escaleras is decorated mainly with the type of homes that blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature. Houses in Escaleras sit high on the cliff sides, positioned in reverence of the coastal views. Infinity pools merge cool water with the ocean view sunsets on the horizon. Bedrooms and living spaces are built to face the gorgeous Pacific Coast and the green valley below. Large glass sliding doors allow breezes to filter through homes and remove boundaries between the home’s interior and the natural exterior landscape. Homes in Escaleras are built for living life to the fullest. Large, sun-soaked terraces with ample room for lounge chairs, BBQ areas, and dining spaces under the stars are essentials for unforgettable family gatherings or elegant soirees. Gourmet kitchens with intelligently utilized spaces and extras such as walk-in wine cellars are the details that make Escaleras homes the pinnacle of luxury living in Costa Rica. Locally-sourced natural materials like cedar wood and river stone are popular aesthetic choices reflecting the majesty of the surrounding environment. Building materials are carefully selected for their natural beauty in the luxury homes in Escaleras. Green/eco-friendly architectural designs are also immensely popular, fostering a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere while maintaining a small environmental footprint. The goal for many is to create a space to live in harmony with the land and nature that is designed well to last in this environment.  Landscaped entrances to Escaleras properties welcome you home with swaying palms fronds and perennial colorful flower blooms. Most homes and condos in Escaleras are gated for your protection, although most properties are so ample that they do not feel at all confined. Escaleras estates often have additional spaces for development and plenty of room for parking and stretching out. Properties are designed with an emphasis on privacy and space for life to flourish. Whether you are stargazing from your tub on the balcony at night or spending your morning searching for whales breaching the coastal waters during calving season, Escaleras homes allow you to live close to nature while being safely tucked away in immaculate structures. 

From its picturesque perch in coveted Escaleras, the Jade House brilliantly blends naturally inspired materials with state-of-the-art amenities to guarantee the highest standard of tropical luxury living in Costa Rica. *Click the image to visit this Escaleras listing for sale.

Lifestyle in Escaleras

Escaleras is conveniently located between the coastal towns of Dominical and Uvita, making it centrally located while being out of the main bustle of tourists. Life in Escaleras is all about feeling like you are in a remote location that is actually just a short drive to everywhere you want to be. This is the ideal location from which to embrace doing what you love doing and living life to the fullest.  Living in these coastal mountains can feel like one of life’s greatest thrills. Unforgettable views span the stunning coastline and remind you that you are within easy reach of the fantastic beaches and exciting adventures in the area. Escaleras has the best of everything for avid adventurers and world travelers who want to surf, zip-line, river raft, hike, and search for wildlife. 4×4 vehicles open the door to driving up the windy, mountainside roads that lead to incredible precipices that overhang jaw-dropping coastal views from high up in the mountains, as well as "secret" river and waterfall spots that are off-the-beaten-path but well worth the journey. 

4x4 trails above Escaleras will lead you on wild adventures to some epic roadside waterfalls and lookout spots high in the mountains.[/caption] Mornings have never been so exquisite as day breaks through large windows in your Escaleras residence. Every day brings close encounters with nature and healthier indoor living. Architects strive to make the interior and exterior landscapes feel as one so that residents can feel immersed in the vibrant blues and greens in the day and cotton candy colored sunsets in the evening. Escaleras is home to some of the most high-end estates in the region and is therefore blessed with amenities like high-speed internet, robust security, and solid infrastructure. There are quality services available like concierge, spa and massage, and private chef catering. This is the home of modern luxury living in a dream come true location. Try upscale gourmet restaurants, gorgeous jungle-enveloped cafes, and shop at boutique stores carrying high-quality, Costa Rican made products all located within the community of Escaleras. Life here combines the comforts of modern, upscale living with the creative flow of the jungle. Outdoor spaces on Escaleras properties are perfect for yoga or bird-watching. It’s easy to reconnect with nature as toucans soar lazily overhead while you meander through courtyards surrounded by tropical gardens, where coconuts and bananas are almost always within reach.

Market Report on Properties in Escaleras

The way things are going in today’s Costa Rica real estate market, if you don’t buy that Escaleras estate you have been eyeing, someone else will. There are only so many homes and land for sale in this tiny Costa Rican town. There are currently 15 homes and lots for sale in Escaleras totaling around $22 million in value. The average price for a lot for sale in Escaleras is around $400,000 for just under 2 acres of land. The average home price for sale in Escaleras is about $1,580,000 and most homes are high-end luxury estates. So far in 2022, 17 homes and lots have sold in the area since the start of the year. Of those that sold, the average sale price was about $1,792,133 and properties sold for around 95% of asking price. While many purchase real estate in Escaleras to live in an exceptional location, others use their Escaleras residence primarily as a lucrative rental property. According to AirDNA, an average night’s stay on Airbnb for an Escaleras rental is around $372/night with many homes renting for over $1000 per night. There are many smaller homes for rent and some fantastic mansions that compare to the top luxury properties in the world. There may not be any five-star, all-inclusive resorts in the area but there are a number of super-luxury vacation home rentals available that are booked at a high occupancy rate throughout the year. Escaleras is the home of yoga retreat centers and boutique homestay experiences. Visitors choose Escaleras vacation home rentals because there are many concierge services in the area and property managers are ready to curate an entirely unique luxury vacation experience for their guests, including personal chefs, spa services, and boutique tours. This is the perfect destination for wedding celebrations and honeymoons because of the availability of numerous luxury multi-home properties in this spectacular region. Experienced local property management companies make rental income an easy and almost effortless pursuit.

This multi-home, luxury Dominical property features a prime location in the upscale Escaleras neighborhood, near Playa Dominical, that is great for rentals. The detailed wood interior makes for impressive listing photos. *Click the image to see more listing details.[/caption] People come from all over the world come to Escaleras to explore the wonders of this serene landscape. Escaleras’ luxury views and community amenities increase the profitability of vacation rentals that are turnkey income producers. Customers who rent properties in Escaleras return yearly to experience more of the magic, reliving in a new way each time, because why go somewhere else when you’ve found a place that speaks to the depths of your soul? This is the kind of place you visit and create memories that last a lifetime.

5 Year Comparative Market Analysis for Homes In Ojochal
5 Year Comparative Market Analysis for Homes In Ojochal

May 13, 2023 in Real Estate in Costa Rica

Homes in Ojochal are what the real estate market in South Pacific Costa Rica is seeking. Property prices are rising and everyone is wondering how far they will go. Real estate investors and those seeking a new style of living are converging in Costa Rica and prices for homes and land in this country are elevating. Global real estate markets are shifting due to changes in the work environment and more people are working from home. But while markets in other boom areas are declining as mortgage rates go up and stock prices go down, Costa Rica is not quite as affected this time around because the reasons people are moving here are beyond financial gain. As a result, many property sellers in Ojochal today are seeing strong gains, anyway. Property sellers in the current market are justified in asking for much higher prices than what they purchased for in recent years because there is a serious lack of inventory in a lot of key markets in Costa Ballena. Buyers who are unable to find a turnkey home in their desired area are more willing to buy fixer-uppers and raw land than in previous years and properties that used to sit on the market for a long time are now getting snapped up soon after listing (and sometimes before!) Property value increases in Costa Ballena are being seen across the board, from basic single-family homes to income properties and luxury houses. When looking at what properties are selling for today versus what they have sold for in recent years, we can see a strong shift in prices that ranges from around 6% per year to over 23% year-over-year. Some of these gains are achieved through significant investment like renovations or adding new features. Other properties have simply found their time to shine in today’s real estate boom.  To better understand what is happening in the real estate market in our area, we have put together this comparative market analysis that shows what properties have sold for recently versus what they were purchased for in years past. We have chosen to focus on Ojochal and the surrounding area for this particular analysis, although we have the data to create more reports for Uvita, Dominical, and even more niche markets. The selection of homes in this report sold at least twice in recent years and will show the increases in property values across recent years.  Property owners selling their real estate in Costa Rica quickly do so for a variety of reasons, be it speculation, opportunity, or unforeseen circumstances in their lives propelling them to sell more quickly than the average real estate investor. And with the changes in the market, more people are coming out with big gains, giving motivation to others to consider selling now while the market is hot.

Comparative Market Analysis for Homes In Ojochal (2017-2022) 

Based on the seven unique properties in this report, the average value increase of homes in Ojochal and the surrounding area over the last five years is 15.5%. We do not know all of the renovations and additions that were done to these seven homes but based on our knowledge of local real estate and our observations of the following listings then and now, we have given our assessment of the investment the properties received between their sales prices in previous years compared to the past year. Minimal investment would include cosmetic items and would be less than 5% of the purchase price. Moderate investment might include some replacement and refurbishment up to 10% of the property's purchase value. And high investment (which this particular report does not show) would be entirely new additions to the structure or replacement of major items like the roof. It is important to note that of the majority of the properties in our market being resold, the ones that make the most gains are the properties that received some improvement. Land buyers who subdivide, make building plantels, and bring utilities onto the site or home buyers who add onto the home or renovate are the future property sellers who stand to make the biggest gains. On the other hand, just because the market is hotter in general doesn't mean that every property is what buyers are looking for today. Not every property in Ojochal is positioned for what the majority of the market wants. And with the exception of one property, each of these homes in Ojochal underwent at least some renovations to better position them for today's buyers. We do not have a crystal ball and we cannot claim to know with certainty what our Costa Ballena real estate market will do in the future. What we perceive, however, is demand increasing every day as buyers and fellow realtors in our region contact our office asking for properties for which there is no more inventory. Ocean view homes in Ojochal and other unique properties like the ones below are what the market is demanding. It is not our opinion about what the market wants – it is what buyers are willing to pay for these properties in Ojochal today.

Pura Vida Paradise Home

Location: Ojochal Size: 2 Bedroom home and studio cabin on 0.64 acres Sold 1: 2019 for $186,000 Sold 2: October 2021 for $309,000 Estimated investment: Moderate for paint, new furnishings, and pool refurbishment Price difference: $123,000 (increased value of 66% over 3 years or 22% average value increase per year) home-cabin-in-ojochal This small and simple home with studio cabin sold most recently in October of 2021, kicking off last year's high season of real estate, selling for $10,000 more than asking price within a month of listing. This unusually fast sale for higher than list price was a portent for things to come, telling us that the market was shifting and that older properties in need of renovation are suddenly a hot commodity. This property is old but so private, tranquil, and with beautiful mountain views. When this home first sold in 2019, it was listed for about three years and sold for basically replacement value of the construction. Those buyers spent time and money in updating the furnishings and painting in light colors. Their efforts brightened up this home and cabin, which didn't need any major work to make it comfortable and move-in ready, other than refurbishing and tiling the pool and strategically limbing some trees to expose more of the mountain view. It is now being used as a short-term rental home that earns a steady income in Ojochal's hot rental market.

Perfect Vacation Rental

Location: Ojochal Size: 3 Bedrooms on 0.25 acres Sold 1: March 2021 for $612,500 Sold 2: February 2022 for $754,000 Estimated investment: Minimal Price difference: $140,000 (increased value of 23.2% over 1 year) house-in-ojochal Casa Sea La Vie in Ojochal was sold in March of 2021 and without changing a thing, it was put back on the market in June of 2021 for $759,000. Despite the popularity of the size and design of the home, the market was not yet ready to stomach such a price spike at that time. However, the home did receive a successful offer by the end of 2021 and closed in February of 2022 for $754,000. Built in 2020, this brand new three bedroom home on a small lot was one of the most expensive properties to sell in Ojochal the first time around and sent shockwaves through our market about the growing potential of spec homes in Ojochal, where young, wealthy families are opting for turnkey modern homes to rent so they can earn an income while deciding on their next move.

Family Home And Guest House

Location: Ojochal Size: 4 Bedroom main house and 2 bedroom guest house on 0.6 acres Sold 1: 2019 for $600,000 Sold 2: December 2021 for $800,000 Estimated investment: Moderate for new pool tiling and small property upgrades like decorative stonework and landscaped garden paths Price difference: $200,000 (2 year increase of 33% or 16.5% average increase per year) homes-in-ojochal This four bedroom family home was in excellent condition when bought in 2019 and most of the interior was unchanged between sales. The pool was retiled and extensive stonework was added to the exterior of the property, including garden paths.  This style of home with an additional guest house is popular with the multi-generational families moving to Costa Rica and those looking for additional income, whether renting out the smaller or larger house and living in the other.

Easy Living Home In Ojochal

Location: Ojochal Size: 3 Bedrooms  Sold 1: March 2021 for $285,000 Sold 2: March 2022 for $340,000 Estimated Investment: Minimal Price difference: $35,000 (1 year value increase of 19.3%) home-in-ojochal This home sold for $285,000 in March of 2021 after 1 month on the market (at 96.6% of its list price of $295,000). It was then listed again in October of 2021 for $349,900 and received a contract in February and closed in March for 97% of the list value. Not much was changed in the three bedroom home other than about half the furniture changed out for a more modern style and a coat of paint was applied to the interior and exterior. The location on the paved road has made this a popular property for those who really want ease of access (a rare quality in Ojochal real estate) and who don’t mind being located close to their neighbors and many North Americans are used to this style of home.

Ocean View Contemporary Home

Location: Ojochal Size: 3 Bedrooms on 0.21 acres Sold 1: 2019 for $429,000 Sold 2: March 2022 for $580,000 Estimated investment: Minimal Price difference: $151,000 (3 year value increase of 35.2% or 11.7% average increase per year) contemporary-home This three bedroom contemporary bungalow with a mid-sized pool, funky decor, and absolutely incredible views sold at the start of 2019 for $429,000 after being listed on the market for around two years. Since then, it has continued to operate as a vacation rental, generating a solid income. This year’s sellers made very few changes to the rental before selling it again in March of this year. This property was a great long-term rental during the pandemic that has now led to a net sales profit, too.

Chontales Modern Bungalow

Location: Chontales Size: 3 Bedrooms on 0.54 acres Sold 1: 2017 for $525,000 Sold 2: June 2022 for $695,000 Estimated investment: Minimal Price difference: $170,000 (5 year value increase of 32.4% or 6.5% average per year) house-chontales This Chontales bungalow sold in 2017 after having spent almost a full year on the market. Listed again in June of 2021, this home sold one year later for full price as the area surrounding was seeing an increase in action. Very minimal changes/upgrades were made to this 3 bedroom contemporary home with an ocean view and the price increase is a result of comparable homes in Ojochal and Uvita being sold for much higher prices, pushing buyers with slightly lower budgets further south.

Luxury Home In Chontales

Location: Chontales Size: 3 Bedrooms on 0.46 acres Sold 1: December 2020 for $597,000 Sold 2: April 2022 for $715,000 Estimated investment: Minimal Potential price difference: $123,000 (increased value of 19.7% over 2 years or 9.8% average per year) luxury-home-chontales This modern home in Chontales closed was relisted in January 2022 with very few changes made to the property since it was purchased in 2020. It was listed this year for $769,000 originally and reduced to $715,000 in April due to a need to sell quickly. Despite being the most expensive property for sale in Chontales at the time, the sale closed in August as the comparable listings in Chontales sold earlier in the year. Interested to know our take on today's value of your home in Ojochal, Uvita, or Dominical? Whether you are buying or selling, our team of agents are here to offer expert advise on how to maximize your real estate investment in Costa Ballena. Contact us below for more info.