Ocean view homes for sale in Costa Rica start at about $223,000 for a furnished 3-bed in Playa Hermosa de Uvita, with view lots from about $150,000 in Ojochal and luxury estates above $9 million in Manuel Antonio, based on current Costa Rica Playbook listings. About 340 ocean-view listings are live at the time of writing. A view is the most expensive feature you can buy here, so this page covers what drives the price and what to check before you pay for it.
Who buys ocean-view property
View buyers are usually after one of three things: a full-time home that feels like a retreat, a vacation rental that photographs well, or a luxury estate. In the South Pacific, views come from the hills, where the mountains drop close to the coast. Beachfront homes are a separate, smaller market because of the maritime zone rules.
Ocean views by area and price
Ojochal: the lowest entry point. 1.74 Acre Ocean View Lot, US$150,000. Ocean View Building Lot, 1/3 acre with sunset views, US$159,000. Luxury Ocean View Villa in Ojochal, 3 bed / 4 bath, US$2,500,000.
Uvita: Whale's Tail views are the premium. Furnished Ocean View Home in Playa Hermosa, 3 bed / 2 bath, US$223,000. Whale's Tail View Home in Uvita, 3 bed plus casita, US$1,195,000. 10-Acre Luxury Estate in Uvita with Whale's Tail views, US$7,000,000.
Dominical and Escaleras: the steepest ridges and some of the biggest views. Ocean View Land in Escaleras, build-ready with legal water, US$299,000. Ocean View Home and Guest House in Dominical, 3 bed / 3.5 bath, US$1,100,000. Luxury Ocean View Villa in Escaleras, 6 bed, US$6,500,000.
Portalón: rural ridges north of Dominical. 5.65 Acre Lot in Portasol, ocean views and gated community, US$175,000. Estate in Portalón, 3 bed, US$1,395,000.
Manuel Antonio: the top of the market. Luxury Ocean View Condo, 3 bed / 3 bath, US$779,000. Luxury Ocean View Estate in Manuel Antonio, 10 bed / 12 bath, US$5,500,002.
What changes the price of a view
Panoramic or filtered. A view through trees is not the same as a 180-degree horizon. Ask to see it on video from the main living area, not from the edge of the lot.
Can it be blocked? Trees grow fast here, and a neighbor can build below you. Look at who owns the land downhill.
Elevation and power bills. Higher up is cooler. A home at 1,800 feet often skips AC that a coastal home at 200 feet runs most nights.
The road. Most view homes sit up gravel roads. Some need a true 4x4 in the rainy season.
Distance to town. Twenty minutes of switchbacks adds up when you do it every day.
Beach homes and the maritime zone
If you want to be on the sand, know the rules. The first 50 meters from high tide are public. The next 150 meters are concession land, leased from the municipality rather than owned, and foreign ownership of a concession is restricted. Titled homes a short walk from the beach are often a better buy than a concession on it. Always ask: "Is this titled or concession?"
Luxury homes: the solidarity tax
Costa Rica has a luxury home tax (impuesto solidario). For 2026 it applies when construction value exceeds ₡143,000,000, roughly US$316,000. Once you cross that line, land value is added to the taxable base. Rates run from 0.25% to 0.55%, filed on Form D-174 by 15 January each year. The threshold is reset every December, so check the current figure. This is on top of the 0.25% municipal property tax.
What you get from Mark
A shortlist of view properties that fit your budget and your tolerance for steep roads.
Live walkthroughs from inside the home, plus the drive up.
A buyer-side read on whether the view can be blocked and whether the price reflects it.
Referrals to lawyers and inspectors for title, water and structure checks.
How it works
Tell Mark your budget, preferred area and how much road you can live with.
Review a shortlist and tour by video or in person.
Make an offer and sign an agreement drafted by your own lawyer.
Run due diligence on title, water, access and maritime zone status.
Close before a notary, in person or remotely.
Why buyers work with Mark Savoia
Mark Savoia lives at elevation in the Southern Zone, has ten years of experience, and has helped thousands of people buy property in Costa Rica. From Google reviews:
"Mark has helped me out so much, buying a property in uvita, costa rica." (Google review)
"His expertise of the different areas of Costa Rica is unmatched." (Google review)
Frequently asked questions
How much is an ocean view home in Costa Rica?
On Costa Rica Playbook at the time of writing, ocean-view homes start around US$223,000 and view lots around US$150,000. Luxury estates run past US$9 million.
Can foreigners buy beachfront property?
Foreigners can buy titled property. Land within 200 meters of high tide is the maritime zone: the first 50 meters are public and the next 150 are concession land with limits on foreign ownership.
Where are the cheapest ocean views?
At the time of writing, Ojochal has the lowest-priced ocean-view lots on Costa Rica Playbook, starting around US$150,000.
Do ocean view homes need a 4x4?
Often, yes. Most views come from hillside lots on gravel roads, and some need a true 4x4 during the rainy season.
What is the luxury home tax?
An annual solidarity tax on homes whose construction value is above a threshold set each year, about US$316,000 for 2026. Rates run 0.25% to 0.55%.
Can I see the view before I fly down?
Yes. Mark's team can film and live-stream the property so you can judge the view, the road and the home remotely.
Related
Want to see the views that fit your budget? Talk to Mark about ocean view homes.
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