When we look at our Osa Tropical Properties website analytics data, we can see the most popular searches for real estate in our South Pacific Region of Costa Rica. And when it comes to the most popular price range, it is increasing alongside the rising value of ocean view homes in our area (or other key desirable features like privacy, new construction, lots of nature, etc). Right now, the bottom range of this type of home is somewhere between $450,000 and $550,000, depending on how close the property is to amenities and services. This is not the case everywhere along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, where some destinations are far more popular and yet, depending on the person, not always as appealing. We at Osa Tropical Properties all chose to trade in the ample international stores and restaurants of places like Jaco and Tamarindo for more jungle, more freshwater, and natural beaches. In other areas, people prefer to have beautiful ocean views but with no privacy from neighbors, whereas in Uvita, you can get a beautiful mountain view acreage with good privacy. To help you with making your best choice, here is a small comparison of what you can buy for around $500,000 across Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast

Uvita (Costa Ballena, South Pacific)

Uvita is the center of the Costa Ballena in the South Pacific and the best known between Uvita, Dominical, and Ojochal. It has many stores and services but is not very touristy like other parts of Costa Rica. People who live here and want to do bigger shopping will either travel to San Isidro in the mountains (Costa Rica's second largest city) or drive two hours south to the border of Panama. Homes for sale in Uvita for around $500,000 are still plentiful, with most averaging around 3 bedrooms in size. There may not be many ocean view homes available at this price but there are many beautiful mountain and jungle view properties that are quite sizeable. Newly built modern homes at this price range tend to be located on smaller lots. But most of Uvita is well spaced out development with lots of jungle and rivers everywhere.

Casa Copa del Arbol, Uvita, Puntarenas

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57377,57376"] 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2.54 acres $489,000 Built in 2019, this new and modern home is private on a large-sized lot. With mountain and river views, this property is also located in an area close to amazing waterfalls.

Casa El Yurro Contemporary Dream Home, Uvita, Puntarenas

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57378,57379"] 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 0.2 acres $480,000 Built in 2021, this brand new contemporary home is minutes from the beach and local amenities but feels private on a dead-end road. Nice high-end features in this home that is great for rentals.

Modern Home For Sale In Uvita, Walking Distance To The Beach, Very Private With A Creek

[gallery columns="2" ids="57381,57380"] 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 0.21 acres $477,000 This newly constructed and luxuriously finished 2 bedroom home for sale in Uvita is located in an especially beautiful part of town that is quiet, peaceful, clean, and has stunning mountain views. This home has a pool, a private green backyard, and solar.

Manuel Antonio (Southern Zone)

Quepos and Manuel Antonio in the Southern Zone have a great number of services while still being a relatively remote and peaceful location when compared to more northern beach towns in Costa Rica. There is a marina here with a hospital and many services. Some parts are very touristy but not as much as other destinations. But the oceanview real estate is limited and many properties are crammed onto ridgelines right on top of their neighbors. Properties in this area between $450,000 and $550,000 are few and you will be hard-pressed to find any homes or condos for sale at that price in Quepos or Manuel Antonio. The closest you can find something in this price range is in the Hills of Portalon, which is about 20 minutes away and it will be colonial in style rather than modern.

Incredible 3 Bedroom Home Located in Finca Se Ve Bien

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57383,57382"] 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1.7 acres $475,000 (HOA fee not disclosed) A simple, colonial build with a stylish layout and large outdoor spaces. In a gated community that is an expat enclave, this property has no pool and views of the valley below.

Jaco (Central Pacific)

Jaco is a popular central Pacific town that is one of the closest major beach destinations for people living in the San Jose area. It has a marina and golf course plus lots of good shopping and restaurants. There is nightlife in Jaco and with it you may experience a small underbelly of crime. In this vibrant beach town in Central Pacific, the majority of residences that you can purchase between $450,000 and $550,000 are condos on small lots and of an older design. Newer residences (most of which are also condos) will sell for much higher rates.

Large Costa Rica Villa - Perfect Full Time Residence, Jaco, Puntarenas

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57384,57385"] 3 bedroom, 3.5 bathrooms, 0.29 acres $450,000 + $350/month HOA Home with a private pool, high-end finishes, and top-of-the-line appliances. This condo is in a gated community with 24-hour security and shared common areas.

Nosara (Nicoya Peninsula)

Nosara is a quiet beach town that is not overly developed. It is a two-hour drive from Liberia International Airport and it has a domestic airport as well. There is lots of nature and green landscape but it is hot and dry with less jungle cover and less water than in the South Pacific. There are a small number of schools and supermarkets catering to both expats and locals. Nosara has very few properties for sale between $450,000 and $550,000. Most of the properties in this range are large acreages with minimal views and condos on minuscule lots.

Two Bungalows With Proven Rental Returns

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57387,57386"] 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 0.09 Acres $489,000 Two separate bungalows on one small lot that have been used for rentals for years. There is a first-floor master ensuite and an open loft for a second bedroom in both bungalows.

Tamarindo (North Pacific Costa Rica)

Tamarindo is on the North Pacific side. This area is popular with American tourists and expats who enjoy high-end shopping and restaurants. This area is hot, humid, and very dry by the end of the dry season. The beaches are very touristy with shops and restaurants lining a paved boardwalk. At the mid-range budget of around $500,000, you will find mostly condos for sale with tiny lot sizes (0.09 acres is the biggest I could find). These properties tend to have lots of concrete in the outdoor spaces, likely because it is too dry to water plants for a large portion of the year.

Colibri House For Sale In Tamarindo, Guanacaste

[gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="57388,57389"] 2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 0.092 acres $475,000 and $226/month HOA Located in an exclusive, gated, beachfront community with 24-hour security. This two-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa is used for part-time living and part-time rentals. Nice finishes in the condo and good amenities like BBQ area and pool. If you want to know more about what makes our area of Costa Rica in the South Pacific different to other parts of the country that you may have seen? Contact our team of expert realtors who will help answer any questions you may have about if Uvita or other parts of Costa Ballena are right for you. Sign up to our newsletter below to get in contact with someone from our team today.