Lake Arenal, Costa Rica — For Sale by Owner
1.75 Hectares on the Shore of Lake Arenal
Direct lake access, lake & volcano views, water and electricity on site, a fruit orchard and a forested hill with trails along the water. Titled and approved for your dream home.
$440,000
USD · Negotiable
17,509 m²
1.75 ha · 4.33 acres · Titled
Direct
Lake Access
13,331 m²
Outside lake protection zone
The Land
Your Own Piece of the Lake, Ready to Build
17,509 m² of titled land on the north shore of Lake Arenal, on a public road a few minutes from the town of Nuevo Arenal. Open pasture looks out over the water toward Arenal Volcano, a path leads straight down to your own lake access, and a forested hill with walking trails runs along the shoreline.
There are no buildings yet, and the essentials are in place: water and electricity on the property and internet available. 13,331 m² sit above the lake protection line, with municipal land-use approval for a home of your design; the lakeside green belt stays natural — your private buffer with trails down to the water. An established orchard and a banana plantation are already producing.
- Public road frontage
- Kayaking, paddleboard & guapote fishing
- Minutes from Nuevo Arenal services
- Sold directly by the owner
Highlights
Everything You Look for in Lake Arenal, in One Property
Lake & Volcano Views
Open pasture facing the water and Arenal Volcano — the natural spot for your house.
Direct Lake Access
Walk down your own path to the shore. Launch a kayak, fish for guapote or watch the sunset from the water's edge.
Fruit Orchard
An established section of fruit trees plus a banana plantation — food from your own land from day one.
Protected Lakeside Green Belt
4,172 m² along the shore lie inside the lake's protection zone: it stays natural forever, with a forested hill and walking trails down to the water — privacy, wildlife and shade where nothing can ever be built.
Utilities in Place
Water and electricity already on the property, and internet can be installed — no off-grid surprises.
Titled & Approved
Registered title and survey plan, plus municipal land-use approval for a home with up to 2,626 m² of building coverage.
Fact Sheet
The Numbers, Straight from the Documents
- Price
- $440,000 USD — negotiable
- Total area
- 17,509 m² (1.75 ha · 4.33 acres)
- Outside protection zone
- 13,331 m² (76%)
- Lake protection zone
- 4,172 m² (24%) — below 550 m elevation, stays natural
- Title
- Registered in the National Registry (Folio Real) with survey plan (plano catastrado)
- Land use
- Agricultural zone — conforming for one single-family home
- Building limits
- Up to 2,626 m² coverage · max. height 13.5 m
- Access
- Public road frontage (9 m wide road)
- Utilities
- Water and electricity on site · internet available
- Lake
- Direct access to Lake Arenal through the property
- On the land
- Fruit orchard, banana plantation, forest trails · no buildings
- Location
- Arenal district, Tilarán, Guanacaste · ~5 min to Nuevo Arenal
Gallery
Walk the Property
Tap any photo to enlarge.
Video Tour
See It Like You're There
Location
North Shore of Lake Arenal
Next to Nuevo Arenal — supermarkets, restaurants, bakery, bank and clinic minutes away — with the cooler, greener climate that has made Lake Arenal a favourite for North American and European residents.
Nuevo Arenal
Groceries, restaurants, bank
~5 min
Tilarán
Hospital & regional services
~35 min
La Fortuna
Hot springs, tours, Arenal National Park
~1 h 15
Liberia Airport (LIR)
Direct flights to US & Canada
~1 h 45
San José Airport (SJO)
International flights
~3 h 30
Drive times are approximate.
FAQ
Good Questions to Ask
Can foreigners buy land in Costa Rica?
Yes. Foreigners have the same property rights as Costa Rican citizens for titled land outside the maritime zone, and many buyers hold property personally or through a Costa Rican company. We recommend using your own independent lawyer/notary for the closing.
Is the property titled?
Yes. It is registered in the National Registry (Folio Real) with a registered survey plan (plano catastrado). A 2022 topographic study measured 13,331 m² outside the lake protection zone and 4,172 m² inside it. Documents are shared with serious buyers.
What can I build?
The Municipality of Tilarán issued a land-use certificate (agricultural zone, no regulatory plan) rated "conforming" for a residence: one single-family home plus agricultural structures, with up to 2,626 m² of building coverage and 13.5 m maximum height. Nothing can be built inside the lake protection zone (below 550 m elevation). Land-use certificates are valid for one year, so the buyer should request an updated one.
What utilities are available?
Water and electricity are already on the property. Internet service is available in the area and can be installed.
Is the price negotiable?
Yes. The price is negotiable and we welcome serious offers from qualified buyers. Contact us to talk about terms.
What are the closing costs and property taxes?
In Costa Rica closing costs usually total about 3–4% of the price: 1.5% transfer tax plus registry stamps and notary fees. How they are split between buyer and seller is part of the negotiation. Annual property tax is 0.25% of the registered value. Confirm the exact figures with your notary.
Can I visit the property?
Absolutely — we offer private tours any day of the week, and live video walk-throughs for buyers who are still abroad.
See It for Yourself
Photos only tell half the story. Message the owner directly to arrange a private tour — or a live video walk-through if you're still abroad.
Message the Owner on WhatsApp