Costa Rica Expat Living

14/06/2026

🌄🌿 The only lot currently available in one of Pérez Zeledón's most sought-after mountain communities...

Opportunities like this don't come along very often.

Located in the exclusive Vistas de Chirripó community in the highlands of Santa Elena de Cajón, this beautiful 5+ acre homesite offers some of the most spectacular mountain and valley views you'll find anywhere in Costa Rica.

And right now, it's the only lot available in the entire development.

🌿 Over 5 acres of land
⛰️ Incredible mountain and valley views
💦 Year-round creek
⚡ Electricity at the building site
🚰 Water service in place
🌐 High-speed internet available
🏗️ Ready to build
📍 Vistas de Chirripó, Santa Elena de Cajón

The community is located adjacent to the well-known Rise Costa Rica project. However, unlike Rise, where residents typically obtain long-term leasehold rights, properties in Vistas de Chirripó are individually titled and owned outright.

For many buyers, that distinction is significant and should not be overlooked.

The setting itself is simply breathtaking.

Imagine building your dream home in Costa Rica's cool mountain highlands with expansive views stretching across the valleys and mountains of the Southern Zone.

Whether you're planning:

🏡 A retirement home
🏡 A luxury mountain retreat
🏡 A long-term investment
🏡 Or your future Costa Rica dream home
..this property provides an exceptional foundation.

💰 Offered at $285,000 USD

With utilities already in place, high-speed internet available, a year-round creek, and fully titled ownership in one of the area's most exclusive mountain communities, opportunities like this are rare.

📲 Message me on WhatsApp for details or to schedule a tour.

👇 Full listing link in the comments

14/06/2026

📖 New Costa Rica Reflection

Why do I walk?

What started as a way to stay in shape has become something much more important—a time for thinking, gratitude, and connection.

After 25 years in Costa Rica, I've found that some of my best ideas arrive while walking the mountain roads of Quebradas with my dog, Akira.

Read the full reflection here:

https://scottbowerscr.substack.com/p/why-i-walk

14/06/2026

💰 What Does It Really Cost to Live in Costa Rica in 2026?

I recently read an article discussing the real cost of living for expats in Costa Rica. It was a good overview, but it left out one area that I think deserves much more attention: Pérez Zeledón.

https://ticotimes.net/2026/06/12/what-it-really-costs-to-live-in-costa-rica-as-an-expat-in-2026

Most retirement and relocation articles focus on places like Grecia, Atenas, Sarchí, and San Ramón. And for good reason. They offer a lower cost of living than many coastal areas while still providing good services, healthcare, and infrastructure.

But Pérez Zeledón offers many of those same advantages:

✅ Lower housing costs than the beach
✅ Full-service regional city
✅ Private healthcare options
✅ Cooler mountain climate
✅ Strong local culture and community

And then there's one major difference...

You can be on some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches in less than an hour.

Many residents here enjoy cool mountain mornings and ocean sunsets on the same day.

That's why I've often said that Pérez Zeledón may be one of Costa Rica's most underrated regions for expats seeking both value and lifestyle.

One thing I do agree with from the article: don't move to Costa Rica because you think it's cheap.

Move here because you want the lifestyle.

The people who thrive here are usually the ones who value the quality of life, not just the cost of living.

What has your experience been? Has Costa Rica been more affordable, less affordable, or about what you expected?

👇 I'd love to hear your thoughts.

13/06/2026

🏡 It's Not Just Where You Live... It's How You Live 🌴

This morning started in the cool mountains of Pérez Zeledón. 🏔️

A few hours later, I was walking Playa Chamán in Uvita. 🌊

One of the things I love most about Costa Rica's Southern Zone is that you can enjoy both mountain and beach lifestyles without having to choose one or the other.

For me, that's one of the greatest luxuries Costa Rica has to offer—not a particular house, but a way of life.

Because sometimes the most important question isn't:

🏡 "Where do I want to live?"

It's:

✨ "How do I want to live?"

Pura Vida! 🇨🇷

13/06/2026

🏡 You Can Remodel a House. You Can't Remodel a Lifestyle.

One of the most common mistakes I see Costa Rica buyers make is focusing on the house they want instead of the life they want.

Many tell me they're looking for a slower pace, a cooler climate, more connection with local culture, nature, and community.

Then we start looking at properties... and suddenly the conversation becomes all about architecture, finishes, and features.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a beautiful home. But remember:

✅ You can remodel a house.
❌ You can't remodel the climate.
❌ You can't remodel the community.
❌ You can't remodel the lifestyle that comes with a location.

Before falling in love with a property, ask yourself:

"Does this home support the life I came to Costa Rica to create?"

💭 Food for thought. Full article link below...

🔗 https://www.costaricaexpatproperties.com/news/costa-rica-real-estate-are-you-buying-a-house-or-the-life-you-actually-want

12/06/2026

🌿💦 A river runs through the middle of this 12-acre mountain homestead...

Located in the beautiful highland community of Zapotal de San Pedro, this unique property may be one of the most complete sustainable living opportunities currently available in Pérez Zeledón.

The centerpiece is a river flowing directly through the farm, complemented by multiple creeks that provide abundant year-round water and even create the potential for micro hydro-electric generation.

🏡 Elegant rustic 2BR / 2BA main home
🌄 Large deck with spectacular mountain views
🏠 Two additional studio casitas
🌿 12 acres of productive land
💦 River running through the center of the property
🏞️ Multiple creeks throughout
⚡ Excellent hydro-power potential
🍍 Extensive fruit trees and coffee production
🐐 Ideal for horses, sheep, goats, cattle, and other livestock
🐓 Poultry houses and farm infrastructure already in place
♻️ Composting and sustainable farming systems established
🏗️ Plenty of room for expansion and additional construction

What I love most about this property is that it's already set up for the lifestyle so many people dream about.

Fresh water.
Productive land.
Income potential.
Mountain views.
Multiple dwellings.
Room to grow.

And unlike many remote farms, access is easy:

👉 Only about 1 kilometer from the paved road
👉 Year-round access
👉 Cool mountain climate
👉 Peaceful rural community

Whether your vision is a self-sufficient homestead, regenerative farm, family compound, eco-project, retreat property, or simply a healthier and more intentional way of living, this property provides an incredible foundation.

💰 Offered at $575,000 USD

📲 Message me on WhatsApp for details or a private showing.

11/06/2026

✈️ Did you know Pérez Zeledón has its own airport?

Many people are surprised to learn that just a few minutes southwest of downtown San Isidro de El General sits the Pérez Zeledón Airport (Aeródromo Pérez Zeledón), shown in this aerial photo. The airport’s runway is approximately 800 meters long and has served the region for many years, although today it is primarily used for charter and private flights rather than regular commercial service.

Before COVID, there was considerable discussion about expanding air service to the Southern Zone, and over the years various proposals have been floated ranging from increased domestic service to more ambitious plans for international operations. While those conversations have yet to translate into regular commercial flights, the airport remains an important piece of infrastructure for the region.

For now, most visitors still arrive via the approximately 4-hour drive from San José. However, many local residents, business owners, and real estate professionals continue to hope that future investment will eventually bring scheduled commercial flights back to Pérez Zeledón, potentially making the area even more accessible from other parts of Costa Rica. ✈️

Whether that happens next year or further down the road, the runway is here, the location is excellent, and the long-term potential remains significant.

Have you ever flown into Pérez Zeledón, or would you use a commercial flight if service returned? 👇

Pista de aterrizaje, Aeródromo Peréz Zeledón, en Barrio Aeropuerto, San Isidro de El General.

Foto Jose Luis Fernández.

11/06/2026

🌄💦 Your own 10-meter waterfall, dramatic mountain views, and a beautifully remodeled home for under $500K...

Located about 20 minutes south of downtown San Isidro, this stunning property combines modern comfort with some of the most spectacular natural features you'll find in the Southern Zone.

Recently remodeled with high-end finishes and appointments throughout, the home enjoys breathtaking views of the Talamanca Mountains while offering the kind of privacy and natural beauty that draws people to Costa Rica in the first place.

🏡 3 Bedrooms / 3 Bathrooms
✨ Recently remodeled with upscale finishes
⛰️ Dramatic Talamanca Mountain views
💦 Year-round creek
🌿 Private 10-meter waterfall on the property
🏗️ 1.73 Acres with additional space for future construction
📍 Pérez Zeledón, Costa Rica

The setting is exceptional.

Imagine enjoying your morning coffee overlooking the mountains, then taking a short walk to your own waterfall and creek surrounded by lush tropical vegetation.

And despite the peaceful mountain atmosphere:

👉 Approximately 20 minutes to downtown San Isidro
👉 Just over an hour to the beaches of Dominical and Costa Ballena
👉 Convenient access to shopping, healthcare, restaurants, and services

This is the kind of property that appeals to buyers looking for more than just a house — it's a complete mountain lifestyle with room to grow and natural features that simply can't be replicated.

💰 Offered at just $459,000 USD

Considering the recent remodel, mountain views, year-round water, private waterfall, and expansion potential, this property offers exceptional value in today's market.

📲 Message me on WhatsApp for details or to schedule a private showing.

👇 Full listing link in the comments

10/06/2026

🌿💦 One of the most unique luxury properties in Pérez Zeledón…

Nestled along the beautiful Quebradas River just minutes from downtown San Isidro, this extraordinary estate combines exotic architecture, incredible craftsmanship, tropical gardens, and resort-style amenities into one unforgettable property.

From the moment you enter, it's clear this is not a typical home.

🏡 2 luxurious master suites with spa-style bathrooms
🛏️ 2 additional guest bedrooms
🏠 Separate studio apartment
💪 Private gym
🔧 Large workshop / storage area
🌿 Nearly 1.5 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds
🍍 Exotic fruit trees and flowering hardwoods throughout
💦 Quebradas River frontage
♨️ Oversized whirlpool bath overlooking the river
🏊 Large swimming pool with entertaining area and bar
📍 Quebradas, Pérez Zeledón

The home's unique layout showcases an incredible collection of exotic hardwoods, stonework, and custom features that create a warm, tropical elegance rarely found anywhere in the Southern Zone.

And the location is just as impressive:

👉 Approximately 5 minutes to downtown San Isidro
👉 Less than an hour to the beaches of Costa Ballena
👉 Elevation of roughly 900 meters with one of the area's most comfortable climates

This is the kind of property that works equally well as a luxury residence, family compound, entertainer's dream home, or private tropical retreat.

💰 Offered at $795,000

📲 Message me on WhatsApp for details or a private showing.

👇 Full listing link in the comments

10/06/2026

🌎🤔 Expat or immigrant? The distinction tends to be a controversial one… but should it really be?