Uvita is the heart of Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Zone — a fast-growing coastal community best known for the iconic whale tail beach at Marino Ballena National Park, stunning ocean views, and a laid-back lifestyle that draws North American buyers looking for something more authentic than the overdeveloped north. Whether you’re searching for a beachfront lot, an ocean-view home above the canopy, or an investment property in one of Costa Rica’s most consistently appreciating markets, Uvita real estate offers exceptional variety. Browse active listings below and scroll down for our complete buyer’s guide.
- $379,000
Walk or Bike to the Beach from this Brand New 3-Bedroom Beach House in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Bahía, Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $379,000
Stylish 3-Bedroom Designer Oasis Home Close to the Beach and River in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $390,000
Apartments with 8-Units Walking Distance to the Beach in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
Contact me
- Chris Schauer
- $397,000
Unique Income Producing Home with 3-Bedrooms plus 1-Bedroom Cabin & Pool in Walk-to-Beach Location in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $398,500
Brand New 3-Bedroom Home with Creek & Jungle Views in Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $399,000
Home with Upper Live-In Suite & Two Full Service Downstairs Rental Apartments in Walk to Beach Location in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $399,000
Stunning 3-Bedroom Home with Pool & Beach Access in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $399,000
Beautiful 3-Bedroom Home with Private Pool & BBQ Rancho in Uvita Costa Rica
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $400,000
Two 2-Bedroom Costa Rican Style Apartments in Bahia near Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $419,000
Beautiful 2-Bedroom Home with Ocean Views & Walk-to-Beach in Uvita Costa Rica
Puntarenas Province, Uvita, Bahía, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $430,000
Ocean View 1.7-Acre Building Lot with Income-Producing Cabin in Uvita Costa Rica
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $439,000
Stunning 3-Bedroom Villa with Pool & Mango Tree in Bahia Costa Rica
Bahia, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $447,900
Modern 3-Bedroom Home with Designer Pool & Fruit Trees in Uvita Costa Rica
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
- $450,000
Ocean View 1.4-Acre Building Lot with Legal Water in Uvita Costa Rica
Uvita, Puntarenas, Costa RicaContact me
- Chris Schauer
More Info About Uvita Real Estate:
The town of Uvita Costa Rica is a great mix of expats and Costa Ricans (Ticos) and is more of a commercial center for the Costa Ballena area of Costa Rica. Traditionally, Uvita has played host to the everyday services we need such as banks, gas stations, restaurants, bars & tourism activities.. The residential Uvita Real Estate market is robust includes a number of housing areas including Villas del Sol and Bahia where you can still find a walk-to-beach location of your dreams where you can go to the beach daily. There are also a number of options for pricing of Uvita Real Estate including Homes For Sale In Uvita Under $300,000, Homes For Sale In Uvita Under $400,000 and Homes For Sale In Uvita Under $500,000
About Uvita, Costa Rica
Uvita is a small coastal town in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica, located on Route 34 in the Costa Ballena region — roughly 20 kilometers south of Dominical and 15 kilometers north of Ojochal. The area sits where the mountains meet the Pacific, creating a landscape of jungle-covered ridgelines, river valleys, and pristine beaches that stretches from Playa Dominical in the north to Playa Tortuga in the south.
The centerpiece of the area is Marino Ballena National Park, home to the world-famous whale tail — a natural sandbar formation that extends into the ocean in the shape of a whale’s fluke. The park is also one of the premier humpback whale watching destinations in the Americas, with whales present from July through October and again from December through April. This natural landmark has put Uvita on the international map and driven steady demand for property in the surrounding area.
The town itself has grown significantly over the past decade, with a well-established commercial center along Route 34, international restaurants, supermarkets, medical clinics, real estate offices, and a vibrant expat community alongside the local Costa Rican population.
Uvita Real Estate Market 2026
The Uvita market in 2026 remains one of the most active in Costa Rica’s Southern Zone, driven by consistent demand from North American retirees, remote workers, and investors. Supply of quality ocean-view lots is tightening as the hillsides above town fill in, which supports continued price appreciation for well-located properties.
Here is a general guide to what your budget gets you in Uvita today:
- Under $200,000 — Modest homes, jungle lots, or properties requiring renovation; some land parcels further from the coast
- $200,000–$400,000 — Well-built 2–3 bedroom homes, partial ocean view lots, established neighborhoods with infrastructure
- $400,000–$700,000 — Quality 3–4 bedroom homes with ocean views, pools, and modern finishes; larger view lots for custom builds
- $700,000–$1,200,000 — Luxury homes, panoramic Pacific view estates, premium beachfront-adjacent properties
- $1,200,000+ — High-end ocean-view estates, large acreage properties, income-producing villa complexes
Types of Property for Sale in Uvita
Homes for Sale
Uvita’s residential market spans modest local homes, mid-range expat builds, and high-end luxury estates. The most sought-after properties are homes with unobstructed Pacific Ocean views, typically built on the hillsides above town with large open terraces, infinity pools, and tropical architecture that maximizes outdoor living. Turnkey properties in move-in condition are in high demand and tend to sell quickly.
Land for Sale
Building lots range from small residential parcels in established neighborhoods to large ridge-top acreage with 180-degree ocean panoramas. View lots above Uvita are a strong long-term investment — supply is finite and demand from custom-build buyers remains consistent. Riverfront and flat agricultural parcels are also available for buyers seeking a different lifestyle or farming potential.
Beachfront & Beach-Access Properties
True beachfront titled property is rare and tightly regulated in Costa Rica due to the Maritime Zone Law, which places a 200-meter public zone along all beaches. However, beach-access properties — homes and lots within walking distance of Playa Uvita, Playa Colonia, and Marino Ballena National Park — are available and highly sought after.
Investment & Rental Properties
Uvita’s growing profile as an ecotourism destination makes it an attractive market for vacation rental investors. Properties near the national park, with ocean views, or with casita configurations for multiple rental units perform strongly on short-term rental platforms. The area’s dual whale watching seasons extend high occupancy periods well beyond typical beach town patterns.
Uvita Neighborhoods & Surrounding Areas
- Uvita Centro — The main town area, close to services, restaurants, and the park entrance
- Playa Uvita — Beachside residential area with beach access to the whale tail
- Bahia — Quiet residential community just south of Uvita, favored by expats
- Lomas del Mar — Hillside development with ocean views above the town center
- Finca Tres Rios — Established residential area with jungle and river settings
- Las Olas — Gated community with ocean views and shared amenities
- Punta Uvita — Peninsula properties with multi-directional Pacific views
- Coronado / San Bosco Hills — Upper hillside areas with panoramic views and larger lots
Why Buy Property in Uvita?
- Marino Ballena National Park — world-class whale watching and the iconic whale tail beach at your doorstep
- One of Costa Rica’s fastest-appreciating markets — strong demand, tightening supply of view lots
- Growing infrastructure — supermarkets, restaurants, medical clinics, international schools nearby
- Direct flights — Quepos airport (30 min) and San Jose (3.5 hours by car) provide easy access
- Legal foreign ownership — same property rights as Costa Rican citizens, no restrictions
- Strong rental income potential — dual whale-watching seasons extend high occupancy year-round
- Proximity to Ojochal and Dominical — easy access to the full Costa Ballena lifestyle
Frequently Asked Questions About Uvita Real Estate
Can foreigners buy property in Uvita, Costa Rica?
Yes — Costa Rica allows foreigners to own titled property with the same legal rights as Costa Rican citizens. There are no restrictions on foreign ownership of titled land. Purchases are handled through a licensed Costa Rican notary attorney who registers the deed with the National Registry. The process typically takes 4–8 weeks from signed purchase agreement to title transfer.
What are property prices in Uvita, Costa Rica?
Uvita property prices range from under $150,000 for modest parcels or fixer-uppers to over $2,000,000 for luxury ocean-view estates. The most active price range for North American buyers is $300,000–$800,000. Ocean-view properties carry a significant premium — homes with panoramic Pacific views can be 30–50% more expensive than comparable properties without views.
Is Uvita a good real estate investment?
Uvita has shown consistent appreciation over the past decade, driven by growing international recognition, the Marino Ballena National Park’s draw, and limited supply of quality view lots. The dual whale watching seasons (July–October and December–April) support strong short-term rental income for well-located properties. Most experienced buyers in the area view Uvita as a strong long-term hold.
Who is a good real estate agent in Uvita, Costa Rica?
Costa Ballena Property is a local real estate agency specializing in Uvita, Ojochal, and the greater Costa Ballena area. Our team has deep knowledge of individual neighborhoods, current pricing, and the full due diligence process for foreign buyers. We work with a network of trusted Costa Rican attorneys and can guide you through every step from property search to title transfer.
What is the Maritime Zone Law and how does it affect beachfront property?
Costa Rica’s Maritime Zone Law establishes a 200-meter public zone along all ocean beaches. The first 50 meters from the high tide line is fully public and cannot be titled. The next 150 meters (the concession zone) can be leased from the government through a municipal concession — it cannot be privately owned. This means true titled beachfront property is rare. Most ‘beachfront’ properties in Uvita are beach-access homes on titled land a short distance from the shoreline.
What are property taxes in Uvita?
Costa Rica’s annual property tax is 0.25% of the registered property value — one of the lowest in the Americas. A luxury home tax (Impuesto Solidario) applies to properties with a construction value above approximately $280,000 USD, at rates from 0.25% to 0.55% of the declared value. There is no capital gains tax on primary residences for foreign owners.
How far is Uvita from San Jose?
Uvita is approximately 170 kilometers from San Jose — roughly a 3.5 to 4-hour drive via the Pan-American Highway (Route 2) and Route 34 along the Pacific coast. The Quepos domestic airport is approximately 90 kilometers north (about 1.5 hours), offering regular flights to San Jose’s domestic terminal. Many buyers fly into San Jose and rent a car for the scenic drive south.