Atenas in Costa Rica is one of those special locations in where you can buy a home for sale, invest in land for your future retirement or buy commercial property for very reasonable prices. If you need to look around for a while first, we can also rent you a house until you are ready to buy Costa Rica real estate.
My family and I have lived in Atenas since 2003 and still love every day of it. I enjoy the quiet, laid back and outdoor life style Atenas has to offer. I love the connection with so many people from different parts of the world who all have such interesting backgrounds and whose company I enjoy. Having a glass of wine while sitting at my swimming pool or on our patio looking at the fabulous views of the surrounding mountains with the company of friends makes this an even better setting. I love the way the homes in Atenas are built, mostly ranch style, easy to clean and maintain. The covered terraces and decks are perfect for entertaining and enjoying this ideal climate and eternal spring when you are retired. I love not having to put snow tires on my truck to drive these beautiful hills.
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The locals are so warm and friendly making us feel welcome in our “adopted” country. Now, with the new highway open, I enjoy going to Escazu and doing some shopping once in a while or just go to the movies. It’s now only a 25 minute drive to get to San José and Escazu. In short, I love Atenas and living here. My husband Howard and I have bought Atenas real estate ourselves as we believe in the future of this beautiful community.

Let me tell you about real estate in Atenas, a beautiful area where properties are selling extremely well. You will always find a good variety of luxury homes in Atenas for sale and in gated communities making it easy to feel safe and secure. GoDutch Realty was one of the first real estate offices in Costa Rica who saw a future in Atenas real estate. If you are looking to build a home in Costa Rica or you want to move right in, Atenas is the foremost retirement community in Costa Rica. We are realtors who specialize in retirement communities in Costa Rica and can find you the best homes, lots and any other property in Atenas. Hundreds of baby boomers have moved to Atenas recently and many of you are looking for a secure investment or just a nice location in Costa Rica to retire. If you like to play golf in Atenas, you will be only 15 minutes away from the Los Reyes country club in La Guacima de Alajuela, 25 minutes from the Cariari Country Club and 25 minutes from the Valle del Sol public golf course. If you enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, bird-watching, golf or yoga, Atenas is the place for you.
Most gated communities in Atenas were built by foreign investors who saw the need for planning ahead and building homes for those who plan to move to Costa Rica. When those communities were started, building lots in Atenas were still very affordable and the zoning of Atenas real estate obliged them to a low density construction. Therefore, you will find most building lots in these communities are at least 1 ¾ acres of size, with enough flat area to build a one story ranch home, a swimming pool and maybe a guest house (also called a “casita” here) and incredible views of the lower parts of the Central Valley or even the ocean. This is what makes real estate in Atenas so attractive and amongst the most sought real estate in Costa Rica.
The homes in Atenas are built for easy maintenance.Most have incredible mountain views of Atenas and some even have ocean views of the Central Pacific coast. Most view homes in Atenas have beautiful hardwood kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, high hardwood ceilings and mostly tile floors throughout. All homes are built with very good ventilation and since the weather in Atenas is always comfortable, you can live with the sliding doors and windows open. You do not need A/C in Atenas as all homes have ceiling fans and very high ceilings. Most homes in Atenas have large covered porches or terraces toward the sweeping mountain views and many gardens have nice swimming pools so you can enjoy your retirement. The swimming pools in Atenas do not need heating as the weather and temperatures in Atenas are great.
If you are looking for an investment in Atenas, rental homes do really well here as there are plenty of future retirees who come here for 3 – 6 months to look to buy property in Atenas and many snowbirds who are not interested in buying real estate in Costa Rica but just want to rent during their stay.
Also, to invest in a building lot for future development, is a good idea as even during the world real estate crisis the building lots in Atenas keep going up, mainly because there are very few areas in Costa Rica that offer building lots in nice and secure gated communities.
If you plan to retire in Costa Rica or moving to Atenas in the near future, now is the time to invest in any of the building lots in Atenas we have to offer you, so you can build your own home to your own specifications. Atenas offers plenty of good professional architects, engineers and builders who will help you build your dream home and take advantage of the views and other advantages on the building lots in Atenas that we can offer you. Once you are moving to Atenas in the future, we will of course still be available to help you with all the due diligence.
Continuing from the International Airport Juan Santamaría westwards on the highway to the Central Pacific beach will take you to Atenas, Grecia and La Garita. Since the new highway San Jose – Caldera opened in 2009, the drive from San Jose to Atenas and from the airport to Atenas is only like 25 minutes, so access to shopping, the hospital and many other amenities has tremendously changed and opened Atenas up to more but controlled development as opposed to many other areas in Costa Rica. If you are a beach lover, you do not have to buy an expensive beach house. You can live in Atenas and just go to the beach every day as the drive is only 45 minutes to an hour.
Since the towns of Atenas, Grecia and La Garitaare so close to the airport and the city of Alajuela, these areas have developed very nicely into an easy going lifestyle, especially for those who are looking to travel from a cold climate to one of the best climates in the world. Atenas is a small town with all the services and the amenities you need if you’re looking to retire in Costa Rica. Over the past 6 years many expats, baby boomers and retirees have been moving to Atenas, Costa Rica.
Therefore you’ll find better quality homes in Atenasand incredibly beautiful views than most rural areas in Costa Rica have to offer. It’s mainly the close proximity to the beaches and the city. It also offers excellent year-round weather, plus the tranquil lifestyle that attracts most retirees and baby-boomers to Atenas. Atenas is one of the closest retirement communities in Costa Rica to the Central Pacific beaches. It is a great area for foreign residents who want to purchase real estate in Costa Rica. And now, with the new highway from San Jose to Caldera, it’s only a 25-minute drive to the wining and dining in Santa Ana and Escazu. The famous CIMA hospital is also only 30 minutes away.
Atenas, the life style you are looking forAtenas has a population of around 5,000 in the town and a total of 25,000 people if you include the surrounding suburbs. It is located on the Central Valley's western edge at 700 - 800 meters altitude. (Or 2,400 ft.) It is known for its exceptional climate throughout the world!
This town is the hub of a prosperous agricultural area. There is a weekly farmer's market filled with fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs - a true country experience!
Atenas is a quaint village which is clean, safe and surrounded by scenic mountains. It has many amenities for a smaller town such as a community health center, pharmacies, doctors, dentists, a tennis court, 2 fitness centers, swimming pools, parks, banks, shops, bed and breakfasts and restaurants. There are 3 private affordable bilingual schools. The cost of living in Atenas depends a lot on your own lifestyle.
The center of town has its white immaculate church and its picturesque park lined with palm trees. It is the perfect place for anyone who loves nature, an ideal climate and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Its location is ideal since it is only 20 km.(12 miles) from the International Airport, 35 km.(21 miles) from San Jose and 50 km.(30 miles) from the gorgeous Central Pacific beaches. Therefore, if you purchase a luxury home in Atenas, you have the best of both worlds, far away from the congestion of San Jose, yet close enough that you can enjoy malls, restaurants, nightclubs, movies in Alajuela or Escazú.
Atenas is open to foreigners and the social inequalities are very few. Already approximately 600 North Americans and Europeans have chosen to rent or purchase real estate in Atenas or and surrounding areas and moreover, many Ticos from San Jose have a country estate (quinta) in the surrounding hills of Atenas. Due to the growth, there are now several new gated communities in Atenas which will further enhance this beautiful retirement community in Costa Rica!

This map shows the location of Atenas, Costa Rica
I invite you to sit down with me at your convenience so we can talk about an investment in Atenas, as the prime location of Atenas, located between San Jose and the Pacific beaches, especially after the opening of the new highway, is one of the best places to put your money. An investment in Atenas is the future, since it is still more affordable than many other areas in Costa Rica, you can find homes on larger parcels of land with wonderful views, perfect for the retiree and/or family. As the Costa Ricans say, "Pura Vida" or the pure life is found here!
Some links and people we recommend for those interested at looking to purchase homes in Atenas or live in Atenas are:
CATUCA Atenas Chamber of Tourism
Spanish and Fun - Atenas
Activity Center and Dance Studio Atenas Su Espacio
Support the Turtles
Linea Vital, 24 hour Private Bi-Lingual Ambulance Service and Medical Clinic
Phones (506) 2 446 7440,(506) 8 381 9595
Bi-lingual Veterinarian Dr. Solano
Phones (506)2 446 6646, (506) 8 995 8585,
email: solanoolman@hotmail.com

If you have any questions about Atenas and surrounding areas, feel free to contact me.
Send Isabelle a message here
Telephone (506) 8838-4683
Skype Phone: 303 586 1992
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