Description

Just 20 minutes from downtown Atenas, this rare 56,658 m² (approx. 14 acre) property sits directly on the north bank of one of the region's most beloved natural landmarks — a spring-fed river canyon known for its crystal-clear swimming holes and cascading waterfalls. The land shares a direct boundary with the pools, giving future owners private, direct access to a swimming and waterfall system that draws visitors from across the Central Valley.

What sets this parcel apart from typical riverfront land is its history: tucked into the hillside along the river is the entrance to a section of the old Minas del Aguacate gold mine, one of Costa Rica's earliest and most storied mining operations, dating back to the 19th century. The mine tunnel, still visible and accessible from the property, adds a genuine sense of place and story that can't be replicated — perfect for an eco-lodge, boutique retreat, or heritage-tourism concept built around the site's own history.

The land itself is a mix of usable ridge-top clearings and steep, forested riverbank — trails already cut through secondary forest and bamboo groves lead down through the canopy to multiple pools and waterfall drops along the river. Several level building pads exist on the upper plateau, with wide valley and mountain views over the surrounding hills, while the lower section along the water offers shaded, private access to the swimming holes themselves.

Public water and electricity are already present on site, removing one of the biggest hurdles for developing rural Costa Rican land, and the property carries flexible residential and commercial zoning — opening the door to a private family retreat, a boutique hotel or eco-resort, a wellness/retreat center, or a members-only riverside club, all anchored by direct access to Atenas' most photographed natural swimming spot.

For a buyer looking for land with a genuine story, direct water access, and real development flexibility this close to Atenas, this combination — historic mine, waterfalls, river frontage, and utilities already in place — is extremely difficult to find.