San Juan de Mata, Turrubares, Costa Rica Real Estate

San Juan de Mata, Turrubares, San José real estate is the market for a district in the canton of Turrubares, in San José province, Costa Rica. It is the third district of the canton, covers 86.2 km² (33.3 sq mi) and uses postal code 11603. The properties listed for sale here are houses, lots and land, and farms, so buying here mostly means choosing between a home, a piece of land to build on, or rural acreage. A purchase is a long-term decision, and it helps to understand the district before looking at individual listings.

The mix of listings points to a few buyer profiles. Some buyers want a house to live in, either full time or as a base while they get to know the country. Others look for a lot to build on, which gives control over design but requires more paperwork and planning.

Farms suit buyers who want working or recreational rural land. Buying a house to rent out later can also work, though it is a form of investing that depends on demand, which you should verify locally. Rental listings are not shown for this district.

Three types are listed for sale. Each needs a different look:

• Houses: check the structure, roof, plumbing and wiring, and whether the built area is registered and matches what is on the ground.
• Lots and land: check legal access, boundaries, slope, and whether water and electricity reach the property.
• Farms: check access in the rainy season, water sources, existing structures and what the land can legally be used for.

When there are enough listings, this page shows above how many of each type are for sale and typical prices.

The district sits inland and is not coastal, so rules for the maritime-terrestrial strip do not come into play. The canton seat, San Pablo, is 12.3 km (7.6 mi) away in a straight line. Downtown San José is 51.4 km (31.9 mi) in a straight line, and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) is 39.4 km (24.5 mi) in a straight line.

That puts it within reach of the Central Valley and its services while keeping a rural setting, in the transition toward the Pacific side of the country.

• A title search at the National Registry (Registro Nacional): who owns the property and whether it carries mortgages, liens or annotations.
• A registered survey plan (plano catastrado) that matches the title and the boundaries, size and access you see on the ground.
• A land-use certificate (uso de suelo) from the Municipalidad de Turrubares and, where one exists, the canton's zoning plan, which says what can be built and for what use.
• Written confirmation of water (AyA or the local ASADA) and electricity before buying a lot or farm to build; building permits come from the local authority.
• Protection areas around springs and rivers (Forestry Law 7575), and whether the land lies inside or next to a protected wildlife area.
• Property tax (Law 7509) and municipal services paid up to date.

San Juan de Mata borders San Pablo, San Pedro, San Luis and Carara, plus Orotina and Coyolar in the canton of Orotina, and Tárcoles and Lagunillas in the canton of Garabito. Knowing these neighbors helps you see which direction each road leads.

The official villages include Bajo Laguna, El Barro, Molenillo, Paso Agres, Surtubal and Tronco Negro. Real travel time depends on the hour and the condition of the road, especially in the rainy season, so drive the route you would use before deciding.

A purchase usually starts with a local agent who knows the area and can compare asking prices for similar properties. Agencies and agents with listings in the zone appear further down this same page. Visit more than once and ask for the full documentation early.

The transfer is done by public deed before a Costa Rican notary and pays the transfer tax (Law 6999); ask for the full closing-cost breakdown before signing. Foreigners can own titled property with the same rights as citizens (Article 19 of the Constitution), with the exceptions the law sets. Before investing, have a lawyer or notary review the title search and survey plan before you pay a deposit.