At Atenas’s southwestern edge, where mountains descend toward Route 27, Escobal offers something increasingly rare: authentic rural Costa Rica with modern highway access. Forested hillsides, clear rivers, and large properties where howler monkeys wake you at dawn and your nearest neighbor might be across the valley.
The district grew around the historic Escobal Railway Station, built in 1939 and now protected as part of Costa Rica’s Historical and Architectural Heritage.
What You'll Find in Escobal
Escobal is largely undeveloped, with small farms, individual homesites, and very limited residential communities. The standout is Río Selva Estates, a boutique gated community created in 2012 by longtime Atenas residents Sam and Roxie Vodden.
They built just ten estate lots with nine custom homes, each designed to blend into the forested setting. The homes feature natural materials, large windows framing river and forest views, and careful siting that preserved existing trees and topography. The community sold quickly. A testament to buyers who recognized the value of thoughtful, limited development in an area this beautiful.
Why Choose Escobal
Escobal offers something increasingly rare: genuine rural living with modern access. You’re just minutes from Route 27, surrounded by primary forest and agricultural land that likely won’t change.
Properties here tend to be larger, multiple acres where you can build the home you want, plant gardens, keep horses, or simply preserve the land. The elevation is lower than central Atenas with an elevation of around 1250 feet above sea level, which means warmer temperatures and lush, more tropical vegetation.
This isn’t a country club community. There are no streetlights, no homeowners’ associations, and your nearest neighbor might be across the valley. But if you’re seeking authentic Costa Rican countryside living with easy highway access and the freedom to create your own vision, Escobal delivers.
From Escobal, you're well-positioned:
- 10–15 minutes to downtown Atenas
- 25 minutes to Juan Santamaría International Airport
- 35–40 minutes to San José's hospitals, shopping, and dining, or Escazú's expat amenities
- 25–35 minutes to Pacific beaches at Jacó, Herradura, or Manuel Antonio
- 35–45 minutes to championship golf at Los Reyes, Cariari, and Valle del Sol
Contact Dennis J. Easters today to explore available properties in Escobal
Dennis Easters
Real Estate Broker
+506-8854-7721
Dennis@pldatenasrealty.com