Tour

b17-montavia-estate-costa-rica_55045166278_o Large open water tank or aquaculture pool surrounded by lush mature forest in Southern Costa Rica's mountains.

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Some people say this is not a pool because they can't see their own reflection in it. We were told by one neighbor that 50 years ago it was the only mountainside swimming pool in Southern Costa Rica. Whole families came great distances often on horseback to share song, dance, and food late into the evening at poolside. In fact, it is what you will make of it, certainly a tank that will retain enough rain water to nourish all of your growing needs through the dry season. We intended to use it for aquaculture. Someone suggested building a house above it and using the pool as a primary water source adequate for a family during dry season. Imagine that!

TOPOGRAPHY     Montavia Estate is an island in the sky on the side of a mountain overlooking the most sought after valley in the region. The elevation is around 1 kilometer above sea level, which is very important. At the property, we are 9 degrees from the equator and sea level is very hot. Think steaming jungle and dripping sweat. The most valuable land in Costa Rica is at the 1 kilometer elevation because the temperature is very comfortable.

The estate is shaped like a pizza slice with the point facing down. This approximate triangle is bordered by streams on 2 long sides, and a public road at the top, where ditches carry away storm runoff, so in a way, it is like an island.

Central America is very narrow at this point. A short distance to the east is the Caribbean coast which is part of the Atlantic ocean. A short distance to the west is Costa Rica’s magnificent Pacific Ocean coastline. In between, behind and above the estate is the Continental Divide with the highest land in Costa Rica now protected as a National Park.

STRUCTURES      You can think of the house as 2 sections of equal size. The north section is a traditional cement block structure containing 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. This is an older structure that was extremely well-built and has been carefully maintained. The south portion of the house is one large room with multiple uses including cooking and dining. The room has about 30 feet of floor-to-ceiling openable glass walls. The interior ceiling is faulted and made from local hardwood. Floors are all tile.

Placement of this house was obviously very carefully based on keen observation of sun and breeze patterns. The house could be an excellent ground level core for multistory expansion.

Outside the building are a large carport and covered patio with mostly new skylit coverings. There is a great deal of storage space inside and out. An adjacent water collection building in the orchard above the house provides a large back-up water supply. Of course, the house and outdoor spaces have excellent views.

Plant Nursery (Vivero)     A key feature is a large, professional grade, organic gardening facility. It has raised beds made with the highest quality organic soil and an automatic drip irrigation system. The roof area is about 1,000 square feet of greenhouse clear polycarbonate.

Workshop     Between the house and the plant nursery is a steel building that contains a workshop zone and a garage now occupied by a tractor. This is an inspiring space suitable for all forms of creativity. The light and breeze here offer the perfect environment for making things or even just meditating. Below the workshop is a large storage lot for building materials where big trucks can off-load and turn around. This is a rare and very valuable feature.

Pool     The old swimming pool can be refurbished or used with only minor attention to details for water storage or aquaculture. The surrounding flat area offers an excellent place to build.

INFRASTRUCTURE     This is a sloping site, which means 2 things: flat surfaces must be created and drainage requires special attention. Infrastructure includes those features as well as water and energy supply and sanitation.

Montavia Estate has an internal road system covered throughout with weed-blocking material. The roads make a loop connecting to the public road. In addition to the very driveable road network, there are many trails suitable for hiking or ATV.

There are two active electric supply meters. Both are newly installed to the highest standard. Total electrical capacity is about 400 amps at 110 volts. Circuit breakers and electric panels are new. Water comes from a mountain spring and is filtered and pressure regulated.  New, high pressure, commercial grade pipe connects all distribution points. The house has an excellent septic system.

SPECIAL FEATURES     It is important to mention that the property is covered mainly by a forest containing diverse local trees. It is essentially wild and that makes it a special haven for wildlife. Many properties in the region have been de-forested for development, but this one remains true to nature. The range of wildlife living there or migrating through creates a stunning biodiversity that rivals any of Costa Rica’s world renowned National parks. If you love birds, you will find them here.

There are many fruit trees. These wild fruits can be harvested, or left to feed nature. The rarest Costa Rican butterfly, the Morpho feeds on fallen fruit and has established a colony on this property.

Hiking trails sometimes lead to what can be thought of as meditation points. These include a bamboo grove, a pond, a mysterious Indian monument, and others that you will find and then keep secret.

tioli@fastmail.fm   (707)500-5007 (California) no text