Costa Rica Real Estate, from Coast to Coast, the Right Way!!!

Discover San Mateo – A Place to Call Home

You’ve arrived here because you’re interested in discovering San Mateo as a place to live. If you’re looking for a property in San Mateo, feel free to use the refine options on our search engine at the bottom of this page to explore what’s available.

If you’re not sure where San Mateo is located, you can find it easily on Google Maps.

Climate & Lifestyle

San Mateo offers a warm, rural, and very typical Costa Rican lifestyle. Situated at approximately 250 meters above sea level (around 820 feet), the area enjoys a comfortable climate year‑round. With fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, San Mateo maintains a peaceful small‑town atmosphere where friendliness and community still define everyday life.

Location & Accessibility

San Mateo is part of the Alajuela province, strategically located along Route 3 between Atenas and Orotina, with Route 131 connecting to Esparza. Travel times are ideal:

5 minutes to Orotina and Highway 27 (the main route from San José to the Pacific Coast)
30 minutes to Atenas and Esparza
50 minutes to the Juan Santamaría International Airport
About 60 minutes to San José

This makes San Mateo a perfect middle point—close enough for convenience, yet just far enough to avoid the noise and traffic.

Nature & Surroundings

Nestled at the foothills between the lowlands that stretch toward the Pacific shoreline and the mountains rising toward Atenas and San Ramón, San Mateo is naturally scenic. The region is known for agriculture and fruit farming, creating lush green landscapes and an authentic Costa Rican rural charm.

A Thriving Expat & Permaculture Scene

In recent years, San Mateo has become home to several intentional and internationally oriented communities, including The Original Ecovilla and Allegría Village. These communities bring new focus to permaculture, regenerative living, and family‑friendly international environments.

Because of this, the region has grown into a small but thriving hub for people seeking a more conscious lifestyle, strong community connections, and a peaceful natural setting.

The Town

With its welcoming population and traditional Costa Rican character, San Mateo truly lives up to its slogan:

“San Mateo – un cantón para vivir.”

In the center of town, you’ll find a classic village square, small shops, local eateries, churches, and essential services. It is an easy place to navigate and an even easier place to feel at home.

Amenities

While San Mateo is a rural canton, you will find everything you need for daily living:

Small supermarkets and local stores
Pharmacies and medical services (with larger clinics and hospitals just minutes away in Orotina or Esparza)
A variety of weekly organic markets
Access to alternative and international schools in the surrounding area
Numerous community groups, events, and expat meetups

Thanks to its location, any additional shopping or services are only a short drive away.

Our San Mateo agent

Florian Kuster is a San Mateo real estate specialist focused on Ecovilla, intentional communities, and lifestyle-driven properties in Costa Rica. With deep local experience in San Mateo and Orotina, he helps international buyers and families make informed, confident decisions about sustainable living, residential homes, and land investments.

Florian combines real-world insight with strong community knowledge to guide clients toward properties that truly feel like home. Find listings below: