Custom home builder in Grecia
In Grecia, water comes from the municipality or one of many local ASADAs, so the first question for any lot is who will supply it.
Minimum construction budget $350,000 USD, before land
Building a custom home in Grecia today
Grecia spreads over ridges and valleys on the southwestern slope of Poás Volcano, between the Poás and Sarchí rivers, with the Río Grande to the south. The town sits at about 1,000 m, 20 km northwest of Alajuela.
Its landmark is the red Church of Our Lady of Mercy, built in the 19th century from steel plates made in Belgium. Many foreign residents live on the ridges above town, where we design homes around the slope, the view and the rainy season.
- Municipality
- Municipalidad de Grecia
- Districts
- Grecia, San Isidro, San José, San Roque, Tacares, Puente de Piedra, Bolívar
- Elevation
- Town about 999 m; canton mean 1,025 m
- Distance
- About 45 km to San José and 27 km to SJO airport
- Water
- Municipality of Grecia and local ASADAs
- Terrain
- Ridges and valleys on the southwestern slope of Poás Volcano
Getting to Grecia
Grecia is about 45 km from San José and 27 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), roughly 45 minutes by car to the airport. Alajuela is 20 km to the southeast.
As a Costa Rica home builder, we build here from our showroom in Altos de Flamingo, with our crews on site for the length of your project. You can visit any time by appointment.
Land and lots in Grecia
The land
Most expat homes in Grecia are up in the hills, on five ridges that run toward Poás Volcano. Town lots are lower and can be up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the ridges.
Grecia has its own cantonal plan regulador. We get the uso de suelo certificate from the Municipalidad de Grecia before design starts, so you know what the zone allows before you commit to a plan.
On ridge lots, the access road, the slope and the drainage shape the design as much as the view. We check them during land due diligence, along with any condominium rules.
Water in Grecia
Water in Grecia is run either by the Municipality of Grecia or by rural water associations (ASADAs). A University of Costa Rica study published in 2013 monitored 14 ASADAs and the municipal system, covering 25 springs and 20 storage tanks.
Availability depends on the system that serves the address, so two lots on neighboring ridges can get different answers. We confirm which supplier serves the lot and get its availability letter before you buy.
Permit checklist for Grecia
Not sure a lot will get a permit and a water letter? Our land consulting checks it before you buy, and the consulting fee (not surveys or soil studies) is credited to your build if you go ahead with us.
- Building permit from the Municipalidad de Grecia
- Uso de suelo certificate under Grecia’s plan regulador
- Water availability letter from the municipal system or the local ASADA
- Plans approved through the CFIA before the municipal permit
- Condominium or HOA design rules inside gated communities
- Slope and drainage design on ridge lots toward Poás
Why build in Grecia
A mild ridge climate
On the ridges above town, temperatures stay between about 60°F and 80°F year round, and most homes need no air conditioning or heating.
Under an hour to the airport
Grecia is about 27 km from Juan Santamaría International Airport, roughly 45 minutes by car, and 45 km from San José.
An active expat community
Grecia has a growing expat community with social events, community groups and hobby clubs, centered on the ridges above town.
We handle uso de suelo certificates and water letters for lots across the Central Valley, and our land consulting helps you choose the right ridge before you buy. Permits and water letters Land and construction consulting Custom homes in San José
Sources: Wikipedia: Grecia (canton); Wikipedia: Grecia, Costa Rica; International Living: 5 reasons I love living in Grecia; InterSedes (UCR): Monitoreo de la calidad del agua potable en Grecia (2013); TEC repository: Complejo urbano deportivo y cultural Grecia (cites Grecia’s plan regulador).
Google reviews
“We have had a great experience with Decentra. Their follow up skills are impeccable and they are a one stop shop for all phases of your build.”
“I engaged with Sean and the owner Sergio to obtain building costs for a residential project I was considering in the mountains of the Central Valley. I found them to be very welcoming, informative, accommodating…”
Questions about building in Grecia
Who supplies water for a new home in Grecia?
Either the Municipality of Grecia or a local ASADA, depending on the address. We confirm which system serves the lot and get its availability letter before you buy.
Where do foreigners build in Grecia?
Many expats live on the ridges that run up toward Poás Volcano, where temperatures stay between about 60°F and 80°F. Town lots are lower and warmer.
How much does it cost to build a custom home in Grecia?
It depends on the lot, the slope, the construction system and the finishes. Our minimum construction budget is $350,000, before land, and we price each home once we have seen the site and the design.
How long does a build take?
Our homes typically take 5 to 8 months on site. Design and permits come first, starting with the uso de suelo certificate and the water letter.
Tell us about your project
The fastest way to reach us is WhatsApp. Or send the form and we reply within one business day.
Minimum construction budget $350,000 USD, before land
Message us on WhatsApp- +506 8733-2930
- Phone
- +1 503-994-8017
- Showroom
- Altos de Flamingo, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica, by appointment
- Licensing
- CFIA certified under SIM SRL