For a San Jose area family residence, this bright 4,010 sq ft three-bedroom residence with an 805 sq ft guest house in the Escazu district of Bello Horizonte is a perfect choice. Perched on a half-acre lot with marvelous views from the large roof-top terrace of the surrounding mountains and the lights of San Jose by night, this private and secure exclusive home, surrounded by lemon, mango, plantain, grapefruit and banana trees and enhanced by Bougainvillea and other flowering plants that attract many beautiful birds, including several types of hummingbirds, is located within minutes of the Forum and Forum II, home to the offices of the Fortune 500 companies in Costa Rica; the Valle del Sol golf course; Automercado and MasXMenos supermarkets; Multiplaza Shopping Mall; the renowned Le Monastere (French), Comedia Divina (Italian) and Los Anonos (steakhouse) restaurants; Camino Real Internacional and Courtyard Marriott hotels; the U.S. and Canadian ambassadors' residences; and Tobias Bolanos Pavas (domestic) and Juan Santamaria (international) airports and the unique Motor Psychos bar.

Features of this attractively priced home that has just undergone extensive renovations include a heated swimming pool; three full baths; 240 sq ft master bedroom on a private floor; 710 sq ft living room with fireplace and floor-to-ceiling glass; fully equipped modern kitchen; three-car garage; ADSL high speed internet and ADT alarm monitoring system, and separate maid's quarters. The fully furnished two-bedroom, one-bathroom guest house built in 2004 offers a modern kitchen with separate dining area, and living room with vaulted ceilings. A camera monitoring system, remote electric gate opener plus three intercoms, two phone lines and other features are included in the purchase price.

LOCATION: Bello Horizonte, Escazu, a high-demand upscale community 15 minutes southwest of downtown San Jose

PRICE: Priced to sell quickly at $439,000

For another exclusive residence in the immediate area, see Colonial Home in lovely Bello Horizonte