Mel Gibson’s Jungle Paradise for Sale, Price Reduced to Just Under $30M

Mel Gibson was in Costa Rica, scouting locations for his his 2006 jungle film Apocalypto, when he came across Playa Barrigona, a 403-acre beachfront jungle located on the Nicoya Peninsula, and wound up buying the whole thing.

Playa Barrigona is renowned as one of Costa Rica’s most stunning and secluded beaches, boasting white sand, azure-blue water and lots of privacy.

The compound consists of three separate homes nestled on a hilltop, surrounded by thick jungle yet just a short walk to the beach. Gibson had previously listed the property for $35 million, but has now reduced the asking price to $29.75 million.

The gently terraced steps leading to Mel Gibson’s Costa Rican home, with swaying palm trees lining the path.

The three separate villas have a combined 12 bedrooms and 14 baths. The largest of these has been dubbed Casa Guanacaste, and features eight bedrooms and eight baths.

The entrance gate, discreetly covered with creeping vines and greenery, hides the luxury within.

Each of the compound’s three villas has multiple verandas, offering views of the lush jungle or the ocean.

Featuring extra-high vaulted ceilings and large, open rooms, the listing for the property gushes about the home’s “generous living spaces, stunning views and superb comfort.”

Another photo of the main villa’s living room, showcasing the vaulted wood ceilings.

In addition to the main villa, the compound also includes two other buildings, Casa Barrigona (which has its own poolside cottage) and Casa Dorada.

A dining nook located adjacent to the kitchen opens to an outdoor eating area, exemplifying how the home integrates inside areas with outdoor areas to create an open-air flow throughout. To the right is built-in wooden shelving, including plenty of space for storage of wine.

Accessed via the off-kitchen eating area, this outdoor veranda has been set up for al fresco dining beneath a canopy of lush jungle greenery.

With a large walk-in shower, this bathroom has been custom-fitted with native Costa Rican woods, along with terra cotta tiles.

Numerous patios and verandas integrate indoor and and outdoor areas, offering spectacular jungle vistas and ocean views.

A close-up view of the bathroom’s vanity indicates the attention to detail that can be found throughout the home, with tiles sourced from Spain and Italy.

The smaller of the three villas, ideal for use as a private guest house.

The home is loaded with plenty of traditional Costa Rican flair, such as the intricately carved wooden archway in this bedroom.

The open-concept living/dining area in the main villa, boasting spectacularly high ceilings, with a staircase leading to the second level.

At the rear of the main villa, the terraced patio overlooks the pool deck, an oasis of luxury in the midst of the Costa Rican jungle.