Where is Jacarilla?
Jacarilla sits inland in the Vega Baja del Segura, in the south of Alicante province. Orihuela, the historic capital of the comarca, is very close by.
The municipality covers about 12.4 square kilometres on the right bank of the River Segura, and the town hall puts the Mediterranean coast around 15 minutes away. The village itself is small, with just over 2,000 people registered.
There are two parts to Jacarilla. The old village around the palace and church, and the separate settlement of Vistabella in the south of the municipality, beside the road linking Orihuela and Torrevieja. Most homes bought by international buyers are in or near Vistabella.
Neighbouring towns are easy to reach for shopping and services, including Bigastro, Rafal and Algorfa.
What is it like to live in Jacarilla?
Quiet, green and Spanish. Most of the municipality outside the village is given over to fruit and vegetable farming on the fertile Segura flood plain, so you are surrounded by orange and lemon groves rather than holiday blocks.
The centre of village life is the palace complex. Built between 1916 and 1922, it takes in a mansion house, a neo-Gothic church, large gardens, a pine wood, a school and a Guardia Civil barracks. The gardens hold statues, ponds, fountains and walking paths, are open to the public and include a children's play area.
Day to day, expect the basics rather than a shopping centre. Jacarilla has the amenities you would expect of a small town, including bars, cafés and a few small shops in the surrounding streets. For supermarkets, banks, the weekly markets of the bigger towns and the Vega Baja public hospital near Orihuela, you drive 10 to 20 minutes.
Village life follows the Spanish calendar. The main fiestas fall in September, with parades, open-air dances and the procession of the patron saint.
How much does property cost in Jacarilla?
At the time of writing (September 2026), our Jacarilla homes range from about €125,000 to €485,000. The typical asking price is around €175,000.
- Apartments are the bulk of the market here, typically around €170,000. Most are newly built.
- Bungalows and villas appear less often, and push the top of the range towards €400,000 and above.
- Typical size: around 83 m² built, commonly with three bedrooms, which is generous for the money compared with the coast.
About six in ten of our Jacarilla listings are new build, and roughly seven in ten come with a pool, usually a communal one. Newer schemes in the village tend to offer roof terraces with a pool, private patios on the ground floor and terraces with open countryside views above.
On costs: resale purchases in the Valencian Community carry 9% transfer tax (ITP), rising to 11% on the part above €1M from 1 June 2026. New build is 10% IVA plus 1.4% stamp duty (AJD).
Is Jacarilla good for golf?
Yes, and this is a large part of the appeal. Vistabella Golf is an 18-hole, par-72 course of more than 6,000 metres, designed by the Spanish professional Manuel Piñero. It was created out of a citrus grove and looks out over the countryside and the Orihuela mountains.
You can drive to the clubhouse in a couple of minutes from most of the village. Alongside the golf, the club also has lawn bowls and three padel courts.
Several other courses are within a short drive, including La Finca Golf at roughly 10 to 15 minutes, plus La Marquesa, Las Colinas, Villamartín, Campoamor and Las Ramblas nearer the coast. If golf is your reason for buying, homes around Vistabella Golf are worth seeing alongside the village itself.
How far is Jacarilla from the beach and the airport?
Jacarilla is inland, so the beach is a drive rather than a walk. The nearest sand at Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja is normally 20 to 30 minutes by car, and the beaches of Orihuela Costa take a similar time.
Both airports are easy. Alicante-Elche (ALC) is about 37 km in a straight line, which in practice is around 35 to 45 minutes by car. Región de Murcia (RMU, Corvera) is a similar distance and a similar drive.
A car is close to essential in Jacarilla. Bus links exist to nearby towns, but they are built around local life, not around visitors.
Who buys in Jacarilla, and is it a good place to rent out?
Buyers here are usually people who want space, quiet and real Spanish surroundings, with the coast kept for day trips. Jacarilla already has a modest British community of around 200 people, most of them in the countryside near the Pedrera reservoir where the Vistabella development was built in the early 2000s.
We also see Scandinavian, Belgian, Dutch, German and Polish buyers, plus Spanish families from Orihuela and the surrounding towns. Golfers and year-round residents are more common here than short-season holidaymakers.
For letting, be realistic. Jacarilla is not a beach rental market, so summer weekly rates will not match Cabo Roig or La Zenia. What it does well is long and winter lets: golfers, retirees and remote workers who want a low-cost, low-noise base with good road links. Always check the current tourist licence rules before you count on holiday income.
Come and see it
Jacarilla is a place that makes more sense in person than in photographs. Browse the homes listed above, or call in at our office in Cabo Roig and we will happily arrange a look around.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a car if I buy in Jacarilla?
In practice, yes. The village covers everyday basics like bars, small shops and the gardens on foot, but supermarkets, schools, the hospital and the beaches all involve a short drive.
Are homes in Jacarilla mostly apartments or houses?
Most of what comes to market here is apartments, many of them new build with communal pools and parking. Bungalows and villas do appear, but far less often, so they tend to sell quickly.
Is Jacarilla a Spanish village or an international area?
Both, in different parts. The old village is strongly Spanish in feel, while the Vistabella side has a longer-standing international community, including British residents.
Should I worry about flooding near the River Segura?
The Vega Baja is a river plain and parts of the comarca have flooded in the past, so it is a fair question to ask. Flood mapping is plot by plot, so send us a specific address and we will check it before you commit.
Can non-residents get a Spanish mortgage for a home here?
Yes, non-residents can usually borrow, though typically for a smaller share of the price than residents. Budget for purchase costs on top of the price, including transfer tax or IVA, notary, registry and legal fees.
What is there to do in Jacarilla besides golf?
Walking and cycling in the citrus countryside, the palace gardens and pine wood in the village centre, and the lake near Vistabella. Orihuela city and the coast add markets, restaurants and beaches within a short drive.