Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties

When Baby Boomers come to Costa Rica seeking locations to retire or invest, the main choices are Escazu, Cariari and Santa Ana for good reason as they include, location, quality, services and that English is spoken widely.

With the growth in the central valley and the fact that the new highway to the coast has begun the surfacing portion, it has opened up a number of serious options for residing that are between 15 and 25 minutes to the Capital.

Puriscal is directly in the path of growth and development and is finding it’s way into the choices of marketing people not just for it’s beautiful scenery and mountains but it’s relative ease to travel to many destinations quickly. When the road portion is completed in one year and a half, a trip from Puriscal to San Jose will be approximately 40 minutes to the coast about 35 minutes and many other areas of interest in just minutes as well.

One of the new communities in the area is a very well laid out project with only 28 home sites of a minimum of 1.2 acres and gorgeous views all over. The great part is the lots are between $79,000 and $120,000. 

There is a fine development well underway in anticipation of this growth and is offering large home sites of 1 acre at $79,000 with outstanding mountain and valley views. This is soon to be 20 minutes from the Capital and everything.

If you want the inside on this one, drop me a note HERE  and I will get back to you quickly  and answer all your questions. You can also call me at 1 888 581 1786.

As we speak, the whole area is preparing to capitalize on this growth that is destined to occur. One of our leading newspapers did a full story on Puriscal and the growth pattern. The following is a synopsis of the article.

La República
Costa Rica’s financial newspaper
Puriscal Awakens in the Face of Tourism

Due to the area’s abundance of natural beauty a huge effort is being made to create interest in the Puriscal area. Small businessmen want to increase tourism to this region southwest of San Jose. The Puriscal Chamber of Tourism and The Costa Rican Institute of Tourism are the main agencies involved in the promotion of the area. “The region is just beginning to grow in the field of tourism, however we want people to discover its real potential”, explained Ricardo Gutiérrez president of the Puriscal Chamber of Commerce. It was also pointed out the need for more lodging in the area as it popularity grows.Currently tours offered in the area are the Indian Reserve of Zapatón, Santiago de Puriscal, Turrubares, Mora and Acosta. There are also tours offered to La Cangreja national park.

It must be pointed out that this area is also becoming extremely popular with foreigners as a place to live because of the spectacular scenery, views and so much more.

We are very high on this beautiful part of Costa Rica as well and have begun to include it in our very popular Property Scouting Tours and recommendations as a location of choice for both investment and retirement.

Here are some exciting infrastructural changes occurring here in the Southern Zone that make it the perfect place to invest right now and will drive growth for years to come:

• Still some of the most affordable real estate in the country, with beautiful ocean views, where the mountains come to the edge of the sea.
• The highway from Dominical to the south (to the Panamanian border) is the best in Cost Rica; equal to those in the US.
• One of the highest English-speaking populations in Costa Rica.
• A new International Airport, located just 1 hour South of Dominical, is nearing construction; in addition to the already-existing regional airport in Palmar Sur.
• A large (86,000 sq. ft.) hospital is being constructed just south of Ojochal (near km 194 on the Costanera Sur) and is due to be completed in 2008.
• A newly-paved road connecting Quepos and Dominical, which, when completed, will reduce the journey from 2-2.5 hours to 45 minutes. This road will eventually become the Pan-American Highway.
• There is a proposal to improve the road between Dominical and San Isidro (30 kms from Dominical).
• A brand new road that will eventually connect the Central Valley ( San José area) with the Central Pacific (Jaco/Parrita/Quepos). This will reduce the trip by 1 hour.
• The largest marina in Central America is planned for Quepos called Marina Pez Vela, includes 250-300 slips, restaurants, hotels and shops (expected completion in 2008).
• A Cruise Ship port and marina in Golfito (to the south of Uvita and the Osa Peninsula ) will soon be under construction.

The Southern Zone is the next logical growth area - not just due the above mentioned points, but the massive land areas. It is green all year ’round and contains three percent of the world’s land mass and 6% of the world’s biodiversity.

The proximity to San José (3-4hrs), Panama (1.5 hrs), Golfito (1 hr), Quepos (1.5 to 2 hrs on a bumpy road) and San Isidro (the fastest growing city in Central America) is 45 minutes away. Quepos/Manuel Antonio, which is also nearby, is the biggest tourist destination in Costa Rica.

When I first moved to Costa Rica in 1996, the Costanera Sur was just one grade above a cow trail. In 1999, I bought a home in Playa Tortuga, but worked in Dominical. While the road had improved some and was partially paved, the 20 mile drive took over 1.5 hours and involved crossing rivers and fording some potholes that small children were using as swimming pools. Now, we can proudly call this stretch one of the best roads in Costa Rica, as good as most roads in North America.

Other changes have occurred, too. The town of Uvita where our office is located had only 4 buildings along the Coastal Hwy. , the service station, a hardware store, and 2 restaurants, Viajeros and Naranjito. Now, just to name a few of the new businesses, we have a butcher shop, gift store, veterinarian, labratory, dentist, construction office, legal firm, auto parts supply, pharmacy, furniture designer, internet cafe, beauty salon, mechanic, tire store, hotels, paint and home supply, Mexican tile supplier, supermarket, 3 banks, 2 convenient stores, 4 wheeler rental and many more. That is just along the main highway. Many more additions lie along the side streets.

As far as restaurants go, the Viajeros is being replaced with one of the new office parks, but has been relocated next door to the police station. We now call it Viajeros South or Andy Burger after the great burgers that it’s owner Tug Boat Andy prepares. There is a wonderful Thai/Malaysian/Indonesian place called Marakuya. Maria’s is comida tipico, but has a huge chef salad. The Marina Ballena is the bar meeting place with a conference center. Brent’s is a fast-food healthy drive through. Kem-Vari has quesodia’s packed with chicken or shrimp. There is also a brand new Argentinian cafe and a roasted chicken eatery. Naranjito\s is still there, but has a larger menu. Again, this is on the main road, not including all of the tasty places on the side streets.

There are plans for many more businesses to come, and 4 office parks and a sports complex with an indoor soccer court are under construction. If you have not been here lately, come and see for yourself.  Write me, Annie Drake  and I will be happy to answer and questions you may have.

In my personal notes, I moved here in 1996 and lived in San Jose. My job required me to travel Costa Rica extensively. During that 3 yr period, I continually looked for the perfect coastal community. Finally, I decided on Ojochal of Playa Tortuga. The greenery was overwhelming. Here, animals were everywhere and the seaside meeting the mts was incredible. I bought a home after searching for months. At the time the Coastal Hwy or the Costanera Sur was not completed. It took me 1.5 hrs to drive from my village 20 miles north to Dominical where I had opened and office. Now, 9 yrs later the whole area has opened up. The drive takes me ½ hr. Many towns, hotels, office centers and restaurants have opened all along the way. My town of approx 900 people has grown to an estimated 4000. The property I bought has tripled in value.

There are 3 larger villages in this area. Dominical, a great surfing destination with many hotels, restaurants and people. Uvita, a larger more typical village at the start of the National Whale Park that has 3 luxury hotels in the area. Ojochal, a mixture of Ticos, Europeans and North Americans, with 16 smaller hotels and 19 restaurants, 12 or more of them gourmet. The beaches are not crowded and each one has a different feature. Playa Tortuga has the nesting turtles. Ventanas has seacaves accessable by land. Bahia Uvita hosts a large sandbar in the perfect shape of a whale´s tale. That´s ironic since it is the start of Costa Rica´s largest underwater reserve, Ballena Natl Park or Whale national park where humpback and sperm whales can be seen migrating.

There are many reasons why this area is the best for investmenting

-The new International Airport under construction is located 28 miles to the south.

-Still some of the most affordable real estate in the country

-One of the highest English speaking Costa Rican populations

-Proximity to San Jose (3 to 4 hrs), Panama (1.5hrs), Golfito (1hr), Quepos (2 hrs on bad rds) and San Isidro (45 min) Quepos/Manu Antonio is the biggest tourist destination in _-CR. And San Isidro is the fastest growing city in Central America.

-Proposed new road to San Isidro

-Improvement of the road to Quepos that would open a new Pan American Hwy rt.

-The Cruise Ship port and marina in Golfito soon to start construction.

-A New hospital under construction in Cuidad Cortez that will be larger and more modernized that the existing one.

-The coastal road that runs from Dominical to Panama is currently the best road in the country, equal to those in the US.

-Also closeby are C Amer largest botanical gardens and Corcorvado Natl Park, which Natl Geographic calls the most biologically intense place on earth, La Amistad Park that is one of the largest stands of primary rainforest left, producing some of the freshest air on the planet. The air seems to heal everybody.

While there is more greenery and animals on the Osa Penn., It has become more convenient to build with many new hardware stores and suppliers opening all of the time. High speed internet lines are available and will soon cover the whole area.For people who are ready to move, but not ready to retire, there are still many businesses and services needed to open a new successful venture. Needed are dry storage, DVD rentals, bookstores, health clubs, etc. It is the “New Frontier”.

I have been working in Real Estate/Travel for a long time now. We bring people in small and large groups to buy properties and invest. There is a great need for condos and turnkey homes. So many people don´t want to bother with construction. Planned communities with info structure sell quickly. We worry that soon our options for sales will be limited. 11 times in a 2 month period, we had clients make offers, only to find out that it had been sold within days before. All of these were lots and homes. Long term rentals are hard to find ,too.,

I have run a survey with the locals and ex/pats here for the last 6 years. It is conducted to find out there opinions on what type of businesses are most needed here. While so much is now available, we still lack some services. Please contact me if you have any interest in this.

There is a strange phenomenon happening for the last 4 months here in Costa Rica. In our business and with some associate Realtors, we have seen a noticeable drop in inquiries. However, the ones of late are of much higher quality. What I mean by higher quality is that they are a more seriously minded buyer and have cash. Before there we had a larger number but mixed with a large number of curiosity seekers. This results in more efficiency and certainly increased sales even with the lower count.

We are very pleased to report this during these times with the US market crisis.

One would have thought that the Europe and English buyers would be coming here in droves. Personally we have not seen that much of an increase there even with the high cost they are experiencing in their countries and the buying power of the Euro.

As you watched the market spin down last week, it appeared to support the old belief if the USA sneezes the rest of the world gets a cold. Other markets fell dramatically in sync with the US. That would lead one to believe that the US is still the factor in real estate here no matter how bad it looks for the dollar.

This is merely an observation, but when correlated, it seems we cannot bank on the foreign markets as one would assume.

Our large development projects division indicates that there is still a high level of confidence here as we are swamped with requests for large tracts for Hotel, Casino beach front and ocean view land. This is made up of 80% USA then the balance from Europe and other sources.

With over 70,000,000 baby boomers on stream, and Costa Rica’s Real Estate ranking (in the top 5 in the world) and Tourism rating I am sure this factors into it and the confidence has not fallen even in light of the US market.

Our banks are finally taking an int erst in end financing which is helpful especially for the investor types. Hopefully the rates will get more favorable with the recent US drop in the prime rate.

We are beginning to see an upturn in inquiries again and feel this will continue through 2008. We need to be very sensitive about pricing of product as there are some pretty attractive buys in the USA today.

We are fortunate to be able to offer low taxes, great climate, good proximity to the USA, excellent health care, high standard of education, friendly people and beautiful country.

We have more Americans per capita here than anywhere else in the world and there is a large mix of other nationalities.

I have every confidence that Costa Rica is still a very viable consideration for retirement and investment.

If you are an investor or planning retirement, please feel free to call me at any time toll free at 1 888 581 1786 for any further information you may need.

By Christopher Howard

Before moving here 27 years ago, I visited every country in Central and South America to see if any of them had more to offer than Costa Rica. The answer was, no. When one take into consideration the weather, the country’s beauty, NO army, the nice people and other amenities, this country just can’t be beat.

Because I have lived here for so many years I sometimes find myself taking things for granted. Despite my love for Costa Rica every now and then I catch myself complaining about the traffic, petty crime, bureaucracy and other maladies.

Last night I ran into an acquaintance who has lived for a good part of twenty years. We talked at length for the first time in a long while over a few glasses of wine. My friend is one of the most successful North American businessmen in Costa Rica. He has a virtual empire which sits in the center of San JoseÅL. Over the years he has also lived part time in Brazil, Cuba and Columbia. I really respect my friend’s opinion since he is a seasoned traveler and knows a lot about Latin America due to his protracted stays in many countries.

During our conversation he said unequivocally that Costa Rica is the best place he has lived. No matter how much time he spends visiting other countries in the region, he always returns to Costa Rica which he considers to be his home.

His statements made me realize more than ever that I am truly blessed to live in such a wonderful country. I am now more bullish than ever on Costa Rica,

Caldera highway gets construction go ahead at last

By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
Transport officials have given the much-awaited go ahead for the $230 million San José-Caldera highway.

This means that Autopistas del Sol S.A., the concession holder for the project, has 30 months to complete the highway. The 77-km (48-mile) highway will decrease dramatically the travel time from the Central Valley to the Pacific coast.

The first stage of the job is the reconstruction of the existing highway from Parque La Sabana to Ciudad Colón. Much of the highway already is multi-lane.

The big job is a 39-km (24-mile) section from Ciudad Colón to Orotina. That highway is only graded roughly now, although bridges are in place. The third and final step is improvements of the highway from the Orotina interchange to the Puerto de Caldera at Puntarenas.

Autopistas del Sol will have the right to collect tolls for 25 years to offset the investment.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes said that employees worked during the holidays to make sure all the requirements were in place for the start of construction.

Autopistas finally got all its financial commitments in order four days before Christmas, and a company official asked to be allowed to start work a week ago.

During the holidays transport ministry workers said they got final approvals from the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, reviewed and approved plans and did the paperwork so that the company would not have to pay taxes on imported equipment. Environmental approval was needed because Autopista will take gravel from several deposits along the route.

Ministry workers also had to coordinate with the Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz, the Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados and the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad for moving water and sewer lines, electric lines and telephone cables, they said.

It was just announced that the new highway to the Pacific should start within 30 days.

The highway will be built is in three parts. The first enhances the stretch of road from La Sabana to Ciudad Colón, now called the Autopista Próspero Fernández. Much of this is now a four-lane divided highway but west of Santa Ana the road becomes two lane. This part will take about a year.

The toughest part will be is the Ciudad Colón-Orotina highway, some 39 kms. or about 24 miles. It should take about two years to do this section.

The third part of the project is the enhancement of a 24-km. stretch from the Orotina traffic interchange to the Puerto de Caldera. This road now exists, and the upgrades are expected to take but six months.

When finished, the new highway a car trip to the Pacific coast by about an hour.

Hola Robert,

It is so amazing and exciting that on my very first trip to Costa Rica that I realized that a real paradise does exist, not in Mexico but in Costa Rica!

I write to you today in hopes that others may read about my journey for a retirement paradise. After searching five years in Mexico & thinking that Puerto Vallarta, Mexico was paradise, you & Carol have shown me that paradise does truly exist, but in Costa Rica!

As you know Robert I have spent the last 5 years looking in Mexico. The last few years I have zeroed in on Puerto Vallarta, “The Mexico Paradise.” It is such a shame that I have not visited Costa Rica sooner than my first visit in May 2007. My journey would have been a shorter route to paradise!

I hope others will realize that in Costa Rica they will feel more wanted, safer & a much easier place for an American to fit in. The way of doing things in Costa Rica are some much simpler. Costa Rica “ticos” really do want us to become a part of their beautiful country. They make us feel so warm, it is wonderful and easier than Mexico.
The only advise that I can give to others that are in search for a piece of Paradise to live or to retire to then they should not waste any time & get on the next plane to the real Paradise, Costa Rica. I was very fortunate to be lead to my piece of paradise at Tesoro, a real treasure & paradise @ playa palo seco. Tesoro is a beautiful sliver of a magnificent paradise on a pristine & beautiful 5 mile stretch of a secluded beach front in Costa Rica.

If they want to make their journey the best that they could have then they should secure the services of your very knowledgeable, friendly & warm company. You guys are the greatest!

I am looking so forward to living there full time in the next couple of years and truly enjoying a real paradise! I can’t wait to get back. I am looking forward to seeing you all & paradise next month in June.

Best Regards,

George Worley

Dear Robert;
We wanted to write this letter to thank you for the courteous and professional service provided to us. From the beginning we felt we were treated more like friends (not simply like just another clients), when we had that wonderful dinner at your home! After that Rudy took us on a few tours and we found a property we’ve been looking for. Many THANKS to Rudy!!!
That a pleasure it was to work with a professional! He is very knowledgeable, sincere, really knows how to listen to people and extremely patient! We met some of his former clients who became his friends and now we understand why.
We will be very happy to recommend your service to anyone who might be interested in buying property in Costa Rica.

With our best wishes to all of you,
Richard and Tatyana Leardi
tanyaleardi@sbcglobal.net
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