The Future for Guanacaste – Vacation, Invest and Retire

GUANACASTE

Guanacaste has posted some great numbers in 2011 however things still seem to be slow in talking with many hoteliers, restaurateurs and retailers. Our real estate friends in Guanacaste are positive and things seem to be picking up a bit, but our friends in Atenas are talking about a slump. Their situations were completely reversed a year ago. Many other factors on the table are very positive for … [Read more...]

Ups and Downs on Costa Rica Real Estate – Guanacaste

Ups and Downs of Costa Rica Real Estate

Costa Rica Real Estate has seen a lot of downs and ups and downs in my 7 years in Guanacaste. A prime example are the surf side lots in Potrero. When I arrived they were giving the things away for as low as $7,000 dollars apiece. About a year or so in to my sojourn here the lots started a fantastic spiral along with all of the tourism and vacation style property in the area. Fueled by the equity … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Property Management – Bill Paying and Maintenance

Costa Rica Monkey

Costa Rica’s is the most popular destinations in Latin America and for good reason. With over 5% of the world biodiversity it’s no surprise people from around the world flock to experience her beauty and charm. Buying a home in Costa Rica is a sound investment. If you are not planning to live full time in your home, renting it out to folks who want to have a dream vacation here is a great … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Developer Sues Bank Over Jaco Project

Jaco Condo

Yesterday morning, the Internet was flooded with the Press Release FROM the developer of a Jacó condo and hotel project suing its lenders, seeking arbitration on $120 million that has caused what it claims was a successful project on the verge of  falling apart. No doubt the $120 million was an eye-opener of what is at stake. The developer, Desarrollos Naturales de Costa Rica S.A., named … [Read more...]

Electrified Fences Growing In Popularity – Costa Rica Security

There are no signs warning of the danger of a electric fence as there is in the U.S.

When I was a kid, I went dove hunting with my dad and his friends, who also brought along their sons. As we were walking the fields,  we came upon a fence with a sign, WARNING ELECTRIC FENCE. One of the older sons, pointed to me, "Yeah, kid, go touch that fence" with the warning sign, " it's just a fake sign ... see the bird sitting on the wire." Being naive at the time, I touched it and … [Read more...]

Real Estate Investing Tips in Costa Rica – HMO, Deeds of Trusts, Taxes

Costa Rica is nowhere different than any other country when it comes to real estate. In the early 2000s the hype of the countries cheap property, relaxing and eco-friendly environments sparked a real estate boom. And like the U.S, when the market busted several year ago, it threw many investors and home buyers into a world of financial ruin. Investments vanished when buyers gave huge sum’s to … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Investment – Real Estate, Retire and Live

Lower real estate costs,

My first time in Jaco (about 20 years ago) it was a sleepy and traditional Costa Rican town that did not even have a stop light. Three years ago the skyline was filled with high-rise construction on the feeding frenzy of developers and speculators investing in property. However, that has changed, most investors are doing damage-control, regrouping and wondering how to deal in the slump of the real … [Read more...]

World Green Building Council and Costa Rica Join

world-green-councl

Liberia, Costa Rica, September 02, 2009 -- PR web)-- The Costa Rica chapter of the Green Building  was notified of induction into the World Green Building Council.  Environmental sustainability in Costa Rica is a major social concern as the country covers 0.01% of the world's land surface yet contains over 5% of the world's biodiversity. In 2007, officials of the Costa Rican government stated … [Read more...]

August – Superb Month for Costa Rica Fishing

One of the Fowlers brought in this very tasty wahoo

Better late then never, I always say, especially when 1) it's something good and 2) it has something to do with my clients. So here are three photos of the Fowler group (Scott, Jack and Jason) who fished out of Los Sueños Marina in the Central Pacific on the 32ft Miss-Behav'in with Captain Dave Mothershead and on the 27ft Golden Rod with Captain Guillermo way back in March when the big sail bite … [Read more...]

Costa Rica Real Estate Fraud

Real Estate fraud is becoming a major problem in Costa Rica

Yesterday I had a meeting with an account who was involved in a huge development project on the Pacific Coast of  Costa Rica. Anyway, to make a long story short, he asked me if I knew the guy who he had meant in Costa Rica. I shook my head, and my account proceeds to go to this guy’s website. The website was professionally done, looked legit etc etc. Then my account took me to a … [Read more...]

Costa Rica’s Coronado – Wellness, Development, Airport

Coronado

Not to be confused with the mountainous region north of San Jose,  about half way between the Pacific side cities of Uvita (South of the Dominical) and Puerto Cortes, lies the growth-targeted  natural wonderland of another,  Coronado. While tourist and retirees were flocking to Costa Rica's northern Pacific Coast which has been perceived as the country's first hot spot, further South (about … [Read more...]

Costa Rica NatureAir – Kids Fly Free – Flying Tips

Natural Air

Getting around Costa Rica can be a pain in the ass when taking land transportation, like renting a car or any type of bus, either public, shuttle or private. When one vacations, just traveling from San Jose to Jaco (the closest beach) the 1 1/2 hr drive can be a full day of adventure, but more likely, stressful,  due to traffic and weather conditions ... so flying is the way to go to allow more … [Read more...]