Costa Rica Chosen as Top Retirement Destination in 2014

Costa Rica continues to be one of the most popular retirement destinations for North Americans looking to escape the cold, high taxes and over reaching governments.  Click here to find out more.    We look forward to seeing you down here in paradise.

Monthly Living Expenses Comparison - Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador

Here is a great blog comparing monthly living expenses between these four countries - Costa Rica Panama, Nicaragua, Ecuador.  For those that think Costa Rica is expensive you will find that is not the case.  The difference between highest to lowest is only $67 so Costa Rica fits in nicely.  We have always told people Costa Rica can be expensive especially if you want to buy a lot of imported goods.  If you live more like the locals and buy locally then Costa Rica can be relatively inexpensive. For expats buying property here consider property taxes are only 0.25 % of the registered property values - $250 on every $100,000 so very inexpensive.  No tax on income from outside the country and no capital gains tax.
 Click here for the Blog. 

Just another day in Paradise!

Sunday November 3, 2013 - another day in paradise!  A perfect day in the mountains with clear blues skies, light fluffy clouds and beautiful temperatures.  What a day for a great trail ride on our two tico horses in the back country of Rincon de La Vieja.  Our farm hand and friend Rafael and I took to the trails for a great ride up and over grass covered hills and down across fast running streams.  Recent rains have made the crossings a little treacherous but our faithful horses never batted an eye.  Truly amazing animals with terrific dispositions.  If you ever have a chance to go trail riding - do it!  A beautiful way to see the country and wildlife and the horses of Costa Rica will never disappoint especially the horses in our neighborhood.  Riding through majestic rain forest trees with white face monkeys chasing us and toucans chirping in the background made this a special day.  After a nice three hour ride we were back to the farm, off came the saddles, horses brushed down and put away for a well deserved rest.  Then out came the quads and off we went to celebrate Rafael's birthday at our favorite bar/restaurant in Colonia Blanca.  About a 10 mile quad ride through the back country to a great little lodge with fresh tilapia on hand!  Fresh breaded tilapia for lunch with a couple of cold cerveza.  Pura Vida!  We visited with the owners of the lodge for a bit then back on the quads and back home.  About 3 miles out we hit the afternoon rains showers and of course were soaked and covered in mud!  Sure beats the heck out of golfing on some old geezer golf course in Florida!   

Things are heating up in Playas del Coco - Business Opportunities about to Boom!

Click here to read an interesting article on business growth for the Coco area.  If these savy business people see the market improving now might be the time you want to buy that investment property or vacation condo or whatever!  We have some great business opportunities and some great commercial land for sale in this area.  I have a great property just minutes from down town with an area of 1.75 hectares (4.31 acres) for only $549,000 - the owner is motivated so make an offer.  This Coco Development Parcel has a lot of potential.  Click on the link to see this property.  Contact me at hgdemars@gmail.com for more information. Pura Vida!

Azul Paraiso Condos - Now Ready to Sell!

Friday October 25 (Happy Birthday Donna) I went with an associate out to look at the Azul Paraiso Condos which are located south of Playa Ocotal and overlooking Bahia Pez Vela and other ocean views.  These units were built 5 years ago and were move in ready when the Coco Water Trust issues hit the fan and they could not close on any of the units.  So the condos have sat there for 5 years BUT the developer to his credit has maintained this units in like new condition!  These are spectacular condos with the finest in finishes and each condo has an incredible view.  Visit their website to see the quality of construction which is second to none.  These are the nicest condos I have seen and they should be as prices start at $499,000 for a two bedroom but believe me these are the finest 2 bedrooms you will see.  The project is out there about 15 minutes from Coco and the setting is tranquil and beautiful.  While the units sat vacant the developer spent a lot of money keeping them looking new and they look like they just came out of the gift box!  Each set of condos has its own infinity pool with a great view.  There are 2, 3 and 4 bedroom condos available.  Certainly waiting this long shows the developer is well financed and very dedicated to his project.  Drop me line if you would like more information hgdemars@gmail.com 

Whats in a name in a small country like Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is the biggest small country you will ever visit given the terrain and condition of the roads from very good  to yikes!  One thing to consider when visiting is to be sure you know where you are going!!!!  We had clients book a condo wtih us in Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste and they were pleased as can be with the unit  they rented on line.  However when they did not make the appointment for checking in, we had to track them down.  We finally got in touch with them in Playa Hermosa near Jaco in the province of Puntarenas about 200 kilometers from our location in Guancaste.  Our Playa Hermosa is a quiet tranquil family beach, Playa Hermosa near Jaco is  wild and crazy surfing beach and these people were  surfers so they were a little upset with their planning:-(   They had not checked into the details of the name!  In the end it all worked out as they made the trek up North and then had a great time at the nearby surf beaches of Tamarindo, Avellana and Playa Grande so all was not lost.  So be sure to check out the name and get the location of the town, beach or whatever.  There are three Playa Hermosas in Costa Rica, numerous Sardinals, a ton of San Jorges, San Isidros and other names so be sure to do your homework.  But in the end, regardless of where you go you will enjoy yourself and leave paradise with lots of good memories even if you to the wrong beach.  Pura Vida! 

$10 Million Water Kingdom Aquatic Park in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Over the last few decades, surfing has been a major attraction for visitors arriving in Costa Rica. The strong sets at Jaco Beach in the Central Pacific and Salsa Bravain the Southern Caribbean will test the skill of board riders, and the clean, smooth conditions often seen atWitch’s Rock and other breaks in Guanacaste make Costa Rica a prime surfing destination.

It is in the province of Guanacaste, however, that a curious amusement park project is underway and scheduled to open next year, just in time for the holidays and the school break. The project is actually a grand idea: a $10 million dollar investment in one of the sunnier and warmer regions of Costa Rica, with the capacity to entertain about 10,000 people each day. Seven massive swimming pools and other water attractions will welcome families from all over the country.

The name of the project is Water Kingdom, just like you read it in English. There is no Spanish name planned for it, although some of the attractions, such as Bahia Pirata (Pirate’s Bay) will remind you that you are still in Costa Rica. Information on Water Kingdom’s website indicates that the place will be a lot of fun: water slides, splash fountains, relaxing rafts, diving platforms, floating bounce houses, SCUBA diving instruction, athletic fields, mini-golf, restaurants, and more.

Water Kingdom’s location is a winner already: Just a couple of kilometers from the Palo Verde National Refuge and down the road from the Llanos de Cortes waterfalls in Bagaces. This is a beautiful region of Costa Rica, located about 40 kilometers away from several pristine, world-class surfing spots in the Gulf of Papagayo. Water Kingdom visitors, however, will not have to travel to the beach to catch some waves: They can stay in the park and enjoy 1.20 meter waves in 1,400 square meter pool complete with a beach that can accommodate hundreds of surfers.

The Waikiki wave pool is named after the legendary beach in the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. Water Kingdom’s website explains that the water attractions in the park are on par with those in the United States and Spain, although the wave pools in those countries are located at a very considerable distance from the nearest surfing spot.

Water Kingdom has been certified by the National Board of Tourism (Spanish initials ICT) as a major attraction in Costa Rica. The project is expected to be completed in November 2014.