Tiffany's Costa Rica Real Estate Blog

Puntarenas, Costa Rica - Panoramic ocean view lots starting at $60,000

Sat, 03 May 2008 17:28:32 -0500

Imagine yourself and your loved ones standing atop your own private paradise.

Imagine yourself and your loved ones among the verdant fields and colorful flowers of your own special Garden of Eden.

Imagine being lost in the tranquility, romance and splendor of endless sunsets aglow with the brilliant light of nature's prism.

Imagine The Hills of Miramar.

Nestled among the foothills of the Cordillera de Tilaran near the Central Pacific coast of beautiful Costa Rica, the Hills of Miramar is a "Certified Green" Master Planned Community of 185 custom, fully improved home sites.

Set among 1,200 green acres, the Hills of Miramar (Las Colinas de Miramar) will feature over 100 home sites of 1.25 acres each. All home sites will be fully improved with roads, water, electric, cable and sewer. All will have direct access to the Pan American Highway near the quaint, historic town of Puntarenas. The entrance to the Hills of Miramar is only minutes to the new Caldera Highway - a direct 45 minute drive from the Pacific Coast to the bustling capital city of San Jose.

Most of our home sites offer sweeping, panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Nicoya and the Nicoya Peninsula. All of our home sites feature magnificent pastoral views of rolling green pastures and forests.

All home sites are fully titled - fee simple. You own it! What's more title insurance is available from Stewart Title - one of the world's largest title insurance companies.

The Hills of Miramar has been awarded the coveted "Certified Green Worldwide" designation. This honor is given to those communities that conform to the twelve point environmental protocol of the Certified Green initiative ensuring environmentally safe development.

The Hills of Miramar features -

Outstanding, panoramic ocean views;
Over 100 Custom Home Sites of 1.25 acres each;
Fully improved home sites complete with roads, water, electric, cable and sewer;
All home sites have direct access to the Pan American Highway and are only minutes to the new Caldera Highway to San Jose;
The Hills of Miramar is located in one of the most emerging areas of Costa Rica;
The Hills of Miramar has received the Certified Green Worldwide designation for responsible development;
All home sites are priced competitively for maximum future appreciation.

Home sites start at only $30,000. You can build right away or whenever you'd like.

For more information on this stunning location in Costa Rica, reservations, or to submit another inquiry, please visit my website.

R E A L T O R S - Co-broke up to 5%.

Responsible Real Estate Development - Certified Green Worldwide

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:31:59 -0500

Costa Rica is well known for its eco-tourism, and for the most part, Costa Rica has done an exceptional job when it comes to being a leader in protecting its precious environment. It started years ago when Costa Rica truly came onto the global scene as a hotspot for eco-tourism (still a popular niche in the tourism industry), and continues today as Costa Rica is one of four countries in a race to be the first to go carbon neutral (the other three countries are New Zealand, Iceland, and Norway).

That's why it is not surprising to find a real estate development in Costa Rica that has adopted a firm stance on protecting the environment. In fact, in my opinion, it should be odd to find a Costa Rican development that does NOT take a strong stance. Of course, I don't rule the world yet!

The development that I am speaking of is Las Colinas de Miramar in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica, a Certified Green Worldwide development. The Certified Green Worldwide designation is a 12-point protocol that mandates comprehensive environmental safeguards:

Protection of wildlife habitats while allowing for recreation.
Protection of wetlands, natural water courses and aquifer regeneration areas.
Soil erosion safeguards; both during road building, construction, and occupation.
Utility operations, site specific or municipal, to contain contamination retention features for ground water protection.
Development plans consistent with local mandates, inputs and requirements.
Maintenance of natural geologic contours.
No construction on sites with a slope greater than 40 degrees.
Density restrictions; based on a formula of slope and wet land proximity.
View shed protections including project height standards.
Construction to use low wattage consumption by electric appliances and fixtures, insulated windows and walls using passive solar techniques, and recycling to reduce the carbon footprint. Potential solar electrical generation may become additional options.
Encourage community related sustainable economic development though the use of locally produced building materials and local labor.
Good Corporation Citizenship.

As an aspiring Eco-broker, it gladdens me to work with a developer so dedicated to protecting the environment. That is why I am going to do my part by purchasing carbon offsets from Carbonfund.org. I am promising that for each Phase 1 lot I sell in Las Colinas de Miaramar, I will buy enough carbon offsets to make a medium sized home (1500-2499 sq ft) carbon neutral for one year.

So what can you do to make better take care of our Earth?

THE Caldera Highway - Fact or Fiction?

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:52:57 -0500

If any of you have ever even remotely considered or inquired into real estate in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica - especially around Jaco - then you most probably have been told by one or several people about the Caldera Highway.

Now, they may not have called it the Caldera Highway, but I'm sure that they talked of a new highway that was being built that would shorten the drive from San Jose by half - going from about a 2 1/2 hour drive down to a 1 hour drive.

Sound familiar?

Then you may have also heard about how it has been years since this highway was started, and the local joke was that "yes, the highway will be finished - someday."

Well in case you hadn't heard, thankfully it appears as if the wait is coming to an end. After what appeared to be years of talk of the Caldera Highway, the residents and investors of Costa Rica were fed up and put pressure on the government to "finish the Caldera, or stop promising it."

The result has been for the government to put their foot down and set some strict rules with the contractor. Now, the contractor has a strict deadline which they must meet, or suffer strict fines.

And that deadline? About 2 years from now.

Well, better late than never...

Will it be like this..

or this..

Just jokes! I'm confident it will be great when completed.

The Magic Number...

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:02:37 -0500

I have spoken to dozens of individuals who are looking at buying real estate in Costa Rica. I have looked at hundreds of properties and developments in Costa Rica. Of course, everyone's criteria is varied, but there is a "magic number" that keeps popping up, like the universe recorded it somehow and keeps playing it back to me.

That "magic number" is 200 - or more specifically, $200,000.

Costa Rica has a large number of fine and luxury properties, priced at $400K and above. What is more difficult to find are properties priced at a more modest price tag of $200,000 or less. Over and over I hear from people that they want to find properties in the $200,000 range - it is like that recording that I told you about.

The luxury properties are exactly that - luxurious - but there is still the average buyer out there who wants a modest, safe, and clean Costa Rican property, but doesn't want to pay a fortune for it. For the beginner, finding these properties seems like a daunting, almost impossible task. When you search the Internet, a score of ads and search results pop up for high-priced, luxury properties, making it appear as if Costa Rica is not for the average person any longer. Unfortunately, that's untrue.

The key is working with people in the know - people who can network with real estate folks all around Costa Rica to find those properties. These properties do exist, and there are quite a few of them!

So that is one of my goals - to find these high quality, inexpensive properties priced around $200,000, or less. My list is ever-growing and diverse, satisfying a large group of buyers who want to invest in the tropical paradise that is Costa Rica.

Investors & Retirees: Just reduced to $165K - Brand new, 2 bed, 2 bath beach home in Costa Rica

Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:20:50 -0500

Boy, I wish I had the money to buy this place... I was fortunate enough to visit the gated beach development in Costa Rica - Costa Del Sol - where this house is located. Just a 5 minute walk to the beach, and a 20 minute drive North to the popular tourist town of Jaco.

So, what are you getting for $165K at Costa Del Sol? Well, this is a brand new, never-lived-in home. It has tile floors throughout, hardwood kitchen cabinetry and doors, granite countertops in the kitchen and also in the bathroom vanities. The showers in the 2 full bathrooms have a tile and glass surround. The living room is spacious with large patio doors leading to the grassed back yard. Out front is a 2 car carport.

Within the gated community of Costa Del Sol is a pool, tennis court, and a luxury open-air BBQ pavilion. And did I mention that the beach is a short 5 minute walk? The beach is extremely clean with a wide sand area and a very gradual slope into the ocean. A great place to relax and enjoy a good book!

Retirees: This is a great community to retire to part time or full time. There is a real community feel where you could get to know your neighbors. Grandchildren will love to play in the pool and the whole family will love to gather for family BBQs at the open air BBQ pavilion. You also won't have to deal with the rush of the heavily touristed area like Jaco, yet still be close enough to venture there when you want. There is also a commercial center less than a mile away where you can do some shopping or dining.

Investors: This house has a lot of built in equity and plenty of cash flow potential all wrapped into one! Rents for this type of home can run around $125/night, or $450/week.

Property Details:

2 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms
1366 sq ft under-air
2 car carport
5403 sq ft lot
Washer/dryer hookup
Solid wood doors & cabinets
Granite countertop in kitchen
Furnishing package available (extra)
More...

Costa Rica is a great place to invest or retire to. Please contact me if you have any questions about this property, or Costa Rica real estate in general.

Naturalia: A Costa Rica Investment - A Formal Analysis

Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:29:47 -0600

Being a real estate investor, I am always curious as to the investment potential that each property holds. A property can sound amazing, have an abundance of amenities, be in a great location, but I won't feel comfortable parting with any money until I have some actual numbers in front of me, allowing me to evaluate the income potential. And of course, I wouldn't expect my clients to want any less.

So, I finally was able to assemble the information that I needed to perform my analysis on the fantastic Naturalia condo development near Tamarindo in the coastal Guanacate region - rental rates, management fees, property taxes, and unit prices.

Do be aware that some numbers are averaged, like property taxes and HOA fees (condo fees). I have included comments within the spreadsheet which you should be sure to read, as they often provide information as to how I came up with certain numbers. But if you do have questions about these number, please feel free to contact me.

And one final note: this spreadsheet does try to use accurate and reliable information, but it is subject to change at any time. In some cases, assumptions have also been made (typically noted in the comments). Please use this spreadsheet as just one of the tools you would use to help you make a decision as to whether you wish to buy a unit at Naturalia.

Find out more about Naturalia.

Inquire about Naturalia.

DOWNLOAD Naturalia Rental Analysis NOW!

Jaco, Costa Rica FAQ

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:09:07 -0600

Where is Jaco located?
How do I get to Jaco?
Where can I stay in Jaco?
What is there to do in Jaco?
Is Jaco overdeveloped?
Is Jaco safe?
Are there grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies in Jaco?
Are there medical facilities in Jaco?
What schools are in Jaco?
How do I get around in Jaco?
Can I rent a car in Jaco?

1. Jaco is located about 2 hours southwest of San Jose. Jaco is the closest beach town to Costa Rica's capital city, which explains its popularity with tourists who fly into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International airport, and also people who live in San Jose who want to go to the beach for the weekend.

Currently there is a new road being worked on between San Jose and Jaco which when completed, will cut the drive time in half between the two locales.

2. For foreign travelers, the best way to get to Jaco is to fly into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International airport and hire a van or shuttle to transport them to San Jose. You can rent a vehicle to do the drive yourself, but it is recommended that first time visitors take a transport instead as the drive is quite windy and through the mountains - a little intimidating if you haven't gone this route before.

There is also a small domestic airport located in Quepos about 1 hour south of Jaco. You can take a domestic airline, like NatureAir, and fly to Quepos, then drive the 1 hour to Jaco. In addition, helicopter flights are available between San Jose and Jaco.

3. Jaco has numerous hotels, like the Best Western, the stunning Doce Lunas just outside of the town limits, and condos that you can rent like Bahia Azul, Bahia Encantada, or La Paloma Blanca. Inquire for more information on condo rentals in Jaco.

4. Lots! Shopping at the many shops along the main drag in town. Dining at the many restaurants in town with cuisine ranging from sushi to pizza to more traditional Tico cuisine.

Jaco is a beach town, and it shows! There are numerous surf shops where you can purchase surf lessons or rent a board. Or take the more relaxing route and just lay on the beach and listen to the breaking waves.

The nightlife is also active in Jaco. There are numerous bars and dance clubs along the main drag, usually walking distance from the major hotels and condos. There are also casinos in Jaco, as gambling is legal in Costa Rica.

Also along the main drag in Jaco, you'll find numerous tour operators offering zip line canopy tours, visits to a butterfly farm, trips down to Manuel Antonio National Park (a must for all visitors), fishing expeditions, scuba diving trips, and so much more!

5. Jaco is a small town, with a population of 7,800 (according to 2006 census). In the past few years, there has been an explosion of development of growth in Jaco, though by no means would North Americans consider it "overdeveloped" - a very relative term.

With the development that Jaco has been experiencing, a cleanup effort has also been going on. Local developers were kind enough to donate very expensive beach cleaning equipment to continually maintain the cleanliness of the beach by removing large and small debris. These same developers also paved the main drag through town, which at the beginning of 2007 was just a dirt road. These efforts have improved the quality of living in Jaco for locals and tourists alike.

6. Costa Rica in general is safe, as is Jaco. Still, tourists do tend to be preyed upon by petty thieves, so a good amount of common sense is in order.

However, in addition to common sense, Jaco boasts a Tourist Police force put in place by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, and which works in conjunction with the local police force. The Tourist Police main goal is to keep tourists safe from crime targeted towards them. And even better news is that the Tourist Police are working, as it was reported that last year, tourist-related crime decreased by 26%, directly attributed to the Tourist Police.

7. There are grocery stores, banks (several) and pharmacies (several) located in the town of Jaco, with most of them easily found along the main drag. They will also accept North American credit cards and ATM cards.

8. There are several private medical facilities in town which also provide ambulance transport services to larger facilities in San Jose. Foreigners can use these facilities and it is even possible that they may accept your medical insurance. However, out-of-pocket costs are considerably less than medical costs that you see in the US, so paying out-of-pocket shouldn't put you in debt.

9. Costa Rica has an excellent public school system, and also a variety of excellent private schools. Jaco has several private schools in the area, one being Las Nubes and Falcon International, which have an English and Spanish curriculum.

10. That depends on where you are staying. If you are in one of the many hotels or condos along the main drag, you can easily walk to anywhere you need to go in Jaco. There are also numerous taxis in town which are quite inexpensive, though there are no consistent taxi rates in town.

11. Yes. National Car Rental, Advantage Rent a Car, Economy Rent a Car and Europcar are all car rental companies in Jaco. And all you need is to be able to provide your driver's license from your home country.

Investor Alert - Investment opportunities in Costa Rica UNDER $200K!

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 14:58:51 -0600

I've identified a number of properties in Costa Rica that are great opportunities for investors.

Now, let me say that I have carefully chosen these properties because they have a number of great features about them that make them conducive to investment properties. I will be sure to list those features for each property.

House at Costa Del Sol - $199,000 reduced from $265,00

This is a finished, 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom home in the gated community of Costa Del Sol, just 20 minutes South of Jaco, at Playa Bejuco. This house has hardwood cabinetry in the kitchen, hardwood doors, tile floors throughout, and granite countertops in the kitchen. The bathroom also has granite countertops on the vanities, and a glass and tile shower.

The community boasts numerous amenities like pools, tennis court, walking paths, a luxury BBQ area (with granite prep and BBQ station), and a gated entrance. Property management is being put in place as we speak.

But the best part of this whole development is that it is just a 3 minute walk to the beach!

Key Investment Features:

Property rental - Property management in place soon to manage all aspects of renting your home to produce income (marketing, maintenance, etc.) Great location and amenities that will attract the tourists. Similar properties in the community typically renting at $125/night or $450/week.
Built in equity - Comparable homes in the community are priced around $260,000 - so that's over $60,000 in equity!
Use your self-directed IRA to buy this home and rent to tourists.
Appreciation - Costa Rica has great appreciation rates, especially in the coastal areas like this home.

Click here for more information on this house at Costa Del Sol.

Click here to inquire about this house at Costa Del Sol

Colinas Del Coyolar - Lots from $35,000

Colinas Del Coyolaris a gated community of buildable lots in the Guanacaste area, just 40 minutes from the international airport at Liberia, and a short 6 minute drive to Potrero Beach. Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, and other notable tourist spots are just minutes away.

Lots at Colinas Del Coyolar range in size from just under a 1/2 acre, to over 2 1/2 acres, yet pricing remains below $100K, with some lots around $30K. Phase 1 of Colinas Del Coyolar was released back in November, and most of the lots below $50K have sold. Yet just recently, 3 additional lots were released which are $39K or less:

Lot 27a - 0.48 acres - $38,500
Lot 27b - 0.49 acres - $39,000
Lot 27c - 0.44 acres - $35,000

Some other lots available:

Lot 31 - 1.26 acres - $66,937
Lot 33 - 1.44 acres - $76,622
Lot 30 - 1.64 acres - $87,926
Lot 14 - 2.94 acres (73,932 sq ft protected) - $98,714

Investors could buy a lot (or lots), hold them (you don't have to build right away), and resell them in a year or two. However, foreign buyers are more interested in buying BUILT homes than having to worry about a building project abroad. So, the developer is offering discounts to buyers who use them to build the home. In some cases, it's possible to build a new home for under $200K - for the lot AND the house!

Real estate in the Guanacaste region is priced quite high, and it is rare to find real estate opportunities here for these prices.

Key Investment Features:

Low price - Difficult to find properties in this area at these price points.
Great location- close to international airport, popular tourist town of Tamarindo, beaches, and other frequented tourist spots
Developer discounts - If you use the developer to build on your lot using one of their home plans, and do it within a year, you will get discounts on the purchase of the lot and the cost of building the home.
Property Rental- With the great location, this property will be extremely rentable to tourists.
Appreciation- Costa Rica has great appreciation rates, especially in the coastal areas like Colinas Del Coyolar.

Click herefor more information on Colinas Del Coyolar.

Click hereto inquire about Colinas Del Coyolar.

Interested in other investment properties in Costa Rica? Contact me and I can recommend some additional investments that are worth your time!

Costa Rica Packing Tips. Be Prepared - PLEASE!

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 13:48:48 -0600

Okay, I wish I had read something like this before I headed down to Costa Rica the first time! I had traveled a lot and always without issues. Of course, my travel was limited to the US, Canada, and the Bahamas many years ago - which of course is very similar to home.

I thought I was well prepared: I had my passport, money, credit cards, hotel reservation, transportation, flight, bathing suit, toothbrush... What else could I need for a 3 day trip?

I found out the second night in Costa Rica, when my husband got the first migraine that he has ever had since I have known him.

Let's step back a few days when I was packing. I was looking at the medicine in the medicine cabinet, and thought to myself, "we won't need anything for just a 3 day trip, and if we do, we can stop at a pharmacy." The error in my logic was thinking that Costa Rica was just like where I lived - 24 hour pharmacies.

So, back at our hotel room, my husband was in agony and we didn't have any pain medication. It was a long night for both of us, but of course my husband suffered the most. As morning neared, I kept going to the front desk to see if anyone could open the hotel gift shop so I could buy some aspirin. When they finally did, they didn't have a bottle of aspirin, but 3 individually wrapped tablets. They gave them to me.

My husband was finally able to get some rest once he took those 3 aspirin, but it was a huge lesson learned! The next day, we stopped at one of the many well-stocked pharmacies in town and picked up some extra-strength Tylenol!

So, here are a few packing tips when you are headed to Costa Rica:

Medicine - Pain medication, anti-diarrheal tablets, Tums, infant/kids medicine, prescription medicine, whatever you think you could possibly (even remotely) need and not be able to wait to get. Learn from my experience. If you don't want to bring it with you, buy it at the pharmacy on the first day you arrive in Costa Rica. Remember - they don't have 24 hour pharmacies.
Travel First Aid Kit - Why not take the next step and bring a travel first aid kit? You never know when you might need a band aid! Try Johnson & Johnson's Portable Travel First Aid Kit with Forty Items.
Mosquito repellent - There are mosquitoes in Costa Rica, though not a lot on the Pacific coast. I did get a couple of bites while I was there, but I didn't see a lot. I grew up in Manitoba, Canada, which has a LOT of mosquitoes in the summers. Try California Baby Bug Repellent Spray - if it's good for baby, it's good for you!
Sunscreen - Okay, on another trip - though not to Costa Rica - I got a REALLY bad sunburn and it ruined the rest of my vacation. Don't let that happen to you!! And make sure you choose the correct sunscreens. The higher the SPF, the better. If you are going to be doing a lot of activities where you sweat or get in the water, make sure your sunscreen is waterproof. And here is a tip from an avid surfer for those of you who are going to be doing a lot of water activities - use a stick-type sunscreen on your face. It won't run in your eyes and it won't wash off as quickly. This is also good for kids who keep wiping their face and smearing the sunscreen in their eyes. Try some of these sunscreen products: Bull Frog Sunblock Surfer Formula Body Gel, SPF 36 (Pack of 2), Neutrogena Healthy Defense Oil-Free Sunblock Stick, SPF 30 (Pack of 3), California Baby SPF30+ Sunscreen Lotion, Water Resistant and Hypo-Allergenic (Pack of 2), and Fruit Of The Earth 100% Aloe Vera Gel in case you do get a little too much sun!

If you pack carefully, you'll come back with great stories of your stay in beautiful Costa Rica - not horror stories that could have been prevented with a little careful planning!

Costa Rica Tourism: Fuel for Real Estate Investment

Sun, 23 Dec 2007 16:08:09 -0600

Costa Rica's Tourism Board (ICT) has just released its year end tourism statistics. Here are some of the highlights:

1. Crime against tourists dropped 26%

2. Tourism rose by 11.5%

3. Total of 1.9 million people (tourists) visited Costa Rica

4. $1.9 Billion in Tourism Revenue, up 300 million from last year.

5. 100 New ICT Police Officers added

6. Jaco has granted $800,000 more dollars for next year to hire more police.

These are some exciting numbers, and just confirmation of what we have been saying - that tourism is continuing to grow in Costa Rica.

Even more exciting is that crime against tourists has gone down. Typically, tourists fall victim to petty theft, mostly because they aren't using common sense and they fall prey to small time thieves who target tourists. But with the addition of the new ICT police officers who work in conjunction with local police forces to keep tourists safe, these crimes have gone down. Quick justification for these new police officers.

And it appears that in response to this resounding success, the town of Jaco has set aside funds to beef up their ICT police officers, continuing their dedication to improve this great tourist town.

Costa Rica's strong tourism industry has been a major factor for its strong real estate market, and this past year has been no different, other than to improve in the area of safety. Costa Rica in general is a safe country to visit, but they have had issues with petty theft. With this significant improvement in lowering the crime rate towards tourists, the reasons for NOT considering Costa Rica are evaporating.

Why Should Canadians Choose Costa Rica for a Retirement Spot?

Sat, 22 Dec 2007 16:40:47 -0600

I am Canadian, but I now live in Southern California. I didn't move because I had any aversion to Canada - I moved because it was darn cold in Winnipeg, which is where I lived.

I can't say that I'm alone in this sentiment though, as every year, thousands of Canadian retirees make the trek South to warmer climates - Arizona, Florida, Canada, Texas, and even a little further south to Mexico.

There is also a small subset of this group that has been fortunate enough to discover Costa Rica, and have made it their winter home for 4 to 6 months out of the year. So why did this small group of Canadians choose Costa Rica versus the more familiar and closer retirement spots in the US?

Perfect Weather

Lots of reasons. The first and most obvious is the unequaled climate. As it turns out, the weather in Costa Rica is at its best during Canada's winter. From mid-November to June is the "dry" season in Costa Rica. Don't expect the Sahara though! It will rain during this time, but it will be pleasant, warm showers.

High Quality Healthcare

Another reason that Canadians (and other foreigners) have chosen Costa Rica for their retirement home is because of their fantastic, high quality healthcare system, a hybrid of a private and public system providing healthcare to all. Many of the private healthcare facilities work hard to accept many foreign health insurance plans, but even when they don't, the fees are extremely affordable for foreigners.

Safe Living in a Foreign Country

Safety is another important issue that many Canadians consider when looking for a place to retire - domestic or foreign. Costa Rica shines in this area with very low crime rates. They do however have a high level of petty theft, but that can be avoided by using some common sense, not flashing money or valuables in public, and staying in well-lit, well known areas. Besides, most places where North Americans live in Costa Rica have numerous security precautions, like gated, guarded entrances, on-site security, and other security measures.

Hassle-Free Immigration

Another draw that Costa Rica has for retirees is its lenient residency rules. To enter Costa Rica requires no more than what you would need to cross the border into the US - a passport. In fact, with your passport you can stay up to 3 months in Costa Rica. If you want to stay longer, all you need to do is cross the border out of Costa Rica and then re-enter 72 hours later - a good opportunity to visit Panama to the south. Upon your return, you can stay another 3 months which should be more than enough time for snowbirds to wait out Canada's winter before their return.

Looking to stay in Costa Rica a little more permanently? Costa Rica actually has a special visa just for retirees called pensionado. Obtaining this residency status is within the reach of most retirees, allowing them to stay year-long.

Unlimited Activities

And of course, I have to mention the wealth of activities, sights, sounds, and tastes that Costa Rica has to offer - fishing, golf, parks, water activities, shopping, dining, rainforest tours, and so much more. Of course, if you are looking for relaxation, you can find that too.

One of the major objections to choosing Costa Rica over some US destination actually has to do with the distance and the travel time to reach Costa Rica. When you really sit down and think about it though, is travel time to a retirement spot a determining factor, when you have all these others to consider? How does a 3 hour flight versus 8 hours travel time really differ? Are you really going to get more out of your retirement spot with those extra 5 hours? Think about it.

If you have decided to make Costa Rica your retirement home, I would love to hear why. Leave a comment and share your reasons why you chose Costa Rica!

And if you are considering Costa Rica for a retirement spot, but still have some questions, let me hear from you.

Costa Rica Real Estate - What to Expect?

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 12:07:41 -0600

When first starting your search for Costa Rica real estate, it is important to know what you can expect to find there so you know what kind of reasonable criteria you can form for your search.

Let me start by saying that if you are looking for beachfront acreages in the $20,000 range, you are a few years too late. That is not to say that you cannot buy some very well built, attractive real estate in some amazing locations, but you need to know what to expect price wise.

Let me also point out that the homes that I am going to be discussing are those built with foreign tastes in mind - granite countertops, fine wood finishes, travertine tiled floors, etc. And even if your tastes don't include these luxurious features, you will usually find other desirable community features like pools, a fitness center, golf courses, and much more.

Like in Canada and the US, you can find a variety of property types - lots, single family homes, and apartment or townhouse style condos. Prices vary greatly, mainly due to the same factors that affect value in the US - proximity to desirable points of interest (airport, beach, parks, golf courses, retail areas, etc.), accessibility, property features, and good old supply and demand.

One of the hottest real estate areas in Costa Rica has been in the northern Pacific coastal area - Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, etc. Growth in this area has been heavily influenced by the building of the second international airport in Costa Rica, the Daniel Oduber airport in Liberia. Not surprisingly, these areas are heavily frequented by tourists, allowing property owners to offset their real estate expenses with income from tourist rentals.

The general rule is that the further south along the Pacific coast you go in Costa Rica, the more inexpensive the real estate gets. In the Central Pacific area - where you find Jaco, Esterillos, Hermosa, and other beach towns - real estate is more affordable than the northern Pacific area, but it has seen some steady appreciation in the past few years. Jaco in particular has seen some strong growth as it is the closest beach town to San Jose, where you will find the first international airport, Juan Sanatamaria. Real estate values in this area are expected to improve even further once the new highway between San Jose and Jaco is completed, cutting the drive time from San Jose almost in half.

Go south some more along the Pacific coast, and real estate is (typically) even more affordable. This is mainly due to the fact that travel to this area takes a lot longer. However, that will all change soon. This past year (2007), it was announced that a third international airport will be built down in the southern Pacific area of Costa Rica. As can be expected, this should have a strong effect on property values in this area.

You now have a good high-level overview of what to expect with property values along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, but you are probably wondering about more specific numbers.

Let's look at some examples:

Northern Pacific

Near Tamarindo, you will find a luxurious condo development called Naturalia. This condo is a short walk to the beach and is situated along a main road heading to the popular tourist town of Tamarindo. Amenities are abundant and the units are well appointed. These properties run in the range of $271K for a one bedroom around 1350 sq ft, on up to a two story penthouse suite priced at $1,590,598 around 5010 sq ft.

Close by is Colinas Del Coyolar, a gated development with lots for sale where one can build their dream home. Colinas Del Coyolar is located just 40 minutes from Liberia International Airport, and about a 7 minute drive to Portreo Beach. Lots here are extremely large - from 1.5 to over 2.5 acres. You can get a small lot around $39K and a large lot around $99K.

Central Pacific

In Jaco, you will find quaint and cozy Bahia Azul - 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom condos situated along Jaco beach. Walk out your front door, past the pool, straight onto the sand and in the ocean! These units range from $375K for a 1060 sq ft unit without a few, up to $575K for a 1292 sq ft unit with a rooftop terrace, right in front of the beach.

Also in the town of Jaco, is a small condo in the development Villas Paradise, is just a block from the beach and situated in the downtown area close to shops and restaurants. Priced at $120K, you can't go wrong! Plenty of potential for a positive cash flow!

Close by, you will find Costa Del Sol - a gated community of single family homes, abundant with a variety of amenities (pools, BBQ area, bike paths, basketball court, and more). This development is also a 3 minute walk to the beach. Lots are being sold here for $69K.

Southern Pacific

It is expected that there will be more development as progress on the new proposed International airport in this area progresses. It is also here that it is expected to see the most growth in the upcoming years.

It is immediately evident that in this area you will get more home for your money. For example, you can get a lot for $39K to $59K in a proposed, luxury, gated community with golf courses, hotels, shops, restaurants, fitness center, and access to marinas. You can just guess what will happen to the value of that property when the airport is completed!

Of course, you can find all price points in all areas of Costa Rica, as well as all types of properties and locales. But now you can know what to expect in certain areas and determine which is a fit for your real estate desires.

Costa Rica's Strong Medical Tourism

Sun, 16 Dec 2007 13:28:40 -0600

Have you ever heard of the term medical tourism? If you haven't, I wouldn't be surprised if you hear about it very soon in the media. Medical tourism is a somewhat new phenomenon - new, within the last 5 years - where many people are choosing to travel overseas for medical treatment that would otherwise, pardon the pun, cost them an arm and a leg at home.

Sounds crazy? Maybe not so much, especially when many people in the US cannot afford costly procedures without health insurance. Or in Canada, maybe they can't wait months for a lifesaving - or lifestyle-saving - surgery. With medical tourism, they now have other options that may be a better fit for them.

Costa Rica's High Quality Healthcare

In the many articles that I have read about medical tourism, Costa Rica is often mentioned as one of the countries that many people travel to for medical treatment. It is one of the favored countries because of it's high quality of medical care. Many of the doctors are trained abroad and return to their country. They do not get paid as much as they would if they worked in the country where they received their medical education, but the cost of living is much lower, as are medical insurance expenses.

There are also many modern private medical facilities in Costa Rica, some with affiliations to US schools or businesses. For example, CIMA in the community of Escazu in San Jose, is affiliated with Baylor University Medical Center in Texas. Interestingly, CIMA will accept most major US and European health insurance plans, though you can pay cash for medical services. Even when paying cash, it's still reasonable.

Incredible Cost Savings

Many people who do travel abroad for medical treatment do so for plastic surgery or even dental work. Patients can get these treatments at a fraction of the cost of what they would spend in the US - even after airfare and lodging. Other medical tourists choose their treatment abroad because the treatment they want may not be available in their home country, or just too exorbitantly expensive. Medical tourists can see savings of 15% - 85%, and they are happy with the work.

Medical Tourism Presents Business Opportunities

In my opinion, the growth that is being seen in the medical tourism industry presents some unique opportunities for entrepreneurs. Facilities are needed for medical tourists for pre- and post-treatment care. There are opportunities for providing these facilities, as well as medical office buildings for the growing industry. If you are an investor, developer, or entrepreneur, give me a call and let's chat about these possibilities!

The Costa Rican Government - An Overview and Review

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:07:08 -0600

A very important issue to consider when looking at buying real estate in another country is the political situation for that country. Who wants to invest 10's or 100's (or millions for the very fortunate) of dollars somewhere, only to have it disappear into thin air when it is seized by a corrupt government or suddenly inaccessible because of political/military turmoil? Not me.

Well, I have good news to report when it comes to reviewing Costa Rica's political situation. But first, lets us start with an introduction to their government structure.

Costa Rica's Political Structure

Costa Rica is a democratic republic with an elected president, currently Oscar Arias Sanchez. Interestingly, Sanchez is a past winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for fostering peace talks in El Salvador and Nicaragua which eventually ended civil wars.

In addition to the president, there are two vice presidents and a Cabinet which consists of 18 members, as well as one of the vice presidents. Four year terms limit the run time of the president and 57 Legislative Assembly deputies. The President is only allowed to serve a single term, though deputies may run again after sitting out a term.

Promoting Foreign Investment

One of the government's agenda for many years now has been to promote economic growth in the country by welcoming foreign investment. They do this by making it easy for foreigners to invest their money in the country, by offering immigration incentives to investors, and also by not having capital gains tax. The government's ultimate goal is to create jobs for Costa Ricans through the encouragement of foreign investment. Not surprisingly, it is easier for foreigners to start a business in Costa Rica than it is for them to get a job there.

No Army

Another interesting - and extremely important - fact about Costa Rica is that they do not have a military. Their military was abolished in 1948 by President Jose Figueres Ferrer after a long civil war. In 1949, this abolition was entered into the Costa Rican Constitution as Article 12. The funds originally used for the Costa Rican military were now funneled into education, and healthcare. Because of this, Costa Rica is now well known for having one of the highest literacy rates in the world (96%) and a hybrid healthcare system of private and public health facilities, offering healthcare for all.

Promoting Trade Relations with the World

A recent and important milestone in Costa Rica's trade relations with the world was a "Si" referendum vote for Costa Rica to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement - CAFTA. This is expected to strengthen trade relations between the North America and Costa Rica, improving the countries economic situation even further. Evidence of this is shown in El Salvador's economic growth due to its joining of CAFTA.

Overall, Costa Rica's political climate is extremely stable, designed with numerous checks and balances. The absence of a military makes foreigners feel even more comfortable visiting and investing this beautiful paradise.

Costa Rica's Elected Officials

President: Oscar Arias Sanchez

First Vice Pres.: Laura Chinchilla

Second Vice Pres.: Kevin Zamora

Min. of Agriculture & Livestock: Rodolfo Coto

Min. of Culture, Youth, & Sports:Guido Saenz Gonzalez

Min. of Economy & Industry: Vilma Villalobos

Min. of Education: Astrid Fischel Volio

Min. of Environment & Energy: Carlos Manuel Rodriguez

Min. of Finance: Jorge Bolanos

Min. of Foreign Relations & Religion: Roberto Tovar Faja

Min. of Foreign Trade: Alberto Trejos

Min. of Health: Maria del Rocio Saenz

Min. of Housing: Helio Fallas Venegas

Min. of Justice: Jose Miguel Villalobos

Min. of Labor & Social Security: Ovidio Pacheco Salazar

Min. of Planning: Danilo Chaverri Soto

Min. of the Presidency: Rina Contreras Lopez

Min. of Public Security, Government, & Police: Rogelio Vicente Ramos Martinez

Min. of Public Works & Transportation: Javier Chaves Bolanos

Min. of Science & Technology: Rogelio Pardo Evans

Min. of Tourism: Ruben Pacheco

Min. of Women's Affairs: Gloria Valerin R.

Min. Without Portfolio (National Council on Childhood): Rosalia Gil

Pres., Central Bank: Francisco De Paula

Ambassador to the US: Jaime Daremblum Rosenstein

Permanent Representative to the UN, New York: Bruno Stagno Ugarde

"One-Stop-Website" for Costa Rica Real Estate & Information

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:01:57 -0600

When I first decided to create a website for my business, I did it because of the frustrations I had experienced when looking at other websites trying to find information on Costa Rica real estate and other related issues.

My frustration wasn't that there weren't websites out there with information on Costa Rica. If you do a Google Search for Costa Rica, you get about 203 MILLION results!! Phew! And of course, there are related websites on Costa Rica travel, vacations, hotels, weather, and more. There are over 2.4 million websites on Costa Rica real estate alone!

Okay, so there were plenty of websites to choose from, making my chances of finding the information that I need very good. NOT!

I soon came to find numerous websites with lots of information on what the website owner wanted to sell (travel, vacations, real estate, etc.), but very little information about what I wanted to know - what's it like owning real estate in Costa Rica, what's the best way to have my property taken care of when I'm not there, what's the political situation like, and much more.

I poured over dozens of websites, becoming more and more frustrated. I thought, "There has to be a website out there with all the answers I need!" Alas, there was not. That was over 2 years ago, and not much has changed.

Until now.

Allow me to present my brand new, "one-stop-website" from The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert - www.costaricarealestateexpert.com!

At this website, you'll find a wealth of information on a variety of topics related to Costa Rica, real estate, and living there:

Property information
Overview of the political situation, economic situation, weather, travel, immigration, geography, and much more
Seniors issues
Real estate investor information
Travel information
FAQs and Resource Lists
And more...

My goal is to keep adding more and more useful and relevant content to this website, continuing to keep it up to date and THE ultimate resource on the Internet for Costa Rica real estate related information.

January Costa Rica Real Estate Seminar in Calgary

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:55:27 -0600

We now live in a global society, and international real estate is more accessible than it has been in the past. Spending winters in a tropical paradise is within the reach of many, appealing to more and more seniors, investors, and 2nd home owners.

If you are in the Calgary area, take a few hours to learn about Costa Rica real estate at one of our informative Costa Rica real estate seminars. You'll learn about Costa Rica's real estate market, the healthcare situation, safety, financing options, and much more!

See the flyer below for details. RSVPs are required and seating is limited. RSVP today!

Costa Rica Real Estate Expert November Newsletter

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 11:45:17 -0500

November 2007

Costa Rica Real Estate from Compass Properties

#1 Real Estate Markeing & Consulting Firm in Costa Rica

In This Issue

"Si" to CAFTA

Trees for Debt Relief

Costa Rica Budget Travel

Costa Rica Medical Tourism

Must See - Jaco

Hola!

This past month was an exciting one in Costa Rica, with the majority of voters saying "Si" to the Central American Free Trade Agreement.

The effects of CAFTA on US investors will be seen very soon, but it is expected to draw increased investor interest in Costa Rica.

What is expected is for unusually high import taxes on items like electronics and vehicles to be drastically changed. Currently, if you want to bring a vehicle into Costa Rica, you would have to pay up to 70% of the appraised value of the vehicle in taxes alone!

On another note, but just as exciting, the Green season will be coming to a close soon, expecting weather suitable for travel and vacations just around the corner. NOW is a perfect time to make your travel arrangements to visit wonderful Costa Rica, and even take a look at some amazing investment properties.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Wilson, your Costa Rica Real Estate Expert

"Si!" CAFTA is passed

This past month, the people of Costa Rica voted to participate in the Central American Free Trade Agreement treaty, an agreement that would freely open trade between the US and 5 other Central American countries. According to White House press secretary Dana Perino, the agreement would "expand Costa Rica's access to the U.S. market, safeguard that access under international law, attract U.S. and other investment and link Costa Rica to some of the most dynamic economies of our hemisphere." Read the full story.

Trees for Debt Relief

Ever on the cutting edge of ecological conservation, Costa Rica has come to an agreement with the US government and several environmental groups to eliminate part of its debt, in return for forest conservation efforts over the next 16 years. Costa Rica is one of the most biologically intense places on Earth, and this move will continue to preserve its precious natural resources for generations to come. Read the full story.

Booming Budget Travel in Costa Rica

With Costa Rica's rich diversity - landscape, activities, climate - it's no wonder that it is a draw for so many people. Tourism in Costa Rica has been consistently on the rise in the past few years, and more recently has gotten a boost from budget travel packages. Not everyone cares to stay in 5-star resorts, preferring to be a little more adventurous and really take in Costa Rica's diversity. That's why budget travel packages from travel companies like Caravan and GAP Adventures are booming. Read the full story.

Costa Rica Offers Solution to Healthcare Woes

With the state that healthcare is in, in North America, many people are now seriously looking at medical tourism which involves receiving treatment in other countries, such as Costa Rica. The quality of healthcare is higher than many think, but at a fraction of the cost in North America. Treatments can range from the elective (plastic surgeries) to life-enriching (hip replacements, knee surgery) to life-saving (heart surgery).

Medical tourism is growing in recognition and popularity. Imagine going to Costa Rica for a facelift, recovering under the shade by the pool, and returning home without anyone knowing about your surgery. All they will notice is how refreshed you look upon your return from Costa Rica. Read the full story.

Related Resources

Costa Rica Properties

View our listings of home sites, beach homes, and condominiums in beautiful Costa Rica starting from the low-$100's

Featured Property

Villa Paradise Condo

Located just 1 block from the beach in Jaco, is this recently remodeled gem, priced at just $120K.

This unit is perfect for vacationing and can be rented to tourists when you aren't there. Its excellent location and affordability make it very desirable.

Must See Places

Jaco

Jaco is located in the Central Pacific region of Costa Rica, less than 2 hours from the country's capital of San Jose. Jaco is well known for its excellent surf and active nightlife, though the fun is casual and relaxed.

A variety of shops, restaurants, and hotels are located along the main drag which run parallel to the beach.

Learn more about Jaco.

Lowest Airfares

These are roundtrip airfares that were available on 11/1/07, for one person leaving on 11/22/07 and returning on 11/29/07.

To search for current airfares, go online to

www.ytbtravel.com/mabtravel

LAX to San Jose (direct) - $514

Miami to San Jose (direct) - $238

Calgary to San Jose (1 stop) - $880

LAX to Liberia (1 stop) - $579

Miami to Liberia (direct) - $636

Calgary to Liberia (1 stop) - $897

Jaco Property Rentals

Not ready to buy, but you want to try out Costa Rica? Contact Tiffany Wilson for more information about fantastic property rentals on beachfront Jaco, and in the surrounding area.

Tiffany Wilson - International Real Estate Consultant
Compass Properties - #1 Brokerage in the Mid-Pacific of Costa Rica

USA: 310-503-0557

twilson@compasscostarica.net

www.dreamingofcostarica.com

Read my Costa Rica real estate blog at

Costa Rica Fishing Report - The Bite is On!

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:30:08 -0500

Reprinted with permission by Sr. Frogs Tropical Adentures

Bob Schroeder, an old friend and longtime Costa Rican resident, sent me an e-mail saying that he and his son Robert, along with Jim Blanchard and Jim's son Michael, fished a day at the Río Colorado Lodge on the northern Caribbean coast during the holidays, and caught about 20 calba and drum and some big mojarra, with nobody else fishing there except for a couple of locals.

"Everyone said this has been one of the best calba runs in years," Schroeder said.

The calba run is wide open on the northern Caribbean, where Río Colorado Lodge operator Dan Wise reports that the tarpon are still working in the area as well. Mississippi angler Charles Phillips and his fishing buddy boated a
150-pounder and enough calba to feed everyone at the lodge over the weekend.

Tom Larkin, also from Mississippi, in three days caught 40 calba and three larger common snook. Most of the action has been at Agua Dulce.

They followed that up with a trip to Playa Carrillo and a day with Sonny Kocsis on the Wet Ass II, hooking up on 20 sails and bringing in 12 for release, along with a couple of dorado.

Pam Evans, from Rhode Island, is back in the country on her annual fishing trip, accompanied by fiancé Alan Mitchel. As usual, she is showing the locals a thing or two. This makes nine Costa Rican fishing trips for Evans, and a time or two she has made more than one trip the same year.

The couple started fishing in Quepos, on the central Pacific coast, on the Big Eye with skipper Ralph Roberts. On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, they caught and released two black marlin the same day, both estimated at more than 200 pounds, along with a half-dozen sails and some dorado.

They flew to the northern Caribbean coast?s Barra Colorado on Monday, basing as usual at the Río Colorado Lodge, where, as this was written on Monday, they already had a 150-pound tarpon to the boat.

On the northern Pacific coast, Capullo operator Steve Curtis reports that plenty of sailfish and some marlin are being caught by the Tamarindo and Flamingo boats, but most have been fishing closer to shore and not chasing the billfish in the blue water.

"Nothing wrong with inshore fishing, with a lot of big dorado, roosterfish and tuna to the boats on a regular basis," Curtis added.

A bit farther south at Playa Carrillo, Kingfisher skipper Rick Ruhlow, reports that all the boats from the region that were out last week found sailfish, a few tying into marlin, and everyone getting all the inshore action they could handle on the smaller (and a lot better eating) species.

The bite is also turning on the central Pacific coast, where J.P. Sportfishng out of Quepos had 17 sailfish releases in six days fishing last week, but you can look for action to explode any day in that region, with red-hot action
through the next few months.

Dan Ross from Portland, Oregon, dropped by the house last week to tell us about a new fishing operation he is putting together in Golfito, following up with a fish report.

He and Oregon anglers Doug Wilhite and Rick Robinson fished three days after we met last week, with veteran skipper Bobby McGeniss on his boat Sweet Dreams. They were fishing flies exclusively.

Their first day out was Thursday, and he reports: "Bobby spotted a sheet of plywood floating on the surface and as he approached saw more than 20 dorado under it, and we landed 11 of those, all on flies. As the day went on we saw five more dorado and landed two of those, and also raised four sailfish, boating and releasing two of them."

"The next day we raised 16 sailfish and a marlin, and Rick and Doug landed eight of the sails, but we couldn't get the marlin. Bobby said he fished seven days offshore for marlin, bringing 15 to the boat and releasing seven."

The Ouye family from California visited us for their vacation and in addition to fishing they enjoyed scuba diving, white water river rafting, tree top canopy, ATV?s, Arenal Volcano & hot springs and Jody even found time for a relaxing massage.

Did you know that you can play golf, scuba dive and fish all on the same vacation in Costa Rica? You can even fish before and after diving and on the surface interval.

Make reservations for the 2007 hot billfish season in the Northern Pacific, Gulf Of Papagayo. The season for marlin and sailfish runs from April through November. Call us for information 011-506-461-2478 or e-mail
info@srfrogsincostarica.com or lola@srfrogsincostarica.com You can add any of these activities to your itinerary. Our agents will be happy to handle all the details.

Costa Rica Fast Facts

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:07:33 -0500

Location: Central America, South of Nicaragua and North of Panama (9 56 N, 84 05 W)

Time Zone: UTC-6, same as Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Area: 51,100 sq km or 19,730 sq km, about the size of West Virginia

Population: 4,133,884 (estimated as of July 2007)

Capital: City of San Jose in the province of San Jose

Government: Democratic republic

President: Oscar Arias Sanchez, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize for fostering peace talks that eventually ended the civil wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

National Language: Spanish, but many people also speak English as well. Many people on the Caribbean coast speak a form of French called Creole

Currency: Colon, but the US dollar is widely accepted.

Religion: Roman Catholic (76%), Evangelical (14%), Jehovah's Witnesses (1%), other Protestant (1%), other (5%), none (3%)

Literacy Rate: 96%

Seasons: Green (rainy) season is May - November. Dry season is December - April

GDP: $50.89 billion, per capita $12,500

Unemployment: 6.6%

Agriculture: Coffee, pineapples, bananas, sugar, corn, rice, beans, potatoes, beef, timber

Labor force: 1.87 million. Agriculture (20%), industry (22%), services (58%) (1999 est.)

Industries: Microprocessors, food processing, textiles & clothing, construction materials, fertilizer, plastic products

Major trading partners: US, Netherlands, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Brazil. Costa Rica is currently working on growing trade with China.

Costa Rica is present in these lists:

Richest countries in Central America

Coffee producing countries

Countries with the lowest death rates

Spanish speaking countries

Catholic countries

Countries with the most women in parliament

Countries with the most airports

Tiffany Wilson is a real estate investor and an International Real Estate Consultant for Compass Properties, with offices in US and Costa Rica locations. She is passionate about Costa Rica and loves telling people all about it! She can be reached at twilson@compasscostarica.net. Check out Compass Properties website at www.dreamingofcostarica.com for more information on Costa Rica real estate opportunities.

Through the lens: Costa Rica

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:58:14 -0500

I try to load my blog postings and profile with pictures that show you what Costa Rica is like and what you can expect to see when you are down there. I recently came across some fantastic pictures from Costa Rica that I just had to share.

	The first time I saw this picture, it was the eyes of the child just struck me. This boy has the Costa Rican flag painted on his face. The black background makes it even more appealing.

	This little guy has got to be one of the ambassador's for Costa Rica - or at least the most well known one! Costa Rica has dozens of species of tree frogs. This one happens to be the Red-eyed Tree Frog.

	Scarlet Macaws live in Costa Rica and they are a prized part of this country's wildlife. The Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce out of Jaco has a project to help protect these precious birds.

	If you haven't noticed yet, Costa Rica is teeming with wildlife. In fact, according to the National Geographic, Costa Rica is the most biologically rich country. But enough about National Geographic - isn't this little monkey cute!!

	Many people have recognized that Costa Rica and Hawaii are similar in many senses. One obvious similarity is that they both have active volcanoes. Arenal volcano (shown on the left) is the most well known and visited volcano in Costa Rica, offering some amazing night shows.

	Waterfalls are quite abundant, and in some cases you may even end up with one on your property!

	North American beachfront property may be out of reach for a large majority of North Americans. But Costa Rica beachfront property is still within reach of most North Americans, so you CAN enjoy oceanfront seating you see here.

	Manuel Antonio - the largest and most well known National Park in Costa Rica - is a must-see stop when you are in Costa Rica. This park is in rainforest and extends onto the beach to a protected marine sanctuary.

	I don't know what to say - this picture leaves me speechless. But I am excited that I'm going to be owning beachfront property at the beach that this picture was taken at - Jaco Beach.

	Have I failed to mention the surfing in Costa Rica? Costa Rica is like a surfing mecca, with its Pacific coast beaches riddled with great surf spots. On my last visit out to Costa Rica, it was only 3 days but I HAD to surf while I was there. I surfed for 45 minutes - enough to quench my surfing thirst before we had to make it back to the airport.

Tiffany Wilson is a real estate investor and an International Real Estate Consultant for Compass Properties, with offices in US and Costa Rica locations. She is passionate about Costa Rica and loves telling people all about it! She can be reached at twilson@compasscostarica.net. Check out Compass Properties website at http://www.dreamingofcostarica.com/ for more information on Costa Rica real estate opportunities. Copyright 2007 Tiffany Wilson. All rights reserved.

Grow and Enhance your Real Estate Business

Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:52:11 -0500

Real Estate & Travel Professionals:

Grow & Enhance Your Business with Costa Rica Real Estate

Take just a little more than an hour to educate yourself on Costa Rica's real estate market and the business building opportunities it can offer YOU as a Real Estate or Travel Professional.

Costa Rica Webinar

The Costa Rica Real Estate Expert, Tiffany Wilson

DATE: 2 days available to choose:

Tuesday, October 9, 2007 @ 10:00 am PST/1:00 pm EST
Wednesday, October 17, 2007 @ 1:00 pm PST/4:00 pm EST

LOCATION: On the Internet

MORE: Seating is limited. RSVP with your email and the date you would like to attend to twilson@compasscostarica.net.

Webinar instructions will be emailed to you a few days before the event.

Tiffany Wilson - International Real Estate Consultant
Compass Properties - #1 Real Estate Marketing Firm in Costa Rica

USA: 310-503-0557

twilson@compasscostarica.net

515 West 30th Street

Newport Beach, California 92661

www.dreamingofcostarica.com

Read my Costa Rica real estate blog at

Costa Rica Real Estate Expert October Newsletter

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 11:54:51 -0500

October 2007

Costa Rica Real Estate from Compass Properties

#1 Real Estate Markeing & Consulting Firm in Costa Rica

In This Issue

Tourism is Still Hot!

What is Pura Vida?

Costa Rica Sportfishing

Must See - Tamarindo

Hola!

Are you curious about Costa Rica real estate, but not ready to take the plunge? You are not alone, and it would be silly for anyone to expect you to buy foreign real estate at the drop of a hat! I know that what you are looking for is useful information, as well as possibly taking a little trip down to Costa Rica to see it for yourself.

Well, I am here to serve! I have done the research on Costa Rica real estate so that you don't have to, and I am willing to share it with you. Probably the most effective way of me being able to do that - other than an in-person meeting - is through a colorful, easy-to-understand Webinar. What's a Webinar? In a nutshell, it is an online, interactive slideshow presentation, just like the live presentations that my colleagues and I have made dozens of times before to grateful audiences.

Of course, most people also want to see Costa Rica before seriously considering a home purchase there. That is why I have teamed up with travel professionals to bring you the best prices on the best travel and tours to Costa Rica. In addition, I am also making some great contacts with property rental companies in some popular tourist areas you won't want to miss. Just contact me and I'll put you in touch with one of my Costa Rica travel or property rental specialists.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Wilson, your Costa Rica Real Estate expert

More Tourists Discovering Costa Rica

According to Costa Rica's National Chamber of Tourism (Canatur), the number of visitors to Costa Rica increased by 6.4% for the first half of this year, compared to 2006.

Entrances to the country from the Daniel Oduber International airport in Liberia grew almost 16%, while entrances from Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose grew by 3.14%. Gonzalo Vargas, the president of Canatur stated, "The statistics fill us with optimism. In fact, the closing date for the first semester of this year exceeds the expectations of the national plan which estimated a growth of approximately 5% for this year." Read the full article.

Embrace Pura Vida

Pura Vida = Pure Life. The mantra of Costa Ricans, tourists who have visited Costa Rica, and even those who have never set foot in Costa Rica, but embrace the leisurely, laid back philosophy that is Pura Vida. Many have asked what Pura Vida means, and others have tried to explain it, often very well. But when it comes to pura vida, words do not teach - experience does, and only a visit to Costa Rica can explain what pura vida truly means. Read more about pura vida.

Why is Costa Rica Sportfishing so Popular?

One of the things that makes Costa Rica so popular and keeps drawing tourists back is its diversity, resulting in sights and activities for such a wide variety of tastes. That same diversity is what makes Costa Rica sportfishing so popular. Oh yeah - that and the great weather! From small mountain lakes, streams and rivers, to Pacific and Caribbean fishing, there is definitely something for every fisherman's taste.

Click here to learn more about sportfishing in Costa Rica.

Calendar

October 24: Naturalia Premiere Release Event

Join us in Newport Beach, CA at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort for an informative presentation on Costa Rica's real estate market and an introduction to the luxurious Naturalia development. Enjoy a sunset wine reception, and by just attending, you will be eligible for some very valuable drawings!

For more information, or to RSVP, contact Tiffany Wilson at 310-503-0557, or by email at twilson@compasscostarica.net.

Fly & Buy Home Tours

Take a home tour of some amazing homes in Costa Rica with our associates, and up to $2000 of your travel expenses will be covered when you buy through us!

The following tours have been scheduled for 2007:

Thanksgiving weekend
Weekend before Christmas
New Years

For more information or to arrange a Fly & Buy tour at a different time, contact Tiffany Wilson at 310-503-0557, or by email at twilson@compasscostarica.net, and you will be put in touch with a Costa Rica travel expert.

Related Resources

Interactive Costa Rica Maps - www.costaricamap.com/ing/maps.html
Costa Rica Tours - www.srfrogsincostarica.com
Landlord resources - www.landlord2landlord.com
Costa Rica Tourism News - www.visitcostarica.com
Tico Times - www.ticotimes.net
Costa Rica weather - www.wunderground.com
Real Estate Radio - www.realcoachingradio.com
Travel agent - www.ytbtravel.com/mabtravel

Costa Rica Properties

View our listings of land, beach homes, and condominiums in beautiful Costa Rica starting from the high-$100's

Featured Property

Naturalia

Can you imagine living in a rainforest, just a short walk from the beach? No need to wonder, as Naturalia is just that! The developers took painstaking efforts to preserve the natural growth in the area and incorporate it into Naturalia's design. View more details.

Must See Places

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is one of the most popular tourist spots in the Nicoya Peninsula, but you'll be surprised by how small it is knowing that fact. Tamarindo draws an enormous number of surfers and fishermen, as the area is perfect for both. Many also come here to witness the protected nesting grounds of the giant leatherback turtle. Tamarindo also happens to be just a few minutes away from our Featured Property of the Month, Naturalia.

Learn more about Tamarindo.

Lowest Airfares

These are roundtrip airfares that were available on 10/1/07, for one person leaving on 11/21/07 and returning on 11/26/07.

To search for current airfares, go online to

www.ytbtravel.com/mabtravel

LAX to San Jose (direct) - $367

Miami to San Jose (direct) - $264

Calgary to San Jose (1 stop) - $902

LAX to Liberia (1 stop) - $714

Miami to Liberia (direct) - $695

Calgary to Liberia (1 stop) - $861

Jaco Property Rentals

Not ready to buy, but you want to try out Costa Rica? Contact Tiffany Wilson for more information about fantastic property rentals on beachfront Jaco, and in the surrounding area.

Featured Affiliate

Lisa Wells of
Landlord 2 Landlord

Lisa wrote a wonderful article recently entitled Investing in Rental Property Where you Don't Live...But Hopefully Will One Day, which is very relevant for many considering Costa Rica as an investment that they wish to enjoy in the future, or sooner as a vacation home. Lisa is also the president of Landlord 2 Landlord which offers landlords wonderful services to keep their investment safe. You can reach her at processing@L2L2L.com.

Tiffany Wilson - International Real Estate Consultant
Compass Properties - #1 Brokerage in the Mid-Pacific of Costa Rica

USA: 310-503-0557

twilson@compasscostarica.net

www.dreamingofcostarica.com

Read my Costa Rica real estate blog at

Market Research: People in Calgary, Edmonton & Vancouver looking at Costa Rica

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 11:29:30 -0500

As an investor, a real estate professional, and someone who had a past career in IT trudging through oodles of sales data to produce usable, actionable reports, I strongly value market data. I'm sure we can all agree that marketing costs are expensive, so it's extremely important to choose the method that produces the most results. It is also equally important to know who your clients are, and where they are coming from.

That is what lead me to do some research recently to find out what urban markets in the entire world were most interested in Costa Rica real estate. I was able to put a top 10 list which you can find at www.squidoo.com/costaricarealestateexpert.

In that list were 3 Canadian markets - Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver (in order of rank). I have to say that I was not surprised by this, but let me explain why. I am actually a Canadian citizen who is living legally in California. All of my colleagues are American or Costa Rican, so their knowlege of Canada is limited, compared to mine. When I shared this information with my colleagues, they were very surprised. They thought that Toronto would have been on that list before Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver.

I do have to admit though that I have the added benefit over my colleagues, of having family and friends living in 2 of those 3 markets. I keep in close touch with them, so I am aware of the current state of their real estate markets and economies. This knowledge explains to me very well why these markets are very interested in Costa Rica real estate.

For example, Alberta is a very resource-rich province and they have had a very strong real estate market for several years now. Of course it has slowed down, but not so much that it is cause for concern. This has resulted in a large number of people with an awful lot of equity in their homes.

Canada's dollar is also doing very well, valued just slightly higher than the US dollar. That is EXTREMELY significant, seeing as Canadians now have strong buying power in other countries - like Costa Rica.

And don't forget Canada's winters! In the wintertime, thousands of Canadians either go on vacation to places with more comfortable climates, while others (especially seniors) will leave the country altogether for a few months to escape the harsh winters.

In addition, there is already a strong - and continually growing - community of Canadian expatriates in Costa Rica. Many Canadians have discovered the wonderful country of Costa Rica and fell in love with it enough to make it a permanent or semi-permanent home.

So, considering all of those points - as well as Canadians being extremely intelligent and adventurous :) - the results of my market research were not a surprise.

And so, in order to better serve my fellow Canadians, I am beginning to plan Costa Rica real estate seminars up in Canada at the beginning of 2008. If you would like more information about these seminars, or would like to speak with me about co-hosting a seminar, please contact me at twilson@compasscostarica.net, or 1-310-503-0557.

SEMINAR: Samara, Costa Rica - Experience Breathtaking Oceanview Lots from $59K

Tue, 25 Sep 2007 13:57:46 -0500

Have you or any of your real estate clients considered Costa Rica real estate?

Curious, but don't know where to go for information?
Do you like the idea of owning in paradise, but a little fearful because it's foreign?
Don't know how you can get financing for a Costa Rican real estate purchase?
Scared that the Costa Rican government can take land away from foreign owners?

You can get all the answers to your questions and more at this seminar being held at the Keller Williams SE office in Gilbert, AZ. See the flyer below for details.

Tiffany's Costa Rica Real Estate Blog

Puntarenas, Costa Rica - Panoramic ocean view lots starting at $60,000

Responsible Real Estate Development - Certified Green Worldwide

THE Caldera Highway - Fact or Fiction?

The Magic Number...

Investors & Retirees: Just reduced to $165K - Brand new, 2 bed, 2 bath beach home in Costa Rica

Naturalia: A Costa Rica Investment - A Formal Analysis

Jaco, Costa Rica FAQ

Investor Alert - Investment opportunities in Costa Rica UNDER $200K!

Costa Rica Packing Tips. Be Prepared - PLEASE!

Costa Rica Tourism: Fuel for Real Estate Investment

Why Should Canadians Choose Costa Rica for a Retirement Spot?

Costa Rica Real Estate - What to Expect?

Costa Rica's Strong Medical Tourism

The Costa Rican Government - An Overview and Review

"One-Stop-Website" for Costa Rica Real Estate & Information

January Costa Rica Real Estate Seminar in Calgary

Costa Rica Real Estate Expert November Newsletter

Costa Rica Fishing Report - The Bite is On!

Costa Rica Fast Facts

Through the lens: Costa Rica

Grow and Enhance your Real Estate Business

Costa Rica Real Estate Expert October Newsletter

Market Research: People in Calgary, Edmonton & Vancouver looking at Costa Rica

SEMINAR: Samara, Costa Rica - Experience Breathtaking Oceanview Lots from $59K

Recommended Reading on Costa Rica

Recommended Costa Rica Reading

Living Abroad in Costa Rica

Choose Costa Rica for Retirement

Waterproof Costa Rica Map

Frommer's Costa Rica 2007

The Surfer's Guide to Costa Rica

Guide to Costa Rican Spanish

Costa Rica - Culture Smart!