Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Costa Rica is a country full of nature and diverse ecosystems where we have to take the greatest benefits possible. It is a country that works with wind power with towers scattered throughout the country, there is no doubt that the people here are aware of the planet. Off-grid properties are properties that envelop and nourish a lifestyle. These are houses, hotels, or communities that can be self-sufficient, without the need of buying services from others.

Off Grid properties tend to also fall on the fact that they are powered by electrical grids, this being their only source of energy. Renewable energy is a trend now. When talking about this term some might think of wind towers, but advances in technology have allowed to install solar panels on the roofs of houses. In this way, storage systems can be used to maintain the extra energy that is produced during the day. It does not only help the environment, but it also helps your pocket! You will not be depending on the electricity service and paying a bill each month for your consumptions.

Something beautiful about the architecture of these types of houses is how they combine the building within nature. They have an intelligent design: before installing solar panels it must be taken into consideration the sun’s trajectory to take the best advantage of the energy. It also helps while considering the insulation on walls to reduce the electrical installation of fans and air conditioners: by studying the sun’s suit, it can be determined which walls of the house will receive more heat. Off Grid homes also incorporate natural light, indoor and outdoor spaces for a better effect.

There are several hotels and homes in Costa Rica that are considered as Off-Grid. Most of these are located within nature, in order to exploit the potential and natural resources. The goal is to find balance by combining a beautiful architectural product and the ecosystem. These are adaptable and sustainable homes with self-producing energy, providing the inhabitants an off the grid lifestyle. In Costa Rica, Decree No. 39220-MINAE regulates the production of energy for personal use.

We live in a society where we need others to subsist: water, electricity, food … While living off the grid you cut-off this dependency by starting with something as simple as providing your own electricity. Nevertheless, this is a lifestyle. One must become conscious of the effort that takes to produce their own necessities. It depends on your effort!

Tamarindo is a small beach town located in the province of Guanacaste, which is situated on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Tamarindo is known for its surfing, relaxed beach vibe, incredible gastronomy, and of course the nightlife. Whether you want to hit up a beach restaurant and enjoy a few cocktails while watching the sun go down, or you want to stay up and watch the sunrise- there are places for everyone.

One of my favorite things to do on a Thursday night is hit up the weekly night market. The market is open from 6-9pm every Thursday. This market has different local performers, local cuisine, handmade jewelry and art and many other wonderful vendors. It’s a Costa Rican farmers market but at night.

Again, depending on what you are interested in doing at night, there are many different options for you listed below.

Sports Bars:

Sharky’s Sports Bar + Surf Club Sports Bar + Bar Jolly Rodgers

Night Clubs:

El Be! Tamarindo Beach Club + Crazy Monkey + Pacifico Bar + El Garito + The Roof

Beach Restaurants:

Volcano Brewing Co + Pangas Beach Club + Langosta Beach Club + Nogui’s Restaurant

Sports Bars are a must for many tourists, as they cannot miss their games. Thankfully Costa Ricans feel the same way; therefore we have a few different sports bars scattered around Tamarindo. Sharky’s is great because they get almost every channel with all the games on.

In terms of nightclubs, El Be Tamarindo Beach Club is great because you are on the beach. Who doesn’t enjoy having a few drinks and meeting new people on the beach? The other bars and clubs are great if you want good music and to have a fun night out in Tamarindo.

There are many other beach restaurants located along the beach, but the ones I recommended are my favorite with good reviews. While traveling in Costa Rica, you should utilize the beach restaurants because the views are incredible. Eat on the beach if you cannot do this back home. Just remember to pack some bug spray because the bugs come out at night. You will not notice them until the next morning, so come prepared.

Tamarindo is very safe and you do not have to worry about anything. As long as you use common sense when you are out at night, you are good to go. The people in Costa Rica are very friendly and helpful if you need anything. You do not have to know Spanish to get around; most people can speak a little English. There are many taxis to shuttle you back to your hotel so you do not need to drive at night. You will notice Tamarindo is very beautiful at night with all the lights and live music playing at many restaurants. It is recommended to tip the local singers to show your support and appreciation. Around Tamarindo you can also find places that offer Salsa lessons and do Karaoke nights. If you enjoy singing, look online for places that are doing Karaoke. There is a casino in Tamarindo called ‘Casino Tamarindo Diria’ which is good for those of you who like to gamble. There are a few tables for blackjack also.

There is so much to see and do in Tamarindo, you will want to extend your time here or move here. I am here for any real estate advice and I can help you at any time!

Traveling anywhere is exhilarating, yet a tad intimidating for the inexperienced and skillful travelers. With Costa Rica being one of the happiest places on earth, it’s no wonder more and more people are heading this way. The slogan in Costa Rica is ‘Pura Vida’ which means ‘Pure Life.’ Don’t be surprised to hear this a few times per day.

It doesn’t matter where you go, it’s always important to do a bit of research before you head to a foreign country. Whether you are looking for the best places to eat or Internet cafes to work at, doing a little exploration will give you a heads up with the best tips in the area. This article will provide you with knowledgeable information that will help you travel to and around Costa Rica.

First things first, driving in Costa Rica can be quite difficult even for the locals. Depending on where you are traveling to in the Country, some of the roads require you to go through streams and up rocky volcanic roads. If you are traveling from the airport to the main beach towns, the roads are generally maintained. It is recommended to only drive in the daylight if you are not familiar with the roads. For most people, it is much easier to hire a shuttle or take the local bus. If you do decide to adventure and rent a vehicle, do not base travel times on distance. Since the roads are rough in some places, it often takes a lot more time than the GPS says it does. No one can see Costa Rica in a day so take your time and enjoy everything and remember; Pura Vida.

If you are planning on booking any excursions while you are here (which is definitely recommended, especially a tour to Arenal Volcano) you don’t have to worry about booking directly through the company providing the tour. The imbursement of commission drives the tourism industry, which is the largest industry in Costa Rica. If your hotel is selling tours and excursions, they are making anywhere from 15-30% commission, the same as any tour company in Costa Rica. Many tourists are unaware of this organism but it is good to know the power of booking an excursion with the locals.

Depending on how long you are staying in Costa Rica, you might want to get a local SIM card instead of paying your phone provider back home. You can find vendors at the airport when you fly in, and they will be selling SIM cards. This is a cheaper option most of the time, and it is very easy to load calling, texting, and data on to your SIM card. You will get a Costa Rica number, which is great for calling locally. Downloading the app ‘WhatsApp’ is great for communicating with friends and family back home and with the locals you meet.

Let’s talk about currency. In Costa Rica, the local currency is the Costa Rican Colon. Currently, 1.00 USD is equal to 602.00 Colones in Costa Rica. It’s always better to use the local currency, as sometimes the rates may seem higher with the foreign exchange. Many restaurants and shops will give you back colones if you choose to pay in USD.

Another reminder when coming to Costa Rica is that you are coming to the rainforest. There is going to be bugs and they are usually hard to avoid. Be prepared with bug spray and after bite and you should be good to go, especially on the beach and in the rainforest. It’s one of the unique features that Costa Rica has to offer. You can’t visit a rainforest without bugs. Be equipped to see monkeys, iguanas, birds, sloths, and other interesting animals here in Costa Rica.

The last tip I have for you is to come equipped for the weather. Even in the dry season it could rain, therefore packing an umbrella is always a good idea. The great thing about Costa Rica is the abundance of sun. Even if it rains, it will not rain all day (unless you are here in the rainy season of September and October.) The weather is always hot, sunny, and humid and we are waiting for you here in Costa Rica!

Pura Vida.

From a real estate agents perspective, we want to make your buying and selling process as easy and secure as possible. It is our responsibility to put our best foot forward to find or sell your home. From years of experience, we start to pick up on what works and what is not so effective with selling properties in Costa Rica. After all, everything takes time and practice. This article will point out a few details that will help sell a property here in Costa Rica.

Pricing:

Pricing of course is the number one reason as to whether your house will sell or stay on the market for a long period of time. Depending on how much you are asking, and how quickly you want to sell your property; being realistic with the price will sell your property much faster. If you are asking way too much and it is not a realistic amount, your property could be on the market for years upon years until it is lowered. Research or talk to a real estate agent about similar properties that have recently sold in your area. This will give you a better idea as to how much you should ask for yours.

Depending on the eagerness of the sale, real estate agents usually give their sellers three different pricing structures based on if they need to sell as soon as possible, if they want to wait and get a fair market price, or if they are just fishing. Usually if they want to sell as soon as possible, they will get around 25% lower than the market worth. So if you want to sell your property, price it to sell for a faster sale.

Staging:

Everyone likes to walk into a clean house that is decorated for visual appeal; therefore staging your home is very effective. Do not over clutter your house because that can push people away. Lighting is also key, especially natural lighting if possible. Did you know that good lighting could make your home feel much brighter and bigger? Do a little research online to help you stage your home. There are many décor ideas that could help sell your home faster.

Use Professional Photos:

Getting professional photos taken of your home will help show clear photos of each room in your place. Good quality photos will make a difference in a buyer’s first impression of your property. The more you help yourself at the beginning, the easier it will be to sell your property. Quality is always better than quantity. Spend a little extra prepping your property to make it aesthetically pleasing, because appearance goes a long way.

Open House:

Having an open house for your guests to walk through with no pressure is a great selling feature. A tip for the owners; it is better to leave the house for this and leave it in the hands of your real estate agent. They know what they have to do and it is more comfortable for the clients going through the property. Homeowners will have biased opinions and this could steer the potential buyers in the wrong direction. Also, it is important to remove all animals in the house when you are having an open house. Some people are scared of pets, and this could turn them away. Again, think of yourself being in this situation and what you would expect from an open house. Open houses are great to get traffic into your house and to show them how beautiful it is. With everything in place such as a good price, quality photographs of your home, and the space being appropriately staged; you should have no problem getting people to come to your open house, which will hopefully end in a sale.

Being a real estate agent, I can’t stress the above information enough. If you want to sell your property, you should follow the tips given in this article. Being the seller you might think these tips are not imperative, but in the buyer’s opinion; they really care. At the end of the day, we want to help you out with this process and provide as much information as we can in order to make this procedure a little easier on you. With our knowledge and experience, selling your property in Costa Rica should feel like a breeze.

Costa Rica is a country that has plenty of influence from the United States since plenty of expats and American families live in the country. Ticos even adopt some of the typical holidays, for example, Thanksgiving.

This is one of the most celebrated holidays for families and friends in Costa Rica. We must take into consideration that there are more than 100,000 Americans living in Costa Rica, many Ticos have also lived or studied in the United States, also some have family influence from North America. Despite this, there are even families without American influence that tend to celebrate this holiday since it is a great excuse to get together and cherish loved ones.

Each year the amount of people that celebrate Thanksgiving in Costa Rica increases. Supermarkets are running out of turkey more and more during November. It is well known that Thanksgiving has a cultural, historical and patriotic connotation for the USA. Nevertheless, Costa Ricans find the essence of this Holliday something of value and worth of celebrating.

Why not celebrate a day where the main purpose is to give thanks?

At the beginning of November, you already start to feel a festive climate in the streets. Trees start lighting up and even the days are chilly but sunny, the best months to spend time outdoors. It is natures way to welcome the most beautiful celebrations that Ticos will experience during the months of November and December.

Thanksgiving celebrations happen all over the country. Restaurants tend to have special menus and supermarket have sales on all of the ingredients needed to complete the perfect dinner. If you are foreign looking to eat turkey and mashed potatoes, you will find it here, keep in mind that flavors can be a little different from traditional ones, more tropical.

Thanksgiving is even celebrated in beach towns like Jaco or Tamarindo where there’s a large concentration of American residents. Most of the expats tend to get together with other expats that become part of their family while living outside the USA.

Celebrations in Costa Rica include the typical dinner. It can be at restaurants or at family homes, but always with great company and tons of food. Some people rather spend this day at the beach or in “miradores” which are outlook places in the mountains that overlook the city or the ocean.

Some families even adopt the tradition of mentioning all the things they are thankful for. Others write phrases of what they are thankful for and hang them in the Christmas tree. There are more creative families that even light up balloons with letters attached and set them free, sending their gratefulness everywhere.

Thanksgiving is a great occasion to open a good wine, invite family and friends and set up a pretty table to enjoy a grateful dinner with good company. Ticos are proud of being ticos and having their own traditions, but a day to be thankful amongst loved ones is certainly a good celebration.

During February 8th, 9th and 10th Jaco will be hosting one of the most peculiar parties in Central America: the Jaco Air Fest.

Jaco is a town known mostly for it’s surfing waves and beautiful beaches. Little is known that it has great potential for air sports. This is one of the main venues for free flight in the region. This party will be held with the purpose of promoting sports, culture and recreational activities in order to create an impact in the community.

The festival will count with exhibitions and competitions of different disciplines. Some of the disciplines you will be able to watch are paragliding, parachutes, trikes, and turns, hang gliding, hot air balloons, and model airplanes. However, the highlight of the air fest is the acrobatic exhibitions. There will be exceptional international athletes such as the Spanish cousins Raul Rodriguez, multi-world champion of acrobatic paragliding, and Horacio Llorens aerobatic paragliding world record holder. Raul Rodriguez is inviting everyone to be part of this fantastic international air fest. It’s a particular event that will be worth watching!

With this, there will also be acrobatic shows, pilot encounters, a championship of precision landing, flying tours and adventure fair between others. There’s also the option of renting boat tours and watching some the activities from the shore.

This international festival will also be held in a manner that it respects the environment and the communities nearby. There will be activities for kids, where they can learn about these sports and the safeness procedures it implies. Some other attractions that you will find in the festival are playing zones for kids, shops with souvenirs and handcrafted local goods, food trucks, picnic area and more.

During these days the sky will be full of colors and movement. It will be an event hosted for everyone, families, athletes, pilots, and businessman. The exhibitions and shows will be remarkable, a great way of getting to know some of these air sports. Watching this fest is totally amazing, a must see if you are in the area of Garabito during February. It is a party in the air!

2018 has been one of the best years for the conservation areas in Costa Rica. Past Saturday, October 27th four jaguars were spotted hunting on the beach of Tortuguero National Park. It is well known that there is a population of Jaguars that inhabit the place but are rarely seen. Having four of them at the same time indicates that this population is stable and increasing. This progress has to be attributed to the guard parks, MINAE, and SINAC for the conservation of these national parks as well as the flora and fauna.

This year the shore was totally covered with turtles that arrived to lay their eggs. It was one of the best years to watch the “arribada” as we experienced a larger population of turtles. This can be a good explanation of why the Jaguars can be actually increasing. Tortuguero National Park has been doing an exceptional job on the conservation of the green turtle which makes this population increase; as turtles increase the jaguar population does also. Experts explain that there are actually 15 to 25 of these felines in Tortuguero National Park. In 2017, the park closed some of the areas where these big animals inhabit to maximize the conservation of the species as well as considering the security of the visitors.

National Geographic launched a documentary about jaguars in Costa Rica. Here they showed how the biodiversity in our national parks is abundant and able to satisfy the needs of these felines. There were two cases that back up this theory. First, it’s well known that big cats don’t share their food, they actually compete for the prey. Nevertheless, showing how surreal Costa Rica is, there was evidence of two male jaguars sharing a turtle, eating out of it at the same time. In the same conservation area, they planted several secret cameras that captured one feline dragging a heavy and strong turtle for dinner. A few hours later, two other Jaguars, at two different times, approached this prey that was left in the jungle uneaten and finished it, leaving only it’s shell: Three jaguars ate the same prey. These behaviors show how big predators have an abundance of food in the area which allows them to share and not to compete.

Jaguars are considered as a key factor and an indicator species of the ecosystem. Depending on the number of felines found on the area the biologists can have an approximate idea of the different factors, such as hunting, habitat changes, prey amount, water fountains, and others, are affecting. Their activity depends completely on the number of preys, if there is enough food they will active hunters looking for food, and that’s when we are able to see them and study them. Likewise, when the smaller animals that inhabit the area or the preys are well conserved, so will the Jaguars.

There is a prove that Prey and predator have a correlational relationship, as one population increases the other will increase as well. If both populations are increasing this is a great indicator that biodiversity in the place is perfectly fine and conservation efforts are efficient. Costa Rica is the only country in the region where the jaguar population is increasing. Nevertheless, there’s much to improve. Urbanization, deforestation, contamination, land fragmentation are just some of the factors that are harming these animals and their stability. Citizens and tourists have to make an effort and keep contributing to the astonishing job of the park rangers, MINAE and SINAC.

If you are looking to relocate in the Central Valley, close to schools, supermarkets, shopping malls, close to everything, these two spots are just perfect!

These two towns are located 10 minutes away from each other and only 20 minutes away from central San Jose. This strategic location allows people to move easily to different parts of the country. Within a one hour drive, you will be in the best beaches of the Central Pacific coast and close to the best touristic spots of Costa Rica.

Real estate in Escazu and Santa Ana is very varied. If you are looking for a townhouse, a condo, an apartment, a big property with a small house, or a giant estate, you’ll find it here. It is really diverse and in every corner, you’ll find a high-class living style. Near each suburb, you will find different commercial centers which offer fine dining, top choice supermarkets, stores, and more. In these two towns, you’ll find everything you are looking for in a short distance!

Santa Ana and Escazu are connected by the 27th highway or by the old road that passes through the picturesque center of each town. Something magnificent about these two towns is how the modern architecture, the beautiful communities, the first world amenities, mix with the rural side of the town and the astonishing mountains. Both centers include their typical churches with plazas and soccer fields at the side. It is very common to see food farmers markets during the weekends with fresh fruit, tortillas, cheese, bread, and more homemade goods.

What to do?

Escazu is home to one of the main shopping malls in the country, Multiplaza. Here you will find plenty of stores, food courts, top restaurants, supermarkets and more. You will also find Avenida Escazu, one of the most modern commercial centers that keep growing each year. In this place, you will find fancy restaurants such as P.F. Changs and some healthy ones such as Bulali, as well as top cinema studios, designers clothes, Texas Tech University, and much more entertainment. Near Escazu, you will also find plenty of private and public schools as well as hospitals.

Santa Ana is one of the best choices for owners since it’s proximity to some of the best private schools. The access to the 27 highway is so easy that you can access it from every part of the town to get to San Jose or to the Pacific Coast. There are also plenty of places for fine international dining, one of the newest pet-friendly shopping centers Terrazas Lindora with VIP Cinemas and a spacious food court.

Both are surrounded by beautiful mountains and have a warm weather during the dry season and some chilly days during the green season. On the hilltops, you’ll be able to appreciate the magnificent windmills. Since it’s location in the central valley, at nights, you’ll be able to see all the beautiful lights sparkling on the mountains. Living here you will be able to enjoy all of the modern amenities offered, immediate access to health care as well as the proximity to some of the best international schools in the country.

Costa Rica is known worldwide as the quintessential tropical paradise for both mountain and beach lovers alike, and with so much nature to offer, it is no surprise its number one industry is now ecotourism, holding the #1 spot for the top visited countries in Central America for this exact same reason.
Many of these visitors come to Costa Rica because of its beautiful coasts, which extend for 1,228 Km, with shorelines on both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and the most common activity on these areas, especially in the Pacific, is definitively surfing.

The northern Pacific area of Costa Rica, and its tropical dry forest, with its sunny days most of the year, even during winter; you will get the perfect description for paradise, commonly known as the Gold Coast of Costa Rica.

Guanacaste has approximately 180 Km of shoreline completely open to the Pacific ocean, and given its volcanic rock formation, you will find some of the best surf breaks nestled in its magnificent beaches, from Ollie’s Point and Witch’s Rock up north, to Playa Samara in the southwest.
Right in the middle of Guanacaste’s shoreline, you will find a collection of great surf spots among the most touristic towns, perfect for seasoned surfers and beginners alike, and easily accessible through paved roads.

Among these fantastic surf spots, you will find a nice point break in the north end of Flamingo Beach, with white sand and turquoise waters that create hollow waves over a coral reef break, and a beach break in Brasilito Beach, with a sandy bottom and waves that break from the left; followed by the most known spots in the area: Playa Grande, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Langosta and Playa Avellanas.
At Playa Grande, you will find a beach break with long rides and barrels, breaking at both right and left. Playa Tamarindo offers 4 different surf spots: El Estero, a river mouth break over a sandy bottom, Pico Pequeño, that even though offers small waves is not recommended for beginners due to its rocky bottom, Capitan Suizo, a small beach break, and Isla Capitan, an exposed reef break recommended for experienced surfers.

Playa Langosta offers a river mouth break over a sandy bottom, with strong and fast waves posing a fun challenge for advanced surfers. Playa Avellanas, with its 5 different points, is one of the most visited surf destinations in the area, this because its breaks are suitable for both beginners and advanced surfers. La Purruja, on the southern end of the beach, is a right-hand reef break best surfed during the rainy season, from May to November. El Parqueo, a nice beach break that offers a good spot for learners, as its waves break in both directions, is best surfed during the dry season. El Palo, a second beach break, offers nice barrels and perfect waves at high tide. El Estero, a river mouth break with right and left breaks over a rock and sand bottom, and finally, Little Hawaii, a right-hand break over a rocky bottom that can reach heights of up to 6m, perfect for advanced surfers and a favorite among locals.

Further south you will find Playa Negra, an internationally-known spot that breaks over a reef, with fast and hollow waves offering a fun challenge for seasoned surfers; whom can also enjoy Playa Junquillal’s beach breaks, which go in both directions, and a left-handed reef break, producing tall and hollow waves.

Last but not least is Playa Marbella, with its two surf spots: Playa Coco and Playa Frijolar. Coco is a beach break with large and hollow barreling waves, breaking both left and right, and most suited for experienced surfers, especially during large swells. Frijolar is the perfect spot for learners, given its left-hand point break over a sandy bottom, which produces hollow waves and barreled sections when the sand dunes are in the correct spots.
No matter how advanced your surfing is, and even if you have never even touched a surfboard, once you see any of these beautiful beaches and their amazing surf spots, you will instantly feel to urge to ride a wave, and who knows, maybe, as it has happened to many, you decide to stay and try them all, which we hugely recommend! Take advantage of the popularity of these surf spots and their ample real estate market, and find your home away from home in any of these areas with our help.

Costa Rica is a tropical country that counts with only 2 seasons: Dry or summer, and rainy often known as the green season or winter. Summer extends from December thru April, where the driest months tend to be February and March. On the other hand, the green season goes from April till November. Nevertheless, like most tropical countries, the climate is mostly unpredictable.

During the first months of the rainy season one can experience a small amount of water, sometimes it doesn’t even rain. During the mornings the days are sunny and warm, around 4 to 5 pm is when the rain starts to fall. Nevertheless, during the months of October and November precipitation is more constant and strong. Sometimes you’ll wake up at 6 am and rain will continue until the next morning. Other times, you’ll wake up with a rainy day but around 4 pm you’ll have a nice afternoon.

Nevertheless, the rainy season never stops tourists or locals to discover our beautiful country!

There are many outdoor activities that can be done during these months. Rafting is one of the top adventure activities to perform during this season. Most of the rivers tend to grow and make this extreme sport even more fun. There are different levels you can choose from, but during winter the rain will assure you a bumpy ride!

As it’s stated on the name, during these months we’ll have the greenest and beautiful trees and mountains that are now recovering their colors after the dry season. Flowers flourish, flora and fauna meet outside and brighten all of the colors of nature. Hiking and canopying through the tropical rainforest is another great option for the green season. You’ll be able to see all types of flowers, butterflies of different colors, bright fungi, monkeys, sloths, macaws, snakes, and more animal in their natural habitat enjoying what nature has to offer.

During the winter, we also have oceanic spectacles like whale watching and the massive arrival of sea turtles. On the months of August, September, and October you can book a tour to watch these gigantic mammals swimming through our Pacific Ocean. They come to Costa Rica to mate or give birth, so we have plenty of humpback whales in our oceans, sometimes they can even be appreciated from the shore. Turtles come to lay their eggs while simultaneously some of the eggs left the season before hatch. It is a beautiful encounter of big turtles making their way through the sand and leaving around 100 eggs, while right next to them some small turtles begin to crawl out of the sand and make their way to the ocean.

One of the best parts is that prices tend to be lower during winter and we have tons of offers for nationals and tourists! So it’s a cheap way to visit our country.

During the rainy season, Costa Rica keeps surprising us. Nature here is just beautiful and breathtaking. Even though the rainy season goes from May thru mid-November, just like the dry season, these periods may extend or diminish. Nevertheless, rain begins until 3 pm, having plenty of time during the morning to enjoy the light breeze and sunshine. This is the best time to visit the rainforest and have a full experience of it. Watch animals in their natural state and enjoy Costa Rica with a different view!