Properties in Costa Rica Blog

If you travel to Costa Rica or other Central or South American countries, you may find that a rancho is a small house often located on a farm. Here in Costa Rica, a rancho is a structure where you can sit and relax while enjoying the rainforest, the pool or beach or any other scenic view. They are roofed buildings that are open on the sides and they have become a very popular dwelling to use at beach homes, condos and luxury rentals for entertaining with friends or romantic partners. You might also call them gazebos, pavilions or arbor houses and they offer a calming presence to any backyard.

A nice rancho may have some of the following amenities:

• Grill or Smoker
• Fans on the ceiling
• Bathrooms
• Hammocks
• Cots with soft cushioning
• Couches
• Fluffy chair
• Bar
• Kitchen
• Hot tub
• Beautiful scenic views are a must!

There are many reasons that people enjoy having a rancho built on their own property in Costa Rica and among the top reasons are outstanding panoramic views of the coast, great places to entertain guests or cookout and a great place to lounge by the pool.

Many people even opt to have a rancho where they can work. With reliable Wi-Fi access, it’s not difficult to construct a comfortable outdoor space where you can work during the day and relax in the evenings.

Hire a Licensed Contractor

The best way to build the perfect rancho in Costa Rica is to hire a licensed and insured contractor. You can search for contractors with a quick online search, but here are some tips for hiring the right one.

Research

Take time to research the contractors that you are interested in. Avoid hiring the first name on the list until you have time to check several companies out. You need to find out if the companies are licensed and insured. Don’t even consider the contractors who cannot prove they have the proper paperwork.

Reviews

Online reviews are a great way to see whether the contractor has complaints and if so, how they respond to dissatisfied customers. Keep in mind that many of the best companies have complaints. You can tell a lot about how they respond to those complaints.

Never Pay Upfront

Some contractors may require a deposit to secure their services or to buy the necessary materials, but never pay the full amount for the build in advance.

Choose the Right Materials

While many ranchos are made from wood with a solid roof and an open, freestanding base, there are other materials that can be used to build durable ranchos. You can use stone, metal, and concrete. To be a true Costa Rican rancho, you should stick to wood like tropical hardwood or pressure treated lumber to maintain the rustic island look of a true rancho.

Kit or Designer

You can purchase kits to build a rancho on your own or you can hire a contractor who knows how to design one for you. Unless you have worked as a building contractor, it may be best to leave the work to the pros, so you can sit back and relax while they handle the tough work at hand.

While ranchos are found at some of the popular spas and hotels in Costa Rica, nothing can compare to having one in your own backyard. Life in Costa Rica is a surreal experience and when you have a rancho in your own backyard, life doesn’t get much better. If you have considered building your own rancho in Costa Rica, be sure to take the proper steps to have one built and you’ll soon be on your way to having the best backyard in your neighborhood.

By Alejandra Rocca

For years, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum have been making waves in the global economy. Cryptocurrency can now be used to buy everything from a slice of pizza to a luxury home in Costa Rica. International buyers use cryptocurrency to buy property overseas and circumvent currency regulations. As early investors who have profited from cryptocurrency (so-called “Bitcoin millionaires”) look to diversify their holdings into real estate, modern sellers know that they need to keep their options open.

In the future, more homes will be bought and sold with cryptocurrency, and both buyers and sellers will have to contend with the implications, including advantages and drawbacks.

Advantages and drawbacks for buyers

Advantages

• Diversification strategy: Every smart investor knows not to put their eggs in one basket, and buying real estate is a great way to diversify their holdings. Costa Rica is a beautiful place to invest, live, and retire.
• Lock in profits: Buyers who have profited from cryptocurrency may wish to lock in those profits through investment in real estate, a relatively safe investment compared to the volatile crypto market. Foreigners can buy a home, apartment, or resort in Costa Rica the same way Costa Ricans can.
• Negotiating power: Like cash buyers, crypto investors who make are prepared to make a full offer will have an edge in competitive markets.

Drawbacks:

• Limited inventory: It’s still not exactly mainstream to purchase a house in cryptocurrency in Costa Rica, so the number of sellers willing to accept a crypto offer is relatively low.
• Opportunity cost: While it’s rare for a property to depreciate in value, buyers who trade their crypto for real estate could miss out on an unprecedented appreciation of the coin.
• Tax implications: Since cryptocurrency is unregulated, exchanging coins can present a huge headache come tax season, compounded with reporting requirements for foreign assets. In general, trading or selling coins is subject to a capital gains tax. Make sure to consult an experienced CPA who is familiar with cryptocurrency to avoid a visit from the IRS.

Advantages and drawbacks for sellers

Advantages

• Future appreciation: It’s not a guarantee, but if the past has taught us anything, it’s that cryptocurrency markets can experience unprecedented growth – appreciating much faster than real property. Sellers with a high-risk tolerance may enjoy the profits from future crypto appreciation.
• Marketing to a wider audience: Sellers who include “accepting Bitcoin” or another cryptocurrency in their listing will potentially open their sale to more buyers – marketing to a tech-savvy, young, and international audience. The more buyers interested in a piece of real estate, the better.

Drawbacks

• Potential losses – The crypto market is extremely volatile, and selling at the wrong time could limit profits, or even lose you money.
• Learning curve – Cryptocurrencies must be stored in a “wallet” or virtual exchange. If you don’t already have an account, you’ll have to make one, which may present a challenge for less tech-savvy users.
• Tax implications. Again, trading cryptos present a complicated tax situation for both the seller and buyer, compounded by international regulations.

As the real estate industry continues to adopt technological advancements, cryptocurrency transactions will likely become more common in Costa Rica. Cryptocurrencies are already influencing the way people buy and sell property, with more sellers accepting bitcoin and more buyers ready to cash in. Of course, using crypto as payment comes with advantages and drawbacks, so make sure to do your research before investing.

A few years ago, Costa Rica was declared as the country with the best nature in the world. The abundant and exotic flora and fauna found in this amazing country is the main attraction for anyone visiting the country. Costa Rica, also known as the jewel of Central America due to its beauty, opens the doors to tourists all over the world, generating around US $2,600 million per year with tourism services. The biodiversity found in this small country is really varied. Tropical rainforests, mountains, beaches, volcanoes, rivers, waterfalls… are some of the beauties to explore. Due to several private and public initiatives Costa Rica offers protected areas such as National Parks and Refugees for the conservation of its treasure, the flora, and fauna. In these conserved areas animals coexist in the natural habitat, creating a surreal experience.

Further in the country, in the tropical rainforests, you will find atypical landscapes. Most of Costa Rican highways are built in the mountains. In High hanging bridges of great length cross the rainforest creating a totally inexplicable experience, making you feel part of the forest. You can also do canopy from tree to tree in a superman style while feeling the cold fresh breeze in your face, looking at the waterfalls and rivers from a different angle. In this trip, you will be able to see monkeys, toucans, sloths, morpho-butterflies and more. Costa Rica has active volcanoes that are open to the public. The blue-greenish crater of the Poas Volcano will dazzle you as well as the volcanic sand near the Irazú volcano.

The white sand beaches, the translucent turquoise ocean and the contrast with the green rainforest make of Costa Rica a natural paradise. It is even more overwhelming getting to know the volcanic sand beaches, where the sparkling black sand mixes with an also transparent ocean. These beaches have the same corals, the same contrast with the forest. If you are laying on the beach, sunbathing and having fun, keep your eyes on the horizon… If you are lucky enough you can even see whales from the beach. Animals behave in such a peculiar way in these areas that you can be amazed by the different situations and stories.

One of the most acclaimed spectacles that happen during the months of July till October is the turtle “arribada”. Plenty of tourists travel tons of kilometers just to have this experience. It consists of thousands of turtles that gather on the beach in search of dry sand to lay their eggs while others struggle to hatch, it happens massively and simultaneously. This is a great opportunity for the bigger predators in search of food. As it happens in Nancite beach, part of a wild refugee in Santa Rosa, Guanacaste where jaguars wait till the arribadas to hunt the turtles. In this place, animals that are in danger of extinction in other parts, live in a natural habitat and hunt naturally. The balanced ecosystem allows all the animals that coexist to have a good diet. A surreal experience found in Nancite was how two male adult and strong Jaguars are able to share the same prey at the same time. It is known that these animals fight for the food and for the territory, it’s amazing to see how two of the strongest and more competitive animals in the jungle are able to share the food. This is due to the abundant food that the area provides. This is just one example of the magical secrets kept between the beach and the jungle.

A country full of nature of all kinds, different habitats that are conserved for the animals and plants to coexist in the most natural way. While visiting Costa Rica you’ll be amused by the different colors that a sunset can show, surprised by the number of animals you’ll see in such a small radius, intrigued of the way that we live within the forest and the beach. Visiting Costa Rica will show you a total surrealistic experience, where the most incredible natural phenomenon happens daily, this is why our country has the privilege of having the most beautiful nature in the world.

We all know that Dominical has paradisiac beaches and the best views in the South Pacific, but there’s a not-so-hidden treasure called the Nauyaca Waterfall. This is one of the main attractions here… This activity is also a great way to alternate between the ocean, sand and constant heat by spending an amazing day within the forest and the fresh translucent water that falls from the Barú River.

The name of this waterfall makes reference to a venomous snake that inhabits the area and is well known by locals. This well-known waterfall is located only 20 minutes away from Dominical beach, or if you are coming from San José it will take you 3 hours and a half. Known as a natural beauty, this waterfall attracts tourists and locals all year round. Nevertheless, the dry season is the best time to visit, since the hiking trails are less messy rather than during the green season.

Come prepared! Bring your snacks and refrigeration for the entire day, sunblock, insect repellent, comfy clothes, a bathing suit, and good sneakers.

Now, let’s start the journey…

Once you get to the area, there is a big sign indicating the entrance and the parking space. Here you’ll have to pay a fee to enter and you can either choose to go by yourself, with a guide or booking a tour such as horseback riding or escalating. The waterfall entering hour is from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm during Monday to Saturday and on Sundays at 8:00 am till 2:30 pm. Everyone must go out of the park at 4:30 pm, this is a way to regulate the number of people that enter as well as making sure that there’s still daylight to get out. This enough time to enjoy the waterfalls at it best.

Once you’ve paid the entrance, you are ready to start walking the 6 km through the majestic rainforest. Most of the way to the waterfall is beneath trees in the shadow and passing through several paddocks where you’ll be accompanied by some cows, butterflies, and nature’s sound. Each time you get closer the sound of the water falling gets more and more intense, this is a great signal that you are about to arrive.

The majestic waterfall will be right in front of your eyes after walking for several minutes. The entire set of waterfalls measures a total of 80mts wide and the first fall you’ll see is one of 20mts tall with staggered falls. The temptation to get into the crystal clear water is a lot and inevitable to refuse! You’ll be there feeling the water spray from the falls and the refreshing climate. If you are lucky you’ll be able to experience several rainbows that form from the water, humidity in the rocks, and the sunshine. Take a break, eat your snack or prepare the picnic in the rocks, swim in the fresh water, enjoy the view… You can also take a quick walk to the biggest waterfall, almost 45 meters high with a free fall in a much smaller pool. It is beautiful to admire the waterfall and swim underneath the waterfall. There are also smaller pools with rock formations that simulate seats in the water and slides to relax and enjoy this experience.

The Nauyaca waterfall is one of the most famous in Costa Rica, this is by its natural beauty and the height of the falls. It is said that the water from the waterfalls helps the human body by passing on positive energy, and this one is not the exception. Once you are here, you’ll feel like in a wonderland paradise. If you are near Dominical, this is a great activity for families and large groups.

Give it a chance, visit this wonderful waterfall!

Grecia is one of the most sought-after ¨pueblos¨ or towns for expats in Costa Rica. It is located in Alajuela where the perfect climate, impressive views, and world-class amenities attract thousands of locals and expats. This farming and mountain town is a true spectacle!

The Juan Santa María International Airport (SJO) is located only 35 minutes away, while San Jose is approximately 45 minutes away from Grecia. Also, within less than 1 hour you will be enjoying the translucent warm ocean in the closest beaches of the Pacific Coast.

The normal temperature in this town can vary from 82 degrees to the 60’s degrees at night, this chilly climate is due to the elevation of the town. Elevations vary between 3000 – 5000 feet above sea level, providing an impeccable climate all year long. As in most of Costa Rica, it consists of two seasons, 6 months of dry climate and 6 months of rain or green season which keeps the magnificent mountains and views completely green.

Don’t be fooled by its size… Despite having only 76.000 inhabitants, Grecia has everything to live comfortably. Each year more expats and locals opt to move to this magnificent town, this is why it’s a quickly growing community. Throughout the streets, you’ll find several big supermarket chains such as Palí and Perimercados. Restaurants for fine dining or typical food are some of the best in the country, but fast-food like McDonald’s is also an option you could get here. There is a shopping mall called Plaza Grecia with plenty of department stores, cinemas and a food court with a great variety of food to choose from. Amenities in the area also include national and international banks.

During Friday and Saturday mornings, you will be able to get the freshest vegetables and fruits in the Farmer’s Market. This is an event that attracts people from all over the country. Locals have a space to sell their goods like jams, fresh herbs, homemade cheese, ¨chilitos¨, and more. It is also a good option to have breakfast since some people sell the typical ¨tortillas con queso¨ or tortillas filled with cheese, crepes, freshly baked bread and more. Grecia has everything you are looking for.

Real estate in Grecia is highly affordable. Expats tend to choose Grecia for this reason: they can pay less for a living while having quality homes. Big residences have been constructed with amenities like pools, restaurants, parks, multifunctional courts, and more that attracts more and more buyers each time. There are some bed and breakfasts and hotels for tourists that look to spend some time in the beautiful mountains. It’s proximity to the city, the great health care both public and private, the perfect climate and quality homes makes Grecia a top choice for many.

Located on the foothills of the ¨Cordillera Central¨ Grecia is a magnificent place to explore. The wonderful views of the Poas Volcano will draw your attention and convince you to drive one hour up to the National Park to see the impressive crater. On your way, you can stop on La Paz Waterfalls and refugee to explore some of the flora and fauna in the area. A great one day trip that you can enjoy with the entire family, this is an experience that must not be missed!

Nevertheless, local sites in Grecia are very popular and recurrent. Since rivers and streams flow throughout this town, Los Chorros is the main attraction. This is a group of medium and small size waterfalls that create natural pools with clean crystalized water. A great idea for a picnic day!

Another important site is the impressive cathedral ¨Catedral de la Mercedes¨. Located in the center of the town, it magnetizes visitors with its red color assimilating a brick construction. It was built during the 1980’s, with gothic architecture and steel imported from Belgium. The contrast between the red color gothic architecture against the green gardens and mountains create a splendid scenery.

Grecia is a splendid place to live. The ¨ticos¨ lifestyle can be appreciated in each corner and the magnificent nature characteristic of Costa Rica is present with the mountains, rivers, and waterfalls nearby. The convenient location, the great views, quality homes, low cost of living and the world-class amenities makes Grecia a prime choice to live in!

Manuel Antonio is one of the most famous areas in Costa Rica, a “must visit” location. Despite being the smallest national park in the country it’s so rich in fauna and flora that it attracts foreign and national tourists all year round. Below you’ll find a great guide to the Manuel Antonio National Park as well as some tips as well as what to do in town.

One of the most visited and acclaimed national parks. It has an opening and closing schedule from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7AM to 4PM and they only let in a certain amount of people. A good recommendation would be arriving early, especially during the peak seasons, otherwise, you will have to wait in line for people to leave the park. There is a fee to enter with a cost of US $ 16 for foreign. There is also the option to visit the park with a tourist guide for an additional charge. This is a really good option since some of the most beautiful animals could be sleeping or hiding, and guides have a special eye for spotting them. Their equipment also allows you to take professional photographs and sight even the smallest animals and insects with details. They also have tons of knowledge about each species and historical knowledge about the park.

Come prepared!

Bring your own beverages and snacks. Once you enter the park, there are no kiosks or ambulant sellers to provide you with food or drinks. Bring sunblock, even though you’ll be waking under the shadow of trees, there are some parts where the light still comes through and you’ll get sunburned unevenly.

There are several maps placed through the path in order to show you the way to bathrooms and beaches, as well as park rules that must be followed or you’ll be fined. The correct disposal of trash is very strict in the park. There are several recycling bins throughout the park as well as regular trash cans to dispose of waste correctly. It is very important to follow the trails that were specially created for humans to prevent accidents.

Keep your eyes open, you’ll be walking through the forest and all kinds of monkeys, sloths, butterflies, toucans, snakes, sloths, iguanas and more animals will appear on your way. Inside the National Park, you’ll find several beaches to spend the rest of your day and relax after walking through the astonishing forest. White sand beaches mix with the green trees and turquoise ocean. The sea is really calmed and has an unavailable temperature all year long, great for swimming and snorkeling. The translucent water will allow you to see the colorful fishes swimming by your toes. If you are lucky enough, you will notice a sea turtle or a sea ray dancing with the movement of the small waves.

A great idea would be to unfold a towel and have lunch under the shadow of the trees. Be careful! Monkeys and raccoons have a great smell and are very curious, they might approach your picnic site to steal food or personal items with their small hands. These animals must not be fed on purpose, they’ll come back for more with their entire herd. Don’t be afraid if you open your eyes after a nap in the sand and you find a sloth right above you, they are sleepy animals worth of admiring.

Outside the National Park, there are also several beaches that could be visited. Also with white sands and turquoise ocean where animals will approach you no matter what. Here you will also have locals selling typical beach snacks such as “Ceviche” and “Granizados” to cool up your day. There are several spots to rent aquatic toys like paddle boards, kayaks, snorkeling equipment or even you could parasail. Right next to the beach there are some restaurants to have lunch or dinner. If you are traveling on a low budget, here you’ll find hostels, cheap hotels, camping sites, or you can even visit the beaches and park for the day. But, if you are looking for luxury and comfort, there are very good hotels and private houses with beautiful ocean views ready for you!

The picturesque town of Manuel Antonio offers great dining options and perfect stays. Locals will receive you with a smile and guide you through town as you ask. The National Park is a surrealistic experience where you will have fun or relaxing surrounded by the incredible animals that inhabit this place.

Definitely, Manuel Antonio is a place not to be missed!

The North Pacific region, commonly known as the Gold Coast, is one of the most emblematic regions of Costa Rica. In this region, you can see a strong Guanacastecan culture which attracts hundreds of foreigners and nationals. Its plains, farms, beaches, and mountains are the excellent combination. If you are planning on moving to this region or a dream vacation, I will recommend you three of the most exclusive and impressive residences to visit. Here, nature, beach, and luxury combine creating the perfect lifestyle.

Las Catalinas

• One of the newest developments, located beachfront of the white sand beaches called Danta and Dantita. The project was designed with colonial colorful houses with a specific distribution order for the luxurious lifestyle to mix with nature and wildlife. Likewise, its streets have panoramic views, enhancing the beauty of the place and creating a feeling of relaxation at all times. It has a beautiful beach club that includes an infinity pool with a restaurant overlooking the sea.
• On the beach, there is also a restaurant that opens onto a playground for children. Equipment is provided for activities ranging from boogie, surf, and exploring the area with snorkeling and kayaking. Likewise, it is a great place for lovers of hiking and mountain biking since it has 25 km of hiking trails and 25km bike routes.

Reserva Conchal

• It is considered one of the most recognized resorts, golf and spa development of 930 hectares in the North Pacific. A luxurious residential located beachfront of Playa Conchal, one of the most acclaimed beaches in this region. The name “Conchal” means shell, this is because of the unique texture of the sand that is made from thousands of millions of little-crushed pieces of shells. It is composed of a large luxury hotel and different condominiums with private houses for rent or sale. It is one of the most sought-after areas for rentals during the high season since its proximity to the white sand beach and turquoise water that provides great comfort. In addition, there is a private access to the beach club that offers different restaurants, poolside service, access to the fitness center and the wellness spa, in which they implement the most innovative relaxation techniques. The beach club and shared area are great for New Years and Christmas most eccentric and elegant celebrations. It is also well known for other events such as weddings and massive corporate events. The delicacy of its construction and decoration blend perfectly with the beautiful beach. A place not to be missed.

Hacienda Pinilla

• Located in the area of Playa Avellanas and Playa Langosta you will find this elegant beachfront development of 4500 hectares. It has 3 of the best beaches found on the Gold Coast with direct access in different sectors. It mixes elegant properties and details with nature. Upon entering the property you will see forests and land for sale, as well as the different direct accesses to the beach. Further on, precious residences begin to appear, most maintain a colonial hacienda style making reference to Guanacaste’s finest folklore. There are also modern houses and small condominiums. Like other exclusive residential areas, it offers fine dining and contains a large luxury beach club with food service, gym, spa and daily activities. For surfers, the three beaches located within the complex have unmissable waves and are recognized for it. It is a quite renamed place especially during the high season, in which the beach club is used for end of the year and Christmas celebrations, weddings and private parties.

The Pacific coast has a great variety of wonders to discover. These 3 projects are very luxurious and can give you all the comfort and satisfaction of knowing one of the most beautiful regions in Costa Rica in the best way.

Between the months of July thru October, you’ll be able to observe one of the most beautiful natural phenomena: the nesting of turtles. Every year, hundreds of turtles come to the beaches of Costa Rica to lay their eggs, while others are born and start hatching from their eggs towards the sea simultaneously.

Biologists and scientists have different theories about why turtles nest and hatch massively and simultaneously. Many believe that they have a photographic memory of the beach and the stars, that’s why they return each year to the same place to lay their eggs. Others believe that this happens massively to prevent big depredators in the area.

Some turtles arrive at the shore during the sunset, but it is not until night when the sky is clear and the moon’s first quarter lights up the beach when this process takes place.

They crawl with great difficulty through the sand up to more than 20 meters away from the shore, which prevents the high tide from taking the eggs. Once positioned, they start digging in a hole of almost the same size as them and approximately 75 centimeters deep so that the eggs receive the heat and humidity necessary. It is a very harsh process where sometimes while hatching, you can see the turtle crying. Each one leaves between 100-150 eggs at least, that are born 45 days later. After expelling all the eggs, the turtle covers the hole again with sand and crushes it with its fins, making sure that the grounds are secured. Once the process is over, the turtle returns to the sea, and leave the eggs behind, never knowing their offsprings.

Once these little turtles are born, they come out of their eggs and climb among themselves to unearth the hole where their mother left them. Here begins their way to the water, full of obstacles. Some eggs never hatch, others have a difficult time coming out of the hole and can’t make it through. Also, once they are out, they can be eaten by larger predators such as dogs, crabs, birds, and even man. Others are eaten on the road, some can not stand the currents and are dragged to the beach again and again without being able to reach the sea.

The whole hatching and nesting process can be sighted by tourists, on a regular basis. Most of the National Parks in which this type of event happens offer tours to watch these turtles. You can go to Ostional National Park, Guanacaste which includes the beaches of Nosara and Guiones, one of the most famous places for the show. Also in Guanacaste, Las Baulas National Marine Park, consisting of four beaches: Playa Grande, Playa Langosta, Playa Ventanas and Playa Carbon. Another famous place in the Caribbean is the incredible Tortuguero National Park. One of the most touristic areas for this magical experience. It is important to be aware that these animals also spawn on other unprotected beaches or where there are no nearby refuge centers. It is essential to be aware of this and not bother in the process of both spawning and returning to the sea of small turtles. It is in its nature and is the normal cycle of this.

Be ready to walk on the beach during dawn, sometimes you can watch small quantities but sometimes you’ll be lucky to find thousands of turtles leaving their eggs. Nevertheless, this wonderful gift from nature is something worth watching. This is an activity that can be enjoyed by everyone, children, and grown-ups. Something not to be missed!

There is no doubt that Costa Rica is a paradise chosen by many tourists internationally. What does impress, is the number of stars and celebrities that visit our country every year. Those who come, fall in love and are usually recurrent in their visits to different areas of Costa Rica. They not only choose our paradisiacal beaches, they also take refuge in the mountains and volcanoes, where they can have all the privacy while getting to know the most beautiful corners of our country.

Starting with a very popular couple that is seen really often in Costa Rica: Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady. The famous Patriots player and the Brazilian top model of Victoria’s Secret travel with their children. They bought a private residence in Santa Teresa some time ago, in a secluded location further away from the beach in order to have total privacy. They are usually seen at the beach during the mornings when Tom can surf calmly. Gisele also participates in different yoga classes in the area and has been invited to fashion discussions and events in San Jose. Recently, In their social media profiles, they are seen enjoying the area of San Carlos and doing activities such as canopy and horseback riding with the entire family. If you visit Santa Teresa, keep your eyes wide open for this popular couple, they tend to be there a lot!

Other celebrities that have been seen in the Mal País area several times are the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Mel Gibson, Mathew McConaughey, Matt Damon, Liam Hemsworth and Miley Cyrus. All opt for private transport and places of maximum discretion to spend their holidays in peace. However, they do not deprive themselves of visiting the beach towns and the restaurants at night. Matt Damon was found several times dining at beach bars with his entire family. Miley and Liam were photographed spending a whole day on the beach in their beachfront penthouse, surfing and sunbathing. Undoubtedly, this beach has a great attraction for tourists and famous people think so too.

Bono, the emblematic singer of U2, secretly visited the country on several occasions. Very rarely the press realizes that celebrities of such high level are here. On one of his vacations, after spending several days on the Pacific coast they hired an ATV tour and his wife suffered a minor accident. She was transferred immediately to a private hospital in San Jose, and there the press was waiting for them there. The hospital had total discretion and tried to make them feel comfortable by prohibiting the press’s entrance. They did not realize that many of the patients were fans of him and his music. Several were able to take pictures with Bono, but he decided to stay in the room accompanying his wife.

In 2017 Costa Rica received the famous Kardashian family. They arrived on a private flight, in which they were then transferred to one of the most luxurious mansions of Papagayo, in the Pacific Coast. The penthouse is surrounded by nature and has 8 private suites, a spa, marble bathrooms, several pools, staff, security and a fantastic ocean view. They also visited the San Carlos area, the Arenal Volcano specifically. They bathed in rivers and thermal waters and went rafting. They used private transportation to travel around the country, they used small planes and helicopters, always with their security. Each day, they had a photo session in which they showed incredible landscapes and their glamorous lifestyle. You can imagine, a vacation in the best Kardashian style!

It is said that Keylor Navas, the Real Madrid goalkeeper, has promoted the country among his colleagues on the team. On these previous days, the French player, Raphael Verane, decided to rest after winning the world cup on the beaches and mountains of Costa Rica.

Oftenly, these stars try to go unnoticed. After all, they seek to rest and be able to spend quiet vacations, get off the radar for a while. They use private transportation and stay in luxury homes away from the crowds, but always trying to know every special corner that Costa Rica has to offer.

The famous reaffirm that our country is a natural beauty

194 years have passed since the province of Nicoya was annexed to our beautiful country. A gift, a jewel that makes Costa Rica a more attractive country for locals and foreign people. In addition to expanding the national territory, the annexation benefited our country in many ways, both in terms of trade and tourism.

How did this happen? It’s a short story with a great happy ending.

Nicoya is a region located north of Costa Rica, on the Pacific side and borders Nicaragua.

In 1812 Nicoya it was an independent territory managed in civil and administrative matters by the general captaincy of Guatemala, as well as all of Central America.

In this same year, the province of Costa Rica, (belonging to the general captaincy of Guatemala) did not have the maximum population to attend the summit of Cadiz, where the independence of the Central American countries was generated. It was then when Nicoya decided to join Costa Rica temporarily so that they could complete the amount of population required and thus be a participant in the independence of the Central American countries.

Nicaragua showed great interest in the rich region of Nicoya as well. However, Nicaragua was going through a stage of internal conflicts and national problems. On the other hand, Costa Rica has always had a better connection and relationship that was forged years ago, the people felt more identified with our country.

For this reason, Nicoya decided to call his people to an open town meeting and that is how on July 25, 1824, they decided to join Costa Rica, by their own decision on a democratic basis.

The annexation not only contributed on economic means for its rich commercial side. By acquiring this land people could also benefit from its beautiful and extensive beaches, its plains and farms so characteristic of this region. In addition, a very important contribution was the cultural side.

The cultural richness of the Guanacaste is unique! They spread throughout the country their typical dances and costumes, the marimba which is now known as the national instrument, the “bombas” which are oral expressions that recount aspects of everyday life and can be romantic or humorous, or a combination of both.

In present day, July 25th is declared as a national holiday so that all Costa Ricans can celebrate that this amazing region is part of our country. In different parts of the country, there are parades with people wearing traditional dresses. People dancing to the rhythm of the marimbas with masks and “tortillas” or other typical food. “Topes” are also very common, in which people parade with their horses and typical farmer clothes throughout the town. All of these manifestations of joy are more strong in the Guanacaste province.

Nicoya, rich in traditions, rich in landscapes, rich in its people. It’s a gift for Costa Rica, and it’s even more satisfying knowing that the process to join our country has been democratic and by its own decision. Definitely, July 25 is a day to celebrate that Nicoya is part of our small but rich country!