Properties in Costa Rica Blog

No wonder why Costa Rica is world famous for its natural beauties. From beaches with clear waters and white sand to hanging bridges in the middle of the jungle, a country that has everything an adventure lover is looking for. Regardless of your preference and the level of adrenaline, you’ll find an activity here!

Let’s start with those who look for more tranquil activities…

Horseback riding: Horseback riding on the beaches of Tamarindo or on the slopes of the Arenal Volcano, is the perfect setting to enjoy the cool weather of the mountains or watch a beautiful sunset on the beach.

Cableway through the jungle: You will also find the option of a Cableway which goes through the rainforest and makes it a unique adventure for bird watching. No need of walking, just relax in this car while passing through nature.

Butterfly farms: If you are looking for something even serene, Costa Rica has plenty of butterfly farms, where it is common to admire the Morpho butterfly with its beautiful blue wings. Most of these farms also include snake sanctuaries as well as trails through the forest.

Hiking: If you are looking for outdoor activities, hiking along Río Celeste is one of the options I have to recommend. A path that surrounds the turquoise river and ends with a viewpoint of an impressive waterfall is a plan you will not regret. There are plenty of hiking trails along the mountains and beaches. Manuel Antonio National Park also offers a path surrounded by trees to get to the paradisiac beach. Keep your eyes wide open through this trail to appreciate the animals in their natural habitat: monkeys, sloths, toucans, birds, butterflies, iguanas, are some of the most viewed here.

Hanging Bridges: Another option for lovers of the outdoors are the hanging bridges of Monteverde, perfect to appreciate the jungle from more than 50 meters high. Almost at the same height as the treetops! Birdwatching is a privilege here. You will also be able to appreciate how the rivers mix with the marvelous green forests from above.

For fans of adventure, and adrenaline…

Rafting: Rafting, is a bumpy ride by the rapids of the rivers. Our famous Pacuare river has level 4 rapids, which make it a demanding physical activity. Although the majority of the route perfect to enjoy the scenery with the canyons where the river flow is calm or see the foothills of the Talamanca mountain range. An experience of which one will remember the rest of life.

Canopy: In different areas of the national territory, you can find the option of a canopy, where you can feel the adrenaline rushing through your body while launching as Superman through the jungle. A great activity for large groups on a sunny or rainy day. Riding through natures gift while having fun on the zip lines.

Scuba Diving: Costa Rica offers a new world to discover under the sea. Iconic places to scuba dive are Isla del Coco, Isla Uvita, Cahuita, Isla Murciélago, Isla del Cano and more. The marine diversity found on our territory is infinite. You will come across giant stingrays, hammered sharks, dolphins, turtles, fishes of all colors as well as different kinds of sharks like bull shark, white tip sharks, whale sharks, hammered sharks. Diving in Costa Rica is a total adventure and you will find options for this along with the Pacific coast as well as on the Caribbean side.

Surf: Costa Rica is famous for Surfing since most of the beaches have a perfect swell. It is well-known worldwide by its perfect waves to such an extent that we have hosted the Surf World Championship. Beaches like Nosara, Playa Grande, Hermosa, Santa Teresa, Salsa Brava, are some of the most popular places to practice this sport. For starters, you’ll find a surf shop in each beach town, where locals can teach you how to surf like a total pro!

Bike trails: The best bike trails are definitely in Costa Rica, you can take advantage of miles of roads and most of the cities and towns rent the necessary equipment. Most Costa Ricans have a fervor for this sport so there are several places where this sport is done and practice among severals are Manuel Antonio, Ciudad Colon, Cartago, Atenas, Las Catalinas and much more.

A picture is worth a thousand words and that is the image that the more than one million visitors who come to Costa Rica take to personally experience their encounter with the wonderful nature that surrounds this country. If something has Costa Rica is that it has activities, tastes, and needs for all lifestyles.

Despite being a very small country, Costa Rica has natural wonders that attract tourists from all over the world. Beaches, volcanoes, wild refuges and waterfalls are several of the attractions that can be enjoyed in the country, which makes this small piece of land a hidden treasure when talking about natural biodiversity.

The perfect place for a well-deserved vacation.

Costa Rica has some of the most paradisiacal beaches in the world. With infinite options, having more than 200 different beaches throughout the Pacific and Caribbean coast, white sand and transparent waters with warm temperature all year long make these beaches a desired destination for tourists, as well as fishing fanatics and surfers. Diving is a very common activity where you’ll be able to appreciate whales, sharks, turtles, giant rays, colorful fishes, and corals.

Places like Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, and Dominical are very popular in the Pacific. In the Caribbean we have Puerto Viejo, with its unique style attracts visitors to its beaches, and to get to know its music and its folklore. Sometimes referred to as a surrealistic experience, these beaches are surrounded by nature that makes its presence all the time.

If you are more of a cooler weather and a fresh air person, the perfect choice lies in the mountains. Costa Rica has a rain forest that represents 2% of the world’s natural biodiversity, with more than 800 types of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Active volcanoes, such as the Arenal, are perfect for a ride on the slopes of the volcano or to relax in the hot springs.

For those who love adrenaline, you can rappel in one of the many waterfalls in the country or explore the jungle in a canopy ride in the best Tarzan style, satisfying all your expectations.

With more than 11 Conservation Areas, walking through the forest is the perfect method to appreciate the flora and fauna of the National Territory without any problem. Breathing fresh air, listening to nature and having wide open eyes for the fantastic creatures that appear on the trails is one of the most magical tours this beautiful country has to offer.

Costa Rica has two seasons, the dry (December to April) and the rainy or green season (April-November). Although these two seasons are not well defined, characteristic of a tropical country, rains arrive unannounced and it is quite common to feel the breeze during the afternoon and nights.

If what you want is to enjoy full-time sun you are better off coming during the dry season. With temperatures ranging between 26-30 degrees, it is ideal for vacationing, cooling off in the sea, or chilling with coconut water under the shade of a palm tree.

Being located between North America and South America, Costa Rica serves as a migratory route for different types of animals, from birds to whales. In any activity, nature will be present making this experience unforgettable. The climate, its spectacular beaches, and friendly people with its ‘Pura Vida!’ make Costa Rica the perfect place to vacation.

Four years have passed, four years of anxiously waiting to celebrate this soccer party that paralyzes the entire planet. The 2018 World Cup is already here!

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32 teams from the five continents seek eternal glory by becoming the World Champions. For this occasion, the 22nd edition of the FIFA World Cup will be played in cold Russia,​
but thousands of fans will be warmed up with their passion, their joy, and the love for their country or the one of preference. A worldwide spectacle worth watching.

Although Costa Rica is located more than 12,000km away from the host country, the feeling is strong and the passion is evident. Whats the atmosphere here? A party all month long.

People go to work with flags and their team​ ​jersey, restaurants and bars are always full and the transmission of the games is a must,​families and friends gather eagerly to see “La Sele” (Costa Rican team nickname), commercial centers install big screens and offer promotions for spectators to watch the games, on the corner of the street you’ll find people selling flags and t-shirts of different countries, motivating to encourage the national team.

The past world cup Brazil’s 2014, was a new but unforgettable experience for “Ticos”. An extraordinary performance by the tricolor team unleashed the madness of the 5 million Costa Ricans since the selection was first of the so-called “Group of Death”. Winning to previous world champions like Uruguay, Italy, and England.

But the deed wasn’t over yet… During the round of 16, the national team faced Greece winning in penalties. A game where the heart beat faster within each minute, a game with a drama that not even a script by Steven Spielberg could surpass it.

The madness in the country was unimaginable, hundreds of thousands of people gathered celebrating at the Fuente de la Hispanidad, a historic roundabout with a water fountain on its center. Creating an image for the history that comes.

A country that was criticized by everyone, with negative comments during the first rounds, with no faith in them, a country able to win to the giants. An unimaginable situation for this passionate country. Costa Rica was worldwide news during this World Cup, and Keylor Navas was able to win his transfer to Real Madrid, actually known as one of the best goalkeepers in the Europe League.
Unfortunately, Costa Rica was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals, also by penalties. But that defeat did not leave any merit to the national team that was received as heroes on their return to our country. The airport was full, people with flags and banners waiting for the players, the ones that made this dream possible.

For this 2018 World Cup, looks are on the Costa Rican team after the great role played in the previous edition. Costa Rica shares group with Switzerland, Serbia and one of the favorites to be crowned as champion, Brazil. It is hoped that with the help of Keylor Navas “La Sele” will be able to emulate what was achieved four years ago and thus be able to leave the country high.

Soccer is one of the sports that generate the most passion in the world, and Costa Rica is not the exception. It unites people, it unites a country. A month where every Tico or foreign is able to celebrate and be proud of the country where they live. Tthousands of Ticos will follow the National Team during the three matches of the group stage and so will the “Pura Vida” be present in Russian lands.

Last Tuesday, June 5, Costa Rica celebrated the World Environment Day in a very special way. The new president, Carlos Alvarado, made a great decision: He signed a directive to regulate single-use plastic within the public sector.

He established that the public sector, including sodas or restaurants hired and affiliated, must eliminate the use, purchase, and consumption of single-use plastic and thus lean towards compostable products. As an initiative, the government must provide alternative, biodegradable, compostable and renewable materials to replace the plastic ones. In addition, schools and public entities should receive education to know the damage that these materials causes and create consciousness.

Single-use plastic refers to utensils that are used only once or a few minutes and then disposed of improperly and remain in the environment for several years creating more damage than helping in its useful life. Examples of these harmful elements include straws, bags, bottles, disposable covers, cups, among others.

Several initiatives for the protection of the environment and the reduction and good disposal of garbage has increased in recent years. During 2017 the Osa canton, in the South Pacific part of Costa Rica, implemented a similar campaign in which they proposed the detachment of single-use plastic. They began to look for alternative materials and replaced plastic with sugar cane fibers, roots, bamboo, cloth bags, products made of starches; all elements that can be found in the Central Market, San José. In 2018, Costa Rica was also introduced to Ecocolones. An amazing project where recycling gives you immediate benefits. It consists of talking recyclable materials to a designated center and in exchange, you receive virtual money, called Ecolones, that can be spent in certain goods and experiences. It is a new program with the objective to incentive people to recycle which will lead to creating a more sustainable environment and culture.

Single-use plastic grew with society and each time we find a new use for it, but the detachment has to start. Plastic gets accumulated in the coasts of our country, closing mouths of rivers and killing hundreds of animals per year. Turtles get straws stuck in their nostrils and confuse plastic with food, as do dolphins. Animals get trapped in the packaging of beers or suffocate with bags.

Costa Rica has more than 34 national parks and protected areas, but it is up to people to make a change. It is the responsibility of tourists, foreigners, and locals, of families that enjoy a day at the beach or the mountains of clean after themselves.

We must create awareness and a clean culture to take care of our beautiful planet as the famous Leonardo Dicaprio says it ” Clean air, water, and a livable climate are inalienable human rights. And solving this crisis is not a question of politics, it is a question of our own survival.” We have to address the forces that are threatening our planet. We need to manifest change in the next years.

When talking about sports news in Costa Rica, it is practically impossible not to mention the name of Keylor Navas. Especially after last Saturday, where he got his third Champions League cup and eleventh trophy with Real Madrid of Spain, thus becoming one of the most winning goalkeepers of that competition and in the Merengue team.

Like most soccer players worldwide, Keylor comes from a humble neighborhood called Perez Zeledon, a canton in the south of the country belonging to the main city, San Jose. His first team was called the Deportiva Escuela de Futbol Integral de Pedregoso (ADEFIP). A soccer school in the area where he took his first steps. Scouts saw talent on him so he decided to move to San Jose to play with Deportivo Saprissa, one of the main soccer teams in Costa Rica. Not an easy decision, since he had a family to leave behind.

After several years and many titles with Saprissa, Navas gave the jump to Europe. He moved to Spain where the Albacete team opened the doors and Keylor ended the season as the best player. That same season, the Albacete lost the category and now Levante U.D. saw an opportunity to have Navas on their team. His brilliant interventions and acrobatic stops made possible for Kaylor to quickly consolidate as the starting goalkeeper and thus play the 2014 World Cup with Costa Rica. His performance in Brazil, venue of this World Cup, was extravagant. The team made it to quarterfinals for the second time since 1990, with Keylor as their goal-keeper making this achievement possible. He played in the best way, winning the prize for the best goalkeeper of the event which called the attention of tons of soccer clubs worldwide. Real Madrid finally bough Kaylor Navas, and in 2018 he is now ranked as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.

The dream of every child who has ever played soccer had been fulfilled by a humble child of Perez Zeledon. The Keylor-mania has reached such a point that in 2014 alone, more than 40 children were registered under the name of Keylor and the sales of the goalie’s shirts shot up all over the country. Of course, a hard-working, humble and down-to-earth man seems to be the perfect recipe for success and Keylor proves it year after year game after game.

This summer, Keylor and the men’s football team are on the verge of making history again, this time at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Where the eyes of the world will be focused on the Costa Rica of Navas, especially with the hope of overcoming the role of the previous World Cup where they reached the quarterfinals, a historic event for both national football and CONCACAF.

From July to October, you will be able to watch the spectacle offered by humpback whales and dolphins on the Pacific coast of our country. This massive event has developed an important growth in tourism in the area, especially with the sighting of those majestic mammals that attracts tourists from all over the world.

The tropical climate of our country makes the temperature of the ocean perfect for humpback whales, they travel thousands of kilometers from Alaska or different parts of the continent to the shores of our country to give birth to their young. Another reason why they massively come to Costa Rica is the amount of food provided in the southern Pacific Coast, this is due to the number of conserved areas and national parks in this area.

Whale watching is a unique experience, these huge animals are so imposing and delight the watchers with such a peaceful scenery. You’ll be able to observe their full body while jumping out of the water, their majestic and elegant tail, their big eyes, and the “small” calf right next to them. Once you spot a whale in the ocean expect to see more, they always travel in groups. Interactions with whales have been banned by the Costa Rican government, so every year we get to see more whales in Costa Rican waters. Nevertheless, if you are scuba diving and come across one, admire their beauty and feel privileged to watch them freely, in their natural habitat.

The most famous place to do this activity is in the South Pacific part of Costa Rica, from Uvita to Osa. Whales commonly swim by Drake Bay, named for the Pirate Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century who used the bay to hide treasures from the English pirates. Near the bay is “Isla del Caño” a small island that was declared a national park, and has a quite varied marine fauna making it an ideal place to practice snorkeling or scuba diving. Also, if you are located in a home or hotel with ocean view in Uvita or Dominical you might be lucky to watch some of these from the balcony, or even sometimes whales get close to the coasts and you can appreciate them from the sand on the horizon.

The most common way to attend to this activity is to buy a boat tour that takes you to the open sea to be able to see the whales and dolphins for a full day or half a day, so booking at a hotel in the area is preferable by the attendees. The area is quite visited by fishing fanatics, divers or common for various maritime activities or even explorers who hike through the Corcovado National Park. Tours for this majestic activity are all over the Pacific coast, you can book it at any hotel or tour store.

There are few more beautiful experiences than whale watching, especially a humpback whale swimming with its calf both lifting tails, their pectoral fins or even when they jump together a natural wild show. If you visit Costa Rica or you live here, its a must in the checklist, one-lifetime experience!

Among runways, nutritive discussions, food stands, and many dogs, last Saturday we celebrated a total party at the first dog food festival the “Doggie Food Fest” in Lindora,San Jose. Dozens of pets with their owners showed up and were able to enjoy a nice morning with activities such as and share tips of nutrition and training with professionals. A great activity for our 4 legged friends!

These type of activities in the country increasingly acquired more support after May 2017, when the Costa Rican Congress approved a law that punishes up to two years in prison for the mistreatment of domestic animals, as well as economic fines. This movement also increases the awareness of the treatment of animals and especially the responsibility that comes with having a pet.

The ideology of “Pet Friendly” becomes stronger each day and is portrayed in cafeterias, restaurants, hotels or even commercial establishments. This policy has allowed several establishments to be more popular not only for allowing pets but for a special attention for the animals which includes water buckets and treats while gaining the loyalty of consumers throughout an excellent marketing strategy.

This law led to the opening of dog parks in different areas of the city, where a close space is provided for pets to play and many of them with water fountains as well as different ramps and tunnels. In most of Costa Rican beaches, you’ll be able to appreciate dogs running freely and having fun in the ocean. Some places charge a minimum extra fee per day or per stay for bringing your dog, but others don’t. This movement also reinforces the owners to be responsible and clean after their dogs, that’s why in parks, beaches, national parks, you’ll find dog stands with garbage bags.

Costa Rica has the largest dog shelter in the world called “Territorio de Zaguates”, with an approximate of 700 dogs, plenty of acres of open field to run and play. Something very important about this project is that during the weekends they receive visits from volunteers to help them with the maintenance as well as people who are willing to adopt and give a better life to the dogs. Another case which shows the solidarity with animals is with the fire brigade who have created dog eaters with plastic bottles so that street dogs can have access food and fresh water during the day, this was implemented in different municipalities of the country.

Costa Rica is a country with almost 2% of the world’s biodiversity, with animals of all types, sizes and colors. Ironically, until a few years ago, the image of domestic animals has been changed. Awareness campaigns, social networking groups, and non-profit organizations help encourage people to give the best life possible to our four-legged friends.

Last Tuesday, May 8th, Costa Rica was a witness of the transfer of power between the outgoing government of the Solis-Rivera administration and the new government, commanded by the new president elected over a month ago, Carlos Alvarado. He is part of the same party as the former government, and becomes president of this beautiful country only at age 38, being the youngest president in the history of the nation.

The event consisted of a total of 106 delegations from different countries, including 6 presidents such as Panama, Ecuador, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic as well as President Evo Morales of Bolivia. The venue designated for such a prestigious and important ceremony was the Plaza de la Democracia (Democracy Plaza), created in 1989 during the first government of former President Oscar Arias Sanchez. The importance of this place for Costa Ricans is absolute, place of the Bella Vista Barracks where the army was abolished on December 1st, 1948.

One of the biggest features that the country experienced on Tuesday was the humility and transparency with which the new president of the country arrived. As much as his wife and first lady, Claudia Dobles, they both decided to use only nationally designed clothes and accessories, thus promoting the hard work of thousands of Costa Rican designers, which highlights their strong national identity and feeling.

However, the center of attention was their arrival in a private bus which his entire cabinet, giving a great example of how carpool and public transportation reduces the environmental impact. Don Carlos made his first appearance as president in a carbon neutral bus created and developed by former Costa Rican astronaut and physicist Franklin Chang Diaz, once again showing his pride for his country and people. The name of the bus is “N’YU’TI”, which means star in Chorotega, the language of ancient indigenous populations that inhabit the country. This electric bus that runs on hydrogen fuel will take Alvarado’s cabinet on a 3.3km route, leaving from the Costa Rican Art Museum to the Plaza de la Democracia.

The transfer of powers is a ceremony with feelings and national identity, in which everyone feels proud of the democracy that exists in the country, regardless of the electoral party supported. More than 3,000 attendees and people who felt it in through homes, jobs, hospitals, “sodas”, were satisfied by how the event went and hoped the best luck to the new president of Costa Rica, Carlos Alvarado.

I have lived on the ‘Island of Nicoya’ for over 26 years. Located on the bottom of the peninsula of Nicoya, you will find one of the most beautiful parts of Costa Rica, with an abundance of nature and minimum commercial development. Not technically an island, the access to this area over the years has been by boat or by plane, as is true with all islands. Before the Barceló company began the ferry service here, there were only a few boats that carried people, crops, and livestock to the markets of Puntarenas and back. During the years the ferry service has been improving, adding more boats with bigger capacity. Nowadays, there is a third ferry that carries 160 cars back an forth on 7 different trips daily. This service alleviated the problem of commerce and travel between the Lower Peninsula and the Costa Rican mainland.

Each additional ferry helped every time a little more, increasing tourism as well as commerce and the development of the area. There is an actual road to the north of us that connects the Lower Peninsula to the Guanacaste Upper Peninsula, but that road has been a nightmare to travel on for 50 years. It is a road that technically exists but it is only used as a last resource. The road was poorly designed and maintained, the washboard sections lead to deep holes, constant landslides, hills of soft silt and sections that have fallen into deep ravines dangerously cutting into half of the road. It is an uncomfortable and dangerous road, mostly during the rainy season. Locals would rather pay the $25 ferry fare to inspect their cars in Puntarenas than travel to Nicoya on this road. The government has promised to pave the road for over 25 years without any action. Each administration has been very good at ‘kicking the can down the road’ to the next administration.

When Highway 27 was completed from San Jose to Puntarenas, there was real hope that the government would fulfill their promise. In July 2015 the demonstrations became serious as residents took to the streets, and complained about the unpaved road. This time, the government got the message and negotiations began, promising a road for 2016. It is now, on May 2018, when machinery has finally arrived at the area. The negotiation of building a new road from Naranjo to Paquera ended last year.

There is a budget of US $27.5 million for 21.6 kilometers that needs to be done totally new, including 3 bridges that will be redesigned and rebuilt to have two lanes. In addition, the maintenance will be part of this budget as well as the correct signals along the road and security measures. An important aspect of this needed investment consists of building land and aerial wildlife corridors, to benefit the wildlife of the area as well. This road will increase tourism, commerce and improve the lifestyle of the towns around since dust will be reduced with the new pavement.

Jim Shaw

jim@propertiesincostarica.com

Santa Teresa and Montezuma are two popular beach communities located right
across the Nicoya Peninsula. A must visit portion of Costa Rica where you will find the
Pura Vida lifestyle at it best! Expats, hippies, wannabe hippies, adult surfers, kids
surfers, dog surfers, a place to connect with all kind of people. This area gets a lot of
tourism during the peak season (December thru April), but the long beaches have
enough space for everyone, you won’t even notice the number of people around you.
There’s one big question once you arrive in Costa Rica, how do we get to these
astonishing beaches?

The most popular way of crossing the Nicoya Gulf to get to Montezuma and Santa
Teresa is by ferry. This is a speedboat that transports vehicles and people from
Puntarenas to two different docks on the other side. You have two routes options:
Puntarenas – Paquera and Puntarenas – Naranjo.

The distance, by car or bus from San Jose to Puntarenas is about 1 hour 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, you should have a margin of 30 minutes to 1 hour to assure your place in
the ferry. During the high season, the time to get to Puntarenas changes, if you have
your own vehicle you must calculate about two to three hours from San Jose and you
must arrive at the dock at least 3 hours before to have your place assured in the ferry.
Both routes include fully equipped ferries, with air conditioner, indoor seats, tables,
outdoor seats and tables, a kiosk that includes chips and typically snacks such as
“pastelitos”, music and in both you will appreciate incredible views of the golf. On the
ferry, you’ll have beautiful views of “Isla San Lucas” an island located in the middle of
the gulf previously used as a jail. Also, if you ride during dawn you’ll be able to catch the
sunrise emerging through the mountains.

Let’s discuss the two routes to cross the Nicoya Gulf:

Puntarenas – Paquera: The ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera has a duration of one
hour and 10 to 20 minutes. Once you get to Paquera, you will have to wait your turn to
get off the ferry which, could last at least one hour or even more during the high season.
There you will have a one hour drive to Montezuma, and one and a half hour to get to Santa Teresa or paradise. The roads are mostly paved but you will have trams of
unpaved and curvy roads through the mountains. It is a bumpy ride, but totally worth it.

This is the best option to get to both beaches.

Puntarenas – Naranjo: This other option to cross the Nicoya Gulf is mainly a plan B. The
ride on the speedboat has the same duration as the one of Paquera: one hour and 10 to
20 minutes. However, once you get to the dock, you’ll have to add an extra 40 minutes
ride to get to Montezuma and Santa Teresa following the same road as if you take the
other ferry. This is a less required ride, that’s why during the peak season, riding the
Naranjo ferry could be a good option.

Tips:

Use comfortable clothes: If you don’t find a seat inside the ferry you will have to be on
the deck where the sun really burns. It gets warm, and sunblock is a must!
Pet-Friendly: Both speedboats are pet-friendly, there’s a special area where they can
stay during the ride aside from the multitude.

Time: Always make sure to get to the dock on time! If not, you will have to wait for at least 2
hours for another boat. A good tip is to call the central in Puntarenas to check the hours
of the ferry and their prognostics for the day you are going.

Enjoy: The most important part, be happy. Appreciate the views, feel the salty breeze,
take pictures. If there’s music on the ferry, dance!