Cool Designs for Tropical Architecture in Costa Rica

Besides amazing style, tropical architecture design is all about working with the elements of nature. Tropical design brings the outside world in for an ambiance of openness and naturalness. Architects are in constant pursuit of breezes, cross-ventilation and shade for cooling effects, and sunlight for warmth, energy and light. Costa Rican architect Richard Muller, head of the firm RM Architecture & Engineering, has been designing and building innovative tropical architecture in Costa Rica for more than 35 years. One of his favorite spots for home building is at the Costa Rica eco-development Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living. The extraordinary sustainable residential development is located in the rainforest by the sea on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast just south of Manuel Antonio National Park – named a best beach in the world for 2016.

Here are six cool designs for tropical architecture that will make you want to build a home in Costa Rica.

1. Build the house on stilts. Not only does this allow you to avoid massive insect issues and humidity, by elevating the house you get better air flow. Lighter structures up on stilts interfere as little as possible with the natural terrain. Animals can still walk underneath, and you’re not destroying trees and nature by flattening out a huge piece of land with a bulldozer. “We try to save every single tree that is possible. If we can cut zero trees, we cut zero trees. We touch as little as possible of nature,” said Muller. “You want to build appropriate to the location so you can really live the experience of being in the tropical rainforest.”

2. Use a steel structure and concrete bases for strength in a humid, insect-infested environment in the tropical rainforest. Wood can be used in the home, such as in ceilings, cabinetry, etc., but must be treated against insect invasion. An innovative idea for flooring: processed bamboo.

3. Design for natural ventilation. You want to bring the outdoors in and the indoors out. This means lots of open spaces, cross-ventilation, high ceilings, using screens and fans so you can minimize air-conditioning use and yet keep comfortable.

4. Protect against the elements. Design large overhangs and covered outdoor areas for sun and rain protection. Use gutters and downspouts, and other measures to reduce water drainage speed for soil erosion.

5. Small swimming pools. For an elevated house, you want to keep your pool on the small size because of the weight. The upside is with an elevated pool, you have fantastic infinity edge designs.

6. Sustainable architecture. Concepts include: solar energy for hot water and electricity; individual home sewage treatment plants; rainwater harvesting for landscaping; and re-using gray water to run toilets. If you’re ready to buy a vacation home in Costa Rica, or a new place to live in one of the best countries to retire, find out the easy steps to buy property in Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living and build your dream home in Costa Rica.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Helpful tropical climate tips for building a home in Costa Rica

Building in Costa Rica is very different from North America and most of Europe. Located between 9 and 11 degrees latitude above the equator, Costa Rica’s tropical climate comes with its own special considerations.

There are four constants in Costa Rica: sun, rain, wind, and … more sun, rain and wind! Unlike Northern Hemisphere homes designed for freeze-thaw cycles, Costa Rica’s eternal tropical climate deals mostly with varying levels of humidity. Then there is all of that amazing tropical biodiversity – think: termites, ants, beetles and millions of other insects. Of course, being bisected from top to bottom by a chain of volcanoes, and sitting on top of shifting tectonic plates makes for a great deal of seismic activity.

Here are some top points for building a home in Costa Rica. The country’s microclimates vary greatly depending on location; these tips are focused on the Central Valley area, specifically in Atenas, Costa Rica. Learn all about Atenas in this super handy guide to living in Atenas from Costa Rica realtors Pure Life Development of Atenas.

• Construction in Costa Rica typically uses cement cinder block, because it fares better with high humidity and reduces the risk of termite infestation compared to wood. Homes built mostly with wood also require higher maintenance with a humid climate.

• Steel framing lasts longer than wood, but must be galvanized steel or have several coats of anti-corrosive lead paint.

• No need for insulation or central heating. In hot tropical Costa Rica, you don’t want heat trapped in your house, and you definitely don’t need a heater!

• Use drywall sparingly. High moisture levels in Costa Rica lead to mold with drywall. Interior finishes that withstand high humidity include high-gloss paint, concrete, stone, and treated hardwoods. However, add realtors Easters and Gonzalez, this is a tropical country, so mold will grow, period!

• Ceramic tile floors keep your home cool, don’t suck up humidity like carpet, and are easy to clean.

• Cross-ventilation for air flow is the key. Tropical homes use breezeways, French doors and lots of windows to keep air circulating for cooler temperatures and to evaporate moisture. Be sure to have screens and screen doors to prevent bugs from entering your home at dusk, and at the time of year right after the first rains when they suddenly populate by the millions. Houses also should include ceiling fans for additional cooling and air flow.

• Cool your house with lots of shade. Extended roof eaves, wrap-around porches and plenty of plants create natural shade and are ideal for tropical living.

• Swimming pools can be built with concrete and beautifully tiled – for a much lower cost than in the USA. Or the latest trend is pre-fabricated fiberglass pools, which are low-maintenance and flexible – perfect for a seismic country like Costa Rica.

• Eco-construction options in Costa Rica: use sustainable woods like teak; roof tiles made from recycled plastic banana bags that look like terracotta tiles; solar power and especially solar hot water heaters.
• 

• Traditional Costa Rican construction is solid. The foundation, walls and roof are all tied together with rebar and concrete with seismic plates for better stability.

• Whole-house voltage surge protection is a valuable investment to prevent high-tech electronics and appliances from being easily damaged during electrical storms.

Build a custom home in Atenas, Costa Rica

With an ideal location, Atenas, Costa Rica offers everything for a comfortable tropical life. Atenas is located between the capital city of San Jose and Pacific Coast beaches. Atenas claims it has the “Best Climate in the World;” while that may or may not be true, Atenas’ elevation from 2,200 to 4,000 feet and its many ridges and valleys give the town a moderate climate. Atenas Costa Rica realtors, Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez Porras, have been successfully helping customers buy homes for sale in Atenas Costa Rica, and do home construction in Costa Rica for 10 years. Call or email them today to discuss your Atenas Costa Rica real estate needs.

Article by Shannon Farley

Why you want to use a real estate agent in Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s real estate market is on the rise again and foreign investors are heading to the popular Central American country for retirement or a simpler place to live, or to invest in a Costa Rica vacation home or other property investment. The good news is that foreigners can legally own property in Costa Rica.

Even the savviest home buyer should pause before entering into a real estate deal in a foreign country. There is no way to know everything you need to without years of on-the-ground experience. Whether you are interested in purchasing land, a home, condo or commercial property in Costa Rica, you want to be informed to make the best decisions. This is where you need a professional Costa Rica realtor.

Buying or selling a property anywhere can be a challenge if you are on your own. Buying property in Costa Rica has the added challenges of a different system and language from North America, for instance. Although Costa Rica is considered one of the best Latin American countries regarding foreign investment and ownership rights, there are still things to look out for. Do your property homework, and with a good professional realtor by your side, you’ll be enjoying your new home or life adventure in no time.

Why you should use a real estate agent in Costa Rica

1) You get access to scores of listings, and someone helping you select the right properties to see based on your requirements and interests. In Costa Rica there is no MLS (multiple listing service), which is a centralized, national database of all real estate for sale. If you use a professional Costa Rica real estate agency, you will have access to a diversified portfolio of properties for sale – including properties not yet listed for sale or actively advertised (“pocket listings”). This is especially true in Costa Rica where for sale signs are not commonly used.


2) Real estate agents know the history of a home or property, the location, neighborhood, town and region.

3) You can obtain recommendations for reputable professionals for home and property inspections. Your real estate agent can help you to coordinate these.

4) Real estate agents can help you negotiate a fair purchase price, along with financing, terms, date of possession, and the inclusion or exclusion of repairs, furnishings or equipment. Statistics show that realtors can typically negotiate and save you more money than negotiating on your own.

5) Professional real estate agents will work with a reputable lawyer who specializes in real estate transactions and title searches, and is completely bilingual with experience working with foreign clients.

6) A real estate agent can lead you through the closing process and make sure everything flows together smoothly, so that you come to the closing table with no surprises.

7) Working with a professional realtor helps to alleviate much of the stress involved in purchasing a new home or property. A realtor can help you connect utilities, arrange moving services, purchase furniture, and introduce you to the local community, among other things.

REAL ESTATE AGENTS IN ATENAS, COSTA RICA

In beautiful Atenas, Costa Rica, the real estate agency Pure Life Development of Atenas specializes in Atenas homes for sale, Costa Rica properties for sale and Costa Rica vacation homes. Atenas, Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras are experts in buying and selling real estate in Costa Rica, land development and home construction in Costa Rica.

Both Easters, a licensed realtor from Florida and real estate professional for 22 years, and his Costa Rican partner Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras are certified with the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate. They have been successfully helping customers find new homes in Atenas, Costa Rica for 10 years.

Article by Shannon Farley

Oxcarts and cultural fiestas in Atenas Costa Rica

The way Omar Arce sees it, the Costa Rica tradition of the oxcart driver and his oxen is an important cultural heritage that must be kept alive. Nowadays in his country town of Atenas, Costa Rica most roads are paved and cars zoom everywhere. But when Arce, 73, was a boy, the only way to bring the vegetables his father sold from their family farm to the town center was by walking with their team of oxen pulling a wooden cart loaded with produce. The 7 km journey – now a 15-minute drive – would take four hours each way, Arce recalled.

The important Costa Rica tradition of the oxcart driver will be celebrated Sunday, April 26, in the Atenas, Costa Rica Oxcart Parade 2015. The event culminates a month of cultural events in the charming Costa Rica coffee town.



There is perhaps nothing as emblematic of Costa Rica culture as the oxcart driver, his team of matched oxen and colorfully-painted wooden oxcart and oxen yoke. In 2005, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) proclaimed Costa Rica’s traditional oxcarts to be an Intangible World Cultural Heritage.

Atenas has a long history with oxcarts. Located on the traditional main oxcart road from the capital city of San Jose to the Pacific Coast, the town of Atenas was the central meeting point for traders coming from both points to sell their goods. Atenas’ oxcart history is immortalized in the famous Oxcart Monument in town by sculptor Manuel “Manolo” Torrecillas Lopez.



The Atenas Oxcart Parade will begin at 10:00 a.m. traveling through town around the Central Park. Organized by the Atenas Oxcart Drivers’ Association (Asociacion Cuna del Boyero Ateniense), of which Arce is President, more than 300 oxcart drivers with their teams of oxen and carts are expected from all over the country to participate.

The big event culminates the annual Atenas Climate Fair (Feria del Clima), April 24 to 26. Put on by the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of Atenas (CATUCA), the fiestas in the town Central Park will feature the exhibition and sale of products with emphasis on environmental conservation, recycling, natural and organic, etc.

There will be live music, dance performances by community groups, and traditional food and drink. It is a great event for families. For more information, contact CATUCA at 2446-1047.

April is a big month for culture in Atenas, Costa Rica. Earlier in the month, from April 17 to 20, the Senior Living Residence (Hogar de Ancianos) in Atenas will hold its annual Costa Rica cultural fiestas with a horse parade, horse show, music and dancing, and traditional foods and activities. All events will be held at the Hogar de Ancianos plaza behind the facility in the center of Atenas. Here is the schedule of events:

• Friday, April 17: 5:00 p.m. Exhibition of traditional trotting horses, called “trotadores” in Spanish; 8:00 p.m. concert and dancing.
• Saturday, April 18: 1:00 p.m. Traditional horse parade, called a “tope” in Spanish; 8:00 p.m. open-air dance and concert.
• Sunday, April 19: 9:00 a.m. Catholic mass; 10:00 a.m. Traditional Costa Rican marching band and parade, called a “Grande Mascarada y Cimarrona” in Spanish; 11:00 a.m. Bingo with prizes; 3:00 p.m. concert; 7:00 p.m. dance.
• Monday, April 20: 1:00 p.m. Traditional horse riding ribbon race, called “Carerras de Cintas” in Spanish; 7:00 p.m. Grand finale dance and fireworks show.
• Food and drink will be sold throughout the festival.

The Atenas cultural fiestas are very popular and provide much-needed fundraising for the Senior Living Residence that provides a permanent home for about 65 seniors. For more information, contact the Hogar de Ancianos in Atenas at 2446-5224.



Atenas, Costa Rica is a favorite place for international retirement. The quaint country town is located less than an hour’s drive from the capital city of San Jose, 30 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, and 45 minutes from Pacific Coast beaches. See what it would be like to live in Atenas, Costa Rica – known for its sunny climate – in this new video.

For real estate in Atenas Costa Rica contact realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas, specializing in Atenas homes for sale and Costa Rica vacation rentals.

Article by Shannon Farley

See the video on why you should check out Atenas Costa Rica

Life in Atenas, Costa Rica is always “pura vida” – life is good. The new video about Atenas, Costa Rica by Pure Life Development of Atenas shows this with stunning footage of the mountain town’s natural beauty and attributes.

Produced by acclaimed photographer and videographer, Oscar Protti of Costa Rica, the four-minute high-quality video depicts life in Costa Rica and in the charming centrally-located town of Atenas. Protti used state-of-the-art equipment and remote control drones to produce breathtaking aerial footage.

“The video we created with Oscar Protti is extremely important for us to showcase what the community of Atenas has to offer. Atenas is a small, rural town, but close to everything. This is translated much better in a video format to see the abundance of natural beauty,” commented Dennis Easters, co-owner of Pure Life Development of Atenas.


From checkers’ games at the Atenas central market to the Atenas Railway Museum, farmers’ market, central park, luxury homes and verdant hills and valleys, you get a glimpse of what it would be like to live in Atenas, which AARP and International Living have named as a top international retirement destination. The video also presents Costa Rica’s famous beaches, rainforest, volcanoes and wildlife, along with the popular adventure sports of zip-lining and whitewater rafting.

CNN recently named Costa Rica one of the most amazing destinations for 2015, and National Geographic listed Costa Rica in the top 10 best destinations for adventure in 2015. “Only a few hours’ flight from North America, Costa Rica is a leading travel destination because it has something for everyone,” states Easters in the video.

Less than an hour’s drive from the capital city of San Jose to the east, and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches to the west, Atenas Costa Rica is known for having the “best climate.”

“Atenas offers a wide variety of quality properties in beautiful gated communities and lovely local neighborhoods,” said Easters. The benefits of buying real estate in Atenas: location, convenience, nice international and local community, good climate, low crime rate, high re-sell value, and great Costa Rica vacation rental market.

For Costa Rica real estate and home rentals in Atenas, Costa Rica, contact Pure Life Development of Atenas. Easters and his Costa Rican partner, Gerardo Gonzalez, successfully help people find new homes in Atenas, Costa Rica, and live their dreams.

Article by Shannon Farley

A little more about Atenas town´s history: Mules, Oxcarts and the train, how were they related?

Costa Rica has a lot to share and you, a lot to discover from this small country. Its history contains many important facts, lots of which are not so well known. This is the case of how mules, oxcarts, and trains, through time helped to create an important route for the future development and growth of the country, all happening here in Atenas, Costa Rica.

Let´s go back in time to give you a little stroke of what was the situation in Costa Rica in colonial times.

It was the year 1640 and the only way to get around the countries in Central America, was through a well known road, if you can call it a road, named “Camino Real” the Royal Road. These paths and trails left San José and continued its way down to a narrow bridge that crossed the Rio Grande River in Atenas, making all the way to Guatemala.  During the XIX century, the coffee export expansion started to increase and became Costa Rica´s most important export product, which led coffee growers to put a lot more interest in the building of a new road uniting the Central Valley with the port of Puntarenas, where coffee was sent to Europe through the Cabo de Hornos in South America. The road was then built in 1843, replacing mules for oxcarts and oxen giving it the commonly name of “Camino de Carretas” (Oxcart Road). 

This road became very important for Atenas since it was the reason for its development and growth as many “sesteos” or boarding houses sprang up along the way to accommodate the boyeros (ox cart drivers) as well as stables where the oxen and horses could rest. Nights filled with music from guitars, accordions, and the typical marimbas surrounded the environment either serenading lovers or setting up the stage for an unforgettable “bailongo” (tradicional dancing party) , while the smell of fresh poured coffee and other typical foods such as tamales and tortillas captivated  the oxcart drivers or “boyeros”, who sometimes traveled along with their families, to spend the night in town.

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The road grew very much in traffic but remained narrow in many sections causing accidents and fights and it was necessary to start setting up a set rules and fines in order to organize the oxcart movement.  Some of them restarted travelling right after the “bailongo”, where they had drunk more “Guaro de Caña” (sugar cane moonshine) than they could handle and jumped in their oxcarts and let, literally, that their good old friends, the oxen, drive them since they knew the way home by heart. This gave birth to the Costa Rican saying “montarse en la carreta” (jump on the wagon) referring to somebody who is drunk.

The road lost its importance on July 1910 when a new railway service started, loosing against progress and new technology. The camino de carretas made some of the towns along the way, including our lovely town of Atenas, become a distant memory in the heart of the people of Costa Rica.

But Atenas did not want to disappear. It  continued its way to grow back and be recognized for its importance as a coffee growing region filled with majestic landscapes and one of the best climates in the world, and since the railroad passed through the heart of the town it allowed visitors from the capital city to continue enjoying this lovely town.

 Nowadays, the train doesn´t work anymore and the only thing remaining which stays intact is a vast group of sweet memories from those good old railroad times, which are carefully and perfectly stored at the Atenas Railway Museum located at the same old railway station. This museum has been opened to the public since September of 2001 and receives visitors on Sundays and holidays from 9am to 6pm.

The museum shows samples of photographs, tools, and objects used during those old railroad times. It is a very nice way to come close with this piece of Costa Rica´s history and for the visitor a unique opportunity to go back in time and understand how everything combined to build what is today your very own Atenas!

Looking to move to Atenas Costa Rica? Try Atenas Real Estate. Reliable realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas offer the best Atenas homes for sale and Atenas real estate.
Article by Gabriela Serrano

Travel trends: Vacation rentals are the new way to stay

Planning your next vacation? You might be used to staying in hotels and resorts, but maybe you should consider vacation rentals. More independent travelers are choosing to rent private homes and apartments these days instead of hotels, using websites like Airbnb and VRBO.

Vacation rentals are often the most economic travel option for families and groups of friends, giving more space and amenities at better value than a hotel room. Living like the locals also helps to give that authentic travel experience.

What is a vacation rental?

Vacation rentals are typically privately-owned apartments or homes that are rented by the day, week or month. They tend to be second homes for owners who live somewhere else and use the property for income and their own vacations.

Most vacation rentals are fully stocked with towels, linens, all appliances, fully-equipped kitchens with the basics such as spices, cooking oil and coffee, once-weekly housekeeping, internet, cable TV, and a property manager who is on call 24/7. Other services often can be arranged at an extra cost, such as daily maid service, private cook, and transportation and area tours.

Why are vacation rentals so popular over hotels?

“In most cases, a vacation rental home is more economical. There is more space, a stocked kitchen, the ability to do laundry, more privacy, and the feeling of being ‘home’,” explained Florida native Dennis Easters, a world traveler living in Atenas, Costa Rica. “Also, a vacation rental allows you to live a bit more like the locals, even if for only a short time.

“For the past five years or so, our family has only stayed in vacation rentals because this mode of lodging best fits our lifestyle. I like to wake up early, have a cup of coffee, check e-mails and go for a walk, all before everyone else rolls out of bed. In a traditional hotel, this is a challenge without waking everyone up. Another advantage is that with a home or apartment, you have enough room to spread out and have a break from one another after a long day of sightseeing.”

Vacation rentals in Atenas, Costa Rica

Over the past seven years, vacation rentals have become very popular in Costa Rica, said Easters, who is co-owner of Pure Life Development of Atenas real estate. The charming mountain town of Atenas, Costa Rica, is a top place to retire and is popular for vacation rentals for the same reasons: location and climate. Less than an hour’s drive away are the capital city of San Jose to the east and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches to the west. The San Jose international airport is only 30 minutes away, and Atenas is known for having the “best climate in the world.”

Planning a Costa Rica vacation or looking to buy real estate in Costa Rica? Don’t miss Atenas Costa Rica vacation rentals and Atenas homes for sale.

Article by Shannon Farley

The famous Friday Farmers’ Market in Atenas Costa Rica

It is a Friday morning in my little mountain coffee town of Atenas, Costa Rica. The traditional Friday Farmers’ Market, called a “feria” in Spanish, is abuzz with shoppers and vendors.

Mounds of mangoes, melons, watermelon, pineapples and a myriad of other fruits juicily beckon buyers. Crisp lettuces, spinach, cilantro and other greens glisten with water droplets. Fat potatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, yucca and carrots stack in pyramids.

The flower man is doing brisk business cutting stems and wrapping up bright yellow sunflowers, lilies, Gerbera daisies, and a rainbow of other flowers. The herb man sits in his aromatic stall surrounded by cooking and medicinal herbs in packets, bunches and plants. 

The back corner of the market resembles a mini-nursery with the amount of potted flowers and starter trees on sale. Just beyond, gleaming glass cases proudly display fresh meats, cheeses and fish. And who can pass up the sweet frosted cinnamon buns, fresh breads, and tempting pies and cookies of “Buen Pan, Tomas!” bakery run by Atenas residents Tom and Jan Yatsko, from Pennsylvania.

A hallmark of Atenas culture and tradition, reflecting small town country life, the famous Atenas Friday Farmers’ Market is one of the things I love best about living in Atenas, Costa Rica. The market is so well-known, it has been written about in most travel guides to Costa Rica and blogged about regularly by new transplant residents.

The Farmers’ Market recently changed location and got an upgrade at the end of August. Once spread around the edge of a small park by the Central Elementary School in the center of town, the new Farmers’ Market has relocated to the radial road connecting Atenas to Highway 27 (the main highway from San Jose to the Central Pacific Coast). The new locale is quite capacious with open sides and a cavernous permanent roof – in the past vendors suffered under tents and tarps in the rain or blistering summer sun. The floor is smooth, clean concrete, and there are two little lunch counters and modern public restrooms. A free bus shuttles shoppers back and forth to the center of town (5 minutes) every hour.

Whether you are visiting Atenas in one of the many vacation homes, or have already moved to Costa Rica, the Atenas Friday Farmers’ Market is a fun way to spend an hour or two and soak up the local culture. The market is open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Fridays.

Live in Atenas, Costa Rica

The small country town of Atenas has been named a top place to retire and is renowned for its great climate. Looking to buy real estate in Costa Rica? Reliable realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas specialize in Atenas homes for sale, home rentals, and Atenas real estate.

Article by Shannon Farley

What to do to bring your dog or cat to live in Costa Rica

You have bought your dream house in Costa Rica; or, you’ve secured the ideal rental while you check out the country as a place to live. You are checking your packing list for the big move to Costa Rica – what about Fido or Fluffy?

A lot of people who move to Costa Rica bring their pets. While it is not as easy as simply putting your dog or cat on an airline, it is straightforward to bring your pet to Costa Rica when you move.

Guidelines given here are for bringing dogs and cats from the United States to Costa Rica. Check this link for other animals from the USA, and with your embassy or governing organization for animals for other countries. Many people choose to use a pet moving service, which handles the work for you.

What to do in the USA to bring your pet to Costa Rica

Timing is crucial. Your pet’s health certificate is only valid for 10 days before departure, and many airlines only let you make reservations 13 days or less for your pet to fly. You should have two or three extra copies of all documents. The governing authority for animals leaving, or entering, the USA is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Your dog or cat must have up-to-date vaccinations against rabies and leptospirosis to enter Costa Rica. You must have certificates of the vaccinations from the veterinarian.
• Your dog or cat must be examined by a USDA accredited veterinarian, who must fill out Federal APHIS Form 7001 declaring that your pet is healthy. The health certificate is only valid for 10 days. In many cases, the health certificate must be endorsed by the local USDA Veterinary Services office (check with the USDA for the office nearest to your home). Fees to the USDA for endorsement range from $38 to $121 per animal.
• If your pet is being transported as cargo, and not on the same flight as you, an import permit also is required.

Flying with your dog or cat

• U.S. airlines that transport pets to Costa Rica include Delta, United and American Airlines. Each airline has very specific requirements for transporting pets both inside the airline cabin, and as “checked baggage” or “cargo”; check with the airline for their regulations and fees.
• Animals may not be tranquilized or drugged, or muzzled, for their safety while flying.

Costa Rica requirements for importing pets

• In Costa Rica, if your pet travels as “checked baggage” or “cargo,” you must use an import company to clear customs.
• To make the customs process as easy as possible, the import company needs this information before you fly: copy of the passport (or legal ID) of the person sending the animal, copy of the passport (or legal ID) of the person receiving the animal in Costa Rica along with their contact phone numbers and address in Costa Rica, copy of the animal’s valid health certificate and vaccinations, copy of the animal’s flight reservation.
• Keep in mind that the airport customs office in Costa Rica only works Monday to Friday during normal business hours. If your pet arrives in Costa Rica on a Saturday or Sunday, you’ll be waiting until Monday to pick him up; or if your flight arrives late at night, you will have to wait until the next day. The process to clear customs takes several hours, so plan accordingly.

Move to Costa Rica

Looking to buy real estate in Costa Rica? The small coffee town of Atenas has been named a top place to retire by International Living, HelpAge International and AARP in part for its reputation for “The Best Climate in the World.” Reliable realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas offer the best Atenas homes for sale and Atenas real estate.

Article by Shannon Farley

Find out if the Atenas Costa Rica climate claim is true!

Saying that you have “The Best Climate in the World” is quite a claim. The little town of Atenas Costa Rica, nevertheless has stepped up and asserted that it has the best climate in the world. The motto is plastered across the backs of all buses in Atenas, on a few billboards, and even graces the name of a restaurant in town. Read anything about Atenas and you will find the “best climate” remark.

But is it true?

“For me, Atenas has a perfect climate because we have long sunny days where the temperature rarely goes above 86-87 degrees (F), allowing you to enjoy lounging pool side. The nights in the mountains are fresh with temperatures dipping into the mid 60's, a great sleeping temperature using only a light blanket,” commented Dennis Easters, of Pure Life Development of Atenas real estate.

“We have a very stable climate without extremes of heat or cold. It’s one of the healthiest climates in Costa Rica,” affirmed native Atenas resident Walter Carranza.

“This is the sun belt of the Central Valley,” added Atenas resident Judi Purdy from Colorado.

Atenas County is located on the western edge of Costa Rica’s Central Valley, where the mountains spill away to the Pacific Coast. Less than an hour away are the capital city of San Jose to the east, and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches to the west. Composed of mountains and valleys, Atenas ranges in elevation from 2,200 to 4,000 feet.

Atenas receives 2,500 hours of sun per year, according to data from the Costa Rica National Meteorological Institute. That works out to almost seven hours of sunshine on average per day, which is above the national average of six hours. San José, for example, averages only 5.2 hours of sun per day.

“Atenas town enjoys a moderate climate. So, we can conclude that the climate is very warm during the day but temperatures drop significantly at night,” writes Atenas historian Eladio Valerio on his website Atenasonline.com.

Average daily temperatures in Atenas range from 72 to 85 F during the day, and 60 to 68 F at night. Temperatures along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, on the other hand, sizzle in the 90s F during the day and mid to high 70s F at night.

Over all, it appears that while Atenas’ climate may or may not be top of the charts, for its 27,000 residents it certainly is ideal. The special climate helped give Atenas its ranking as a top place to retire by International Living, HelpAge International and AARP.

Looking for real estate in Costa Rica? Check out Atenas. Reliable realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas can help you with Atenas homes for sale and Atenas real estate.

Article by Shannon Farley

Find out why people love living in Atenas Costa Rica

There are as many reasons for moving to Costa Rica as there are foreign residents living here. Every year, millions of tourists come to Costa Rica on vacation. Some choose to stay longer and make the leap to move here permanently.

The small, country town of Atenas Costa Rica, is one of the leading places that have captured the hearts of foreign residents.

“I love living here,” said Atenas resident Anna Hunt, who is originally from Poland. “One of the main reasons we picked Atenas is because we wanted a cool fresh climate, and it is close to the beach, close to the airport, and close to the city.”

“Atenas is a wonderful location. We’re beautifully situated in the Central Valley but we’re not in San Jose. Atenas has a wonderful climate,” commented longtime Atenas resident and U.S. citizen Scott Schlieman.

“We picked Atenas because of location – being half-way between San Jose and the beach,” agreed Darlyce Brown of Canada. “We love Atenas for the climate, living in the country and being a small town. People are very friendly. It’s a quaint old-style village.”

Well-positioned less than an hour from the capital city of San Jose to the east and some of the best Pacific Coast beaches to the west, the charming town of Atenas, Costa Rica, offers its residents the best of all worlds: year-round warm tropical weather, stunning mountain landscapes, and panoramic valley, volcano and coastal views.

• Atenas’ warm sunny days and cool mountain nights are owed to its elevation range of 2,200 to 4,000 feet.
• Atenas has easy access to all three major highways of central Costa Rica.
• Quality medical care is close by.
• There are public and private bilingual schools.
• Atenas is a short 20 minute drive to the San Jose International airport.
• Atenas has all of your basics: banks, grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, medical facilities, shops, and one of the best farmers’ markets around.

Costa Rica is a hot retirement destination and is ranked by International Living, HelpAge International and AARP as a top place to retire. “We’ve been coming to Costa Rica for nine years on vacation, and my husband really wanted to move here,” said Pippa Baumgartner of England. “We like that Atenas is the real Costa Rica. It’s not just foreigners.”

Others, like Scott Schlieman and Anna Hunt, transported their working life to Atenas, now working on-line from home for their businesses. Still others have bought Atenas real estate as a second home and use it as a Costa Rica vacation rental.

No matter the reason you want to move to Atenas, Costa Rica, you’ll need a reliable realtor who specializes in Atenas homes for sale and residential development. Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez-Porras of Pure Life Development of Atenas are certified with the Costa Rica Chamber of Real Estate and have successfully helped new residents find homes in Atenas for 10 years.

Article by Shannon Farley