Shockingly Easy Ways To Buy Rainforest Properties In Costa Rica

Once again, the Central American nation of Costa Rica is the best country to retire, according to the 2016 Best Countries rankings. And Costa Rica is a top option for a healthy, comfortable retirement as stated in International Living’s Annual Global Retirement Index.

A lot of people from other countries invest in real estate in Costa Rica for retirement homes, vacation homes or Costa Rica vacation rentals. Read our blog article on why Costa Rica is a hot property investment, and about “Is it time to escape stress to a happier life in Costa Rica?” to see if Costa Rica is the right move for you. Where to live in Costa Rica? Location, location, location is always the key. Costa Rica’s two main attractions are the rainforest and its beaches. The extraordinary eco-development of Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living offers the best of both worlds on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast.

Set on a 1,335-acre private reserve of pure rainforest, Portasol Living is 10 minutes from beautiful, sparsely populated tropical beaches. The eco-development is positioned between Manuel Antonio National Park and the southern Pacific with surfing hotspot Dominical and remarkable whale-watching in the Ballena Marine National Park. Manuel Antonio was named a best beach in the world, second best beach in Central America and No. 1 in Costa Rica, in the 2016 Travelers’ Choice Awards by Trip Advisor. You’re ready to buy and build your dream home in Costa Rica. What do you need to do to buy property in Costa Rica? 10 Easy Steps to Buy Rainforest Properties in Costa Rica at Portasol Living

1. Choose your property. Portasol Living is being developed in phases; there are currently 56 lots developed with a total of 180 planned. Lots range in size from 1.2 acres up to 11 acres at prices between $46,000 and $300,000; each has road access, water, satellite TV, telephone and electricity supplied to the property line. Features include: ocean and mountain views, mature rainforest, river or creek boundaries, and access to trails and public areas. Portasol also has existing homes available for re-sale.

2. Sign a Purchase Agreement. Once you choose your property and learn Portasol’s regulations, you need to sign a Purchase Agreement and pay a down payment of between 20% and 40%.
3. Due diligence takes 30 to 60 days to check with the national registry and ensure all is in order legally with the property.
4. Financing is available for Portasol lots (but not re-sale homes). Portasol Living offers a 40% down payment and an owner-financed mortgage up to 10 years. The loan percentage varies depending on the mortgage length.
5. Sign final documents and pay. Meet at the lawyer’s office to sign the title documents, and either pay the balance due or sign the mortgage documents. You will have arranged a wire transfer from your bank to an “escrow” account. Then it’s yours!
6. New property owner responsibilities: As a new owner, you must take care of your annual property taxes, and pay a $100 monthly maintenance fee that is managed by the Portasol development and owners’ association.
7. Meet with an architect. Portasol will connect new property owners with an architect to design an eco-friendly home that meets the community’s building regulations. Being a sustainable gated community, Portasol Living protects 83% of its total land as green space. Community rules state that 15% of each property lot may be used for construction and the remaining space is to be preserved naturally.
8. Get building plans approved. Once you have your architectural plans, they need to be reviewed and approved by the Portasol Commission for Construction Projects (COSUPROCO).
9. Building permits. Portasol staff can help you go to the local municipality to get the necessary building permits.
10. Hire a building contractor. The architect and Portasol staff can recommend building contractors. Average building time is 9 to 12 months after receiving permits, depending on the size of the home and luxury details.

Contact Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living today to enjoy the good life in your new Costa Rica dream home.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Who was Spanish explorer Diego de Nicuesa?

Playa Nicuesa is an unusual name for a beach. The picturesque little cove in the Pacific gulf of Golfo Dulce in southern Costa Rica takes its name auspiciously from the Spanish conquistador and explorer, Diego de Nicuesa (1464 – 1511). His name further lives on in Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, a beautiful ecotourism and nature lodge located on Nicuesa beach. But who was Diego de Nicuesa, and how did a little Costa Rican beach receive his name? Diego de Nicuesa was a very rich nobleman and a member of the Spanish Royal Court.

He held the office of The Royal Carver, serving the king and queen at mealtimes. Nicuesa was known to be one of the most pretentious and arrogant individuals in Madrid, although reportedly he was very popular with the ladies at Court. In 1508, Spanish King Ferdinand II (married to Queen Isabella I), looked for volunteers to go colonize the “new world”, called Tierra Firme, that had been found by Christopher Columbus.

All of Tierra Firme, west of the Gulf of Darien where Panama meets Colombia, was named Castilla del Oro, or Castle of Gold, for the riches of gold alleged to be in those lands. The King wanted that gold and appointed Nicuesa, along with Spaniard Alonso de Ojeda, to go colonize these new lands – giving each a separate territory to govern. Nicuesa’s land was what would now be the northern half of Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua, while Ojeda had southern Panama and Colombia.

At the time, however, Europeans did not know that the Pacific Ocean existed, and so their concept of the area confined to the east coasts and what land they could see extending beyond. Nicuesa and his men in their new home unfortunately were besieged by disease, hunger, the hostile jungle environment, and indigenous peoples who didn’t feel like being colonized. No gold was found. After more than a year, nearly all of Nicuesa’s 700 men had died, his horses had been eaten, and his ships were sinking. The ragtag group managed to build a small fort at a place they called Nombre de Dios, or Name of God, in the Colón Province of northern Panama.

The little colony nearly disappeared until at the end of 1510, one of Nicuesa's captains, Rodrigo Enriquez de Colmenares, who had been left behind on the supply island of Jamaica, showed up loaded with provisions and fresh men. Colmenares found Nicuesa and the handful of men that were still alive and reinvigorated them with fresh food and clothing. Nicuesa found out that a southern colony named "Nuestra Señora de Antigua del Darien", governed by Spanish explorer Vasco Nuñez de Balboa, was faring quite well and it wounded his pride.

Since the little colonial town was technically in his territory, Nicuesa decided in early 1511 to journey there to enforce his power and take control of the settlement. But by the time he arrived, the colonists were warned of Nicuesa’s pretentious intent and denied him entry. Most of his men were allowed to stay, however Nicuesa and 17 loyal followers were put out to sea in a leaking ship and were never heard from again. Vasco Núñez de Balboa went on to cross the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, two years after Nicuesa’s disappearance, becoming the first European to reach the Pacific Coast in the New World. No one knows who named Playa Nicuesa. Maybe when Balboa was exploring up the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica he needed a name for the little beach and decided to immortalize Nicuesa as one of the first Spanish colonists.

The legend remains a mystery!

 

Luckily Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge has none of the pretentiousness of its beach’s namesake. The beautiful Costa Rica eco-hotel is a down-to-earth place to stay in Golfo Dulce, offering all-inclusive vacations in comfortable rustic luxury, and amazing rainforest and ocean adventures. Located on a 165-acre private rainforest preserve – accessible only by boat on the Golfo Dulce – the exotic destination is part of an immense wildlife corridor including the famous Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula and the Piedras Blancas National Park. To stay at Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, check here for reservations. Get directions to Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge here.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Costa Rica’s Innovative Hotel Le Cameleon Keeps It Fresh

Innovative and chic, Caribbean Costa Rica Hotel Le Cameleon keeps it fresh.

Like a chameleon, the hip yet relaxed Costa Rica luxury hotel spices up life by changing its colors every day. Decorated in impeccable white, striking dashes of tropical colors around the hotel switch every day. Seat cushions. Paintings. Flower vases. Restaurant napkins. Staff uniforms. The daily metamorphosis in guest rooms and throughout the hotel keeps you guessing what each new day will bring.

“When each day the colors in your white resting sanctuary change, you are reminded that ‘every day is a new day’, filled with infinite opportunities for new experiences, new friends, and new thoughts,” hotel publicity suggests. When we go on vacation, it’s time to do new things, discover new places, try new foods, and generally renew ourselves. Hotel Le Cameleon’s location is definitely rejuvenating: on beautiful Playa Cocles, where wild rainforest meets golden sand and the dazzling, turquoise Caribbean Sea. Hotel Le Caméléon rests on the road connecting the vibrant, bohemian beach town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge to the south.



The 23 ultra-chic rooms of the Enchanting Hotel of Costa Rica are tucked in the jungle gardens around a lap pool. Modern rooms following the chameleon theme feature a sleek design that is stylish and comfortable. Sliding glass doors lead out to private balconies or patios in all rooms.



Hotel Le Cameleon provides spa services, yoga classes, tour services, and a wonderful restaurant. The hotel’s fantastic Costa Rica Caribbean beach club, La Sula Sea Lounge, is directly across the street on Cocles Beach, and offers day-beds, hammocks, lounge chairs, bar and restaurant service. There is so much to do in Puerto Viejo – surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving, chocolate tours, a sloth sanctuary – it will be easy to enjoy new experiences.



So, grab your swimsuit and head to Hotel Le Cameleon for a sunny spring holiday. There are easy daily flights from San Jose to Limon and it’s a short drive to Playa Cocles. “Start your day out with the widest of smiles, and witness the tremendous effect this simple action has on your mood and on everything around you.” – Hotel Le Cameleon

Article by Shannon Farley

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Atenas Costa Rica Home Prices & What You Get For Your Money

Once again, Costa Rica is the best country to retire and also ranked highly for a healthy, comfortable retirement, according to the 2016 Best Countries rankings and Annual Global Retirement Index. Atenas, Costa Rica is not only a top place for international living, but also a popular vacation destination for its ideal location, halfway between the capital city of San José (near the San Jose/Juan Santamaría International Airport) and Pacific Coast beaches. For more information about Atenas, check out the Guide to Living in Atenas, Costa Rica from Pure Life Development of Atenas real estate agency. Whether to retire or simply for a life change, if you’re in the market to buy real estate in Atenas, Costa Rica, you’ll find a variety of home options to choose from to fit your lifestyle, budget and needs.
Average Atenas Costa Rica home prices & what you get for your money $400,000 to $500,000 USD Currently, the most popular price range for homes in Atenas is between $400,000 and $500,000. For the past six years, 80% of the homes sold by realtors Pure Life Development of Atenas have been in that price range. What you can expect:

2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home with a separate 1-bedroom, or studio, guest house. Or a 3 bedroom, 3.5 bath home without a guest house.

Square footage range: 2,500 to 3,500 square feet of “under roof” construction, including covered terraces.

Property lot size from 0.5 acres to a full one acre with nice views of mountains and valleys, or possibly some ocean views.

Location in a gated community or on a mini-estate

Nice finish work like hardwood cabinetry, artisan wood ceilings, high-grade ceramic or porcelain tile floors, granite countertops, porcelain bathroom finishes, double vanities in the master bath, walk-in shower and maybe a bathtub.

Big terraces around the house

Swimming pool

Single to double car carport (no garages due to the humidity)

Upgraded roofing such as tile roofs

Basic landscaping including sod and a few shrubs

ADD-ONS: Lighting and fans, and additional landscaping.

 
$150,000 to $250,000 USD The second most popular price range for residential homes in Atenas, Costa Rica is $150,000 to $250,000.

What you can expect:

2 bedroom, 2 bath home, or a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home. You can expect a duplex or townhome, as well as single family homes.

Square footage range: 1,000 to 1,800 square feet of “under roof” construction, including covered terraces.

Property lot size from 1/4 acres to a half-acre. Views are not guaranteed, and you can expect your neighbors to be closer.

Location in a residential neighborhood

Nice finish work with tile floors, vaulted wood ceilings, simple wood cabinetry, entry-level granite or ceramic tile countertops, ceramic tile finishes in bathrooms, single vanities, shower but no tub.

Small terrace

A small swimming pool may be possible at the higher end of the price range.

Single car carport

Roofing of metallic aluminum sheeting

Basic landscaping including sod and a few shrubs

ADD-ONS: Lighting and fans, and additional landscaping.

$750,000 to $1 Million USD The highest end of the residential housing spectrum in Atenas, Costa Rica is between $750,000 and $1 million dollars.
 What you can expect:

 

4 to 6 bedrooms all with ensuite bathrooms, and a separate guest half-bath.

Square footage range: 3,500 to 6,000 square feet of “under roof” construction, including covered terraces.

Guest house with 1 to 2 bedrooms and 1 to 2 baths, and high-end finishes just like the main house.

Live-in caretaker quarters in the house, or on-site caretaker house

Property lot size from 2 to 15 acres with spectacular views of mountains and valleys; possibly some ocean views. There could be interesting natural features such as waterfalls or a river.

Location in a gated community or on a mini-estate

High-end finish work like hardwood cabinetry, artisan wood ceilings, high-grade ceramic, porcelain tile or marble floors, marble or granite countertops, unique features like stone sinks and marble finishes in the bathrooms, very high-end bathroom fixtures, double vanities in the master bath, walk-in shower and maybe a bathtub, his and her walk-in closets in the master bedroom, formal and informal sitting and dining areas.

Big terraces around the house and possibly ranchos with outdoor kitchens and BBQ areas.

Custom swimming pool with possible features like waterfalls or a Jacuzzi.

Double car carport

Beautiful architecture and tile roofs or modern material roofs

Elaborate landscaping and gardens

Luxury upgrades like an extensive alarm and video camera system, sound system, high-end lighting and fans.

  Unsure about where to buy a home in Costa Rica? Read our blog article on the five most important things to consider. Licensed Atenas Costa Rica realtors Dennis Easters and Gerardo Gonzalez Porras with Pure Life Development of Atenas have been selling homes in Atenas, Costa Rica for the last 10+ years. Call or send an email so they can help you with your Atenas Costa Rica real estate needs. Article by Shannon Farley

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What To Do In Santa Teresa?

Santa Teresa is a beach on the Nicoya Peninsula best know for its beaches and surfing, but what else is there to do there?

Activities in the area range from the adventurous to the relaxed. Renting an ATV or going on a horseback tour are both good options to explore the beaches, rivers and mountains in the area.

The very popular canopy tours are also available in the area, and they are the perfect way to explore waterfalls, treetops and other spectacular

views.

If what you prefer is to be on the water, then you can book sports fishing trips or scuba diving adventures.

The area of Santa Teresa has also become very well known as a perfect escape for yoga aficionados. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you can find daily classes or a full on retreat practically any time of the year. The same can be said for surfing, the waves in Santa Teresa cater to surfers ready to hit the waves or students looking for a class or two before braving the water. No wonder Santa Teresa Beach and Playa Hermosa in Santa Teresa are both named in list of Top Ten Beaches in Central America on Trip Advisor’s latest Travelers’ Choice Honors. Too much to do, too little time! Article by Katie Widdowson

Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure Uses Clean Energy In Costa Rica

Costa Rica has always taken pride in its efforts to rely mostly on renewable energy sources. According to the Costa Rica Electricity Institute, the Central American nation was powered 285 days in 2015 fossil fuel-free. Solar is the clean energy of the future, and more and more homes and businesses in Costa Rica are installing solar panels to reduce electricity costs and positively impact the environment. For remote locations not connected to the national electrical grid, solar energy is a godsend. Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure is an ecotourism adventure and nature park, and scientific research facility, situated less an hour from the port of Limon in the central Caribbean mountains of Costa Rica.

A private rainforest reserve, it is 3.5 km from the nearest public utility electrical poles and 12 km from any main road. The fact that Veragua Rainforest can now operate almost solely using clean energy, thanks to its newly installed solar energy power system is an incredible feat. “The engineers and suppliers tell us this is a jewel of a project,” said Veragua owner Marti Jimenez. “This will give us for the first time 24-7 electricity from clean energy in Costa Rica and a quiet ambiance, along with two back-up systems of the solar batteries and our diesel generator, which up to now had been our only source of energy.”

Due to Veragua’s remote location, they have depended on a diesel generator system the past eight years to supply all of the electricity at the ecotourism park and research facility. Not only is the generator extremely costly, it is not eco-friendly, said Jimenez. “Diesel was contaminating, very expensive, and risky for business operations in case the generator broke,” said Jimenez. “Our solar energy project is a huge milestone because we finally have a renewable source of energy.” Since Mar. 1, the new solar micro-network at Veragua functions like a small version of the country's electrical grid, powering all of the lights, air-conditioning, kitchen equipment and research laboratory, and reducing by 90% Veragua’s dependence on its diesel generator. Just counting the hours once used to run a diesel generator for power, Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure will save annually the equivalent of the average amount of gas that 80 cars burn in a month, said Jimenez. Additionally, in the past, Veragua would have to limit the number of hours that they used electricity, whereas now they have energy 24 hours.

Distributed around the property on top of three key buildings, 176 photovoltaic solar panels transform the sun’s energy as the main source of power at Veragua. The system has a battery bank for storing electrical energy so that it can mitigate the effect of cloud cover and rainy days and eliminate power shortages. If the solar energy reserves run out, they can always fire up the diesel generator to help in a pinch, said Jimenez. Veragua’s approximately $160,000 solar energy system is a benchmark for off-grid businesses. “We are taking a lead with our mini-grid system and encourage other remote tourism businesses to do the same,” said Jimenez.

About Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure is one of the top things to do by Limon, Costa Rica and is a very popular shore excursion for visiting cruise ships. Bordering the renowned La Amistad International Park, Veragua features adventure activities like zip lining, hiking and an aerial tram, and fascinating one-of-a-kind native wildlife exhibits.

Article by Shannon Farley

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North Face Endurance Challenge Costa Rica 2016 Preview

For its fourth year, the intense ultra-trail running endurance race The North Face Endurance Challenge Costa Rica returns to the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. On Saturday, May 28, 2016, hundreds of runners from all over the world will challenge themselves and each other in four endurance trail-running races of 10 km, 21 km, 50 km and 80 km on the slopes of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. All North Face Endurance Challenge Costa Rica 2016 races are individual, with no teams. Demanding trails cover difficult yet beautiful terrain around Rincón de la Vieja Volcano, one of six active volcanoes in Costa Rica, spanning altitudes between 850 feet and 3,280 feet (260-1,000 meters). There will be aid stations along the routes.

Rincón de la Vieja is the largest volcano in the northwest province of Guanacaste. The towering ridge-shaped colossus holds several craters, and peaks at 6,286 feet (1,916m). Surrounding the volcano is Rincón de la Vieja National Park, filled with wild dry tropical forest, rivers, waterfalls and hot springs. The Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and National Park are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Organized by The North Face outdoor gear and clothing company in the USA, The North Face Endurance Challenge is North America’s premier ultra-trail running series of endurance races. Launched in 2007, the races test experienced runners in beautiful scenic locations, while promoting a minimum impact philosophy. Part of the Latin America series, Costa Rica – a big destination for endurance races – held its first North Face Endurance Challenge in 2013. Base camp for the race, and the start and finish lines, are at eco-hotel Hacienda Guachipelin – a major center for adventure tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: zip lining, mountain biking, waterfall rappelling, river tubing, horseback riding, nature trails, and natural volcanic hot springs. Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is a top Costa Rica travel destination for adventure and nature lovers. The award-winning hotel next to the Rincón de la Vieja National Park is located 15.5 miles (25 km) northeast of Guanacaste’s main city of Liberia, with easy access from the Liberia International Airport.

More Adventure Races at Rincon de la Vieja

The newest Costa Rica adventure race – 160K Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Bike Race – happens Aug. 20, 2016 at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin. Racers will compete in three distances: 160 km (100 miles), 100 km (62 miles), and 50 km (31 miles) by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The fourth annual Rincon de la Vieja Challenge extreme mountain bike race will test elite mountain bikers on a 100-mile (160 km) circumnavigation of the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano on Sept. 3, 2016. The Rincon de la Vieja Challenge is the first international chapter of the National Ultra Endurance Series (NUE) of the USA.

Article by Shannon Farley

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