New to the market in Pavones is this new 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home on a titled lot walking distance to the beach. Listen to the sound of the waves from your bedroom! This beautiful brand new home near the beach features high ceilings, lots of windows, a large covered outdoor living area, and a modern style. Its solid construction techniques, secure bodega, and integrated security system make it a secure choice as well. And priced at only $189,500, this is a deal that can’t be beat!

Pavones is located in the southwestern portion of Costa Rica, about three hours south of Dominical. It’s a magical place, with pristine, deserted black sand beaches, an abundance of scarlet macaws, and waves out of every surfer’s dreams. Pavones is on the Golfo Dulce, the “sweet gulf”, where marine life abounds and it is not uncommon to see devil rays, dolphins and even whales. In the small town of Pavones, you will find a few restaurants, a couple grocery stores, a soccer field, and a world-class left point break. This brand new home is about eightminutes by car from the town of Pavones, halfway between Pavones and the fishing village Pilon. The house is on titled land only 400 meters from a beautiful, empty beach.

This brand new home near the beach has a clean, efficient design. It is full of windows for lots of breeze and light. The high ceilings and wood-style tile floors give the home a modern feel. The heart of the house is a combined kitchen and living room, which connects through a sliding glassdoor to the covered outdoor living space. The first bedroom and bathroom are located off of the kitchen. There is also a loft in this area, accessed from the living room, that would make a great third bedroom or home office. The last bedroom and bathroom are accessed by another sliding glass door from the outdoor living area, providing them with a bit of extra privacy. There is also a secure bodega with a steel door, an excellent feature for added security when you are out of town.

Situated on a lot of 1/8 acre, there is enough room for a garden of vegetables or flowers, or both, depending on your choice. Maybe you’d like to have a bigger garden? Or move to Costa Rica full time and enjoy fresh mangos and avocados from your backyard? If you're interested in more land, or if you’d like to get residency in Costa Rica, the sellers of this home are offering a package that might interest you. The base price of $189,500 will get you this brand new home by the beach and 1/8 acre. For an additional $30,000, you can own the titled lot adjacent to the home, and you will also receive the seller’s assistance in obtaining residency in Costa Rica as an investor (which requires at least $200,000 investment in the country). What’s better than finding your dream home and becoming a resident of Costa Rica at the same time? For only $219,500, you can own a brand new home on 1/4 acre and have your Costa Rican residency.

This brand new home near the beach is perfect for anyone who is looking for a more affordable family home, a vacation house that could also be an income-producing rental, a surfer’s retreat, or a nature-lover’s getaway. For $189,500 (or $219,500 for more land and residency), you simply won’t find another deal like this. Don’t miss this chance to own this new 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom, modern-style home in stunning Pavones, nestled into the jungle yet only 400 meters from a pristine beach, minutes away from one of the world’s best waves. Contact us now for more information and check out the listing here:

0.125 ACRES – 3 Bedroom Brand New Home Conveniently Located Close To Several World Class Point Breaks!!!

Looking for an opportunity to to invest in land development in Costa Rica? This 24.6-acre property on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is perfect. With 6 available building lots, 12.75-acres of flat land with commercial potential, and a pre-existing 2-story home with a stunning ocean view, this is a development property with tons of potential. The building sites could be developed with cabinas, a boutique hotel, a retreat center, or a family compound; the flat land could host multiple businesses; and the existing home would make a wonderful B&B. It would also be an option to sell the individual building lots, or to subdivide and sell lots from the flat portion of the property. With all of these possibilities, it is easy to see why this property is a great investment.

A gated internal road about one kilometer long leads from the Hatillo road through the flat portion of the property and continues up the hillside to access all of the lots. This internal road is in excellent condition and is paved in places. The building lots are ready to develop, with driveways, flat building sites, and power and water located on site. Most of the building lots have an ocean view; the higher lots have breathtaking sunset ocean views. All of the lots enjoy a lovely breeze as a benefit of their elevation.

The pre-existing home is located on a 1.25-acre lot that also hosts a second ocean-view building site. The second building site is perfect for a guest house, a rental cabina, or an owner’s home if the buyer prefers to build a custom home. In this case, the pre-existing home would make an excellent vacation rental, especially with the addition of the pool. The property also hosts numerous fruit trees including mangos and oranges.

The location of this development in Hatillo is excellent. It is easily accessible from the coastal highway in only minutes. The nearest beach is Playa Guapil, which is amazingly beautiful and almost always deserted; Playa Linda, Playa Matapalo and Playa Dominical are all also within ten minutes of the property. Hatillo has a few delicious local restaurants and small grocery stores. Larger grocery stores, including a health food store, and many restaurants can be found in nearby Dominical. Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park are only thirty minutes north of the property. Here you will find an airport, a hospital, gourmet restaurants, and many other amenities.

This development property in Costa Rica is an excellent opportunity for investment in Costa Rica. Options for profiting from the property abound, from simply selling lots to developing a retreat center, rental cabinas, or a residential community. There is also excellent commercial potential on the flat portion of the property with 100 meters of road frontage. This entire property, including stunning ocean-view building lots, a pre-existing home, and over 12 acres of flat land with commercial potential, can be yours for only $1.1 million. For more information, contact Dominical Real Estate

here: http://www.costaricarealestate.net/properties/24-6-acres-turn-key-development-with-7-ocean-view-lots-4-bedroom-ocean-view-home/

Portions of the property are also available for purchase separately:

12.75 acres of flat land with road frontage and commercial potential,

$350,000: http://www.costaricarealestate.net/properties/12-75- acres-flat- usable-pasture- land-with-paved- road-frontage- in-town- of-hatillo/

4-bedroom ocean view home with separate building site, $325,000:http://www.costaricarealestate.net/properties/1-25- acres-4- bedroom-2- story-ocean- view-house-plus-a- large-second- building-site/#

Sunset ocean view building lots, $125,000:http://www.costaricarealestate.net/properties/1-25- acres-expansive- ocean-view- property-with-large-building- site-in- gated-community/

Ocean view building lots, $89,500: http://www.costaricarealestate.net/properties/1-47-acres-ocean- view-property- with-great- access-in- gated-community- at-a- great-price/

Costa Rica is a beautiful country that has managed to preserve its rainforests and parks, while offering ex-pats a place to buy an affordable home. It’s also country where it is easy for an ex-pat to own and run a business. For younger ex-pats who need to make a living, this is great news! Even for retirees or others with savings, owning a business is a perfect way to meet travelers from all over the world. An opportunity hasncome up to actually own an established, profitable boutique hotel and restaurant with a stunning ocean view in southern Costa Rica. Just imagine the possibilities!

The hotel is located in Uvita and it flows over two acres of land with a breathtaking view of the coastline and the Whale’s Tail. It is a full service, four star boutique hotel. There are twenty different rooms for guests, each with private balconies, ocean views, and air conditioning. The rooms are located in two blocks, the upper block and the lower block. The upper block consists of twelve ocean view rooms on three levels; the lower block contains eight ocean and jungle view rooms on two levels. While both blocks boast ocean views, the ocean and sunset views are unparalleled from the upper block, while the rooms in the lower block are closer to the jungle canopy and are great for viewing wildlife, such as toucans and sloths.

The hotel has a unique infinity pool that is fun for everyone. It was completely refurbished in 2015, with multiple levels, a water feature, and LED lights. Guests can enjoy the ocean view and amazing sunsets while lounging beside this incredible pool. Whale watching is a popular activity in the region, and guests might even be lucky enough to see whales or a pod of dolphins swimming off the coast!

The hotel’s restaurant, located poolside, also has incredible ocean and Whale’s Tail views. It’s enjoyed by locals and hotel guests alike. With a combination of typical Costa Rican food and North American cuisine, everyone will find something to enjoy. There is also a bar and lounge located next to the pool and restaurant. The restaurant and bar add value to the purchase, as they provide separate sources of income for the owner and tap into a different market – the locals and ex-pats. The hotel and restaurant also have the capacity to host large events, such as weddings, conferences, business meetings, and retreats. The poolside deck, with incredible views, is a stunning location for a wedding ceremony. There is also a banquet room which holds up to 100 people, and is perfect for business conferences, wedding receptions, and banquets of all kinds. The ability to host large events is another reason the hotel is popular and profitable.

The location of the hotel makes it a perfect place for guests to call home while they explore the many wonders of Costa Rica. The Uvita area has so much to offer. Marino Ballena National Park, only five minutes from the hotel, has some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. If you’d like to get in the water, there are plenty of opportunities to surf, SUP, snorkel, SCUBA dive, or just swim and play in the waves. Other nearby attractions include stunning waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and a horse ranch. Numerous tours can be arranged for guests, including rafting, canyoning, and zip-lining. With the commissions provided by tour operators for referrals, this can be another source of income for the hotel owner. There are also lots of amenities in Uvita, including banks, restaurants, grocery stores, doctors, yoga studios, salons, and a gym.

Owning the Vista Ballena Hotel is a dream for anyone looking for a profitable business or boutique hotel in Costa Rica. You and your guests will love the beautiful scenery and the gorgeous ocean view from every room. You can watch the sunset from your personal balcony, or from the restaurant or bar. The ocean view is truly beautiful and it goes on forever. The hotel’s location, reputation, diverse sources of income, and ability to host large events will help ensure its profitability into the future. This is a special chance for anyone looking for a turn-key business opportunity in Costa Rica. Don’t let it pass you by – contact Dominical Real Estate for more information today!

http://www.dominical-real-estate.com/uvita/Puntarenas/Commercial_Real_Estate/UVI147/Uvita/Agent/Listing_187698862.html

Costa Rica is full of breathtaking landscapes that will help your mind and body relax. Being in Costa Rica is like a stepping into another world, helping you to forget the stressors of life. Water provides one of the best ways to relax, and Costa Rica has several types of water attractions where you can get away from it all. Visiting one of Costa Rica’s dramatic, secluded waterfalls is a great way to unwind and enjoy a day in nature. There are two major waterfalls, Nauyaca Waterfalls and Diamante Waterfalls, that you must visit during your stay in Costa Rica.

Nauyaca Waterfalls is a beautiful, double-tiered waterfall on the Rio Barucito in Southern Costa Rica. It is hidden away by a canopy of lush green growth and trees within a wide canyon. When you first approach Nauyaca, you will hear the falls before you see them. You must descend a flight of stairs along the side of the canyon to reach the waterfalls below. Upon first sight, Nauyaca Waterfalls will take your breath away. The taller, upper waterfall is an impressive forty-five meters high and the lower waterfall is twenty meters high. The river cascades into a deep, wide pool at the bottom of the lower falls, then meanders downstream through the jungle. The setting is absolutely stunning.

When you visit Nauyaca, be sure to take the time to hike to both the upper and the lower falls. It will only take you 15 minutes to get from one to the other. During your descent into the canyon, there is a fork in the staircase. The stairs to the right take you to the upper falls, which are taller than the lower falls, and are surrounded by tall, dramatic cliff walls covered in greenery. The stairs to the left take you to the lower falls, a wide cascade into a deep, refreshing pool where swimming is permitted. Here you can swim across the pool into small caves beneath the water falls or climb the rocky face to jump back into the pool below – if you dare!

Nauyaca Waterfalls is located on private property and you must pay an entrance fee to enjoy it. The easiest access to Nauyaca Waterfalls is through Don Lulu’s walking trail or horseback tour. The walking trail takes about 1.5 hours and goes through variable terrain. Be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen if you plan to hike to the falls. The horseback tour provides a less strenuous way to reach the falls, and you will get to eat a traditional meal with Don Lulu’s family on the way. For more information, visit http://cataratasnauyaca.com.

Diamante Waterfall and cave is another great spot not to be missed while you are in Costa Rica. Diamante is also located in the southern part of the country, in the village of Las Tumbas. High in the mountains, Las Tumbas is lush and green and often covered in clouds. Las Tumbas is near Tinamastes and Platanillo.

There are ten different waterfalls in Diamante canyon. The hike to the waterfalls is steep and strenuous, with lots of stairs, and takes about two hours. Once you have arrived, there are numerous falls where you can swim, jump, or simply enjoy the beauty of the canyon. You can also hike to the top of the tallest waterfall in Costa Rica, which cascades six hundred feet to the rocks below! From the top of this falls, you can see the ocean when the weather is clear.

One of the best ways to explore the waterfalls is to spend a night in Diamante cave. The cave is located at one of the main waterfalls in the canyon, a twin cascade of about ninety feet. Between these twin falls is Diamante cave, a large, open cave equipped with a kitchen, elevated platforms for sleeping, and bathrooms! Since it’s impossible to see all ten waterfalls in one day, spending a night in the cave is a great way to explore the area and give yourself a chance to enjoy everything that Diamante has to offer.

Like Nauyaca Waterfall, Diamante Waterfalls are located on private land. You must have a guide to access Diamante Waterfalls. Tree of Life Tours offers numerous options for day tours or overnight tours. More information is available at http://treeoflifetours.com/index.html.

Whether you are seeking relaxation, immersion in the beauty of nature, the adrenaline of cliff jumping, or simply the pleasure of swimming in cool, fresh water, the waterfalls of southern Costa Rica are not to be missed! There are so many beautiful waterfalls in the area, but Nauyaca Waterfall and Diamante Waterfalls are both truly special. For more information on properties near these waterfalls, or properties with waterfalls of their own, contact Dominical Real Estate today!

Best Places for Birdwatching in Costa Rica

Within Costa Rica’s hundreds of acres of lush tropical rain forest, there are plenty of amazing plants, wildlife, and especially birds. There are bird species living in Costa Rica that you won’t see in any other part of the world. Because of this opportunity to see unusual birds, bird watching is a popular activity in Costa Rica. One of the best spots for bird watching is at Hacienda Baru in the Dominical area.

Hacienda Baru is a National Wildlife Refuge and Lodge located just north of Dominical on the Pacific coast. It is comprised of over 800 acres of protected land and includes a wide variety of habitats. Within Hacienda Baru and the adjacent areas, 330 different species of birds have been identified.

One of the best ways to enjoy bird watching at Hacienda Baru is to participate in one of the guided bird watching hikes. Guides have local knowledge and can take you to the areas that have the best bird watching. They also know how to spot the tiny birds, so that you won’t miss anything.

The best time to do your hike is early in the morning. This is when the birds first become active, so it gives you the best opportunity to see them. But don’t worry, you’ll be offered fresh coffee to help wake you up!

The Lowland Bird Watching Hike begins at the Hacienda Baru Biological Research Center. This location is one of the best spots for seeing many different types of birds. You’ll have the opportunity to see toucans, honeycreepers, spotting tanagers, vireos, and saltators. On this hike you’ll have lots of chances to take photographs, so it’s perfect for someone wanting to practice their photography techniques.

The path of the Lowland Bird Watching Hike travels from the Research Center down to the rookery. There is also plenty of other wildlife in the Hacienda Research area, and a great spot to view them is at the rookery. You can expect to see egrets, herons, and ibis as well. After you’ve had a chance to take photographs from the rookery, the path moves along the mangrove, and then loops back to the Biological Research Center.

Guests can enjoy having a good breakfast at the Research Center when they return, which will provide needed nourishment for the final leg of the journey. The last section of the Lowland Bird Watching Hike includes another portion of forest, as well as the beach.

The three kilometer stretch of beach at Hacienda Baru is beautiful, untouched and usually deserted as far as the eye can see. At the beach you’ll have the opportunity to see different shore bird types, such as sandpipers, plovers, phalaropes, whimbrels, pelicans, sanderlings, and frigatebirds. If you are lucky, you may see evidence of turtle nesting too. After an enjoyable visit to the beach, you can return to the Research Center where there are washroom facilities.

If you are looking for a different kind of guided tour, you can try the Rainforest Bird Watching Hike, which will take you past old cacao plantations and right into the rainforest. It’ll take you about two hours to hike up to a campsite where there are plenty of bird watching opportunities. You’ll see birds that forage through this particular habitat. In this region you’ll have a chance to see some birds that are harder to spot, such as motmots, trogons, antshrikes, manakins, curasows, and more.

Hacienda Baru is one of the best spots for birdwatching in Costa Rica. Don’t miss it next time you are in the Dominical area! And if you’re interested in seeing some of these birds right outside your house, contact Dominical Real Estate today.

Tranquilo Lodge is a luxury ecolodge with a stunning view in Drake Bay, Costa Rica. It’s a great place to call home while you explore the Osa Peninsula, a hotspot of biological diversity and incredible natural beauty located in
southern Costa Rica. Drake Bay has a lot to offer, including sport fishing, excursions into Corcovado National Park, SCUBA diving at Caño Island, zip lining, waterfall tours, night walks, and more. Head to Tranquilo Lodge to be pampered while experiencing the jungle right outside your door!

The vista from the pool and rancho at Tranquilo Lodge will take your breath away. The Lodge looks out over the ocean and rolling hills of untouched jungle. Sit in the pool and watch waves breaking along the coast for miles to the Rio Sierpe. Sunsets will light up the sky as you meet your fellow guests and discuss the day’s adventures over a beer or a soda.

The top tier of Exclusive Deluxe Cabinas share the pool’s stunning view, as they are located on the hilltop around the
pool. Each cabina is made from beautiful, locally-sourced hardwood, with a large covered porch featuring a cozy hammock. The cabinas have A/C, comfortable beds, and spacious outdoor showers.

Because it is off the beaten path, many travelers to Drake Bay choose to stay at a lodge that can cater to all of their needs. Like many lodges in the area, Tranquilo Lodge is all-inclusive, offering three meals a day and free transfers to and from the local airport or boat drop area. It is possible to fly directly from San Jose to Drake Bay on one of the local airlines, Sansa or Nature Air. We arrived by water taxi from the town of Sierpe, which was an adventure in itself! We cruised down the Rio Sierpe, through a maze of mangroves, out the river mouth and down pristine coastline to arrive at Drake Bay’s calm shore.

There are many adventures to be had on the Osa Peninsula. Wildlife abounds in this area of Costa Rica, including scarlet macaws, four types of monkeys, two kinds of sloths, and even the elusive, rare tapir. Hearing that the Corcovado hikers had seen a tapir made us want to sign up for the Corcovado tour the next day! There is also excellent sport fishing in the area, offering opportunities to catch marlin, tuna, and mahi-mahi, among other things. Some of the guests we met at Tranquilo Lodge had caught a 50-pound snapper the day we arrived! There are many other tours and activities available, and the people at Tranquilo Lodge are happy to help their guests find the perfect experience.

After all those tours, you will be hungry by the end of the day! The food at Tranquilo Lodge is excellent. Everything is locally-sourced and homemade. We especially enjoyed the BBQ night, when the outdoor smoker was used to impart perfect flavor to our steak and fish. And don’t miss the delicious homemade bread at breakfast! All meals are served family style at two long tables in the main lodge, which is another fun opportunity to chat with fellow guests.

Although there are plenty of adventures to be had in Drake Bay, it’s worth spending a day being tranquil at Tranquilo Lodge. There’s a beautiful, deserted beach right out front, and it goes on for miles. Go for a long, romantic walk, swim in the ocean, discover an estuary, maybe you will even see monkeys or other wildlife right on the beach! It’s also easy to wile away the hours in the hammock on the porch of your cabina or in a lounge chair by the pool, watching the scarlet macaws fly by.

Tranquilo Lodge is the place to stay when you are visiting Drake Bay. It is a luxurious home base for all of your adventures on the Osa Peninsula. Couples, families, and solo travelers alike will enjoy the gorgeous views, comfortable cabinas, perfect pool, delicious food, and fun atmosphere. Book your stay now at www.thetranquilolodge.com.

Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park is just one of Costa Rica’s protected zones where visitors can take in fresh air, and view lush tropical plant life and a wide variety of birds and wildlife. There are many activities to choose from at this park, which features a large green forest that borders a lovely sandy beach. It’s located in the Southern Pacific portion of the country and encompasses 270 acres of land. What makes this park unusual is that parts of the ocean are also included in this park, with over 5,400 marine hectares being protected.

This park is located about 180 km southwest of San Jose, only a day trip away. This park is one of the newer officially registered parks in the country, as it was registered after 1990. You may be curious to know that this park has one of the largest coral reefs on the Central American Pacific side.

Visitors to the park can participate in many water sports, such as swimming, boating, and scuba diving. There are rocky reefs filled with sea life where you can enjoy excellent snorkelling and scuba diving. Camping is allowed within the park if you’re interested in staying for any length of time. There are also many hotels and rental homes in the nearby communities of Uvita, Escaleras, Dominical, and Ojochal.

Whale watching is a popular activity during the months of December to April. This is when the humpback whales migrate from Alaska, Hawaii, and other closer destinations, down to Caño Island, located off the Osa Peninsula. Viewers can see the whales from several great vantage points along the beach, or hop on one of the many boats offering these types of tours.

There are many beautiful beaches in the park, but the Whale’s Tail beach is not to be missed. The Whale’s Tail is a natural sandbar which looks exactly like the tail of a whale when seen from above at low tide. You can walk almost a kilometer into the sea onto the Whale’s Tail, just make sure to visit the park when the tide is low. The beach has soft, light sand, and is more protected from waves than some of the other beaches in the area, so it is a great beach for children.

The Marino Ballena National Park offers horseback riding to help visitors to see more of the park during their visit. Some other regions of the park you won’t want to miss include a visit to the mangroves. Here you’ll see many marine iguanas and Hawksbill turtles. There is also Ballena Island which is a two mile trip from the beach. Visiting the island by boat or SUP might give you a chance to see marine life, such as dolphins or whales, from the water.

The Park connects with the town of Uvita, which is a commercial center in the area. There are many tour companies in Uvita who can provide more information about activities in the park. We recommend Costa Rica Dive & Surf, which has a shop right next to the entrance to the park. There are also numerous restaurants in Uvita, as well as groceries store, banks, pharmacies, yoga studios and more.

Whether you are living in Costa Rica or just visiting, a trip to Marino Ballena National Park will be fulfilling. It is a beautiful place with unique natural features and excellent opportunities to view marine life.

Bringing Pets to Costa Rica

Whether you’ve decided to move permanently to Costa Rica, or to just visit for a greater part of the year, your pets are like family, and you don’t want to leave them behind. You’ll both miss each other, and you may not wish to bentrust their care to a stranger. It’s actually easier than you think to bring your dog or cat to Costa Rica. Why leave them at home, sad in your absence, when you can bring them with you? With a small amount of preparation and documentation, you can bring your dog or cat with your to Costa Rica.

Be sure to check for all documentation required in advance, as there is usually a two week window where you’ll need to get all tasks done, and to be aware of any fees required.

You’ll first need to get a health certificate from your pet’s veterinarian. It will then need to be endorsed by a veterinarian (VS—Veterinary Service) who works for the USDA—US Department of Agriculture: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

To find these veterinarians, you’ll need to find the local office that is in your state. You may visit the APHIS(1) website to find these listings, and then the “Travel with my Pet” link.

The vet will examine your dog or cat to be free of infectious illness, and to be declared healthy. This visit must be done within two weeks of the departure date. Cats must be vaccinated against rabies, while dogs have a more extensive list, including rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, etc. If dogs and cats are over three months of age, they must have current vaccinations.

Your vet will use the International Certificate APHIS Form 7001 for small animals. It will need to be written in duplicate. You do not require a Notary Public Stamp for it, nor for a Costa Rica Consular office stamp.

If you’re bringing animals into Costa Rica for resale, you’ll need an Import Permit, but if you’re bringing your pet in, as long as they will reside with you, you do not need this permit. Be sure to clip your pet’s rabies vaccination certificate to the rest of the forms. When you enter Costa Rica these documents will be examined, and possibly your pet as well.

If you wish to return to the USA from Costa Rica, you’ll need to visit a vet in Costa Rica. They’ll be able to provide the required certificates. This will require stamps and a fee, but involves only a one stop trip.

While the process may seem a bit cumbersome at first, it’s more than worth it to be able to bring your beloved pet with you to Costa Rica, and back home again too. Once you’ve gone through the routine once or twice, it’ll become a part of your process for moving between both countries, and be easier the next time round.

Source: 1. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/home/

Real Estate for Sale in Costa Rica

Costa Rica makes the perfect home away from home for many residents of the USA, and Canada. While many set up their base permanently, many people spend part of their year in Costa Rica, before returning home again. A great way to obtain residency status in Costa Rica is to purchase a house or condominium. As long as you return at least once a year to Costa Rica, you’ll be able to maintain this status. Your spouse, and your family will also be allowed to achieve residency status too.

Costa Rica has a warm climate which is perfect for people who need a retreat away from a bustling work environment. Life is slower and happier in Costa Rica. The climate invites you to rest and relax. Of course if you’re ready for adventure, there are plenty of outdoor activities for you and your children to enjoy. Costa Rica contains world class beaches along northern or southern coastlines. You can get away to relax on a lounge chair, or go swimming, or boating.

Many expats choose to make their home in Manuel Antonio, Playa Dominical, and Uvita. There are plenty of homes that your real estate agent can help you choose.One of the biggest decisions facing an American is whether to buy a house or a condominium. Each offers their own special benefits. A house is the same as back at home—it always requires more upkeep. But if you plan on spending the majority of your year in Costa Rica, and have a larger family, it may be your best choice.

Condominiums make the perfect choice for the single person, a couple, or a couple with only one or two children. There’s no need to worry about leaning the common spaces, or doing the gardening, as these are handled by the home owners’ association.

If you’re planning on leaving your home vacant for any length of time, to return to home, or to travel, a condominium may be the best choice for you. You won’t need to worry about the upkeep of your property while away, as someone else will be doing it for you.

Another great option that many property owners in Costa Rica consider is renting their property while they’re back at home in the USA. Since home owner fees can accumulate even when you don’t live there, rental income can help cover these fees, and provide an income source. People who have residential status in Costa Rica are able to earn an income from their property, and it is considered tax-free.

Searching for real estate for sale in Costa Rica means that you can stop pouring money in a hotel or an apartment rental, which is much like a sieve for all your hard-earned cash. You can make an investment in buying a house or a condo, and benefit from the equity. Your dreams for living in a warm climate can be achieved more easily in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Private Schools

If you’ve decided to set up permanent residency in Costa Rica, you’ll discover that there are many great schools where your children can be nurtured and be inspired to grow. The curriculum is diverse and promises to provide the growth needed to keep your child entertained and educated.

The following three schools are often chosen by new residents because their beliefs and goals will align with what you want for your children, while also providing a bilingual environment. Escuela Verde Costa Bellena, Uvita Christian Academy, and Colegio Delfines are three that are worth having a closer look at for your kids.

Escuela Verde Costa Bellena

The philosophy of Escuela Verde Costa Bellena is to nurture the entire child. Once they begin to feel accepted within their community, they’ll be inspired to learn. The school aims to do this by allowing children to have a hands-on approach to activities, rather than merely observing. There are many activities planned throughout the year, including indoor and outdoor events. Students will receive a bilingual education in both English and Spanish.

This school encourages parents to take an active interest in their child’s learning, and believes that the process of learning is more important than the final result. Students may enroll for pre-kindergarten up to sixth grade.

Uvita Christian Academy

Uvita Christian Academy provides an individualized learning environment to your children, all while teaching Christian morals and values. The school teaches in a bilingual environment, so students may develop both English and Spanish skills. Graduates from the UCA will qualify for a USA high school diploma. Students from kindergarten to grade twelve will be able to study here.

Each student at UVA is treated as an individual. They’ll receive their own study guides and individual attention from their teachers. The school is a flexible school, so that in the event of absences, the child may bring school work with them, whether they’re sick at home, or travelling with family. There are separate learning centers for each grades level, and plenty of hands-on learning activities for all ages.

Colegio Los Delfines

Colegio Los Delfines offers children a chance to be taught in English classes, and likes to place a strong focus on music, computer skills, and physical education. They focus on providing education while keeping children fit through a variety of physical activities. They believe in placing the student into their particular skill level, to keep them focused on learning. They offer classes from kindergarten to grade twelve.

The school has a variety of clubs for children to join, including the arts, music, soccer, and swimming. The school is located in Paquita, and encompasses over fifteen acres of land. The learning center has large classrooms, well-maintained sports fields, recreation areas, and green areas. The school has an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Children have plenty of space for learning, as well as providing a secure and nurturing emotional environment. All facilities are modern, and each class has its own bathroom.

Costa Rica Property

Many people choose to live in Costa Rica—a vibrant country full of friendly people and beautiful sights. It’s one of the more popular destinations for travelers from Canada, USA, and Mexico, but often after their first visit, people begin plotting how to take up residence in this beautiful country. There are about five major ways to gain residency, one of them being to purchase Costa Rican property.

Many people may weigh the options between purchasing a property, or continuing on with a long term rental. It’s best to place things into perspective, and examine the benefits of buying versus renting.

Simply renting a house, condominium or staying at a hotel is not going to gain you residency status in Costa Rica. You’ll need to qualify as a pensioner, investor, marry a Costa Rican, have a child who is born in Costa Rica, or be a company representative.

To gain residency, it can be as simple as purchasing a house, or condominium. With residency status you’re going to be able to return to your property whenever you want, as long as you visit Costa Rica once a year.

It may be expensive renting a property in Costa Rica, which you’ll need to continue paying for, should you decide to travel back and forth between the two countries. You also have the option of shuttling your belongings back and forth each time, but that can be cumbersome, plus there’s no guarantee that your favorite apartment will be waiting for you upon your return.

If you purchase a property, you have a permanent place to call home in Costa Rica. There will be no worries about where you’ll stay during your next visit—your home will be waiting.

There is also the possibility of earning rental income through your property. This is allowed when you have achieved Costa Rican residency status, and are allowed to earn income through the rental of your property. You can have it managed by a property management company in your absence. They provide their services for a modest fee, which provides you with not only an income, but cleaning services, rental management, and peace of mind.

You simply notify the management company on your chosen residency dates, and they’ll rent out your property around your plans.

Owning a property means you can build up equity over time, which can be profitable should you decide to sell in the future. You may wish to upgrade to a better home, or to purchase two new homes, and only rent one of them out.

Just like at home, you can either buy a property outright, or choose to have a mortgage where you make monthly or biweekly payments to pay it off. While financing would be similar to rental payments, you’re actually investing in your own home, rather than giving it to a landlord.

If you are considering purchasing a Costa Rican property, please contact us today. It can be a life-altering decision to move to a new country, and we can help to make that transition easier.

Costa Rica Residency

Many people who wish to move to Central America choose Costa Rica as  their new home. Costa Rica has a warm climate, full of beautiful scenery and attractive beaches. There are many benefits to obtaining a Costa Rica residency. The southern Pacific coast is a popular location for many expats. Many choose to make their new homes in Playa Dominical, Uvita, and Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rica offers five different residency types, making it easier to enjoy the benefits of being a resident in this wonderful country.

Investor

To be an investor, you can either purchase a property, or a business, as long as it’s worth more than $200,000 US. In order to continue your residency, you must visit Costa Rica at least once every year.

For those investors who have a spouse or children under 18 years of age, they will automatically qualify for residency status as well.

There are many benefits to investor status as you can also get income from your business or from renting a property out to others.

Pension

To qualify for pensionado status, you’ll need to provide proof that you haveat least $1000 worth of income per month from a permanent pension source, or from a retirement fund. You must also visit Costa Rica at least once a year.

If you have a spouse or children under 18, they will also gain residency. You may not work as an employee for any business in Costa Rica.

You may also own a company and receive dividends from the business.

Independent

To qualify under the independent residency, you must provide proof that you have an income of $2500 per month, for at least two years. This must be confirmed by a banking institution. You may also deposit $60,000 into one of the pre-approved Costa Rican banks. This amount covers a spouse and children under 18 as well.

Under this plan, you must also visit Costa Rica once per year, and not work as an employee, but you can still own a company and income from that source.

Representative

To qualify under the representative program you must be the director of a business that meets certain criteria. This company must employ a specific number of Costa Ricans as per the labor law. Financial statements must also be provided from a qualified professional accountant.

Under this plan, you must also visit Costa Rica once per year, and it includes a spouse and dependants under age 18. You are not only allowed to own the company, but to receive an income too.

Permanent

You may obtain permanent residency if you marry a Costa Rican citizen, or have a child with a Costa Rican, or just have a child that is born in Costa Rica even if neither parent is Costa Rican.

You may also apply for permanent residency if you have had another status for at least three years.

Under this plan you must also promise to visit Costa Rica at least once per year, and will be able to claim your spouse and children under 18. You may also work, own a company, and receive income from that company.

                                                                   Capital Gains Tax Costa Rica

Many people buy vacation property in countries around the world, but are in for a rude awakening when having to pay capital gains taxes. Costa Rica works a bit differently than in other countries. For example, in the USA, you must pay capital gains tax if your real estate investments appreciate in value. These profits must be taxed as they appreciate or when you sell the property. These taxes are one of the downsides to purchasing property for investment.

In Costa Rica, most banking account investments and real estate investments are not subject to a capital gains tax, even when interest is earned, or a property increases in value. This opens up many financial opportunities to the foreign investor wishing to make a move to this country.

These rules are applicable to individuals. Where capital gains taxes may be required is for certain types of business investments. Businesses normally pay taxes. In order for taxes to be exempt, the business must be participating in a business activity that is separate, or different from their regular business operations. If your business is solely real estate investments, then those profits are taxable.

For an individual buying property, it’s considered a personal capital gains environment. It’s considered that this individual has no intention of making a profit, as there is no business registered. Thus, the individual is exempt from capital gains taxes.

These tax rules make Costa Rica an attractive place for foreign investors to move to. In fact, there is plenty of foreign investment in the country.

If you’re planning on moving to Costa Rica and planning on buying a property or two for investment, there won’t be any capital gains taxes. But once you start building up your portfolio, you may need to consult an expert on whether your new investments will be subject to capital gains tax or not. Your real estate broker will be able to advise you as to whether your new property purchases will be considered as part of a business or not.

Your real estate agent can review purchase documents for your potential investments, to ensure that your new property is not taxable.

Many people also consider moving their investments to a new Costa Rican bank account, in order to take advantage of the country’s tax saving benefits.

Another great aspect to living in Costa Rica is that property taxes are also low, they are only 0.25% of the property value. This makes purchasing property in Costa Rica doubly beneficial to individuals and families looking for a home away from home. Playa Dominical, Uvita, and Manuel Antonio are popular residential locations for foreigners along the southern Pacific coast.

There are many investment opportunities in Playa Dominical and Costa Rica that are attractive to the foreign investor who wants a secondary way of making some extra cash, or who wishes to have a vacation home. Before embarking on real estate investment activities, consult with your real estate broker to ensure that properties are free of capital gains taxes.

Buying a Car in Costa Rica

Foreigners who’ve settled in Costa Rica quickly realize that they can’t bring their cars in from other countries, as they’re subject to extremely high import taxes. The next best option is to purchase a car. For a Costa Rican, buying a car is no big deal. The slow process is a way of life, but then, everything runs much more slowly in Costa Rica. For the westerner who expects instant gratification with everything, buying a car in Costa Rica can be a long slow process.

Since cars in Costa Rica will generally cost you more money new or used, you’re going to need to spend time shopping around. Many people in Costa Rica purchase cars through private sales, rather than relying on used car lots. But how to get around town to look at all your potential new car purchases?

You have the option of renting a car, so you can drive around checking out potential purchases, or getting one of your local friends to drive you around.

There are several websites that have new and used cars on them. One of the best is www.crautos.com. There is also www.ecuentra24.com and www.craigslist.com.

You may find that your Costa Rican friends are the ones who will make purchasing a car much easier for you. They can provide valuable advice on which car dealers to trust, who to avoid, and a reliable mechanic who can provide an inspection of your potential new car purchase.

Many people in Costa Rica own an SUV 4×4 vehicle, as some of the roads aren’t paved, and may be rough to drive on. If you’re purchasing a vehicle, you should consider buying this type of car, so you can truly get around to see all the fabulous sights of the country.

It’s recommended that you narrow down your selection between three different vehicles. Have each one inspected by your trusty mechanic. Your mechanic will provide advice on whether the vehicle will be a good purchase, and since you’ll likely be purchasing a used car due to the expensive costs of cars in Costa Rica, you’ll want to know how much any potential repairs will cost as well.

Once you’ve made your choice you need to visit an abogado, or lawyer. Sometimes it can be difficult to find one who can speak good English, so ask around. A friend may be able to not only provide a recommendation, but set up a meeting for you.

The lawyer will search a government database for information on the car, and whether there are any liens on it. You’ll be required to pay Marchamo, an annual road tax where you get a sticker to place on your windshield. Plates always stay with the car, and are never exchanged, even when the car switches hands.

The lawyer will fill out pertinent papers for you, and you’ll sign them. You’ll receive a temporary document until the papers are processed in San Jose. You’ll receive the keys, and will return to pick up the processed papers in two week’s time.

Treat your new car purchase as Tico style and don’t stress out over it. Once you have your new car, you’ll have freedom to travel anywhere.