Costa Rica Real Estate Magazine

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Find Your Dream Manuel Antonio | Quepos Find Your rea Manuel Antonio | Quepos

Dear Melissa,

Dear Melissa,

Thank you for all of your help and assistance in the recent real estate transactions. The level of concern and assistance you provided far exceeded the requirement to “sell”. We are very appreciative that you took the time and effort to get to know us and what our needs/wants were. The level of service provided to make us feel welcome, informed, and accepted in Costa Rica, far exceeded our expectations, and made us very comfortable making this kind of purchase in a country we did not know. Thank y u for all f your help and assistance in th r cent real estate transactions. The level of concer and assistance you provided far exce ed th requirement to “sell”. We are very a preciative that you took the time and effort to get to know us and what our needs/wants were. The level of service provided to make us feel welcome, informed, and accepted in Costa Rica, far exceeded our expectations, and made us very comfortable making this kind of purchase in a country we did not know.

Thank You Craig & Coty

Thank You Craig & Coty

Home in Costa Rica o e in Costa Rica

Dominical | Uvita | Jaco Do inical | Uvita | Jaco

Buying a house overseas can be an exciting adventure, but also a stressful life event. More so during a pandemic. Whether in person or virtually, Melissa was prompt, extremely knowledgeable, and a true pleasure to deal with. Melissa took the time to meet with us and genuinely assess our needs and dreams. She helped us understand the ins and outs of buying a home in a new country. Always with a friendly smile and a wise word of advice, Melissa made the purchase process smooth and our transition into our new home seamless. We were happy to have Melissa as our agent. We are now even happier to call her our neighbor. Buying a house overseas can be an exciting adventure, but also a stressful life event. More so during a e ic. hether in person or virtually, Melissa was prompt, extrem ly knowledgeable, and a true pl asure to deal with. Melissa to k the time to meet with us and genui ely asse our needs and dreams. She helped us understand the ins and outs of buying a home in a new country. Always with a friendly smile and a wise word of advice, Melissa made the purchase process smooth and our transition into our new home seamless. We were happy to have Melissa as our agent. We are now even happier to call her our neighbor.

Daniel, Ilene, Ivy & Alex Daniel, Ilene, Ivy & Alex

Melissa Klassen +506 8882 0009 Whether you want to live in Costa Rica full-time or part-time, create a lucrative ROI through renting your home, purchasing land or a successful business, I can help. elissa Klassen +506 8882 0009 Honored to dedicate my time and experience to making your vision a reality. I can guide you through the do's and don'ts of buying, selling or investing in this beautiful country. Whether you want to live in Costa Rica full-time or part-time, create a lucrative ROI through renting your home, purchasing land or a successful business, I can help. melissapuravida@gmail.com Honored to dedicate my time and experience to making your vision a reality. I can guide you through the do's and don'ts of buying, selling or investing in this beautiful country. melissapuravida@gmail.com

Editor Hernán Carazo Bemúdez Publisher | F. Suyen Arvizu I. International Sales & Marketing Manager F. Suyen Arvizu I. Client Services Manager Steven León Solórzano Graphic Design Irania Salazar S. Photographer Marcos Garcia Guzmán Administrative Assistant Cid A. Carazo Arvizú Sales Patricia Smith Samantha Arías Créditos | Credits

Contenido | Contents

06 COSTA RICA’S CENTRAL VALLEY 12 DISCOVER THE PURISCAL AREA

14 DISCOVER THE BEAUTY AND ATTRACTIONS 18 THEHAPPIEST COUNTRY INLATINAMERICA 22 THE CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST 24 THE BEST SPORTFISHING IN THE WORLD! 28 THE SOUTH PACIFIC COAST 34 NEW PROPOSED PENSIONADO LAW 38 PRIME ESCALERAS LAND FOR PRIVATE LUXURY LIVING OR COMMUNITY. 42 UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL 50 LUXURY VACATION RENTAL 52 TAMARINDOPLAYA - LANGOSTAFLAMINGO 54 BUYINGPROPERTY INCOSTARICA 55 COSTARICARESIDENCYREQUIREMENTS

Contact Information: Marketing & Sales Cel: (506) 7130-2841 (WhatsApp)

Tel: (506) 2416-4339 Tel: (506) 2416-4632

sales@costaricarealestate magazine.com Administrative mail: costaricamagazine77@gmail.com

Costa Rica Real Estate Magazine

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE FREE ISSUE SINCE 1998 AUGUST-OCTOBER 2021

ENJOY LIVING THE TROPICAL LIFESTYLE!

THE ONLY MAGAZINE AT THE DALLAS TRAVEL & ADVENTURE SHOW 2021

DREAMS OF PARADISE... Your next home awaits in Uvita!

U.N. sponsored study declares Costa Rica as the Happiest Country in Latin America - See Page 52

See pages 40-41 & 44-45 www.bluezonerealty.com

Más contenido y artículos en español disponibles en: WWW.COSTARICAREAL ESTATEMAGAZINE.COM sales@co staricarealestatemagazine.com

4 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Alliance Attorneys by Mora Zahner & Gutierrez is dedicated to advising investors and foreigners, both corporate and individual, in their new business Ventures in Costa Rica. MZ&G assists the foreign investor in all fields so as to work with the investment model best suited for their needs. Legal Practice Intellectual Property Foreign Investment Migratory Law Notary and Registry Law Municipal and Government Procedures Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Corporate and Commercial Law Property Law and Real Estate

Lic. César Mora Zahner

Licda. Karla Gutiérrez Mora

Jacó Office: Phones: (506) 2643-2818, (506) 2643-2858 Fax: (506) 2643-2781 Address: Puntarenas, Jacó, Garabito, from

Municipalidad 100 mts. east. PO Box: 1454-1000 San José. E-mail: info@alliance.cr

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

COSTA RICA’S CENTRAL VALLEY

The Central Valley of Costa Rica, also known as the GAM (Greater Metropoli- tan Area) is made up of San Jose, Cos- ta Rica´s capital city and the provincial capital cities of Heredia, Alajuela and Cartago along with their respective sur- rounding smaller cities and towns. The GAM offers many advantages such as a year-round temperate climate for the most part. Heredia and Cartago tend to be cooler and Alajuela warmer than San Jose. In addition to a great climate most of the population lives in this area which in turn means that the amplest variety of amenities, cultural and enter- tainment offerings, shops, restaurants and all manner of activities are avail- able. Also, some of the best Medical and Dental care in the country can be found here. On the West side we have

the areas of La Sabana (location of Costa Rica´s mini-clone of NY´s Cen- tral Park), Rohrmoser, Escazu, Bello Horizonte and the Santa Ana-Lindora area. This is where the largest concen- tration of high-end homes and private schools can be found as well as the largest Mall in the Country, the Escazu Multiplaza Mall. Continuing past Santa Ana on Highway 27, you can veer off to the right and go visit Ciudad Colón, a cute small town with some high end residentials with great views. Just a lit- tle further is the World-famous Univer- sity for Peace. If you don´t veer to the right but instead continue onward on the highway you will pass exits for La Garita, which has many Quintas (large residential estates) and an endless choice of nurseries.

Continued Page 8

6 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

Further on you find exits that can take you to Grecia, Sarchi and Naranjo, three semi-rural colorful towns which offer a great option for living and are growing in popular- ity with expats. Continue the high- way and you will pass an exit for Atenas, another quiet small town that is a favorite for expats to live in. San Jose lies at an altitude of just over 3,750 feet above sea level which contributes to its year-round springlike weather. It offers a blend of new and old and is basically a small town that grew in all directions as its population growth increased. There are not that many tall build- ings in general although in the up- scale Rohrmoser-Nunciatura area several have sprung up in the last decade. In the center of town, you will find historical buildings like the Central Post Office and the National Theater as well as the recently re- modeled Hotel Costa Rica. You can also find several museums includ- ing the very interesting Gold and Numismatic Museum housed in a unique architectural gem built un- derground. Several parks also dot the landscape and an interesting place to visit is the Mercado Cen- tral, a market under roof founded in the 1860´s which occupies a square block and has a large variety of items on sale as well as many small sodas (small restaurants) where you can have a tasty and inexpen- sive lunch. From San Jose you can head to the Central Pacific Beaches and reach the closest ones, Her- radura and Jaco beaches, via the highway 27 toll road in under 90 minutes. From there you can con- tinue South and reach the beautiful beaches of Manuel Antonio-Que- pos and another 45 minutes further South are the beaches of Dominical, Uvita, Ballena and Ojochal where the jungle and mountains reach the sea. Continue further South and you will reach the Osa Peninsula, described by National Geographic as the place with the most biologi- cal intensity per square foot on the Planet! 8 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE Article from page 6

Price: US$1,250,000

Price: US$950,000

Price: US$895,000

Luxurious, modern house surrounded by gardens Lot: 1,600m², Construction: 520m², Pool, service room, terrace

Luxurious house Laureles Escazú Lot: 1,190m², Construction: 550m², O ce + Pool + Sauna + BBQ, Parking: 2 int / 2 ext

Brand New INEDITA Luxury Home Lot: 930m², Construction: 570m², O ce + TV room + Pool, Parking: 3 int / 3 ext

4 full / 1 half bath

4

4 full

4 full / 2 half bath

3

4

Price: US$1,275,000

Price: US$2,395,000

Price: US$2,575,000

MagicCornersMansion, San IsidroHeredia Lot: 10,866.82m², Construction: 1062m², multiple use area, Parking: 20

Luxurious Mansion and Apartment, Escazú Lot: 3,000m², Construc: 1,250m², 1 Apartment + Jacuzzi +Terraza/BBQ, Parking: 3 int / 8 ext

EXORA Luxury Residential Estate Lot: 14,676.30m², Construc: 2,191.80m², Automated Apt. 3Bdrm 2nd home, 2Bdrm guesthome

5 full / 1 half bath

5

14 full / 2 half bath

4 full

4

4

Price: US$3,000,000

Price: US$2,200,000

Price: US$5,000,000

Luxury House Flamingo Beach Lot: 4,000m², Construction: 1,100m² O ce + 2 Apartments, Parking: 4 int / 6 ext

Mixed Use Building with 2 buildings in San Rafael Escazú Lot: 602m², Construc: 1,350m², 2 buildings of 2 & 4 levels, Mixed Use Property. with elevator. Close to LaPaCo. Possibility of expanding to 2,000m².

Cattle and Bu alo Ranch Bagaces Guanacaste Lot: 177ha Construction: 450m

12 full / 2 half bath

12

J&J Real Estate CR Inmobiliaria

www.jjrealestatecr.net • info@jjrealestatecr.net We have extensive knowledge of the market, investments and the product or service that our customers are looking for. We go beyond the objectives of a traditional real estate agency, obtaining and evaluating the value that each of our clients need. Contact us today so we can advise you on your next investment: +506 7043-4298 Jorge Isaack Urbina Navarro; President/Partner

The team at Prisma dental works together in a very professional manner while cutting out so much unnecessary time that I’ve seen wasted by not having all the resources in one facility. Needless to say, I was extremely impressed by the work the team was able to do in such a short time. Josef, Telma, Nadine and the rest of the Team are absolutely amazing! They a the friendliest family you! meet! At Prisma Dental, we’ll treat you like family – because we started as a family. Pioneers of dental tourism in Costa Rica and more the 30 years of experience in all dental treatments. If love to travel, want the best value for your money, and desire high-quality dental care, then we’d love to meet you! Let your best travel souvenir be a beautiful smile! Prisma Dental is located less than 10 minutes away from downtown San Jose. You will find our fully equipped treatment rooms with comfortable chairs and plenty of windows to admire the view of the ever-changing mountain scene of Costa Rica. We have 8 treatment rooms, which means long wait-times are kept to a minimum all ready to handle any required dental treatment. We have our own on- site laboratory with the latest equipment and highly trained personnel capable of working extremely complex cases. We are happy to recommend nearby hotels and to help with the details of your trip. Contact us for more information. Sit back, relax, and enjoy in our state-of- the-art clinic while our highly trained doctors do the work to create your new smile. It truly makes Prisma Dental a whole experience, experience, not just a "visit to the dentist." For more information go to our website: www.prismadental.com

Affordable Dentistry in Paradise By Nadine Cordero, DDS MsD Dental Implants, Periodontist

When you consider traveling to another country for your dental care, you want to know what others are saying about their experiences. At Prisma Dental, we understand this, so we've made it easy for you. Instead of filling up this page with a vast description of our clinic and dentists, we’ve shared the experience, reviews and testimonies of many people just like you that have traveled from all over the US and the globe to combine their dental care needs with their vacation. We look forward to showing how easy it can be to restore or enhance your smile while enjoying the splendour of beautiful and welcoming Costa Rica. “ I learned about Dr. Josef and Telma who own Prisma Dental though family, so I had complete confidence that I was going to a top notch excellent dentist when I decided it was finally time to address the dental needs I had, and I had many. I can understand that many people would be overwhelmed by the idea of traveling to an unknown country to get dental work done. I have been to dentists in the USA and in Europe so I would say I am very familiar with the processes to get anything done. What I would say to anyone trying to make the hard decision to travel overseas to Prisma dental to have your dentistry

Before

After

work done is, you will be completely impressed and satisfied. When I arrived there I knew I needed several root canals and possibly implants, not to mention my teeth were oddly shaped and needed adjustment. Needless to say, Dr, Telma, Josef and Nadine got to work. After many hours on and off the chair. A week later, I had a completely new smile. Other that the crowns that needed to go on the implants, I had all my teeth fixed and new crowns installed. From my personal experience, I have never seen a dental practice that has the ability to perform every aspect of dentistry in one state of the art facility.

High quality dentistry at reasonable prices

osef Cordero Telma Rubinstein Cosmet ic Dentistry J

Drs

clinic@prismadental.com | www.prismadental.com Local (506) 2291-5151 | Tol l Free from USA 1-866-741-8194

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

DISCOVER THE PURISCAL AREA

Photos by Marcos García

Puriscal was founded back in 1868 and is located less than an hour South- east from San José but it is a hidden treasure that is usually not well known by visitors to Costa Rica and yet it is a great place to both visit on a vaca- tion as well as a wonderful place to live in. With many natural attractions and adorable places to visit. For ex- ample, you can visit the town of Mas- tatal which boasts just 125 inhabitants and is located at the base of the La Cangreja National Park which was es- tablished in 2002. It is a great place to take nature walks ranging from 4 to 20 kilometers and a really great place to observe bird species. In fact, 382

different species have been sighted of the 926 species found in Costa Rica. This area reaches a maximum height of 1305 meters above sea level offer- ing primary and secondary forests and high mountain area vegetation and as in all the Puriscal area, the year-round temperatures are just about perfect with a range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahr- enheit. Tobacco and beans are the primary crops but just about everything grows well here. The tobacco factory offers tours and has been producing world class cigars for the past 80 years! You can also visit Rancho Mastatal Envi- ronmental Learning Center and Lodge

By Marcos García Guzmán Facebook: Finca Siempre Verde Instagram: finca_siempre_verde www.fincamastatal.com

12 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

which offers all types of classes relat- ed to Permaculture, Natural Construc- tion methods, Animal husbandry, use of natural energy and use of medicinal plants. You can do a daily visit or stay there longer to volunteer and learn. There are many waterfall and other nature areas for you to enjoy. The capital city is Santiago de Puriscal, located at about an 1100-meter alti- tude and with approximately 40,000 inhabitants it offers all your amenities and conveniences if you live in the sur- rounding area. It is a beautiful place to live in with friendly people, healthy en-

vironment, perfect weather and great deals on properties, so if you are look- ing for an area to build a home or buy one already built and you want to be close to nature and be able to afford a good size tract of land then this is an ideal place for you to seriously take into consideration. There are two main ways to reach this area, one is taking Highway 27 from San José to Ciudad Colón and from there it is about 12 km to Santiago de Puriscal or you can come up from the Central Pacific town of Parrita for about 90 minutes and reach it that way.

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 13

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

DISCOVER THE BEAUTY AND ATTRACTIONS

of Perez Zeledón in Southern Costa Rica

cific and has a lot to offer to both the visitor as well as to those looking for a place to call home. Lic. Herrera, please tell us what in your opinion are the must-see activities in this area? Possibly one of the most impressive places to visit is the Chirripó National Park area which is over 500 square ki- lometers of land and has as its´ most prominent feature, Cerro Chirripó which at an altitude of 3,820 m above sea level, is the highest mountain in Costa Rica. At its highest point on a clear day, you can see both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The climb up from basecamp can take from 6 to 9 hours depending on your physical condition and allows you to see how the vege- tation changes form as you climb. At times snow has fallen on the highest parts. Another must-see is the sugar cane plantations along with a visit to a local farm so you can see the process and the final products including sugar for export. You can see sugar mills that where operated by hand and later using horsepower. Tours of the local high al- titude coffee plantations, both large and

small, allow you to see the production process and how various coffees are mixed to regulate the acidity and pro- duce export quality world class gourmet coffee. Another excellent attraction is the large Farmer´s market which offers a large variety of fresh natural prod- ucts but also includes artisanal prod- ucts such as kombucha, falafel, goats milk products and others made by im- migrants to Costa Rica of various na- tionalities who now live in the local area and add to the cultural variety of our beloved area. Lic. Herrera, please tell us about the actual pluses of living in this unique lo- cation . Perez Zeledón is in a privileged loca- tion which has great weather year- round, and you are also very close to the beaches of the South Pacific such as Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal and the amazing Osa Peninsula. You can also go from here to the border with Pan- amá and take advantage of the duty- free zones. Reaching here is a great adventure as you have two different routes to choose from: You can take the Pacifica Fernandez Coast Highway Continued Page 16

HERRERA & ASSOCIATES Office: (+506) 2770-4932 US Office: (+305)433-4290 rherrera@bhclawfirm.com www.bhclawfirm.com

We had the opportunity to meet with Lic. Rodolfo Herrera who is a principal Attorney and Notary Public with the firm of Herrera & Asociados and on a more personal note, we wanted to have him tell us about living in Perez Zeledón which is a beautiful and gener- ally unspoiled but lesser-known area in the Southern part of Costa Rica. It is inland but less than an hour away from the beautiful beaches of the South Pa-

14 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

which starts in Puntarenas and heads South to Jacó, Parrita, and past the Quepos/Manuel Antonio beaches con- tinuing toward Playa Dominical where you can take the turn and head inland and upward and reach Perez that way. A second way and my favorite is to go via the Cerro Bella Vista also popularly known as the Cerro de la Muerte, the hills of death, named as such based on legends of many farmers who traversed it on foot and died from the extreme cold which they were not accustomed to. This highway comes from San José, past Cartago and heads up into the mountainous areas where at one point you are just 500 meters below the height of the Chirripó highest point and at cer- tain times of the year you can see icing on the vegetation and at night the sky is so clear and free of light contamina- tion that you can see a myriad of stars and even satellites going by! Also, at certain spots you can see the oceans in the distance and experience a variety of microclimates and see fields of colorful vegetation. You can also see a variety of animals along this road, and I have seen on various occasions large tapirs. I also have a memory from many years ago of going with my father and seeing something fall from a tree, as we looked closer it turned out to be a puma the size of a great dane which then proceeded to cross the road. So, as I mentioned it can be a very adventurous route and has several interesting businesses along the road including one that has many hummingbird feeders just outside its windows and you can see all types and sizes of these birds. So those are some of the reasons I consider Perez such a special place and since it is located far from the capital city and surrounding areas, our crime rate here is very low and we get our water from high altitude springs which makes it very healthy and good tasting. As you can see, I love liv- ing here and recommend it to all. Another must-see is the sugar cane plantations along with a visit to a local farm so you can see the process and the final products including sugar for export. You can see sugar mills that where operated by hand and later using horsepower.

One of the most impressive places to visit is the Chirripó National Park area which is over 500 square kilometers

Article from page 14

16 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

B ALLENA P ROPERTIES To Our Clients Everyday Unique Listings Exclusive Services Exceptional Results “Delivering Extraordinary Experiences” P érez Z eledón

AXEL MORALES Sales Associate (506) 2786-5801 • (506) 8570-3805 axel@c21ballenaproperties.com www.c21ballenaproperties.com @alexmorales_realty

ID 079-01059

ID 079-01067

ID 079-01160

MODERN HOUSE AT VALLE DEL GENERAL. $350,000 US

MODERN HOUSE IN THE HEART OF THE SOUTH AREA $490,000 US

AMPLIA FINCAA LA VENTA LARGE FARM FOR SALE $265,000 US

ID 079-01076

ID 079-01078

ID 079-01170

LOVELY HOUSE WITH MOUNTAIN VIEWS $185,000 US

AMAZING PROPERTY WITH HOUSE AND RIVER $345,000 US

CHARMING FARM SURROUNDED BY WATERFALLS $795,000 US

ID 079-01136

ID 079-01080

ID 079-01086

RAMBUTAN AGRICULTURAL FARM WITH DEVELOPMENT AREA $230,000 US

ICONIC LODGE AT THE FOOTHILLS OF COSTARICAS TALLEST MOUNTAIN $1,200,000 US

LA CIMA DEL MUNDO HOTEL $1,495,000 US

i TOURIST INFORMATION

(506) 2786-5801 c21ballenaproperties.com

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

THE HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN LATIN AMERICA Why is Costa Rica consistently ranked among the top of the happiest countries in the world and the top one in Latin America?

By Hernan A. Carazo tourrificticotours@gmail.com )

Costa Rica is the winner of many ac- colades, from the Happiest Country to the Best Place to Retire, as well as the Best Place to visit Post Pandemic and the Top Eco-Tourism destination in the World, among many other top designa- tions’ year in and year out. This is a result of the many attractions the country has to offer to both Visitors as well as to persons looking for a new place to live or to retire in and it also makes it very attractive for the new breed of Digital Nomads. Located less than 3 hours flying time from Southern Florida and under 4 hours from Central Texas is a very big plus. Being able to reach such a wondrous destination in such a short time allows vacationers more time to enjoy the ample flora and fauna and to see more tourism loca- tions within the country. For those who choose to live here it makes it so much more convenient for those times when they must go back to North America, whether it is to visit family or attend an event or possibly to get medical atten- tion that their specific insurance only covers in the US. So, location is a def-

inite advantage to living in or visiting Costa Rica. But location and beauty aside, what other elements combine to make this the Happiest Country in Latin America? A recent study sponsored by the United Nations, the 2021 World Hap- piness Report (covering the period of 2018-20 and the ninth report they have done since 2012) uses the results of the Gallup World Poll team that look at the perception of happiness by the people living in each country and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, which provides access to the World Risk Poll. These results are added to other coun- try measurements to come up with a ranking of the happiest countries. This last one placed Finland at the top and Afghanistan at the bottom and consid- ered the effects on all countries of the Covid-19 pandemic. You can read the entire report at: https://worldhappi- ness.report/ed/2021/ These reports are launched annually on International Day of Happiness, March 20th. Costa Rica was ranked 16th, placing it at the

Continued Page 20

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ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

top of the Latin American countries as well as above the United States and many other First World coun- tries. Some of the items measured are Quality of Life and Length of Life. Costa Rica is again the leader in Latin America on life expectancy and places 20 places above the US. When you combine World Class Medical and Dental care (both Public and Private) with easy and affordable availability of healthy foods and so many places to go and relax the mind, that are both affordable and spectacular and within easy reach, you get a population that even in difficult times, has a percep- tion of happiness and it shows in the friendliness and happy demeanor of the average Costa Rican. Ranking of Freedom to Make Life Choices places Costa Rica in 11th place worldwide. By comparison Canada is 19th, the United Kingdom is 52nd and the US is ranked in 62nd place. So, it is the sum of all these realities and perceptions that make Costa Rica so unique and such a good choice for both Visitors and those wishing to relocate.

Article from page 18

20 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

GARDENCENTER C A F E G O U R M E T &

• Pottery & Fountains • Construction of Garden Areas • Production of Plants And Trees • Design • Living Walls • Aquarium Design

• Macetas y Fuentes • Construcción de Jardines • Producción de Arboles y Plantas • Diseño • Paredes Vivas • Paisajismo en Acuarios

(506) 2282-5600 / Cel. 8837-3305 viveros.proverde@gmail.com

Del Residencial Parque Valle del Sol 400 mts. Norte y 400 mts. Oeste ó de Terrazas Mall 1.5 km al Oeste

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

DISCOVER CENTRAL PACIFIC

J aco Beach is located just over an hour away when you take High- way 27 from San José. Excellent roads and a variety of scenery along the way, along with being the nearest major beach town to the capital city, make this an extremely popular getaway for both Costa Ricans and visiting foreigners from North America and from Europe. After the 2008 crisis Jaco faded some- what but in the last couple of years it has rebounded with great strength and this of course makes it an ideal place to vacation in as well as to invest in by purchasing a vacation rental or a win- ter getaway home as well as being a great retirement spot due to the many available attractions, both in Playa Jacó as well as in the nearby towns such as Playa Hermosa, Esterillos and Herra- dura. Since its beginnings as the first developed beach resort area it has at-

you will be delighted by the variety of shops you can find from one end to the other. Feel like dancing or listening to music? Great, we have you covered with many places to choose from right on the main street as well as a couple of Hotel Casinos to enjoy. The area offers an ample supply of hotels which cater to all price ranges so there is something for everyone. All that fun tired you out, no problem, as there are several Spas to choose from to rejuvenate your body and get you looking good. A new devel- opment is Jaco Walk which combines a variety of shops including souvenirs with a Food area that has some great eating options. All these attractions as well as the proximity to San José are making the Jaco Beach area a grow- ing community and a great place to buy property in.

tracted a variety of people due to the many choices for entertainment and sports and recreation that the area of- fers. Several canopy tours such as Vista Los Sueños can offer a variety of adventure tours, ATV rides, rappel and waterfall visits. Surfing is another ma- jor attraction here with many shops for rentals and purchases as well as les- sons and several excellent beaches to choose from. Horseback riding, bird watching, nature walks, kayaking and of course an ample variety of Sports-Fish- ing operators to choose from will keep your days very busy and fun. When nighttime comes you can find a very extensive list of restaurants to choose from including Mono Verde right on the main drag which is one of our favorites for good food and people watching. Walking up and down the main street (which is only 2 blocks from the beach)

22 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

COSTA RICA OFFERS SEVERAL TOP CALIBER INTERNATIONAL MARINAS AND SOME OF THE BEST SPORTFISHING IN THE WORLD!

ate a marina in Costa Rica is regulated through a concession agreement and in accordance with Law No. 7744 dat- ing back to 1998. Marinas are in a Re- stricted Zone, which is an area that runs 150 meters inland from the water’s edge at mean low tide. The law allows the government to grant leases called “con- cession” in this area for periods with the new Law approved in 2021 which allows for 40-year concessions and 20-year re- newal terms. This “Restriction Zone” is under the administration of the nearest

Costa Rica has several International Caliber Marinas and some National ones as well. Some of the best tournaments and Sports Fishing initiate from these marinas. Super Yacht Times named Costa Rica as the top spot for yachts to visit in 2021. Marina development in Costa Rica is controlled by CIMAT (Inter-Institutional Commission for Tourism Marinas and Docking Facilities) which advises the municipalities on technical matters relat- ed to Marinas as well. The right to oper-

Municipality with the supervision of the ICT (Costa Rican Tourism Board). Any improvements constructed in this zone will revert to the local municipality at the termination of the lease, unless said lease is extended. Upon your initial entry into the country, you will receive a Temporary Importation Permit for your boat, (Certificado de Im- portación Temporal) from the Ministry of Finance and Customs (Ministerio de Ha- cienda y Aduana). The new Law allows yachts to visit for 6 months instead of the previous 90 days. Local law prohibits non-Costa Rican flagged boats from operating as com- mercial charters and the government is very strict in this regard with regular inspections and a foreign vessel op- erating charters is subject to being im- pounded. However the new Law allows foreign flagged non-fishing luxury char- ter vessels over 78 feet to receive an annual license from ICT to allow running high end weekly charters legally. Also, yachts that are visiting for 6 months and chartering are allowed to bring in parts and do repair work in Costa Rica (Ship Spares in Transit).

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ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

Photo by Irving Dávila

The South Pacific Coast is an area that extends from Dominical in the North, past Uvita and Ojochal all the way to the Osa Peninsula and Golfito in the South. This long stretch of beautiful coastline is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled areas of Costa Rica as it concentrates much of Costa Rica´s natural beauty. PACIFIC COAST SOUTH PACIFIC

T he Osa Peninsula´s Corcovado National Park for example, has been calledbyNational Geographic ¨themost biologically intense place on Earth¨, with endless stretches of deserted beaches and immense uninhabited rain-soaked forests teeming with fauna and flora which make for magnificent viewings and encounters, making this truly an unforgettable place to visit. As a visitor you have many places to choose from for your stay and from which to organize your visits of discovery. Marenco Biological Reserve, Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, and Corcovado National Park as well as Piedras Blancas National Park and

Golfito National Wildlife Refuge are just some of the places offering plenty to see. Corcovado for example can get over 25 feet of annual rainfall! At higher elevations, and where there is lots of water, you will find a plethora of wildlife including Central America´s largest population of scarlet macaws and over 155 reptile species and more than 400 species of birds, definitely a nature lover´s paradise. Sportfishing, diving, surfing, whale and dolphin watching tours, bird watching, sailing and other water sports, canopies, nature treks on foot and on horseback and much more are all here just waiting for your very own voyage of discovery.

28 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

It is only natural that an area with so many attractions is also a real estate investor´s dream. Whether you are looking for a vacation home to use part time and place as a vacation rental the remainder of the year, or you are look- ing for permanent year-round home to relocate or retire to, this area has it all. From small to large develop- ments of homes and condominiums, on the slopes of a mountain with endless ocean views or right next to the ocean and everything else in between, this is a good time to stake your claim as this area, specially from Dominical to Uvita and Ojochal is experiencing a boom as more and more people become savvy to this mostly undiscovered paradise. Here you will find a great variety of high- quality restaurants to choose from as well as a variety of Hotels in all price ranges including 5-star hotel accom- modations that will take your breath away. There are many improvements in the works, from a planned international airport, to major medical facilities, and many other improvements which make this an ideal time to enjoy the best nature has to offer and get a great investment too. That´s a hard combination to top!

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 29

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

THE NEW PROPOSED PENSIONADO LAW TO ATTRACT FOREIGN INVESTORS AND PENSIONERS By Hernan A. Carazo tourrificticotours@gmail.com )

34 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE The Project to attract foreign investors and pensioners - File 22-156 is an ini- tiative proposed by the Government of Costa Rica which is currently favorably working its way through the General Assembly and is aimed at contributing to the post pandemic reactivation of the Costa Rican economy and would have an effective term of 5 years from the moment the Law is published and has the option to extend up to a decade. It reduces from US$200,000 the amount

required to qualify for Residency under the Inversionista Resident program, down to US$150,000. Currently the law says the following for the Investors and their Dependents category of resi- dency applicants: Article 87.- For the application for tem- porary residence as an investor, the interested foreign person must demon- strate their investment with a capital of not less than US$ 200,000 (two hun- dred thousand dollars) according to the

official sale exchange rate determined by the BCCR, and whether in real es- tate, registrable assets, shares, securi- ties and productive projects or projects of national interest such as sustainable tourism infrastructure. In those cases where the investment is regulated by special laws, it will be analyzed indi- vidually. The proposed bill establishes that this will apply to all those persons who are authorized to enter our country under

Continued Page 40

SANCHEZ AND ASSOCIATES LAW FIRM

Established 1988

ATTORNEYS AND PUBLIC NOTARIES

MAIN OFFICE San Isidro de El General 6th Street, between Avenues 0 and 2 Sánchez & Associates Building Phone: (506) 2771-3501

UVITA DE OSA OFFICE La Perla del Pacífico Shopping Center (next to Gas Station) 2nd Floor, office 8 Phone: (506) 2743-8501

www.sanchezlex.com

ID 5733

3 Bedroom Home For Sale In The Heart Of Ojochal

ID 4376

3 Bedroom Contemporary Home

ID 3849

ID 4730

62 Acre Turnkey Retreat Center

Beach Front Farm With 3 Creeks And Water Spring

ID 5739

Easy-Living Oasis — Central Home For Sale In Ojochal

ID 4265

Family Home With Ocean View

ID 8078

ID 8026

Modern Home Walking Distance To The Beach

Modern Luxury Home On A Vast Ocean View In Ojochal

Office: +506 2786 5500 | Sales@OsaTropicalProperties.com | www.osatropicalproperties.com

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

PRIME ESCALERAS LAND FOR PRIVATE LUXURY LIVING OR COMMUNITY.

Do you have a need to move to Costa Rica onto a perfect piece of land in an exceptional location with incredible ocean views, luscious mountain breezes, and tonnes of privacy for you to create the life that you’ve been dreaming of? Located above the iconic tropical destination of Dominical, Costa Rica, this 3.47-acre parcel will finally have you feeling at peace as you admire one of the most flawless, nature-filled vistas in the world. Coastal cliffs with crashing azure waves, dense jungles filled with

wildlife, big blue skies, and towering green mountains provide the alluring setting for this remarkable Escaleras property. Turn this divine property into your own private wonderland, with nature trails winding across the flat and wide ridge top, which can also be subdivided into at least fifteen sites for luxury homes. You will be thrilled with the paradise- packed potential of this prime Escaleras land. This is a prime location for a sumptuous single-home residence, a high-end condominium with a central

community center, or a luxury boutique hotel experience. This is the ideal land for a wealthy investor looking for a secluded tropical escape on a distinctive property that is relatively remote but still located within an upscale community filled with high- end restaurants, stores, and services nearby. If you feel worthy of this grand, exotic haven in South Pacific Costa Rica that was carved out for the best-of-the-best experience of Costa Rica living, contact us today.

ID 8085

Office: +506 2786 5500 | Sales@OsaTropicalProperties.com | www.osatropicalproperties.com

38 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ID 3860

Prime Ocean View Retreat Center

ID 4386

ID 4393

Private Luxury Estate With Panoramic

Sophisticated Ocean View With Exceptional Style Home

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

President Alvarado pointed out that “This project will help the economic reactivation of our country, since for more than four decades our country has granted certain benefits to attracting investors, rentiers and pensioners; Due to what our country is currently living under COVID and what is hap- pening worldwide, this proj- ect was presented to be able to give benefits, to be able to contribute, to be able to attract new capital to the Costa Rican economy”.

the immigration categories of Inves- tors, Retired Residents or Rentista Residents. President Alvarado pointed out that “This project will help the eco- nomic reactivation of our country, since for more than four decades our country has granted certain benefits to attract- ing investors, rentiers and pensioners; Due to what our country is currently liv- ing under COVID and what is happen- ing worldwide, this project was present- ed to be able to give benefits, to be able to contribute, to be able to attract new capital to the Costa Rican economy”.

The persons who Will Benefit under this proposed law would receive the follow- ing: • Duty free of all import taxes for one time only, for the importation of house- hold items. • Importation of a motor vehicle for per- sonal or family use, free of all import, tariff, sales and economic stabilization taxes, which may be sold or transferred to third parties, exempt from said taxes after three years have elapsed from the date of entry of the vehicle into the country. A total loss would allow a re-

placement vehicle to receive the same benefits. • The amounts declared as income to qualify for the benefits of this law will also be exempt from Income Tax. • Exoneration of 20% of the total prop- erty transfer tax for real estate acquired within the term of this law, provided that the beneficiary is the registered owner of the asset. • Tax exemption for the internment of in- struments or materials for professional or scientific practice. Penalties: In the event that the ben- eficiary person renounces his / her sta- tus as a “Pensioner Resident” or as a “Rentista Resident” within the term of this law, he / she must pay the taxes from which they were exempt. The text also states that: “To maintain the benefits that a person acquires in com- pliance with the provisions of this law, the demonstration of permanence of a minimum of days in the country is not mandatory”.

Article from page 34

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ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Get to Know your Construction Professional at the Beaches Section

What are you currently doing with your construction company and what unique skills or products do you offer to your clients? I have three homes under construction right now. I have a 1-bedroom natural home where we have used all natural products. I also have an all steel and concrete building going up as well as an all steel and wood building. Please see my Ad on the opposite page for the unique things we bring to the table. What are the Pros and Cons to build- ing in a tropical climate such as is found here in Costa Rica? We build mostly in the South of Costa Rica and the building atmosphere here is different than anywhere in the world. Not only do you have the jungle contin- uedly trying to take back your house, but you have high humidity levels that if you use the wrong product your house will grow mold very quickly. Over the years the biggest challenge was learn- ing what product to use and what not to use. Luckily for me there were enough people making these mistakes and as a Home Inspector here in Costa Rica I was able to see these mistakes and learn from them before I started to build.

What is your advice to persons wanting to have a house built in CR? My advice is come down and visit for a full year before you start cutting down our jungles to build your dream home. We have enough empty homes in the jungle because people could not make it here. Like the wild west, it is not for ev- eryone and most love it but a few do not. The other caveat is do not over build! What you needed back home; you do not need here. Outdoor living is every- thing here so your outdoor space should be 3 times the size of your house. The last advice is to remember you are mov- ing to a different country, the locals do not live like you, and they should not have to change to accommodate you, if anything, you need to change to accom- modate to your new home. Respect the locals and give in to the peacefully sim- ple, natural life in Costa Rica and you will enjoy every day here like I have and continue to do so. Living in this beautiful area of the South Pacific, how do you like to spend your free time? My free time is hiking in the jungle, find- ing new waterfalls, and just lying on the beach.

Mr. Vogel, how long have you lived in Costa Rica and why did you choose to live here? I have been coming to Costa Rica for 9 years. The first time I came just to visit and then I came back every year to teach English. I have now lived in Costa Rica for 2 years. I began testing my product Pavix here 6 years ago because for the company to warranty the product for 20 years we had to have data showing it would work equally well in extreme jungle condi- tions. During those 6 years I also took courses on how to build in the tropics and courses on bamboo building and solar power. I took these courses not only so I could be a builder with them but so I knew what I was talking about and how to solve problems when my guys ran into them. Where did you live prior to moving to Costa Rica and what was your prior work experience? Before moving to Costa Rica, I lived in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and I owned a concrete and home building compa- ny for 20 years. 5 years ago, I went to school to become a home inspector so that I could inspect homes as well as re- pair and build them.

42 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

COSTA RICA´S TRUSTED CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTORS. GET READY TO LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE!

We are Costa Rica's premier quality home builder but we also offer so much more. Let us look after your build in Costa Rica and supply you with a waterproofing solution that will protect your rebar and keep your home mold free. Let us Build your beautiful New Home in Costa Rica. Well Built and Well Designed for the unique environment requirements of Costa Rica. Our Master Craftsmen are ready to Build Your Dream Home.

CONTACT US: JEFFREY VOGEL COSTA RICA QUALITY HOMES www.costaricaqualityhomes.com ( 5 06 ) 8 6 6 2 1 00 1

B ALLENA P ROPERTIES To Our Clients Everyday Unique Listings Exclusive Services Exceptional Results “Delivering Extraordinary Experiences” P érez Z eledón

ID 079-01086

ID 079-01148

ICONIC LODGE AT THE FOOTHILLS OF COSTARICAS TALLEST MOUNTAIN $1,200,000 US

SAFE AND COMFORTABLE HOME $265,000 US

ID 079-01169

ID 079-01144

MAJESTIC PROPERTY IN THE HEART OF SAN GERARDO $1,095,000 US

PROPERTY WITH COMFORTABLE HOME $325,000 US

ID 079-01159

ID 079-01090

BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN PROPERTY $75,000 US

A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT $88,000 US

(506) 2786-5801 c21ballenaproperties.com

G LOBAL E XPERIENCE L OCAL E XPERTISE “Delivering Extraordinary Experiences” B ALLENA P ROPERTIES

ID 079-01204

ID 079-00997

ID 079-00780

COMFORTABLE 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATHROOM HOME WITH A SPACIOUS SWIMMING POOL, CALLE DEL BOSQUE, OJOCHAL $349,000 US

1836 ACRE FARM WITH STREAMS AND PRIMARY JUNGLE AT THE

BRAND NEW COMMERCIAL PLAZA AND SUCCESFUL HOTEL, RIGHT AT THE ENTRANCE OF OJOCHAL $2,400,000 US

BASIN OF SIERPE $2,850,000 US

ID 079-00631

ID 079-01188

ID 079-00794

TROPICAL RAINFOREST LAND FOR SALE WITH STUNNING VIEWS OF THE GOLFO DULCE $300,000 US

JUNGLE, PEACE AND NATURE CONNECTION ONLY 5 MIN FROM MAIN TOWN $130,000 US

AWARD WINNING BEACH FRONT HOME ON GOLFO DULCE $1,600,000 US

ID 079-00667

ID 079-00626

ID 079-01096

ONE OF KIND! OCEAN FRONT B&B AND HOTEL ON PLAYA COLONIAL $669,000 US

OCEANVIEW BOUTIQUE HOTELAND TWO HOMES IN UVITA $995,000 US

NEW LARGE OCEAN VIEW LOT PHASE 5, OJOCHAL $130,000 US

i TOURIST INFORMATION

(506) 2786-5801 c21ballenaproperties.com

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

We are passionate about real estate and our knowledge, professionalism and commitment ensures a conscientious and detail orientated service. From a secluded beachfront tropical estate to a luxury penthouse nestled in the foothills, the Coldwell Banker Vesta Group Dominical team has proven skills in finding the right property for the right client and at the best price. Daveed Hollander COLDWELL BANKER VESTA GROUP DOMINICAL Leading real estate broker for the South Pacific of Costa Rica.

For more than two decades, Daveed Hollander, the present day president of the Master Franchisor for Coldwell Banker Costa Rica, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group, has clearly distinguished himself as a leading realtor in the South Pacific area with his proven dependability in the Industry. He delivers first-class professional and customer-centered service to his clients on stipulated budgets, requirements and customer specifications. Daveed has achieved top rankings internationally and locally for substantial and unique sales. His business model always includes the latest technology and systems to showcase his listings nationally and internationally thus ensuring wide customer choice and satisfaction.

James Drews James moved to Costa Rica in 1996 and began his real estate career here by co-founding Dominical Realty. In 2001, the company obtained a Coldwell Banker independent franchise to become Coldwell Banker Vesta Group. James goes out of his way to seek out new frontiers that are ahead of the wave, and specializes in rural and remote farmland, developing land and collecting legacy type of properties.

Costa Rica does not require real estate brokers to be licensed and that is why it is essential to work with a broker who is professional and qualified. We are active members of the National Association of Realtors®, Coldwell Banker International, and Global Luxury® Certified, and designated as Certified International Property Specialists (CIPS). The experience and training don’t stop there. We are also licensed by the two real estate boards of Costa Rica.

46 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE