COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ENJOY LIVING THE TROPICAL LIFESTYLE!

MORE THAN EVER, COSTA RICA IS THE MOST RECOMMENDED COUNTRY TO VISIT AS WELL AS TO MOVE TO!

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 78

See pages 68-69 & 72-73 www.bluezonerealty.com

THE FINEST SELECTION OF PROPERTIES WITH EXCEPTIONAL STYLE AND LUXURY, EXCLUSIVELY REPRESENTED BY COSTA RICA LUXURY LIVING DEFINING EXCLUSIVE LUXURY LIVING SINCE 1990

EL CASTILLO | REF. 6229 | US$3,150,000 FURNISHED| IN ESPARZA, PUNTARENAS

RINCONES MÁGICOS | REF. 19187 | U$1,275,000 | IN SAN ISIDRO, HEREDIA

LA CIGALE | REF. 19539 | PRICE UPON REQUEST | IN SAN RAFAEL, ESCAZU

VILLA MARAZUL | REF. 19384 | $2,250,000 | IN MALPAÍS, PUNTARENAS

VILLA ENSUEÑO | REF. 6734 | U$2,950,000 | IN UVITA, DOMINICAL

CHRYSTAL HOME | REF. 19383 | U$1,500,000 | IN JABONCILLOS ESCAZU

VILLA DEL BOSQUE | REF. 1252 | US$1,650,000 | IN SANTA ANA

VILLA ANDALUZ | REF. 19206 | US$5,900,000 | IN SANTA ANA

LA FINQUITA | REF. 19641 | U$1,300,000 | IN JABONCILLOS ESCAZU

CASA TERRAZU | REF. 19254 | US$1,095,000 | IN JABONCILLOS

CASA MALINCHE | REF. 19509 | US$2,700,000 | IN VILLA REAL, SANTA ANA

CASA ALLENDE | REF. 19683 | $2,000,000 - RENT $6,000 | IN CERRO ALTO, ESCAZU

WWW.COSTARICALUXURY.COM INFO@COSTARICALUXURY.COM +(506) 8864-2345 CONTACT US TODAY AT

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

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

6 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

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-

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 7 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”. 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.

MARKETING DIRECTOR REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

Dear Advertisers and Readers, I am Suyen Arvizú, owner of the Costa Rica Real Estate Magazine, a Nicaraguan resi- dent, divorced and mother of 4 beautiful children that God gave me. I hope you are safe from COVID 19. Maintaining prevention measures for you and your loved ones and workers. Thank you for being part of this new and renewed edition, I hope you like it very much, we are open to advice and con- structive criticism from everyone, we are always very inter- ested in improving our publication. Our interest is that your company receives the greatest expo- sure with the least possible investment, both nationally and internationally, in print and online. This 2021 and 2022 is a stabilization period in which to reach the visitation goals according to statistics from Mr. Rubén León, President of CANATUR, it depends 100% on being proactive and creative as entrepreneurs, since advertising is the only way to reach our potential prospects, both nation- ally and internationally, let us remember that now more than ever is the right time to have the greatest possible exposure, taking advantage of the fact that Costa Rica is the most rec- ommended post pandemic destination and happiest place for retirees, investors and tourists according to specials from different worldwide entities such as the UN. In the words of the president of CANATUR, there are coun- tries fighting to the death to have the visitation that Costa Rica has. Remember that every investor enters Costa Rica initially as a tourist to get to know the country and after a couple of visits decide where to invest. Let us remember that fear is the worst enemy to success, let’s ask for wisdom, creativity and to give our very best ef- forts with everything we do, if possible. Greetings and Many Blessings,

Estimados Anunciantes y Lectores, soy Suyen Arvizú, propie- taria de Costa Rica Real Estate Magazine, residente Nicara- guense, divorciada y madre de 4 hermosos hijos que Dios me concedio. Espero se encuentren a salvo del COVID 19. Manteniendo las medidas de prevención para ustedes y sus seres queridos y trabajadores. Gracias por ser parte de esta nueva y renovada edición, es- pero que les guste mucho, estamos abiertos a consejos y crí- ticas constructivas de parte de todos, siempre estamos muy interesados en mejorar nuestra publicación. Nuestro interés es que su empresa reciba la mayor exposi- ción con la menor inversión posible, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, impresa y en línea. Este 2021 y 2022 es un periodo de estabilización en donde alcanzar las metas de visitación según estadísticas del se- ñor Rubén León, Presidente de CANATUR depende en un 100% de todo lo proactivo y creativos que seamos como em- presarios, ya que la publicidad es la única forma de llegar a nuestros prospectos potenciales, tanto a nivel nacional como internacional, recordemos que ahora más que nunca es el momento correcto para tener la mayor exposición posible, aprovechando que Costa Rica es el destino más recomenda- do para retirados, inversionistas y turistas según especiales de diferentes entes a nivel mundial como la ONU. En palabras del presidente de CANATUR hay países luchan- do a muerte por tener la visitación que tiene Costa Rica. Recordemos que todo inversionista entra a costa Rica inicial- mente como turista para conocer el país y luego de un par de visitas decidir donde invertir. Recordemos que el miedo es el peor enemigo al éxito, pi- damos sabiduría, creatividad y a darle duro con todo, si se puede. Saludos y Muchas Bendiciones,

Lcda. Suyen Arvizu Marketing Director and Owner

Créditos | Credits Publisher | Editor 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

Contenido | Contents

06 NEW PROPOSED PENSIONADO LAW 14 BUYING PROPERTY IN COSTA RICA 16 OBTAINING RESIDENCY IN COSTA RICA 18 DIGITAL NOMADS PROPOSED LAW 20 DISCOVER GRECIA 22 SHOULD YOU RENT FIRST OR BUY 26 DISCOVER PURISCAL 30 MAKE YOUR VACATION HOME PAY FOR ITSELF 58 WHAT MAKES COSTA RICA SO SPECIAL? 66 UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL - BLUE ZONE 78 HAPPIEST COUNTRY IN LATIN AMERICA 84 DISCOVER PEREZ ZELEDÓN 92 THE NORTH PACIFIC COAST 102 THE NEW YORK TIMES TRAVEL SHOW 36 THE CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST 52 THE SOUTH PACIFIC COAST

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

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

10 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

PROFESSIONAL RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, SALES AND RENTAL SERVICES US +1 786 999 8676 • CR +506 7108-1041 • info@cbrealestatecr.com • www.cbrealestatecr.com

ID13418 Priced to Sell, Resort Style Apartment Opportunity in Belen, Heredia, 1B, 1B. 60sqm Const, 73sqm Lot. For Sale: $110,000

ID10858 Fire Sale, Ready to Move In, Corner Apartment in La Sabana, San Jose, 1B, 1.5B. 65sqm Const, 82sqm Lot. For Sale: $119,000

ID13287 Cozy Apartment in Gated Community in Cariari, San Jose, 2B 1.5B, 2 Parking. 60sqm Const, 90sqm Lot. For Sale: $115,000

ID13300 Spacious Eastside House, Perfect prop- erty for Offices or Commerce, Los Yoses, San Jose, 5B, 5B. 425sqm Const, 468 Lot. For Sale: $400,000

ID11597 Excellent Location, Secure Plaza, Com- mercial Space on 2nd Floor in San Fancisco, Heredia, 2B, 2.5B. 140sqm Const. For Sale: $168,000

ID13541 Exquisite Private Contemporary House, Private Pool, in Villa Real, 5B, 6B, 6 Parking. 1175sqm Const, 2580sqm Lot. For Sale: $2,600,000

ID13426 Cozy House in Gated Community in San Francisco, Heredia, 2B, 1.5B. 120sqm Const, 160sqm Lot. For Sale: $139,900

ID10768 Independent House with Detached Apartment in Pavas, San Jose, 6B, 5B. 273sqm Const, 367sqm Lot. For Sale: $200,000

ID13240 Private Estate Offers Resort and Sustainable Lifestyle in Atenas, Alajuela, 4B, 3.5B. 840sqm Const, 9,417sqm Lot. For Sale: $979,000

Our expert team will provide you with the personal service and attention that you deserve. We take great pride in our company; as well as, serving our clients and neighbors. Ask around, and you will find that Coldwell Banker Santa Ana Real Estate team is highly respected. We have earned our clients’ respect through hard work and dedication. No question or request is too demanding, as we constantly research the latest market conditions and finance options. As your real estate professional, you can be confident that we will always put forth the extra effort to assist you with the purchase, sale or rental of residential or

BTC Accepted!! PRIVATE LOANS AVAILABLE!!

ID10242 Townhouse in Gated Community with lots of Amenities in Guachipelin, Escazu, 3B, 2.5B. 175sqm Const, 210sqm Lot. Foe Sale: $260,000

ID13540 Investment Opportunity, Spacious Contemporary House with Pool in Santa Ana, San Jose, 6B, 7.5B. 757sqm Const, 3,850sqm Lot. For Sale: $795,000

ID10660 Exclusive Single Family Home with Pool, Gated Community in Santa Ana, San Jose, 4B, 7B. 820sqm Const, 1,368 Lot. For Sale: $1,595,000

ID11647 Covered Terrace House, Gated Commu- nity, Santa Ana, San Jose, 4B, 3.5B, Maids. 345sqm Const, 175sqm Lot. For Sale: $395,000

ID12056 Large Corner Lot, Townhouse in Rio Pal- ma in Guachipelin, San Jose, 3B, 2.5B. 190sqm Const, 300sqm Lot. For Sale: $320,000

ID13230 Spacious House with Private Pool in Exclusive Commu- nity in Santa Ana, San Jose, 4B, 5.5B. 550sqm Const, 1,025sqm Lot. For Sale: $1,095,000

ID8095 Price Reduced, Brand New House With Views in Exclusive Gated Community, 4B, 3.5B. 535sqm Const, 1030sqm Lot. For Sale: $699,000

ID13341 Price Reduced, Luxurious Apartment with Great Views in Escazu, San Jose, 3B, 2.5B. 170sqm Const. For Sale: $ 275,000

ID13292 Spacious House with Large Lot and First Floor Bedroom in San Isidro, Heredia, 3B, 2.5B. 320sqm Const, 866sqm Lot. For Sale: $358,000

commercial properties. With the resources of one of the most respected and well recognized franchises in Real Estate - Coldwell Banker; we can make your dreams a reality. English, Spanish and French spoken Visit our web site at www.cbrealestatecr.com or contact us at US & Canada: 1-786-999-8676 CR: (506) 4034-4000 /(506) 7108-1041 “Each office is independently owned and operated”

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

BUYING PROPERTY IN COSTA RICA 101-A PRIMER

You have visited Costa Rica, possibly several trips and you love it and you are ready to buy your own place in Paradise, great, you are making a wonderful decision!

Registry. Nearly all purchases require a due diligence period of 30 to 60 days so an Option to Buy-Sell is signed (Opción de Compra-Venta) where the key items are specified such as the property reg- istry information, the price, the option term, broker commissions and the key due diligence points that must be met in order for the down payment (given with signing of option) to be released to the seller by the Escrow company. Do not give the option money (which is usu- ally 10% unless agreed otherwise mu- tually), to the seller or his lawyer. Your lawyer should have a reputable escrow company he or she works with that will act as the independent third party in the transaction and that will abide by the op- tion to buy contract stipulations. For your protection always use your own trusted lawyer to look out for your interests and do not agree to use the seller´s lawyer as that opens you up to big potential trouble. All titled land in Costa Rica, whether it is registered following the newer ¨Folio Real¨ system or the older book/page/en- try system, can be accurately and safely title-searched in order to determine all relevant aspects on the specific proper- ty, such as ownership, mortgages, liens, annotations or other issues, that may af- fect ownership rights or the possibility of transferring said property to a third party. Title searches on ¨Folio Real¨ proper- ties may be initiated in the computer system, which is accessible online but will then possibly require a follow-up in the book/page/entry system, particularly when the computer search shows liens, encumbrances or other property charac- teristics that were ¨inherited¨ from older transactions on that land before it was transferred to the ¨Folio Real¨ system. Additionally, although the computer sys-

14 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE Few places have all the pluses that Costa Rica can offer for retirement, re- location and investment, so long as you do your homework properly! Do it right and you will be very happy but if you don´t do your due diligence and work with expert real estate and legal help to guide you, then you are basically rolling the dice and hoping to win. A big plus is that the foreign owner of property in Costa Rica has the same constitutional rights as Costa Rican citizens. One key piece of advice not usually given is that you should choose a good lawyer who will be the key person in getting things done correctly and safely in Costa Rica. Even before picking a Real Estate pro- fessional, find a good lawyer, preferably one who works daily with the area you are interested in buying your property in, although some San José lawyers are also excellent real estate specialists. A good lawyer will advice you on any pit- falls you might not have seen or even know about, and also knows who the reputable real estate firms or individuals in the chosen area are and can also help you to begin your residency application. In Costa Rica, mostly all land is titled, and those titles are registered and kept at the offices of the Public Registry in San José (the Capital city) in the Property Section (Registro de la Propiedad). Most titles are currently organized by means of a computerized system called the ¨Folio Real¨. A property ownership transfer re- quires that both the buyer and the seller sign a deed before a Costa Rican Notary Public (whose concept is different from the ones in many other countries such as Canada and the United States and is re- quired to formalize all transactions deal- ing with real estate transfers) and that the deed is then recorded at the Public

tem will indicate a list of liens and en- cumbrances, in most cases a thorough and complete title search will require the review of microfilmed or scanned documents indicating the details of such finds, which are not accessible online and can only be obtained at the offices of the Public Registry. Although, as indicated, the ¨Folio Real¨ is accessible online, generally private parties do not have the legal training to be able to accurately interpret the in- formation acquired, as well as to know how best to follow-up any required fur- ther steps. This is why it is highly rec- ommended that a knowledgeable legal professional be used to perform and re- port on the title search. In addition to the title search, if the property is owned by a corporation, it is essential to undertake a corporate search at the Commercial Section of the Public Registry. Only by doing so, can you verify that this corpo- rate entity transferring the property is in good standing and also that the pro- posed signatory of the transfer deed ac- tually does have the legal power to do this transfer. Another important item to keep in mind when buying a property is the USO DE SUELO (what you are allowed to build or do on that property). For example, if you are buying a lot or built property for com- mercial purposes but the land is desig- nated for residential use only then you need to know this. Or you want to buy a lot and put several units on it but are only allowed a single residence or you want to have a Bed & Breakfast, but the municipality does not allow it, etc., etc. All of these pitfalls can easily be avoided with the use of a good lawyer and proper due diligence and the additional help of a good real estate professional.

US +1 786 999 8676 • CR +506 7108 1041 info@cbrealestatecr.com • www.cbrealestatecr.com Centro Comercial Plaza Panorama, Santa Ana, Costa Rica 901138 _ SANTA ANA

ID13527 Spacious and Luxurious Apartment in Exclusive Condominium Nunciatura, 3B, 3.5B. 230sqm Const, 262sqm Lot. For Sale: $ 600,000

ID13224 Beautiful Home in Laureles Blends Luxury and Comfort, 4B, 4.5B. 500sqm Const, 1100sqm Lot. For Sale: $850,000

ID13482 Priced to Sell, Distrito 4 Escazu, 2B, 2B, 2 Parking, 3erd Floor Corner Unit. 103sqm Const, 130sqm Lot. For Sale: $225,000

ID9770 Remodeled Penthouse in Avalon Country Club in Santa Ana, San Jose, 3B, 2B. 112sqm Const, 133sqm Lot. For Sale: $190,000.00

ID9783 Independent Lux Villa, BTC Accepted, San Antonio, Escazu, 5B, 5.5B. 590sqm Const, 932sqm Lot. For Sale: $660,000

ID11952 Architectural Jewel, Hotel in Paseo Colon, 19B, 20.5B. 954sqm Const, 783sqm Lot. For Sale: $1,280,000

ID13236 Estate with 2 Homes, Tennis Court and Panoramic Views in Escazu, San Jose, 8B, 8.5B. 1,284sqm Const, 5,116sqm Lot. For Sale: $2,700,000.00

ID13538 Luxury Ocean View Villa with Private Pool in Dominical, 3B, 3.5B. 272sqm Const. For Sale: $879,000

ID13259 Contemporary Corner House, Gated Community, Santa Ana, San Jose, 3B, 2.5B, Maids. 220sqm Const, 200sqm Lot. For Sale: $265,000

ID11502 Lot in Hacienda Espinal, Owner Financing Available, La Guacima. 635sqm Lot. For Sale: $187,000

ID13288 Farm, Different Operations Cattle, Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial, San Isidro, Heredia. 100,000sqm Lot. For Sale: $868,000

ID8072 Ready to Build, Wonderful 0.44 Acre Lot, Incredible views in Ciudad Colon. 1,775sqm Lot. For Sale: $225,000

ID10866 Ready to Build Lot in Gated Community in Santa Ana, San Jose. 856sqm Lot. for Sale: $160,000

“Each office is independently owned and operated”

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

COSTA RICA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS There are several

ways a foreign citizen can obtain residency in Costa Rica.

By Licda. Marcela Gurdián Immigration Experts

Obtaining residency is the way to go if you are serious about staying in Costa Rica, although some ex-pats who live in Costa Rica have become ¨perpetual tourists¨ and do a visa run to the border, mainly to Nicaragua every 90 days, this is a risky proposition because visas are renewed for ¨up to¨ 90 days but this is done at the discretion of the immigra- tion person at the border who can give you less time on that visa renewal or even deny it and then you are in a bad position. There is of course a bureau- cratic procedure to obtain your residen- cy and of course there are the related expenses. However; the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. For example, only with a legal residency can a foreigner get a driver´s license, or be allowed to work legally, or get a post pay cell phone, or not need to carry around a passport, or get local prices at many places versus tourist prices, etc., etc., so it all begins to add up. Let´s see some of the various ways you can ob- tain residency: TEMPORARY RESIDENCY: PENSIONADO: Requires a monthly income of US$1000 per month. This

would be from a permanent fixed in- come like a pension like private sector, government or social security benefits. RENTISTA: Requires a monthly in- come of US$2500 per month and in- cludes spouse and children under 25 years of age. This category requires a permanent and stable source of in- come equal to or above US$2500 for two years which equals US$60,000 and is renewable. An international and recognized bank or financial institution must issue you a letter that states this or you can deposit the US$60,000 in a local bank and can take out $2500 per month. SPOUSE: Granted to the Spouse of a Costa Rican citizen under article 73 of the Immigration Law. WORK RELATED: Technical workers, Managers, Executives, Specialized workers, etc. of a company established in Costa Rica. INVESTORS: Foreigners who pur- chase Property for $200,000 or more can apply for the status of Investor by

presenting the proper documentation to Immigration. SPECIALIZED: Professional, Scientif- ic, and other such specialized individu- als deemed of value to the country. RELIGIOUS: Persons who are part of duly accredited religious orders and are so recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Culture. PRESS & SPORTS: International Press Correspondents & Recognized Sportsmen PERMANENT RESIDENCY: Permanent residency is a migratory condition that allows the person who obtains it, to remain indefinitely in the country and with the freedom to work. Persons eligible to apply for this type of residency are those whose parents or children are Costa Rican citizens. The other persons eligible are those who have had a Temporary Residency for 3 consecutive years. PLEASE VISIT OUR website for more details: www.costaricarealestatemagazine.com

16 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 17

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

DIGITAL NOMADS PROPOSED LAW

What is a Digital Nomad? Well for starters, it is a totally new category of Traveler/Resident. They arrive like a tourist but generally prefer to trav- el during less crowded months and want to be fully immersed in their new location´s culture and day to day living just like someone who moves here as a resident. Their stay can generally be for 6 to 12 months and sometimes lon- ger if they become enamored with the place. They are concerned with finding a place with good to excellent Internet service so that they work efficiently and constantly. They generally make a good income and thus have disposable income to spend during their time at a new location, thus contributing to the general economy. This is a trend that has been growing steadily and will con- tinue to do so and while the pandemic

Continued Page 54

18 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

+506. 7037-9766

VENTA Y RENTA SERVICIOS DE CONSTRUCCIÓN ADMINISTRACIÓN DE PROPIEDADES

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Lindo lote terreno 1200 M, con vistas a las montañas, excelente ubicación

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Linda casa con acabados rústicos terreno 1500 M excelente vista al valle central, la casa cuenta con 3 habitaciones amplios jardines y se incluye todos los muebles.

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Casa con excelente ubicación para uso comercial o residencial terreno 2000M. La casa cuenta con 5 habitaciones todas con su propio baño ideal para desarrollar CASA SAN FRANCISCO DE DOS RÍOS

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Terreno: 600 m 2 Cuenta con todos los servicios.

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LOTE PLANO PARA RESIDENCIAL / MERCEDES NORTE DE PURISCAL

Precio: USD 1,200,000

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GRAN OPORTUNIDAD DE INVERSIÓN: Lote de 6.264 m2, con dos casas, una de 514 m2 y la segunda de 209 m2, calle adoquinada, caseta, bodegas y perrera

Precio: USD $60,000

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

GRECIA A HIDDEN GEM JUST 25 MINUTES NORTH OF THE INTERNATIONA AIRPORT!

20 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

By Hernan A. Carazo tourrificticotours@gmail.com )

The rural city of Grecia, with a popula- tion of around 18,000, is located just 25 minutes from Alajuela and from major shopping options including Walmart, Price Club and very large malls as well as the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) could well be the best place to live in due to a year/round spring-like weather and the friendly lo- cal residents. The sunny climate, the fertile land and the abundance of clean water are perfect for growing organic coffee in the hills above Grecia and for the cultivation of sugar cane and pine- apples. Home gardens can grow just about anything and the local Farmers Market Fair on Fridays and Saturdays is one of the best and largest in Cos-ta Rica. The city has its own Caja So- cial Security Hospital and many medi- cal and dental practitioners are avail- able locally. If window shopping is to your liking, then you will be delighted as there are easily two hundred small shops in the downtown area giving it that small town feeling of yesteryear. There is also a modern mall with shops, restaurants and movie theaters plus many modern supermarkets as well as small neighborhood pul-perias and sodas. The Central Park is one of the most popular in Costa Rica and usually a great place to people watch and next door is the metallic church, brought over in its entirety at the end of the 19th century from Belgium. Grecia is the cleanest city in Costa Rica and on August 1989 was declared the cleanest city in Latin America at a meeting of the International Union of Municipalities in Ecuador. If you are looking for a great place to live in other than the beaches, then Grecia is a must see on your list of places to check out.

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 21

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

SHOULD YOU BUY A PROPERTY RIGHT AWAY OR RENT FOR A WHILE FIRST?

California where a home at the beach was prohibitively expensive, so you lived inland. When you vacationed in the past you usually chose a destina- tion by the beach and you loved it each time, so now that you are ready to retire and live in Costa Rica, you believe it is the perfect time to buy a home at the beach which is much more affordable to do so here in Costa Rica. So, you are ready to jump right in and purchase that dream home or would you be wiser to wait? It depends on various factors so please take a sheet of paper and look at your overall situation, vacationing at the beach and living full time at the beach are not the same thing and for some the transition from one to the other may be perfectly smooth but for others it may be quite a rude awakening as it does not always result in the Endless Sum- mer fantasy you dreamt about for years. If you have previously lived full time at the beach then you know that you must take the good with the bad and weigh- ing both the Pros and Cons, you can then decide if full time beach living is for you. However, if you have never lived in a beachfront situation then possibly the wisest course to take is to rent for

a year and see what the full-time beach life with all its Pros and Cons is really like. Also, each beach community has a different flavor and living there will let you experience it and decide if it is what you are looking for because while living full-time at the beach may be perfect for you it may not be perfect for you in that specific beach location. Also, you may decide that beachfront is not right for you, but something set back a little with possibly more altitude to catch those lovely winds coming from the ocean is exactly the perfect compromise. You can catch the beautiful sunsets as you gaze from your beautiful home toward the sea but save yourself from several maintenance issues (the constant at- tack of salt-water spray can be unfor- givingly harsh on many of your home surfaces and vehicles) and have gen- erally cooler temperatures due to a higher altitude and prevailing winds so that you end up needing nothing more than a good ceiling fan to be comfort- able temperature wise. Now let us say that you have decided that while you love the beach, you would prefer to live inland, then you must decide what appeals more to you. Do you want to live away from the cities

By Hernan A. Carazo tourrificticotours@gmail.com )

Like most things in life, there are no clear cut Yes or No answers… It de- pends on many factors since every individual and his life situation are dif- ferent from others and it also depends on your current knowledge and experi- ence with Costa Rica, your capacity to be honest with yourself and your ulti- mate life goals. For example, let´s say that you are a couple who are retiring, and you have always wanted to own a home at the beach, but you lived in an area like

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ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

and big towns in a small community or just be away from it all and sharing only with nature? Or are you someone that enjoys the hustle and bustle of living near the city with all the entertainment and art and culture it has to offer? Are you still young enough that a constant nightlife scene is very appealing? It is these and many more factors that you must consider including your monthly budget. Living in or near the city center is usually significantly more expensive than if you are living in a small town 30 minutes to an hour away. Living in a gated community is significantly more secure and specially if you spend weeks or months away from your resi- dence but again it is generally more expensive to do so, however, you not only get more security but also the use of common areas like pools, gyms and paths to walk, run or pedal. Also, if you are someone who looks forward to hav- ing a large garden with your own fruits and vegetables then you must consider that you will need a minimum land area in order to do so and the lots or lots with homes in gated communities are usu- ally not large enough for more than an herb garden with one or two small trees. Over the last 26 years I have been for- tunate to live in just about every resi- dential environment and area of Costa

Rica. I have both rented and owned and I have rented homes from $300 a month to as high as $2500 per month. I have done city living, rural living and beachfront living and have also built and developed homes and residential communities both inland and beach- front. I have learned from each experi- ence and my tastes have also changed over the years from being a single guy in his late 30´s wanting to live luxuri- ously and to have a great time to a per- son in his 60´s wanting to be in a qui- eter and more rural environment (but still within 60 minutes or less from all amenities and services offered by the big city) and wanting to build a home with lots of space to grow my own food and be off-grid capable should the need arise. I still enjoy the beach a lot, but I only need to drive an hour on well paved roads to get my quota of beach life when I feel the need and it is not much further to go and retreat deep into the mountains and tropical or cloud for- ests. That is the beauty of Costa Rica, there is so much to see and experience and yet the distances are such that you can experience an early breakfast on the Caribbean side and watch the sun come up and enjoy an early dinner on the Pacific Coast while you enjoy an- other spectacular Costa Rican sunset!

So, going back to the initial ques- tion of renting or buying, just ex- amine your experience, needs, wants, budget and your ultimate goals and make sure you are ready to take a step that will in- volve a significant outlay of your hard-earned cash. Do your home- work and have the help of a good bi-lingual attorney so that you can be happy in Costa Rica. PURA VIDA LIVING AWAITS!

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 23

Exora Luxury Villa, Turrucares

Unique Design with Modern Style and luxury nishes, with multiple ambiances for sharing and surrounded by many gardens; a perfect location with plenty of privacy and tranquility. Price: US$2,500,000

Lot: 14,676 m², Construction: 2,192m², Bedrooms: 4, 4 full baths and two ½ baths, Guest and employee house. Parking: 4 int / 16 ext, pool, jacuzzi, sauna, BBQ.

4 full / 2 half bath

4

Price: US$710,000

Price: US$587,000

Price: US$540,000

Luxurious Penthouse Escazú Construction: 324m, 3 Rooms + service room / bathroom + TV room + Terrace, Parking: 2 interior.

LuxuriousPenthouseCerroAltoEscazú Construction: 235.20m, 3 Rooms + service room / bathrooms + Balcony, Parking: 2 interior.

Luxurious House + Pool Ciudad Colón Lot: 1,012m², Const: 454m², pool +BBQ, Parking: 2 int / 4 ext

4 full / 1 half bath

4

3 full / 1 half bath

2 full / 1 half bath

3

3

Price: US$1,250,000

Price: US$325,000

Price: US$895,000

Luxurious house Escazú Lot: 295m², Construction: 340m², Cinema, service room/ bathroomandcovered terraceParking: 2 int

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

2 full / 1 half bath

4 full / 2 half bath

3

4

Price: US$1,100,000

Price: US$2,395,000

Price: US$1,175,000

Luxurious andModernHouse Laureles Escazú Lot: 789m², Construction: 424m², Terrace + Bar + BBQ, Parking: 2 int / 10 ext

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

Luxurious House with Pool Villa Real Lot: 2,166m², Construction: 653m², Pool+ Terrace / BBQ + Forest. Parking: 2 int / 8 ext

3 full / 1 half bath

3

14 full / 2 half bath

3 full / 1 half bath

4

3

Price: US$3,000,000

Price: US$2,850,000

Price: US$5,000,000

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

Beach Boutique Hotel, Guanacaste Lot: 20,464m, Construction: 5,139m² 2 Restaurants + Bar + BBQ + Pool, Parking: 50 int

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

12 full / 2 half bath

24 full

12

21

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

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

26 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.

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ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

FINCA SIEMPRE VERDE Finca Siempre Verde (Always Green Farm) is a small Ecotourism Project that is run by Marcos and Jenny. They are nature guides and have lived in this area all their lives and both have many years of experience guiding tour- ists all over Costa Rica. Both have a deep appreciation for nature and really love to share their knowledge with visi- tors as well as the history of their small community and the diversity of wildlife in Mastatal and in nearby La Cangreja National Park. guides through the striking mountains, forests, and rivers of Costa Rica’s sel- dom visited Central Pacific region and will have the opportunity to observe the different birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles and insects who live and travel among the trails, trees and bodies of water in our area. During your trip to our waterfalls, mountain peaks and rivers, you will have the opportunity to observe the many species of plants and animals’ endemic to our region. The following are some of the tours of- fered and you can visit the website for more details on the very reasonable costs and what you should bring for each tour. You can experience through a variety of guided activities, ecotourism in its purest form - you will be led by local

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

Night Walk Tour More than 60 percent of the wildlife found in the tropical rainforest is noc- turnal. This specialized activity is full of amphibians, reptiles, insects and if lucky some nocturnal mammals. We will walk for approximately an hour and half among easily accessible trails for the whole family.

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Bird Watching Tour Located between Pacific Coast and the Central Valley, Mastatal is home to a di- verse ecosystem for different species of birds, flowering plants, varied fruit trees, and attracts more than 358 different bird species in Mastatal and La Cangreja National Park, which are migrating from North and South America. Amazingly, a fourth of the species population that resides in Costa Rica is right here in Mastat- al. The perfect time for doing this tour is at 6:00 am or 3:30 pm Duration: 2 hours. Cangreja National Park (Lower Section) Founded in 2002, La Cangreja National Park is one of the newest parks in Costa Rica. The Park protects abundant and crystalline water sources such a Rio Ne- gro and Quebrada Grande. The area of the park area is 2570 hectares, where various species of fauna and flora including 2 representative endemic species, Plinia Puriscalensis and Ayenia Mastatalensis. This tour will immerse you within the primary and secondary forest, where you will enjoy hiking by creeks and bridges. The hike lasts 2 hours and will afford you the opportunity to see wildlife and learn about the history of this unique place. Cerro la Cangreja Cerro la Cangreja is the highest within La Cangreja National Park, with a maxi- mum elevation of 4281 feet (1305 m). From this peak, you will have an amazing panoramic view of the Pacific Coast. Hiking to this peak will give a chance to compare different types of vegetation than you will experience in the lower sec- tion of the Park. The hike has medium grade of difficulty and is perfect for our adventuresome customers. The adventure begins at 5:30 am, departing from Mastatal, (984 feet) and proceeds 6 km to Concepcion town, where the trailhead is located. Leaving early gives hikers the chance to see a beautiful sunrise. From Concepcion the tour takes about 3 hours to reach the highest peak and roughly 2.5 hours to return. The view is worth every minute and is 100% Recommended! Juco Waterfall Do you like Waterfalls? During this 3-hour tour, you will have the chance to ex- plore an area with a beautiful Waterfall called Juco and is the largest waterfall drop in Mastatal at 30 mts (98 foot) drop. The difficulty of this hike is intermedi- ate. However, once you reach the refreshing water and unique landscape, the hike will be worth it. Nature Photography Tour Marcos Garcia is a passionate outdoorsman and has led nature tours for the last 10 years and one of Marco´s passions is Nature Photography and recording vid- eos. This tour has been specially designed by him for travelers who are looking for great photo opportunities. Mastatal is a growing photography destination due to its extreme high biodiversity and an easy access to many great locations for wildlife and landscape viewpoints like capturing the sunrise and even the sunset. Let us share with you the incredible scenery for the best nature photography. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact us directly to arrange an Itinerary and know about cost. Spanish School Are you interesting on learning Spanish? We offer the opportunity to study Span- ish in private or small group lessons, from beginning to advanced levels; you will receive personalized instruction from experienced Spanish instructor, Mar- cos García Guzman, or Jenny Mora, in grammar, vocabulary and conversation. Classes can be arranged according to your schedule and needs. You can also choose the Full immersion Spanish School option.

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 29

Continued Page 44

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US $530,000 PRICED AT was $630K. Direct Owner-Financing available

Will listen to offers for a full payment purchase

HIGH END GATED RESIDENTIAL, 24/7 SECURITY AND GREAT APPRECIATION VALUE IN CIUDAD HACIENDA LOS REYES.

Characteristics of the residential

Polo F I E L D S

Professional Soccer F I E L D S

4 Tennis C O U R T S

Gymnasium

Golf Course 9 - H O L E

Heated pools for C H I L D R E N A N D A D U L T S

Picnic areas WITH AN 18-HECTARE (44.5 ACRES) RESERVE WITH PATHS AND ANCIENT TREES, PERFECT FOR NATURE LOVERS

Controlled access W I T H 2 4 / 7 S E C U R I T Y

Bicycle paths W A L K I N G A N D

Supermarkets & Bilingual Schools nearby & quick access to Highway 27 - - The home is located on the Exclusive lot 267 of the first phase of development of Los Reyes, with direct access to the golf course (6th hole). The home includes a Club membership. The lot measures 1,056 m2 and the construction is 462 m2, Ecofriendly, totally earthquake resistant, top notch finishes. Garage for two cars and a golf cart, complete service area, maid's room with its bathroom, studio with its own bathroom, three rooms upstairs with their own bathrooms and balconies, main room with a view of the Golf course, dressing room and large balcony, two onyx sinks, Italian faucets, games and tv area, dining room, kitchen and terrace integrated in the American style with all granite counter tops. Eco-friendly to the extent that its orientation allows excellent lighting and ventilation, a large laundry area, it has a drinking water collection tank with its silent submersible pump, in short, all the comforts that a family can wish for. Designed by Architect Gustavo Duque Rojas, a team of Civil, Structural, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, guarantee the quality of the construction, we design the house of your dreams adjusted to your budget.

SEE THE VIDEO

arquitecto (506) 8331-3402

gustavoduque48@gmail.com

ARTICLE | REAL ESTATE

DISCOVER CENTRAL PACIFIC

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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)

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