Costa Rica´s Best Guide Online Magazine

8 COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE

CASA OPERA SALVAJE 13: 4 BEDROOMS, 4 BATHS, POOL, BBQ RANCH, FINNISH SAUNA, 340 SQ. MTS OF CONSTRUCTION ON 900 SQ. METER LOT IN GATED FAMILY COMMUNITY. USD 595,000. SELLER FINANCING.

HOME CLOSE TO PLAYA HERMOSA, CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST

We've got the keys to your future home in paradise.

GREAT ESTATES OF COSTA RICA 25TH ANNIVERSARY

LUXURY REAL ESTATE

+506 7266 7558

greatestatescr@gmail.com

WELCOME to our LATEST ISSUE - Offering useful information for both Travelers and for those Individuals and Families who are considering a move to Costa Rica. In the past it was mostly Retirees that would make up the Ex-Pat population in the country but now, as a result of a variety of events in North America and Europe, such as the Pandemic, which gave remote work a really big push by both showing that it was feasible and giving people a taste of the advantages of working from home plus the seemingly increasing intensity in natural disasters and more extreme weather which is becoming the norm where before it was the exception in North America and Europe. Now when you look at this reality and compare it to living in Costa Rica, more and more people are deciding that it is the right time to make the move. This also applies to people wanting to move to other countries and while Costa Rica is not the cheapest place to move to, when you compare a variety of parameters that make up the sum of a great place to live in with the best quality of life, then Costa Rica is definitely at the top. In the next Issue we will have a comparison table between Costa Rica and the other top contenders in Latin America where we can really see how Costa Rica stacks up against the competition, and in each and every issue , we will be adding more articles, updating happenings in Costa Rica and we will also be expanding the coverage on specific towns and their tourism attractions, both at the beach and inland. In each subsequent issue we will explore more in depth and also provide embedded videos for you to view the various tourism and living areas in more detail. UPCOMING Articles include: Top 10 reasons to Move to Costa Rica and Top 10 Reasons Not to Move to CR. Employee Rules and Regulations and who is allowed to legally work in CR. Importing Vehicles, Furnishings and Pets into Costa Rica. What is the best vehicle for Costa Rica? Is an Electric Vehicle your best bet? A more in-depth look at Taxes and at starting a Business in Costa Rica. Advantages of Free Zones in Costa Rica - Costa Rica History and Customs Private schools and Language schools for learning Spanish. Getting the best quality and deals on buying Home and Office Furniture. Medical, Dental, Wellness and Longevity Tourism. Receiving Mail and Packages, Living the Outdoor Life, and much more! More suggested Tour Itineraries for a great Costa Rica vacation. Top 10 Things to remember when Visiting Costa Rica. Top 10 Fun Tours to do.

High quality dentistry at reasonable prices

osef Cordero Telma Rubinstein Cosmetic Dentistry J

Drs

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 9 clinic@prismadental.com | www.prismadental.com Local (506) 2291-5151 | Toll Free from USA 1-866-741-8194

E

COFFEE ROASTERS

The Best Coffee in COSTA RICA

PREMIUM COFFEE ROASTERS

Home Delivery

info@1010coffeecr.com

(506) 7093 0381

BUY OR RENT IN COSTA RICA? Like most things in life, there are no clear cut Yes or No answers … It depends on many factors since every individual and his life situation are different from others and it also depends on your current knowledge and experience with Costa Rica, your capacity to be honest with yourself and your ultimate life goals.

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 Summer 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 weighing 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 cooling winds coming from the ocean may be 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

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 California where a home at the beach was prohibitively expensive, so you lived inland. When you vacationed in the past you usually chose a destination 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

58

COSTA RICA ´ S BEST GUIDE MAGAZINE

issues (the constant attack of salt water spray can be unforgivingly harsh on many of your home surfaces and vehicles) and have generally 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 comfortable temperature wise, the majority of the time. 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 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 realistic 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 residence 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 having 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 usually not large enough for more than an herb garden with just a few small trees and shrubs. Over the last 27 years I have been fortunate to live in just about every residential 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 beachfront. And I have learned from each experience and my tastes

have also changed over the years from being a single guy in his late 30 ´ s wanting to live luxuriously and wanting to have a great time and enjoy nightlife to a person in his 60 ´ s wanting to be in a quieter 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 a well paved road 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 forests. 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 another spectacular Costa Rican sunset! So, going back to the initial question of renting or buying, just examine your experience, needs, wants, budget and your ultimate goals and make sure you are ready to take a step that will involve a significant outlay of your hard-earned cash. Do your homework and have the help of a good bi-lingual attorney so that you can be happy in Costa Rica.

PURA VIDA LIVING AWAITS YOU!

DESTINATION:

CITY OF ATENAS

Discover the renowned town of Atenas, “The Best Climate in the World” according to some. Atenas is surrounded by beautiful mountains and exuberant views of the Central Valley and in some parts, you can see the Pacific Ocean. Stunning views amaze you when you visit Atenas and beautiful residences are hidden among the forests and mountains. Atenas is a small, close-knit community where many of the residents know each other and seem like a big family. You can notice it when you visit the Municipal Market of Atenas or in the coffee shops in town, all the people are very friendly and greet you in the original Costa Rican “Pura Vida” style. Atenas was founded in 1836 by the Spaniard Jos é Mar í a Á guila and is in the central part of Costa Rica, in the Province of Alajuela. It is located to the West of San Jos é , just 25 minutes from the Juan Santamar í a International Airport and 40 minutes from San Jos é , the capital of Costa Rica. COSTA RICA ´ S BEST GUIDE MAGAZINE 60

The community of Atenas is a mixed one, with both Costa Ricans and Ex-Pats. Currently, Atenas stands out because it has many ex-patriots, more than three thousand foreigners from the United States, Canada, and Europe, the vast majority, of whom live permanently in the canton of Atenas. According to data from the Municipality of Atenas, the population of the canton is around 25,460 inhabitants, of which 8.2% were born abroad. If you are wondering why so many chose Atenas as their home, it is because Atenas was named one of the 5 best retirement destinations in the world and Costa Rica is the second-best place in the world to retire, according to Annual Global Retirement 2022, prepared by International Living. Due to the mild temperatures, the climate is very pleasant to live in. National Geographic magazine titled the climate of Atenas as the “Best Climate in the World”. According to studies by the World Health Organization, among others, Atenas is considered the “Best Climate in the World” for its constant climate changes generated by constantly active microclimates, resulting in an air purity of 98%.

VIEW FROM VISTA ATENAS

WHAT PEOPLE LOVE ABOUT ATENAS Beautiful views A tight knit community A calm and serene environment. The many outdoor recreational activities. The location – offering accessibility to all services but in a still traditional Costa Rican setting.

LOCAL ATENAS LIFESTYLE Every turn in Atenas reveals a stunning location. Even close to the city, you can find that the flora and fauna are quite diverse, which increases the attractiveness of the city. The mountains of Atenas have led those who visit us to fall in love with the view and start filming and taking souvenir photos with their families and friends. As well as attracting outdoor enthusiasts looking for great hiking and mountain biking adventures. The landscape is not only aesthetically stunning but also spiritually uplifting. Continued on next page

DOWNTOWN ATENAS ACROSS FROM THE CENTRAL PARK

CATHOLIC CHURCH NEXT TO THE CENTRAL PARK IN ATENAS

GASTRONOMY, ENTERTAINMENT, AND SHOPPING IN ATENAS Grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants along National Route 3 which passes through Atenas. Relax and forget about your worries while enjoying a “Gallo Pinto” in one of the “Sodas” or a nice gastronomic experience next to “Monte del Aguacate” in the restaurant “La Casita del Cafe”. During a quiet lunch on a workday, a weekend, or a night out, you can savor the international food at Firenze Ristorante, Pizzeria La Finca, La Fiesta de las Pupusas, Monsoon Asian Bistro & Neapolitan Indian-style Pizza or have a few beers and good music at La Trilla de Vega. Enjoy a Chifrijo at the Chicharronera Don Yayo restaurant in Atenas, where they serve one of the best chifrijos in the country which is perfect with a cold beer. And for vegetarians the Almendra plant-based cuisine restaurant is an excellent choice. If you ’ re looking for fresh, artisanal baked goods and good coffee, the full-service Crema y Nata has you covered. Excellent pastries and bakery. As you can see there are many places to enjoy a delicious meal in Atenas. Come and discover it for yourself!!! THINGS TO DO IN ATENAS One of the main crops in Atenas is coffee. In Atenas, the Toledo Coffee Tour is highly visited by both nationals and foreigners. The Coopeatenas coffee cooperative also offers a tour of its facilities with reservations – Coffee Tour Diamante. 85% of Coopeatenas ‘ coffee is exported with great success, achieving better differentials paid by the best clients worldwide, including Starbucks, Nespresso, and Italian Illy Caf é . In addition, the brand Coopeatenas and its Ateneo brand, was awarded first place, among 14 countries, in the “New York Coffee Lover ’ s Choice” category, that is, “the choice of New York ´ s coffee lovers”. If you are also a coffee lover, do not miss the opportunity to visit Atenas and try it. If you have 4×4 vehicle and you like impressive views. The viewpoint “La Zopilota” is famous among the locals and on the mountain, there is a large rock, as well as beautiful sunset and beautiful views that are perfect to fly your drone. A visit to Atenas would be incomplete without visiting the “Las Minas del Aguacate”, although it is not specifically in Atenas but on the way to San Mateo, it is a place you should visit in the summer. Beautiful crystal-clear waters are perfect for taking a dip and having a family picnic. SCHOOLS IN ATENAS There are multiple options of public and private institutions of the national education system of Costa Rica. Offered in Atenas – private: Green Valley Bilingual Private School - San Rafael Bilingual Private School Colina Azul Bilingual Private School and the Atenas National Technical State University.

62

Fully-Furnished - Price: $1,800,000 - Single Story Gated Community, Bedrooms: 5 plus office, casita 1b/1ba, guest house 2b/2ba, Bathrooms: 3 ½ Garage: Double - Size: 539 m - Lot Size: 3.72 acres

Price: $875,000 - Type: Gated Community Bedrooms: 4 - Bathrooms: 5 - Garage: 5-Stalls Size: 608 square meters Lot Size: 8124 square meters

Price: $450,000 - Gated Community Bedrooms: 3 plus large office/extra bedroom/ 2nd LR Bathrooms: 2 ½ 2 car spaces - Size: 220 m - Lot: 5031 m

Price: $389,000 - Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 4 - Bathrooms: 3 Garage: Double Size: 252 m - Lot: 2661 m

Price: $865,000 - Single Story Bedrooms: 3 - Bathrooms: 3 ½ Garage: Double Size: 223 m - Lot: 11941 m

Price: $875,000 - Style: 3 Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 3 Garage: Double Size: 494 m Lot: 8815 m

Price: $310,000 - Style: Single Story Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 ½ Garage: Triple Size: 260 m Lot: 1668 m

Price: $777,000 - Style: 2 Story Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 3 Plus guest home (150m2 ) - 2 bedroom & 1 bath Garage: 4-Stalls Size: 550 m Lot: 2839 m

2 baths RE/MAX Best Climate - Mejor Clima Across from Coopeatenas Gas Station, Atenas, Costa Rica Cell: (506) 6302-9198 (Spanish,English,Italian,Romanian) Office: (506) 2446-4929 www.atenasbestclimate.com

3 bedrooms

1,163 sq. ft.

Daniel Remus Sales Associate

THE FERIA DEL AGRICULTOR (ATENAS FARMER´S MARKET)

MONUMENT HONORING THE OXCART DRIVERS

EXPLORING THE BACKROADS OF ATENAS

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 21

MARINAS IN COSTA RICA

By The Editor

Costa Rica offers several Top Caliber International Marinas 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 related to Marinas as well. The right to operate a marina in Costa Rica is regulated through a concession agreement and in accordance with Law No. 7744 dating back to 1998. Costa Rica has

Marinas are in a Restricted 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 “concession” in this area for periods with the new Law approved in 2021 which allows for 40-year concessions and 20-year renewal terms. This “Restriction Zone” is under the administration of the nearest 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 get a Temporary Importation Permit for your boat, (Certificado de Importaci ó n Temporal) from the

Ministry of Finance and Customs (Ministerio de Hacienda 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 commercial charters and the government is very strict in this regard with regular inspections and a foreign vessel operating charters is subject to being impounded. However the new Law allows foreign flagged non-fishing luxury charter 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 to bring in parts and do repair work in Costa Rica (Ship Spares in Transit).

78

Private Yacht Charters from a half day to multiple days. We cruise around beautiful Manuel Antonio Park between

Smell the Sea, Feel the Sky, Let your Soul and Spirit Fly!

Located at the World Class Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

+506 8322-4652 | +506 8584-2019 www.catch-relax.com

info@catch-relax.com

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MAGAZINE 23

m

DESTINATION: SAN JOSÉ - CAPITAL CITY

NATIONAL MUSEUM

San Jos é is the Capital City of Costa Rica and like any city is is full of hustle and bustle and also has some areas that are better left alone at night, however it has much to offer to the visitor. I have seen time and again, persons on social media advising visitors to avoid spending time in San Jos é which I strongly believe is bad advice. I understand that many people just want to get to the beaches and forest and jungles of Costa Rica but for the savvy visitor, time spent in San Jos é is time well spent as it has many attractions that are definitely worthwhile and that will enrich your appreciation of Costa Rica various offerings. COSTA RICA ´ S BEST GUIDE MAGAZINE 128

Spending a day or two in San Jos é on your way into or out of Costa Rica is definitely a good idea because there is so much to see that your understanding of Costa Rica will surely grow. For example, seeing the over 125 year-old National Theatre which was built using a specific tax on coffee exports set to last the duration needed to build this now National Symbol of Costa Rica plus a later added general tax on the population by setting a tax on imports. It was started in 1891 by a Government Decree when the city had just over 20,000 inhabitants. No expense was spared to create a masterpiece which included very precious local woods plus iron, Carrara marble from Italy, gold and French glass. The architecture style is a neoclassical Renaissance. The metal dome was made in Belgium and the local stone mason experts built the walls. Inside there are murals related to coffee harvesting. Over the three different centuries this building has existed many famous persons have visited and also performed here, and it continues to have world class performances. President John F. Kennedy visited here in 1963. It was inaugurated on October 19, 1897, with the opera "Faust" by Charles Gounod, performed by the French Aubry Company.

NATIONAL THEATER

COSTA RICA´S NATIONAL STADIUM LOOKING WEST TOWARD THE UPSCALE NEIGHBORHOODS OF NUNCIATURA AND ROHRMOSER

AVENIDA CENTRAL CROSSROADS NEAR THE NATIONAL THEATER AND THE PLAZA DE LA CULTURA

SAN JOSÉ COFFEE SHOP IN THE MELICO SALAZAR THEATRE

ACROSS FROM CENTRAL PARK

Three major museums await your visit in San Jos é , the Pre-Columbian Gold and Numismatic Museum located under the Plaza de la Cultura just North of the National Theater has an extensive collection of gold objects that reflect the society and the metallurgy skills of Costa Rica ´ s native Pre-Columbian people from around 300 to 1500. The museum also has a very nice shop with many

handmade crafts and jewelry reproductions like the original gold jewelry seen at the museum. The Jade Museum located about 4 blocks East from the Plaza de la Cultura, staying on Avenida Central, located in an impressive new building has the World ´ s most comprehensive collection, with pieces that date from 500 BC to 800 AD. Across the plaza facing East is the National Museum, this is

a big & beautiful museum with native culture exhibits and colonial life in Costa Rica exhibits, plus lots of history, archeology, geology and documentation and of course the very famous and mysterious balls of Costa Rica. This museum is housed in a big old fort where one can still see on the outer walls the bullet hole impacts from an attempted revolution in 1949. This is a highly recommended must visit.

LA SABANA METROPOLITAN PARK LOOKING TOWARD THE SOUTH

130

COSTA RICA ´ S BEST GUIDE MAGAZINE

PARQUE NACIONAL MONUMENT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE NATIONAL LIBRARY AND THE SUPREME ELECTION TRIBUNAL For those of you who appreciate interesting architecture, you can tour the Barrio Am ó n neighborhood 5 blocks to the North of the Plaza de la Cultura where you can see great examples of very large homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also excellent small hotels for families and also some that cater to single guys and to the business traveler. Another must visit is the over one hundred year old Central Market which covers one square block and has just about everything for sale as well as many small places to eat and several souvenir stands. The North-West corner has a very nice coffee seller with some excellent choices both in beans as well as ground coffee. There are of course a variety of places to eat and drink here. Another plus is the many parks that can be found in the downtown area which are great places to just relax and people watch. The Central Post Office is another architectural gem, built in 1914, and across from it is the Club Union, which used to be the most exclusive private club in the country and in front of it is a very nice cafeteria from which to people watch.

CENTRAL PARK LOOKING TOWARD THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

STATUE OF POPE JOHN PAUL II BY ARTIST JIMENÉZ DEREDIA WHO ALSO HAS STATUES IN VATICAN CITY AND SAINT PETER´S CATHEDRAL

GOLD & NUMISMATIC MUSEUM

132

JADE MUSEUM

STREET PHOTOGRAPHER

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY BUILDING

NATIONAL THEATER

NATIONAL MUSEUM

NATIONAL LIBRARY

ONE OF THE MANY DOWNTOWN PARKS

CENTRAL AVENUE

135