Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Monthly Archives: May 2015


Spotlight Town: Tamarindo

Spotlight Town: Tamarindo

May 29, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

If you are looking for a relaxed warm friendly beach town, explore Tamarindo. A popular spot for expats relocating to Costa Rica, it attracts visitors from Europe, Canada and the US. The town’s mantra is “surf, eat and party.” Located in the Nicoya Peninsula of the Pacific Coast in the Guanacaste province, it is relatively accessible and only a 50-minute drive from Liberia International Airport.

The area has undergone a development boom expanding into the surrounding coastal communities. There are several supermarkets, a couple of banks, a farmers’ market and a handful of boutiques and surf shops. With a selection of upscale restaurants and bars, the town also has a lively nightlife to kick back in the evening after a packed day of outdoor adventure. There is also a strong wellness community in the area with plenty of opportunities for yoga, pilates, a facial or even a body scrub. With juice bars, sushi, Mediterranean food and more, this multi-cultural destination does not lack in culinary options either. With near perfect weather, there is always something to do in Tamarindo.

Tamarindo has three kilometers of one of the most beautiful white sand beaches you can find anywhere in the world. This surfers’ paradise has two professional level breaks: Pico Pequeno and El Estero. Here the waves rise as high as 12 feet in November and December. Along the coast, there are also many smaller breaks perfect for the beginner just learning how to surf. Other outdoor activities include: sport fishing, swimming, snorkeling, hiking and horseback riding. There’s also golf nearby. The Tamarindo National Wildlife Preserve is also a great place to hike the forest spotting wildlife and bird watching. The area neighbours Central America’s largest mangrove estuary, Estero de Tamarindo. For the eco-tourist and outdoor adventurer there are plenty of activities to enjoy here. There are many opportunities to relax, rejuvenate and take a breath here as much as there are for adrenalin pumping adventures.

During the tourist season, this town’s population swells from 500 to 5000. Attracting visitors from all over the world, Tamarindo is known as a place that has integrated the influence of foreigners into the native Tico culture nicely. Tamarindo’s small town cosmopolitan vibe makes it a popular spot for expats moving to Costa Rica who want to live in pristine place that is accessible to major airport. The town is the perfect escape from the hectic hustle of Western cities. Tamarindo offers the best of both worlds with its laid-back vibe and cosmopolitan flare. It’s a vibrant beach town that welcomes both expats and visitors escaping the high stress life of major cities.

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Micro Farming in Costa Rica

Micro Farming in Costa Rica

May 22, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

Micro farming is a growing global trend, and common practice in Costa Rica that attracts foreign buyers. The country’s year-round growing season and climate makes it a great place to garden and farm. Small-scale farming is part of the global movement toward self-sufficiency and supporting a sustainable lifestyle. Across the diverse eco-system and microclimates of Costa Rica, there is rich terrain in both the high lands and low lands that provide optimal conditions for micro farming.

Micro farms refer to homeowners who grow their own food and raise their own livestock on several acres or less. The average family one need one hectare (2.5 acres) to grow their own food. There are many small parcels of land for sale in Costa Rica conducive to this popular practice. An increasing number of homebuyers are seeking a more self-sufficient lifestyle and purchasing land with this intention. To meet the foreign buyer demand for micro farms, developers purchase large numbers of acres, and then subdivide into the land into lots of about a hectare.

Micro-farms provide not only an opportunity to be more self-sufficient but also a secondary income opportunity. Popular cash crops include wild coffee, cocoa, fruits such as bananas and plantains, as well as medicinal plants. These crops also grow wild and can be foraged in the surrounding forests. There is also the possibility of raising Tilapia on farms as well as chickens and eggs, which can also be sold at the local markets. A micro farm provides an opportunity to live a sustainable lifestyle and make extra income. These farms can be purchased at very reasonable prices with many plots available for under $100,000.

For people moving to Costa Rica seeking a more self-sufficient lifestyle and escape from the high-pressure grind of industrial life in major urban centers, micro farms are a great option. While it does require some amount of training to master the various techniques required to run a small farm or large garden, it can be done by anyone willing to take the time to learn. These farms create an opportunity for a simple fulfilling lifestyle that also supports sustainability. It is a low stress way of life that offers many intangible rewards such as the opportunity to enjoy fresh organic food grown by your hands.




Spotlight on Dominical: Sleepy Beach Town Waking Up?

Spotlight on Dominical: Sleepy Beach Town Waking Up?

May 18, 2015

Properties in Costa Rica

by Rod Martin

Dominical is the gateway to the Costa Ballena – a 30 mile stretch of beaches, river valleys, and lush jungle covered mountains. This sleepy beach town sits 30 minutes south of Quepos/Manuel Antonio and 45 minutes west of San Isidro del General. For years it has been a surfing destination, but even if you don’t surf the 2.5-mile beach is perfect for long walks or just relaxing. After a long day of fun and sun, enjoy a cold drink and live music at Tortilla Flats, a popular bar/restaurant on the beach.

This small town has always been a popular destination for travelers on a budget, but Dominical is evolving with stronger tourism and investment. The local municipality has improved the initial access off the Costanera Sur (The Coastal Highway) with asphalt and has begun construction of a concrete promenade along a 1km beachfront section. In addition, the opening of Patron’s, an elegant steak house and bar with live music, looks to attract a wider range of people.

South and Beyond

Drive five minutes south of Dominical, and you will find its younger brother Dominicalito. The waves are smaller at this crescent-shaped beach and there are a few stand-out restaurants close by. The land and luxury homes on the hillside sport some of the best ocean views on the entire Costa Ballena, and there’s even a gorgeous waterfall called Pozo Azul that is two-wheel drive accessible. For these and other reasons, it is also the strongest vacation rental market. If you like to explore, continue driving south. The small towns of Uvita and Ojochal offer fantastic day tour and restaurant options, respectively.

If you are tired of snow and cold, Dominical is the place for you. Even in the rainy season, which runs from May through November, the climate is warm like the Costa Rican people. In July, the area typically gets a second summer—less rain, more sun.

This is the country of “pura vida” or “pure life”, and it is ever-present in Dominical. Like the wildlife, the area has quickly become a melting pot of residents… each adding their own unique colours and flavours to the community.



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