Costa Rica is best known for its beautiful volcanic beaches and its rainforest wildlife: many people come visit to enjoy some stress free vacation and while they are at it, they oftenly get to see monkeys, butterflies, sloths and even some exotic birds, all interacting at their natural habitat. But there’s also a marine wildlife to be enjoyed at this lovely country: you can be able to see turtles, a variety of fish, dolphins and whales! Yes, whales!!

When I first arrived at Costa Rica, I was amazed by the fact that one could be able to see whales. I had an idea in my mind that whales only lived at Antarctica because of the cold waters. Little did I know that when waters start to cool too much during winter, two huge migrations of whales take place. Costa Rica offers the longest season for humpback whale watching in the world: there’s approximately nine months out of the year were you can spy on these amazing, magnificent mammals. How is this even possible? As I mentioned above, two huge migrations of whales occur: we get whales migrating from the north, more specifically from Alaska or even California and then we get other migration from the Antarctic zone to the South. Northern humpback whales can be seen in Costa Rica from December through April, while Southern whales arrive late in July and stay until November.

Whales usually spend their time in Costa Rica at the Southern Pacific, more specifically at The Osa Peninsula and Gulf of Dulce, but also at a beach town called Uvita known for attracting whales close to shore and Dominical (Whale Coast). If you are planning to see them, there are some paid tours offered at Uvita. Usually snorkeling time is included too, so you might get to see some turtles, rays or even dolphins.

Do not worry if you are at Guanacaste or somewhere at the North Pacific: although tours to see whales are not very common there, many ocean tours often detour to popular zones where humpback whales are mating at the migration season.

A great advice if you want to ensure your whale watching tour trip, would be to book it while the Annual Whale and Dolphin Festival is taking place at Uvita. It usually starts in September, at the peak of the “whale season”.

Some other tips to make the most out of this experience would be to bring waterproof clothes or maybe a light blanket because it does tend to get chilly and also to avoid sea sickness: keep in mind that you will be inside a boat for a few hours, so do not skip your breakfast since an empty stomach could worsen the sickness. A pair of binoculars could be useful too (though not strictly necessary), sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunblock, and lastly and most important thing YOUR CAMERA! Be sure to keep it ready to shoot because you will never know when you will spot a whale soaring into the air!!

At Properties in Costa Rica , we hope that you make the most out of your time in this great country, so do feel free to share some of your memories with us, using our hashtag #propertiesincostarica on Facebook and Instagram. Have fun!

If you are planning to come to Costa Rica or if you are already here, don’t think for a second that beautiful beaches is all this country has to offer. There are also some great places to visit, that will surely look great in the pictures you will definitely want to take.

So today, I made this sort of countdown about places to go to in the Costa Rica Central Valley. Hopefully you will fall in love with this places too.

1. 1. Arenal Volcano National Park think it is safe to say that Arenal is the most popular of all volcanoes in Costa Rica, located at Alajuela province, it used to be the most active volcano in the country with 41 eruptions per day. Nowadays is not possible to see Lava coming out its crater because right now it is going through a resting phase but there is still so much to do around the Arenal Volcano National Park. Visit Lake Arenal, Costa Rica’s largest river, and the base of the Volcano. There are some activities done in this river such as fishing, or stand up paddleboarding. No matter what you decide on doing, take in, for just a minute, all the beauty around you.If you want to live a great adventure, this is a place to visit. Whether you are into hiking or a more laid back activity such as horseback riding, there’s no problem, there’s plenty of everything for all taste. Do make sure you find yourself a bilingual guide so that you don’t missed out on anything. Be sure to visit La Fortuna Waterfall, this is very near Arenal, you can get here only by foot, so you can either take a 15 minute hike or horseback. Do bring your swimming suit with you so that you can get to swim in a crystal clear water natural pool. There are also the natural hot springs Arenal has to offer. You can relax and enjoy a nice time taking a warm bath in this therapeutical natural waters.

1. 2. San Jose Central Market or Mercado CentralIf you want to get a taste of Costa Rica’s food and also get a chance to hang out with locals and get a sampling of the authentic urban culture of Costa Rica, this is the place to visit.This marketplace was founded in 1882 and since then it has experienced many remodelations throughout the years. Do be advised, this is a crowded place with lots of shops and eateries. Perfect place to buy some souvenirs for sure.Be sure to try some typical dishes such as Casados or Gallo Pinto and also some typical Costa Rican sweets.

1. 3. Lankester Botanical GardensLankester Botanical Gardens is located near one the most beautiful central regions of the country, the province of Cartago.If you love orchids, this a must go to place. Lankester Botanical Gardens was founded in the 1940’s by a british orchid enthusiast named Charles Lankester, he dedicated his life to the creation of one of the most comprehensive orchid gardens in Central America. You can visit any time of the year, but in March and April most of the orchids are in bloom, so if you happen to be in Costa Rica at this time of the year, take a visit to this place. There are guided walks offered at the main desk every 30 minutes but I honestly would recommend you to go by yourself and take the time to appreciate the wide variety of plant species there is.The place is really clean and well maintained. There is a Japanese Garden too, you can walk through a beautiful bamboo path. There is also some areas for doing picnics so you can bring your food basket and blanket and enjoy. This is a pet friendly place!

1. 4. The Ruins of Ujarras.Ujarras town is located at Cartago province. This town offers a truly good experience of Costa Rica’s history and its culture. The Ruins of Ujarras is the place where the oldest church in Costa Rica was built. The legend states that indigenous Huetar Indian fisherman found a box with an image of Virgin Mary on it, which they were unable to remove from the location. Because of this, Nuestra Senora de la Limpia Concepcion was built on the site. Over the years, it is believed that the spirit of the Virgin Mary cautioned locals of a devastating flood and performed several miracles for the villagers. There is a beautiful garden surrounding the ruins, so you can spend the afternoon here.

There is so much more that Costa Rica has to offer and also so many things to visit but for now we will just leave you this four places to go to. We truly hope you fall in love with this country and don’t forget to think about us when you do visit, we would love to see all the pictures you take, so don’t forget to use our hashtag #propertiesincostarica on Instagram and Facebook so that we can check out all the memories you make. Pura Vida!

Costa Rica is home to plenty of properties and whether you want a beachfront condo , a beautiful villa on the banks or even a plot of farmland to call your own, you will find a wide selection of homes to choose from.

Not only that, but the country has so many activities to keep people of all ages busy day and night that you will never run out of things to do. When you combine the variety of living arrangements available together with the great fun as well as the friendly people living in the country, you will find that a move to Costa Rica is like living a dream vacation every day of your life. Everyone can use a vacation, but when you can live one every day, you really have it made.

The Lifestyle

The locals are friendly and helpful. Whether you’re a tourist in the area, or someone looking to move here, you can find that pretty much everyone is ready to help. The markets are always bustling on mornings, but provide a gentle, not rushed flow of people through the aisles. You can grab fresh fruit, veggies and even meat during these times.

The atmosphere as a whole is laid back, inviting and refreshing. Without having to worry about the hustle and bustle of normal life, you can slow down a bit and take in the area, the people and all that life can offer you.

You will quickly find that living a laid-back lifestyle is easily done in Costa Rica. Even if you are working, the environment around you can help keep your stress level low and your productivity level high.

The Climate is Wonderful

The average temperature in Costa Rica is 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows you to get the most use of the beaches and other great outdoor fun. Yes, you may run into some rain if, especially if you live inland, but don’t let the ran dampen your fun. With such a great year-round climate, you will have plenty of time for not only surfing, snorkeling, boating or soaking up some sun on the shore, but you can also enjoy other exciting outdoor experiences such as bungee jumping, parasailing, hiking or biking or taking a trip through one of the rain forests or even a day hike to check out a volcano.

Moving Can Be Done Easily, For Anyone

Moving yourself and even your family can be handled quite easily, even if you need to have a few things shipped over. Most people arrive in Costa Rica with a few bags that they bring along on their flight. While you can find accommodations that are partially, and occasionally even fully furnished, you will most likely find that you’re going to need some of your own personal household things. One thing you will want to do is compare the price to ship with the price of purchasing new or used before you schedule anything.

Another thing to consider, besides basic household goods, will be whether you need to ship your own car. If you will live in a large city, you’ll find ample public transport, and will most likely be able to walk or even take a bicycle to most local places you need to travel. If you live rurally or plan to trek off to the mountains or travel frequently to Panama or Nicaragua or even from one side of Costa Rica to the other, a car may be a good thing to have. You may find numerous cars for sale when you arrive, but be sure to have any car checked out thoroughly before you buy one. You may find that it is less expensive to have your own car shipped over but be sure to speak to local mechanics and check with parts supply stores to make sure your car is one that can be easily repaired if anything goes wrong.

You will need paperwork to import household goods as well as a motor vehicle. Some of the basic paperwork that will be necessary includes:

• Passport
• Motor Vehicle Registration
• Original Bill of Sale
• Driver’s License
• Signed authorization from vehicle owner if you are bringing a car that is not in your name. This must be notarized by the Costa Rican consulate.
• Bill of Lading
• Emissions test certificate
• Itemized list of goods (for household and personal items) Be sure to include all serial and model numbers for electronics or appliances.

More information on shipping a motor vehicle to Costa Rica can be obtained from https://www.a1autotransport.com/

Moving to Costa Rica is an exciting adventure that many people only dream of taking. Whether you are planning to visit for a while or you are making a long-term move, you can find a great place to live including vacation rentals as well as beautiful family homes during your stay. You will also be able to partake in some of the biggest adventures of your life while being able to live stress free in paradise.

The southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula is home to many lesser known marvels of nature that are both exciting and pristine. The northern beach of Playa Blanca, a short distance from the ferry that arrives in Playa Naranjo from Puntarenas, has sugar-white sand and clear waters.

A little further south in the town of Rio Grande, 7 miles north of Paquera, the Campinas Waterfalls, three separate waterfalls cascade down a smooth rock face into a cool pool below. It is a short walk from the parking areas and is a well-kept secret for the locals to enjoy. Also in Rio Grande is Playa Pajaros, a sandy beach along the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Nicoya. There is no development, no buildings, no cables and very few people on this lovely beach.

In the town of Paquera, where the other ferry from Puntarenas docks, the locals enjoy the long, uncrowed beach of Playa Organos. It is situated directly in front of Isla Tortuga and the islands block the large Pacific swells making it a safe and fun place to swim and play in the waves. The offshore island of Tortuga is visited by over a dozen tour boats a day as well as by local tour operators. It has white sand, clear waters for snorkeling and the tour companies provide tropical picnics with delicious drinks. The guests can snorkel, swim, kayak, jet ski or just relax in a hammock in tropical paradise.

The Biological Reserve at Curu is open to tourists to see the domesticated rescued animals as well as observe the wild animals around them. Several walking paths weave through the tropical forest and a 4 mile long private beach is there for the visitors.

Heading south past Tambor, one arrives at the Tango Mar resort with a quiet, uncrowded beach and a picturesque waterfall that drops into a large pool and then the sea.

The town of Montezuma is well known for its local crafts, waterfront bars, Tarzan and Jane waterfall and its Bohemian attitude. It is a laid back place surrounded by natural beauty. The trip up the creek to the waterfall is rewarded by a spectacular sight and a large swimming pool beneath the cascade.

Costa Rica has submitted a proposal to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to establish the Savegre River Watershed as a Biosphere Reserve. A biosphere reserve is an area of land or coastal ecosystem that promotes solutions in reconciling conservation with sustainable use. The Savegre River, which begins in the Talamanca mountain range between Cerro de los Muertos and Chirripo and ends in an estuary in the Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific Coast would be Costa Rica’s fourth Biosphere Reserve (joing La Amistad, Cordillera Volcanica Central, and Agua y Paz). The Savegre is one of the nations cleanest rivers surrounded by lush rainforest, waterfalls and canyons, with only 1,000 people living along its banks. It is a welcoming habitat for all kinds of exotic wildlife.

According to UNESCO, biosphere reserves are, “are areas comprising terrestrial, marine and coastal ecosystems. Each reserve promotes solutions reconciling the conservation of biodiversity with its sustainable use.” Thus the goal of UNESCO biosphere reserves are to encourage sustainable development, balancing the relationship between people and nature. There are three zones in one biosphere reserve to fulfill three complementary functions. The core areas are a strictly protected ecosystem that contributes to the conservation of the landscapes, ecosystems and species, the buffer zone that surrounds the core areas used for activities compatible with sound ecological practices that can reinforce scientific research, training and education, and the transition area which is the part of the reserve where the greatest activity is allowed, fostering economic and human development that is ecologically sustainable.

There are currently 669 biosphere reserves in 120 countries. If the Savegre is recognized as a biosphere reserve it will receive international recognition and benefit from efforts to find a balance between conservation and socioeconomic development.

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