Properties in Costa Rica Blog

Reserva Conchal is a 2,300-acre property conveniently located 1 hour away from the Liberia International Airport. To the south, it is within a 20-minute drive to Tamarindo, an exciting town with a magnificent beach known for its variety of surf spots plus its areas where you can enjoy the tranquil waters of the Pacific. To the north and only a 10-minute drive away is Flamingo beach. A great little town with a nice white sand beach, restaurants and home to where the new marina will begin construction in early 2019. Aside from these 2 well-known towns, there are many other great places to go. Whether you are looking for a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting surfing day, Conchal is conveniently located to get to nearly 15 beaches driving no more than 20 minutes. The topping of a magnificent location would be complete with the short drive from Reserva Conchal to the internationally sought after schools nearby. A 3-minute drive to CRIA (Costa Rica International Academy), a 7-minute drive to La Paz and a 13-minute drive to Educarte. All private bilingual schools servicing from Pre-k to high school.

About Reserva Conchal

It is home of the Westin Hotel, with a W Hotel currently open now. Amazing amenities include a par 71 golf course designed by Robert Trent Jr, tennis courts and an amazing beachfront beach club with pool, health center, bar/restaurant, and a Spa. The hilly topography allows for challenging trails for hiking, running or biking and it also hosts friendlier areas for easy walks. The trails are quite amazing as there is plenty of wildlife to see; amazing birds, squirrels, howler monkeys, coatis, huge iguanas, and whitetail deer. In this area, the flora has 2 different looks, the dry and the wet. The change in the vegetation is quite amazing as it goes from fully dry forest during the dry season (December to May) to an incredible mesmerizing lush green during the wet season (June to November).

As if all mentioned wasn’t enough, there are 2 key factors of this wonderful gated community:

1-Infrastructure: Over 5 kilometers of concrete roads, underground utilities, water treatment plant, a desalination plant in case needed and solar panels beginning to be used in different areas of the resort.

2-Legal framework for secure ownership: Fully titled and deeded. Get in touch with me to understand how is it established and why this is an advantage and beneficial for you as a buyer.

The community

An international mix with a demographic that has seen younger buyers for the past 5 years. The majority remains the US followed by Canadians. Costa Ricans come 3rd and then you begin to have a few from different countries, Italy, France, Czech Republic, Venezuela, Colombia amongst others. Although the majority of owners use their property as a second or 3rd home, the amount of families living within the community has grown noticeably over the past years. A number of them are long term renters but many owners have decided to make Costa Rica and Reserva Conchal their home. A variety of activities are held on a weekly and monthly basis so that you can meet your neighbors. Never before has there been so many kids of different ages within the community.

Health Services, shopping

The driving distance to Brasilito is of about 2 minutes. The town has 1 convenience store where shopping can be done for some of the most basic things. If you head towards Huacas, 5 minutes away, there is a bigger supermarket. Heading towards Tamarindo you have Mega Super which is a bigger supermarket and in Tamarindo itself, you have Automercado which is the higher brand of supermarkets in Costa Rica. Over there you will have all the imported goods. For grocery shopping, for as little as a 1-minute drive to as long as a 20-minute drive, you have different options where you can find everything you need.

The health services of Costa Rica, in general, are great. In terms of value, much more affordable than many places, the comparison of value/quality is highly favorable. The resort donated land and there is a private clinic, branch of a private hospital in San Jose, just a 2-minute drive away. Besides that one, there is another one and both have everything necessary to stabilize an emergency. One hour away in Liberia, there are 2 private hospitals and one public one. The resort has a helipad in case there is a severe emergency.

Real Estate available

There are currently 9 subdivisions, a mix of 204 condos and homes built. There is currently available inventory of lots, homes and condos. Prices go from the mid $200´s to above the $1M. Within that range, there are different options. Sizes range from the 800 square feet all the way up to 5,000 square feet. Any questions let us know…

G. Araya PCR

On February 20th, our capital city San Jose was subject of hosting the inauguration of an outdoor museum from our local artist Jimenez Deredia. Presenting his exhibition “La Fuerza y la Universidad de la Esfera”, translated as “The Force and the University of the Sphere” the artist puts together his past 20 years of work into the streets of San Jose.

Deredia is presenting to his people 27 sculptures made out of marble, bronze, and granite which are scattered around San Jose’s most popular cultural locations. The tour begins in Avenida 3 at the Plaza de Correos of Costa Rica, it crosses the boulevard of the Central Avenue and continues to the Plaza de la Cultura, ending at the iconic Plaza de la Democracia. The sculptures are located near the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, the Jade Museum, and the National Theater, promoting tourism in the city center.

The exposition alludes to the sphere and the evolution of the human being as a whole. Most of the pieces also connect with the Costa Rican culture and essence. Other than exposing his work, the artist seeks to host an inclusive expo were every citizen is able to enjoy his masterpieces for free and at any time. The artist looks to connect with his audience granting them complete freedom regarding the contact with each piece. People are able to sit in the base and photograph the sculptures, they can even touch them to feel the material and connect with it.

Deredia was able to exhibit his masterpieces thanks to the San Jose mayor Johnny Araya, who proposed this activity. Araya states that the municipality has been working towards culture for many years, but this production is the most important the country has had. Adding up to this exhibition, there will also be Transitarte and parallel activities that will transform San Jose into a cultural destination.

The exhibition will remain in the streets until July 15th.

About the Artist – Jimenez Deredia

Jorge Enrique Jiménez Martínez, artistically known as Jiménez Deredia, was born in 1954 in Heredia, Costa Rica. In the 70’s he started experiencing with sculptures focusing in nature, developing forms, the evolution of living things, and the Pre-Columbian art influence. Later, at the age of 22, he was granted a scholarship to study in Florence, Italy where he travels and explores the European culture which gets him to grow as an artist.

Deredia is one of our most acclaimed artists known for his beautiful sculptures worldwide. He has been able to exhibit Costa Rica’s culture and roots through art. This exhibition gives every citizen the opportunity to meet his work and appreciate it while walking through the streets of our beloved San Jose.

Are you planning a trip with your senior dog in Costa Rica? Whether you are a visitor or a native, this article will give you a few of the most important tips to make your travel go smoothly.

While some of these tips apply to travel with dogs in general, we have included a focus on the special needs of our aging canine companions. And, if you have never been to Costa Rica before, there are some special considerations to make before bringing your dog on your vacation here. Read on to learn more.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Luckily, it won’t be too hard to find dog-friendly hotels and resorts if you plan on traveling with your dog in Costa Rica. Other than public transportation, restaurants, and many stores, dogs are welcome in most places, including beaches, shopping districts, and parks. That is great news because it means that your pet will be able to join you on many outings.

However, traveling with a senior dog does bring some special challenges. You may want to discuss booking a first-floor room so your achy senior won’t have to climb up and down stairs every time they have to go out for a potty break. In addition, ask the staff for a room near the designated potty area to make sure you can quickly and easily accommodate your pet’s bathroom needs.

Bring Home with You

When our dogs become older, just like us, they can become more easily disoriented. Although it is always helpful to bring some of your dog’s bedding (such as a familiar blanket) with you when you travel, it is especially important for the older fellows. The scent of a favorite blanket can go a long way towards helping your pet feel safe in a new place. Costa Rica can get humid so investing in waterproof bedding might be a good option.

Veterinary Care Before and During Travel

Before you decide to hit the road to enjoy the beautiful scenery and sites of Costa Rica, make sure your vet has a chance to check in to make sure your older dog is up for the trip. In addition, compile a complete list of your dog’s medications and home vet contact information. This will help in the event that you need to seek medical treatment for your senior dog while away from home.

While traveling in Costa Rica with your senior dog, it is also important to do some research on the veterinary clinics that will be open in the event your senior dog needs emergency veterinary care. Make a list that includes the contact information for such clinics nearest your destinations. Keep in mind that it is generally easier to find 24-hour vet care near popular tourist destinations. Finding them in rural or remote destinations is more of a challenge.

Stock Up on Specialized Dog Food

Many senior dogs have sensitive stomachs or dietary needs that require specialized dog foods. In Costa Rica, these specialty foods can often be found in larger areas such as Central Valley. However, if your travels will take you outside this area, you may have a hard time finding the brand your dog is used to, and if you do find it, the price may be extremely expensive. So, if your old friend is a picky eater, be sure to plan on bringing enough food to last the duration of your holiday.

A Few Tips for Those Traveling with Senior Dogs from Outside of Costa Rica

If you haven’t had the pleasure of traveling to Costa Rica before, you may be surprised to learn that many people here allow their dogs to run free without leashes. This means that if you decide to travel with your senior dog, it is important that they get along well with other dogs, otherwise, it may be better to leave your older dog at home.

In addition to the required vaccinations that you will need to enter and leave Costa Rica with your canine companion, you should also be sure they are current with flea and tick prevention. Although fleas and ticks can be a nuisance everywhere, in Costa Rica we have a tick born illness known as Ehrlichia that can be deadly if contracted by your pet. Better safe than sorry!

Another thing to be on the lookout for, particularly after a rainstorm is Cane Toads. These large ugly critters can appear in large numbers when it rains. Unfortunately, they excrete a toxic venom when bothered as a self-defense mechanism. If you suspect your dog has licked a Cane Toad during your travels, prompt veterinary attention is required.

Author Bio: Sharon is a professional writer and received her M.S. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech and has worked as a professional dog trainer for over 10 years.