According to most of the scholars in Costa Rica, the name of Escazu comes from the indigenous word Itzcatzu. The closest translation is “a place to rest”. It’s easy to imagine that in pre-Columbian times, the beauty of the area was so intense that it was considered a reward to rest here. Good news is that much of it is still found in all of the roads climbing the surrounding mountains. The most unique houses and properties are found here. From any angle, you can enjoy amazing views towards the Central Valley and the Volcanic Mountain Range with its emerald green hills. A treat for your eyesight.

Another important part of the charm is that the town is known as the city of the witches!. Two versions of the origin of this name are told among the locals.

The first one states that Jewish women that lived many years ago used to wear veils and lit candles on Shabbat. The locals interpreted this as witchcraft and the name – Ciudad de Las Brujas- stayed until this days.

The other version is more intriguing and claims that a famous witch -Zarate- used to live in the white boulder near the church.Minor witches, such as “La Tulevieja” and the “Maria La Negra” lived there too and tormented the people with their magic in the old times…Some claim that they still around so they wear their shirts upside down to keep them away. Most of the people cherish this stories and feel pride and identity about them, therefore, it’s common to spot stickers and signs with this paraphernalia in the streets of this town.

Nowadays this county of San Jose has not only wonderful places to visit, a rich history, colonial houses and special places to spend good quality time but also a thriving economic activity that allows to please the most demanding and fanciful tastes or the very particular service that you need. Restaurants for the most sophisticated customers, jewelry with the most special pieces, hotels for the rich and famous are next to the most skilfull doctors or dentists or the most professional firms needed for your business. Also avant-garde developments in the country with concepts that mix commercial, leisure, and residential needs are being built here. Anyone looking for investment opportunities would know how to take advantage of this trends.

Definitely, Escazu has a lot to offer for all kinds traveler, business person or for those who want to find a place to rest.

Traditions and holidays such as Thanksgiving day are worthed to celebrate anywhere in the world, and Costa Rica is no exception. Warm waters and sand between your toes, spectacular views of the rainforest or a volvcano and the comfort and excitement of a new life as a retired person really boost anyone’s gratitude.

Black Friday and Halloween have found some attention but from all imported celebrations, Thanksgiving really has an echo among those who care for values, culture, and history. The first two dates are more a commercial opportunity for many in this country but this one really gives space for the true spirit that comes with the end on November.

Some space to remember and honor the legacy of the indigenous people is very welcomed, after all, their generosity was the beginning of this celebration.

Although is not celebrated by the majority of the population, some have decided to do so as an excuse to get close to family. Others, have ties with people that give an important meaning to the date but especially, an important number of expats, maybe nostalgic, have the spirit that will become the most important ingredient they need to have a proper celebration with a few tropical adaptations.

Some restaurants around the country, especially in the central valley and the touristic spots, will offer all the right plates to feel like in the United States. Indulge yourself with all the holiday specialties but please consider to reserve before you get out of your house with an appetite for a turkey breast, or you might end having tamales.

Supermarket chains will offer the right goods to prepare all the traditional recipes, but many opt to give space to local ingredients like ayote – a super-sized squash -, the Costa Rican purple yams and a well-fed chicken instead of a turkey. The point is to get together with friends and family and be grateful for all good things in life, even if cranberry sauce is missing.

The best part about these days in Costa Rica is that the weather is getting to be heavenly pleasant, the perfect time to explore around and make a solid move to settle in this small but generous country. Don’t hesitate to ask for the right help finding that special place that you’ve been searching for.

With almost 1500 kilometers of coast in the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, getting to know every single beach in Costa Rica, can be a real challenge. But to make a stand about the six top beach destinations in the country, can be a real source of debate. Too much beauty, tropical exuberance, warm waters and perfect sunsets are found in almost all of them, but special details allow us to propose the six top beach destinations according to Properties in Costa Rica:

1. Tamarindo.

The perfect place for those looking for great waves that offer superb surfing. Nestled in a setting that offers all kind of indulgences, not only for those looking for fun in a cosmopolitan atmosphere but also the opportunity to enjoy some of the special Costa Rica wildlife.

2. Conchal

The calcified remains of marine sea creatures accumulate in this place creating the most spectacular sand that you can find in the costa ricans coasts. Located in a place that requires some effort to reach, this fact also can be interpreted as guarantee of privacy in one of the most paradisiac beaches in the country.

3. Santa Teresa

Another great place for surfers but also yielding the most spectacular sunsets in any beach of Costa Rica at any time of the year. A special vibe unique to this place is felt as soon you enter the southern part of the Nicoya peninsula, the best way to describe it is something that you have to live it by yourself.

4. Manuel Antonio

The world known national park located here has not only a great variety of wildlife, but also a group of the most charming beaches that you can visit in Costa Rica. Enjoy one of the national emblems while you enjoy the company of the endangered and cute squirrel monkeys that live in this protected area.

5. Uvita (Whales tail)

The most intriguing formation that you’ll find in any costa rican beach is here: a reef connected by a sandbar to the main land resembling a whales tale. Incredible enough, humpback whales come to the surrounding waters to give birth to their offspring, giving the perfect name to this place. The picture is completed with the view of impressive mountains going up to the clouds where dreams of the perfect property come true.

6. Manzanillo

The image of a white sand beach with a coral reef in front full of colorful fish becomes true in this part of Costa Rica. The jamaican culture and the lush rainforest will convince anyone that this place belongs to one of the top six beaches in Costa Rica.

The sunshine, warm temperatures, wildlife, ocean views and the laid-back atmosphere are part of a perfect setting for an adventure on two wheels.

Most of the country can be explored on a bike, depending on your skills and physical condition, or become a time saver trying to move around the traffic jammed San Jose. Either way, biking has all benefits mentioned before and the preference of many people as part of their life.

The adrenaline rush of the mountain bike trails, the challenge of the road cycling or a relaxing ride in a banana bike along Caribbean beaches is great ways to get some of the best joys of Costa Rica.

With no intention to determine which trail or route is better, these lines are meant to encourage the bike fans, as well as an enthusiast that can keep balance on top of an iron horse to enroll on any of this routes that offer more than exercise and speed but also a real taste of this country:

The coast to coast ride, is famous for being the hardest mountain bike race in the world goes across the country from the Pacific coast, up to the central valley, then going around the Irazu volcano and then finishing in the Caribbean coast in the way the Spanish conquistadores explored the country in the sixteenth century but backwards. A ride for the braves but also an inspiring trail for those who really want to test them self.

For those who like to develop speed on the highways, Costa Rica has many options. One that is recommended on many sites is a road cycling route that goes from La Fortuna to Zarcero. An option that will give you a great challenge since you’ll be climbing 1500 meters above the sea level from the northern plains of San Carlos to a cool green mountain where the end line is located. After a strenuous exercise, a rewarding treat is to stroll around this misty town that boasts one of the most beautiful parks in the country and beyond.

An adventure that is suitable for all the family is to rent bicycles in the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo and drive along the coast to the village of Manzanillo. Fruit vendors on the edge of the road will assist you with the best of the tropics harvest. The Jamaican culture atmosphere, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters and an intense nature surrounding is the perfect setting for one of the most memorable and delightful rides that you can have in Costa Rica.

For any advice on this sport drop us a note we will make sure you get good information from one of our avid mountain and road bikers in our office. At Properties in Costa Rica we work not only on getting the right investment but making sure you get the lifestyle you are looking.

Finally, your time in paradise has come. Either for a short vacation or to start a new life in your golden years, there are things to do in this country that really belong to the bucket list. Many lists have been written, most of them aiming to put you on the road or trying to sell you something. This one, in particular, can offer you the core of an experience that can truly show you the best five things to do in this wonderful country.

1. Visit the central valley coffee plantations and typical towns

   San Jose, Costa Rica’s intense capital is surrounded by cool, green peaks, which is perfect for coffee production and home to pretty, traditional towns. Get to know the beautiful plantations and learn about how coffee is cultivated, processed and roasted; you can even consider buying one as an income producing property.

2. Enjoy the astounding fruit variety that Costa Rica has.

   Get up early in the morning in San Jose and visit the Mercado Borbon, or the dozens of fruit stalls near the Mercado Central, both of which can be explored on. Or go to the open-air produce and fruit markets held on weekend mornings, in almost every town on the Central Plateau, to see and taste the season’s harvest. Along the highways and main roads will be vendors of all kinds of fruit and fruit drinks.

3. Contemplate Costa Rica’s biodiversity

   Covering just 0.05% of the planet surface, Costa Rica holds 5% of all living species, for this reason, is called the most biodiverse country in terms of area and living beings. National parks and preserves offer the best views but even in the most common areas, this fact jumps to your eyes.

4. Explore the beaches of Costa Rica

   Almost 1500 kilometers of coast in this country represents the best reason to feel in a place called Rich Coast…The variety and beauty of the beaches are definitely one of the greatest to do. From the idyllic white sand Caribbean setting of Manzanillo to the surf paradise of Santa Teresa, each place has a unique feature to discover.

5. Clear your mind with the view from one of the mountain tops

Flatten up Costa Rica and it will be bigger than Russia. The fact is that this country has a very interesting topography allowing to have wonderful views from many different points and even larger variety of landscapes. The city at night, the many crops harvested in this land, an inspiring ocean view or a humbling glimpse of the jungle-covered mountains must be part of your experience in this country.

Each morning at 5:30 a.m. Pedro, the bus driver from Playa Negra, starts his engine after checking the oil. Then he begins his long journey navigating the “huecas” (Way-KOS),or the ruts, in the unpaved road between Playa Negra and Santa Cruz. He makes the pass though Playa Negra again at 1 p.m. and departs from Santa Cruz st 6 p.m. to arrive in Playa Negra after dark between 7:30 and 8 p.m.

There are approximately 31 km or 25 miles between the two cities in Guanacaste, Province, in northern Costa Rica. It is a largely rural area with beautiful white sandy beaches at Playa Negra, Avellenas and Hacienda Pinella with waves which are popular with yogis and surfers internationally. The affiliation between yogis and surfers may not be evident at first glance, but a wipe out on the waves can cause spinal issues that yoga helps adjust where Guanacaste is a destination for both surfers and yoga practitioners.

The drive to Santa Cruz from the renown beaches for surf and yoga at Avellenas and Playa Negra takes one through rivers and jungles to grassy valleys. There, the beautiful Guanacaste trees grow in the fields and Hibiscus line the lanes where cattle, horses and goats graze. Horses often and wander unbridled like a scene from the Swedish Pippi Longstocking.. It is not uncommon for the bus to stop to allow a pig, horse or chicken to cross the road or beach there is a pig known as “Lola” who is namesake for the famous beach bar in Playa Avellenas and daily strolls the beach..

Paranandos

“Paranando” is one of the first words you will learn traveling the bus from Santa Cruz to Playa Negra. It means “stop” and there are many strings pulled on the trip between the cities -Playa Negra, Avellenas, Pinella, 27 de Avril, and Santa Cruz. The bus costs c1250 or $2.50 each way and is the most economical form of transportation as many Costa Ricans do not own vehicles. Motorcycles abound along with daily bread and vegetable deliveries and farmers markets Saturday’s in Tamarindo.

People get on and off along the route between the towns and villages and the bus is wheelchair-equipped with a lift located in the middle.

On a recent trip to Santa Cruz from Playa Negra, I met an English teacher offering lessons to Marriott employees in Hacienda Pinella, and a landscape worker who boarded the bus and sat down beside me with his machete sheathed in newspaper and his backpack. He got no argument from the driver, or anyone else on the bus, including me!.

My search for lye for making goat milk soap st Peace Retreat (www.peaceretreat.ca) led me on a bus trip from Playa Negra to Rancho Avellenas and Tamarindo to make a deposit for the “leche de cabras”. A local restauranteur suggested I check the pharmacy in Tamarindo for lye.

The two senioritas at the Farmacia, in Tanarindo referred me to a veterinarian who magically appeared as I boarded the bus from Tamarindo to Playa Negra. I learned she was from Santa Cruz and sold the lye. Karina Is a 26 year old woman and Graduate of Escuela de Saint Francis of Assisi in San Jose. She promised the “pastilles” I needed to make soap or “jabon” if I stayed over in Santa Cruz. A brief tour with her upon arrival in Santa Cruz led me a few blocks from the terminal to her office and the hotel Calle Acala.

A Stay in Santa Cruz at the Calle Acala

If one is in Santa Cruz for an evening, Calle Acala is close to the bus terminal although it is more expensive at $57 a night than its competition down the street.

A nights stay is worth it just to walk through the corridors as the doors are carved works of art that illustrate Costa Rican history. The beds and baths are comfortable and the rate includes breakfast beside the pool with a bar in it.

The hotel is down the street and over a block from the bus terminal and College of Law. There are shops that line the street next to the bus terminal and across the street from the bus terminal is the post office, the Correro, and Super Compro grocery store.

Mail in Costa Rica

Mail in Costa Rica from Guanacaste is slow and may take 22 days to arrive in the United States while $32 gets you an envelope certified with tracking to the US.

In Tamarindo, there is UPS next to ReNax Real Estate if you need to ship packages, it is an alternative to the Correro, or Postal Service. Mr. Tom’s in Tamarindo functions as the local Fed Ex Office with copies and printing near Arenas Surf Shop in a strip mall between the Bank of San Jose and Nordica Café. There is another Post office in Villarreal between Tamarindo and Pinilla, but no Post office in Tamarindo which is a a more popular destination for tourists. In Tamarindo you will find shops filled with Quicksilver, Hurley and surf boards and shops that cater to tourists. The Driha Hotel and Casino keeps those well-heeled in Tamarindo occupied in style. Yogi’s will find Mermaids and Sailors a yoga studio for Guanacaste practitioners opposite Surf Central on the second floor of an office building down the hill from the taxi station and ATMs. Marbella’s hotel near Aqua offers reasonable overnight rates $40-$50.

Rental Cars

The role of the bus driver in Guanacaste is important because the cost of rental vehicles usually requires a $1000 deposit for a week rental which is justified by the “huecas”that challenge drivers and car axles. The bus driver’s role requires patience as he daily navigates ruts in the road and even must forge rivers often at a centipede’s pace. The ride could be one at an amusement park attraction with the drama, terrain and characters who occupy the seats on the bus. Climbing hills that are unpaved in the “Green Season” with heavy rains and high humidity requires slow and steady pressure on the accelerator and the downshift of gears on the curvy grades and descents through the Costa Rican countryside to the jungles that lead to the beaches in Pinella, Avellenas and Playa Negra.

The ride on the Centipede is memorable, but requires flexibility, patience and balance if you are standing – qualities surfers and yogis possess. The rewards of a ride on the Centipede include the scenic views during the day though towns with green soccer fields, roadside restaurants and the people you meet along the way. The best of these is Dennis the Driver from Playa Negra who can help you save a bundle and make your connections!
Spend a day riding the bus and you will find yourself in great company!

For those arriving in Santa Cruz from San Jose by the El Faro bus lines, the terminal in Santa Cruz is convenient and clean and connects to Playa Negra with early morning departures and a 11 am and 6 pm departure daily. Tickets sell out, so it is important to buy a ticket an hour before departure and get in line as it queues up a half hour before departure. The Tralapa terminal for buses arriving from San Jose stops at a terminal across town as you first enter Santa Cruz, so you will need a taxi to the other side of the small town to pick up Route 571 local to Playa Negra from Santa Cruz. It is an hour and a half ride of pleasure.

Perhaps the best reason to ride the Centipede or Ruta 571 is that it saves $30 each way which is the cost of a taxi from Tamarindo and Santa Cruz to Playa Negra. In the high season a Surf Shuttle runs from Tamarindo to Playa Negra for $6 from the center of Tamarindo near Arenas Surf Shop where taxis and ATM services are available.

For more information check online for bus schedules.

Celebrations are already underway in Costa Rica for its Independence Day. While the 15th is marked as the annual day of celebration, the patriotic party begins on September 14th, when the “Independence Torch” arrives in Cartago.

The torch is a national symbol in Costa Rica and was carried from Guatemala to Costa Rica when the Central American countries gained their independence from Spain in 1821. Since then, this historical event has been reenacted with a torch being passed through the five countries of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and finally, Costa Rica.

One of the most beloved celebration is the “desfile de faroles” or the traditional lantern parade. Children make “faroles” or hand-made lanterns and parade through the streets on the evening of September 14th when at 6 p.m. the Costa Rican national anthem is broadcast nationally. On the 15th, the celebrations continue with parades filled with people in traditional dress and performing traditional dances. Every Costa Rican enjoys the festivities with patriotic displays on the streets throughout the day.

Independence day is also a time to reflect on heritage and find patriotism in our history—about national identity. Costa Ricans are commemorating not just their freedom, but everything that Costa Rica Stands for. They know that on this day, their army is their children dressed up in school uniforms. Students march March in front of the government offices, including the President, shouting their joy and wearing the three main colors of the Costa Rica national flag: Red, White, and Blue. The mottos shouted is “vivan siempre el trabajo y la paz” or “may work and peace live forever.”

The areas of Playa Flamingo , Potrero, Brasilito, and other nearby communities are a great example of small beach towns with a wonderful community feel. Located in the northwest Pacific corner of Costa Rica, these areas have a uniqueness that you feel as soon as you get here.

Grocery shopping usually consists of the going to the smaller “Supers”. Super Massai in Flamingo, Super Wendy in Potrero, or Super Conchal in Brasilito. These family run stores carry almost everything you need to stock your pantries. For fresh veggies, fish, and bread, there are two Ferias (farmer’s markets) each week. One near Flamingo, the other in Potrero. Not only can you get your favorite fresh foods, it’s a great opportunity to see the familiar faces and friends from the area and do a little socializing. Of course, there’s also “the fish guy” in Brasilito where you can get fresh fish like Dorado, Red Snapper, or Tuna every day of the week. And “the veggie guy”, who sets up shop most days of the week between Flamingo and Potrero, and always has a wonderful selection of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If you don’t feel like making your own dinner, there are numerous great and unique restaurants serving everything from the traditional and inexpensive Casado, a Costa Rican meal using rice, black beans, plantains, salad, and tortilla, which may include chicken, beef, pork, or fish, to a few “upscale” restaurants offering steak, lobster, fresh pastas and more. Try Sol y Mar in Potrero by the soccer fields for great local food. El Castillo in Surfside (between Potrero and Flamingo) for those delicious back home meals like ribs, country fried steak, and hamburgers. Or Angelina’s in Flamingo for a romantic night out where you can enjoy filet mignon, fresh seafood specials, and your favorite cocktail. And whichever you choose, you’re bound to see a friend or neighbor while you are out.

Of course, after enjoying your homemade meal or an outing at one of the restaurants, you may want a little exercise. This area has several beautiful beaches that are great for taking long walks or a jog. If you go in the late afternoon you’re likely to see one of the beautiful Pacific sunsets this area is known for. And don’t be surprised if you’re sharing the walk with one of the local cows, as they seem to enjoy wandering the beach as well. For something a little more extreme, there is over 30 km of world-class coastal single-track mountain bike and hiking trails with scenic ocean views that will astound you. Located just north of Potrero, these trails have been developed since 2010 and continue to grow every year. Bring your own bike or rent one at the nearby bike shop.

These are just a few of things that make this area feel warm, welcome and convey a great sense of community. Always seeing friends, or making new friends while out and about is wonderful. We hope to see you soon at Properties in Costa Rica. Pura Vida!

Life within Hacienda Pinilla has a feel like no other, As you enter the gates of the private ranch and drive through the communities 4500 acres of winding roads the overwhelming feeling of nature and the beauty that surrounds you is nothing short of breathtaking.

The only way to properly describe this feeling is that this was the authentic Costa Rica that I had been searching for. With nearly a million trees of dry forest having being planted throughout the ranch, Towering native forest and monkey filled mango trees line the communities roads. The only traffic jam here is when the cattle are being moved from one field to another and anyone having to wait have a smile from ear to ear!

It’s not until you circumnavigate the 4500-acre property that you realise it isn’t all just natural beauty but pockets of luxury can be found in every corner.

From a private luxurious beach club, gymnasium and spa to the 18 holes beachfront golf course, tennis courts, horse stables, and over 20 miles of mountain biking and walking trails, it is clear what the master plan of Hacienda Pinilla provides, a pure, safe and adventurous lifestyle is yours to have.

In creating this vision the Hacienda have protected their biggest asset, the natural environment, securing a Blue Flag from the Costa Rican Tourism Board for the cleanliness of its 6 kilometre-stretch of beaches and a White Flag for its water system. Its eco-friendly, par 72 golf course has been certified by Audubon International.

When you have to leave the ranch, the touristic hub of Tamarindo is just 10 minutes away. Here you can enjoy the boutiques, restaurants, bars, and nightlife that Tamarindo offers. The most famous Auto Mercado grocery store is located here and even a cinema will be ready in December.

In making my own family’s move to the area our first priority was actually based on the quality and availability of schools for our children, the find of the community and lifestyle at Pinilla was an incredible bonus after the fact. The area is lucky to boast some of the best schools in the country and its diverse options cater for the diverse community.

From, La Paz offers a fully accredited IB, International Baccalaureate program to the very popular CRIA, united states accredited college, and even a thriving Waldorf school, the options really reflect the success of the region and diversity of the community. In any class of 15 children, it’s not uncommon to find up to 10 nationalities all growing, learning and thriving together, that alone is the highlight of our families journey. These schools have private buses that will pick up the kids right from the communities entrance.

With a fully servicing domestic airport right here in Tamarindo and one of the countries only 2 international airports just an hour away in Liberia, it is the perfect location and gateway for both tourists and residents.

A highly regarded fully servicing private hospital here in Liberia rounded out and ticked all the boxes needed.

If you ask my wife Life at Hacienda Pinilla is simple, safe and relaxed, if you ask me life at Hacienda Pinilla is simple safe and nonstop adventure, the way Costa Rica is supposed to be!

Playa Flamingo hosted a prestigious fishing tournament the last weekend in July, The Presidential Challenge. The Presidential Challenge is the premier sportfishing circuit of the Americas, and is dedicated to the conservation and protection of billfish and inshore gamefish. Flamingo hosts this fishing tournament yearly.

Playa Flamingo, located in Guanacaste in the North Pacific, has long been known for its sports fishing. It’s is one of the best places in the world to fish and anglers come from all over the just to fish the waters of the North Pacific. The Catalina Islands are one of the best areas fish and are about 40 miles offshore. Being offshore this far you will certainly see schools of dolphin swimming around your boat and you
might even see a whale!

Because of the amazing fishing here, you will find many highly qualified captains to navigate these waters and have you coming home with a catch! Some of the best boats out there are JJ Boating and the Wetass II. The Wetass II won the completion and beat out 14 other boats with 52 anglers. Many of these boats came from other marina’s throughout Costa Rica but it was the hometown Flamingo boat to win
this Competition. This was an awesome event and just another reason why Flamingo is so special.

What is exciting about being in Flamingo now is there is a new marina to be built soon. With the new marina coming real estate will be at a premium. It is already known as the “Beverly Hills of Costa Rica,” so this new marina will be great for this area and all are excited to see it happening.

At Properties in Costa Rica, we are thrilled that you choose our country for your next adventure, so if you don’t mind sharing pictures from your future trip with us, just tag us on Instagram or Facebook,@propertiesincostarica and don’t forget to use the hashtag #propertiesincostarica. See you soon!