Properties in Costa Rica Blog

As one of the most biologically intense countries in the world, Costa Rica has long been known for attracting people craving a more self-sufficient way of life. As one of the first countries in the world to be 100% powered by renewables, it serves as a mecca for those seeking to live in harmony with nature. The natural environment and climate is conducive to a sustainable lifestyle. Year after year people who want to grow their own food, be energy independent and have their own independent water supply move here. This trend shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon either.

From farms to eco-retreats to to permaculture to micro farms, there is a large, enthusiastic, committed community for sustainable living and green design here. The country is known for its eco-tourism, and it’s a major industry for this small country. As a country, Costa Rica was the first in the world to run 100% on renewables. What this trend reflects is a desire among the locals as well as incoming expats to simplify their lives. It’s about downsizing, simplifying in style, and living in harmony with nature. People crave a high quality life at a slower pace and Costa Rica delivers on that desire. The country’s commitment to the environment and protecting biodiversity means it supports the sustainable lifestyle new residents seek.

Costa Rica’s climate makes it conducive to living sustainably and the year round near perfect weather simplifies energy needs because the country does not experience large fluctuations in temperatures throughout the year. In addition, the climate also supports year round agriculture, which makes it easy for locals to grow and produce much of their own food. There is a lot of rich land available, and the relatively young housing stock means that homes tend to be simple yet built with current materials, and can easily be adapted.

Self-sufficiency is part of the culture. People purchasing property and homes here want to take more control of their lives and be able to manage their resources for a number of reasons. For some it’s simply about reducing cost of living, and for others, it’s forged through a deep commitment to living a more sustainable lifestyle, and for others, it’s about a lifestyle choice that allows for more independence. The available housing inventory offers plenty of attractive options for those seeking partial self-sufficiency to those seeking 100% self-sufficiency.

The fact remains there are a number of issues attracting North Americans and Europeans to Costa Rica. Self-sufficiency is a rich part of the culture and history; it’s not an idea people are struggling to grasp and adapt to as is the case for much of North America.These expats seek a simpler more balanced life, and Costa Rica is conducive to a self-sufficient lifestyle. It’s a top international destination when it comes to living a sustainably and finding a home to achieve that goal.

Nature is the remedy for emotional, spiritual and physical well being. The more time we spend in nature, the better our health and overall disposition. It balances us. Urban environments tend to be hectic and stress filled. When people get an opportunity to step away, it provides a much needed time to rest and recharge. As we become more aware of the importance of green space to our health, many cities have invested in creating more open spaces for their residents.

Costa Rica has a long established reputation for being a place that is very much about nature. Here people are able to connect with nature daily. This factor may be one of the main reasons Costa Ricans tend to be in good health, experience lower stress and anxiety levels as well as a long life expectancy. The average life expectancy is 79.4 years. Spending time in nature recharges the soul and mind while energizing the body. It builds strength and resilience, and helps people to remain centered and balanced.

Whether it’s a walk in a park, strolling the beach or hiking through the forest, spending time in nature improves every aspect of our health, and has even been scientifically proven to benefit our brain chemistry. There’s something about nature that positively impacts our physiology. It’s been proven people who live in urban environments have higher levels of anxiety and depression than those who live in more natural settings. Nature is good for our overall mental health.

We also know that when we exercise outdoors instead of inside, physically we get more Vitamin D, which is a nutrient many people in the western world are deficient in. This deficiency leads to chronic health problems. Part of the problem we face in our current age is that our reliance on technology and addiction to devices means people spend less time outdoors and in nature and more times on their screens. Science shows us that this is neither good for our physical nor mental health. Too much screen time leads to social isolation and poor health.

When we spend time in nature with people it helps us strengthen our relationships too. Modern life is filled with distractions and when we get a chance to be outdoors with family and friends, it provides the vital time needed to connect and form strong intimate bonds with the people we care about. Technology and media is pervasive in every area of our life and finding time to be quiet and reflect is critical to our overall health. Spending time with nature solo gives us time to check in with ourselves and see how we are doing. It has a tendency to boast our overall mood too.

Making time to get outdoors will improve every aspect of your health. It builds physical and mental strength, lifts your mood and provides much needed time to restore balance. It’s one of the big factors in ensuring you life a happy, long life.

Dramatic volcanoes and mountainous ranges, national parks, lush green rainforests and proximity to San Jose, makes Costa Rica’s Central Valley one of the most desirable regions in the country. Here a cosmopolitan flair meets a laid back environmentally conscious sensibility. The Central Valley has grown to be a blend of cultures dating back to the original indigenous settlers and now absorbing the expats from North America and Europe to create an international melting pot of world cultures.

The region offers world-class medical care, excellent schools such as the Country Day School, cultural activities, the modern conveniences of restaurants and shops. The area has undergone careful sustainable development to create an inviting 21st Century environment complete with reliable high-speed wireless that is also ecologically sound. The Central Valley represents a pleasant anomaly that is highly desirable to many people.

San Jose forms the epicenter of the Central Valley. As Costa Rica’s capital, it is the urban center and the cultural and business pulse of the country. It’s also where you will find the best medical care in the country. These factors make the area very attractive to business people, as well as expats living and working in Costa Rica. Here you have the cultural charm, laid back lifestyle, commitment to sustainability coupled with a cosmopolitan vibe and 21st Century infrastructure and amenities. People are well-educated and aware of their environment here.

Neighboring Santa Ana and Escazu are two of the poshest neighborhoods in Costa Rica. Escazu is frequently referred to as the “Beverly Hills” of Costa Rica. These are the swanky areas in the Central Valley with many cultural activities as well as upscale shops, boutiques, and restaurants. These towns cater to a mixture of Ticos and expats living in the area and tends to be international. They are cosmopolitan, charming and offer easy access to downtown San Jose, top medical care and some of Costa Rica’s finest schools.

There are also neighboring colonial towns of Heredia, Alajuela, and Cartago. These places are deeply rooted in Costa Rica’s cultural history dating back to the 16th Century. As the oldest settlements in the country, part of their charm resides in the colonial architecture and traditional town planning. These are very attractive pleasant communities that offer a slower pace of life while still being close to the buzz and action of San Jose.

Alajuela is a pleasant escape from the hustle and bustle of San Jose. The central market, with fresh produce, fish, and meats, is a popular local meeting spot on Saturdays. This small city is in driving distance to the world-famous Arenal Volcano and Monteverde Forest Reserve. Also nearby is the Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve, which is filled with splendid orchids and rich vegetation.

Cartago was Costa Rica’s first capital and one of the oldest communities in Costa Rica. It was the capital until 1823. It’s famous for its grand gray and white Byzantine church, the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de Los Angles, which is home to the famous Black Madonna statue who is Costa Rica’s patron Saint. With rich soil, Cartago is a major producer of milk, potatoes, onions and coffee. The Reventazon River runs through the town too. It is also home to the well-respected Costa Rica Institute of Technology.

Heredia is the smallest Costa Rica providence, and it’s also the most authentic. There are few places that can really match the traditional charm of this town. Referred to as the “City of Flowers,” there’s an abundance of orchids, and it’s surrounded by coffee plantations. In the middle of the town, there is a Central Park, which acts as a meeting place. Here you will find the famous Costa Rica church, the Basilica de Barva. It’s also close to the Barva Volcano in Braulio Carrillo National Park.

These are just a few of the defining places in Costa Rica’s Central Valley. They form much of the core of the country’s cultural heritage. By successfully preserving the past while adapting to the needs of the present and future, these towns create pleasant, stable environments anchored in the country’s rich and diverse cultural history.

Rainy season is approaching Costa Rica, which signals time to slowdown and take a break from sun filled days. Towns slows down from the seasonal tourist swell. It’s actually a great time of year to be in Costa Rica. Marking a time when you can really rest. With the afternoon showers, the green becomes even greener during the rainy season, and the weather a little cooler.

Costa Rica’s seasons are divided between the wet and dry seasons. May through November mark rainy season, and the time to kick back. January, December and November are the coolest months. A tropical country because of its close proximity to the equator, Costa Rica has no real winter, and the sun shines here throughout the year. The rainy season is a welcomed break for most people from the sun struck days.

Traveling during the rainy season also means lower prices and deeper discounts because it is less popular. People who own vacation rentals usually choose this time of year to take a break from renting their home to take advantage of the property for their own personal use. Prices can be 10% to 40% lower during the rainy season. While this time of year sees more frequent storms, for the most part, rainy season means an afternoon shower. Against the backdrop of the magical forests and mountains, it is a lovely time of year. There are still visitors but the population does not swell the way it does in December and January and then again during the spring break in March.

Expect the mornings and early afternoons to be sunny with rain hitting near the late afternoon and early evening sometimes continuing overnight. The rain brings a welcomed transitioned from the near perfect weather this country offers. There is no real summer in Costa Rica. March through May actually mark the hottest months. About 100 inches of rain fall each year with some mountainous areas getting as much as 25 feet of rainfall. It’s wet here. It’s also when the sea turtles come in to nest in large numbers, which is perhaps one of the most magical experiences you can have.

For the most part it rains at the same time everyday, making planning outdoor activities easy. Many take advantage of being outdoor in the morning and early afternoon and then returning indoors during the late afternoon. For many the lack of crowds makes this the best time to visit and take advantage of all the outdoor opportunities. Rivers run higher, the rainforest becomes a little more mystical, and the dry-forests of Guanacaste turn green and lush.

According to a new study by Columbia University and Yale University Costa Rica has ranked the 5th greenest country on the planet. The study revealed almost all countries on Earth and Costa Rica was the only country in the America’s to rank in the top 10. The other countries that made up the first 5 were Austria, France, Sweden, and Norway.

It seems like everytime we stop and look Costa Rica is coming out in a new study ranked as the happiest, the greenest, and who knows what is next. Being the happiest and the greenest country can be related if you take a deeper look at the equation and the studies. The more time you spend in nature and the more attention you give to protecting your surroundings the happier of a place you will have created for your society.

If you are looking to invest in Real Estate it seems like a no-brainer as Costa Rica is becoming more and more of a spot to live a happy and environmentally friendly life-style.

Before the year of 2006 your options for drinking wine in Costa Rica were slim to none. If you were not ready for the full cultural experience of Imperial or Guaro then your alcoholic beverage options might have been limited. Between the years of 2006 – 2008 the wine industry in Costa Rica grew by 30% and with most things in 2009 did not grow. In 2010 and 2011 there have been a 15% growth which means it is back on the rise. Wine is often a good indication of what the economy is like. If people are willing to spend on top bottles of wine from all over the world then there is a good chance they are living the good life.

ExpoVino which was held at Real Intercontinental was a display of your wine options in Costa Rica from all over the world. ExpoVino was a success for their third year. What they are noticing is that Ticos are becoming very educated and doing their research on different wines. Many Costa Rican’s drink wines from Chile due to the free trade agreement and the average spent on a bottle is about $10’s which is relatively cheap when talking about wine. This might be due to the fact that Costa Rican’s are new to the wine industry and with a few more years of experience and taste it is thought that they will begin to spend the extra money on finer wines. Keep an eye on the economy and keep an eye on what kind of whine you see being offered in places. CHEERS!

Today is the day the Costa Rica census will begin. There are 35,000 Costa Rican’s making their rounds to over 1,300,000 different homes. This census is going to update the last census which was done in the year 2000. This will be interesting as Costa Rica has seen much growth since the year 2000. The census will provide the government and population with some of the living conditions along with economic conditions of different households all over the country.

In just over 6 months we will know the new population of Costa Rica along with an interesting number of how many foreigners are now calling Costa Rica home. This number of foreigners and retirees will be much higher than it was in the year 2000 and should be a good indicator of how many foreigners enjoy the retired life in Costa Rica.

It is a simple process as memebers mostly teachers will be making their rounds and doing a short interview. If nobody is home in your house then there will be a sheet left and you can fill out the paper with the information. All of the information stated will be private.

A census household is described by a household who share a common budget and prepare food. This will be valuable information for all businesses and government services throughout Costa Rica.

Properties in Costa Rica
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Source: La Nacion