Posts tagged Leaps And Bounds
Costa Rica Homes Still Offer Affordable Luxury in Paradise
Nov 6th
Costa Rica property values and homes have continued to climb in the past decade. Many Americans, Europeans and Canadians are looking for homes there and they are finding the natural beauty, the wonderful climate and inexpensive living that it has to offer.
The lure of Costa Rica for retirement is also growing by leaps and bounds and it has become a major destination of choice for many retirees. Besides the low property taxes and relatively low cost of housing and land, compared to the US, Costa Rica homes and land offers great long term investment potential at a very low risk, if any risk at all. Another tremendous attraction of Costa Rica is the amazing biodiversity all throughout the country. Over 25 percent of the entire country is protected area, due to a unique system that is in place to preserve the rain forests and wildlife. The Costa Rican government is probably one of the word’s most progressive and green-minded governments on the planet and we can all use to learn a lesson from their priorities in this area.
People travel to Costa Rica for many reasons. There is a very big tourist trade and it attracts all kinds of people from all over the world from retired couples seeking an affordable place in a tropical paradise to the eco-tourists who seek an adventure in a rich and bio-diverse environment. There is actually more rain forest than there was 20 years ago thanks to the policies in place that encourage re-forestation. The southern part of the country, in particular, the Pacific coast has some of the world’s most incredibly beautiful pristine beaches. Many people are now discovering what the natives have known for decades and are visiting these majestic beaches that few outsiders have ever got to see.
A new airport opening up in the southern Pacific area will also lead to greater convenience and ease of travel to the south as well as increased property values to those savvy investors who purchase homes and properties in the next few years.
Costa Rica – San Jose and Tamarindo
Nov 3rd
Over the last ten years, the reputation of Costa Rica as a travel destination has grown leaps and bounds. Good places to visit include San Jose and Tamarindo.
Costa Rica
Located in Central America, Costa Rica is a country with a lot to offer. The country is unique because the costal areas present some of the nicest beaches in the world, while a few hours inland you can find towering mountains with volcanoes, pristine rivers for white knuckle rafting and a rain forest par excellence. Costa Rica is a hot bed of ecosystems and I won’t even try to describe it. Just pull up some pictures on the net and you’ll get the idea.
The people of the country, Ticos, are exceedingly friendly and you’ll find more than a few ex-pats populating the country. With no military, Costa Rica has invested heavily in education and has the highest literacy rate in the Americas. Yes, the rate is higher than the United States.
San Jose
San Jose is really the only big city in Costa Rica. Located in the center of the country, the city has taken a beating over the years from the occasional earthquake. You’ll understand when you visit. The city is surrounded by mountain ranges populated with a number of volcanoes. Every so often, this combination of geography leads a good shaking.
For a city in Central America, San Jose is surprisingly organized and lively. You can spend an evening in the cafes or just walking about. Crime isn’t much of a problem. There isn’t much to see per se, but this is where most of the international flights land. In traversing the country, you can expect to pass through San Jose a few times, so enjoy yourself.
Tamarindo
Not long ago, Tamarindo was a quiet little beach community on the western coast of Costa Rica. Over the last 15 years, the town has become a hot spot for ex-pats with accompanying development not far behind. Although some of the luster is gone, Tamarindo is still worth a visit if for no other reason than to compare it to the rest of Costa Rica.
Tamarindo is as good a place as any to experience Costa Rica beaches if you need a little civilization. The beaches are clean and tranquil, but lined with cafes, restaurants and hotels. The water is warm and good surfing can be found in certain locations. To the north, one can occasionally see rare sea turtles laying eggs on the beaches late at night. Unfortunately, turtle watching has become such a rage that you may be standing with a lot of people. There is definitely a voyeuristic feel to it and one can help but feeling sorry for the turtles.
If you’ve never been to Tamarindo, you’ll love it. If you’ve visited in the past, you might be disappointed with the development.
