Posts tagged Tamarindo
Costa Rica Adventure Tours
Nov 10th
One of the real strengths of Costa Rica as a vacation destination is just how good it is at doing action and adventure-type getaways. Costa Rica adventure tours are available virtually everywhere though in general there are two rules to consider.
Firstly, it is generally safest to book Costa Rica adventure tours through the hotel you are staying at if they offer such a service because it helps to protect you should anything go wrong. Speak to others who have been to Costa Rica and you will likely hear a number of stories of innocent tourists like you signing up for an adventure tour, paying their money in advance (which can come to several hundred dollars depending on what you want to do) and then being left high and try as a dodgy tout suddenly disappears and leaves you with nothing.
By booking through your hotel you can be reasonably sure that the adventure tour operators are legitimate because any problems in the past will hopefully have been ironed out by previous guests. For a further level of protection, Costa Rica is full of tourists, particularly in high season (January to April) so don’t be afraid to ask for advice from others by going into bars or restaurants and asking where people are staying, what trips they’ve done and what they would recommend.
I spoke to several American tourists while I was there and did my best to point them in the right directions.
The other thing to bear in mind about Costa Rica adventure tours is that the selection available is likely to be much, much wider in a more tourist driven area than a quieter, country area.
For example, Arenal is awash with adventure tour companies offering just about anything under the sun while some quiet, seaside areas might offer virtually nothing as the few tourists they do get are happy to just lounge on the beach.
Arenal, Monte Verde, Jaco, Tamarindo and so on, as the more tourist-driven areas, are the places to head to for adventure!
So what sorts of activities are available to you in Costa Rica?
Zip Lines – Long cables slung through rain forest along which you fly. Some of these cables are amazing. You end one on a platform in a tree, reattach yourself to the next one and off you go through the treetops again. It’s great fun and a fantastic way to see the rain forest from a different perspective but isn’t cheap – and isn’t for those scared of heights!
Rapelling – Think along the lines of abseiling down waterfalls. Yes, it is that mad. You will get soaked. It’s dangerous. But it’s also great fun. Make sure you have a complete change of clothes for the next day – too many people I met had got their only pair of shoes soaked and either had to wear them wet or try wearing flip flops the next day when trying to rock climb or something.
Rafting – There are several good-sized rivers in Costa Rica on which you and a small team of other adventure seekers can raft down in inflatable boats. Again, expect to get very, very wet.
Hanging Bridges – Possibly a little more sedate, these bridges are slung between trees but have high sides and are safe for people of all ages to walk across. You can actually look down on birds and monkeys in the canopy which is really nice and is something the whole family can do together.
Where to Look For Property in Costa Rica
Nov 6th
The most successful investors in Costa Rica start their research by clarifying their investment goals. It makes sense to follow their lead. If you’re interested in Costa Rica as an investment destination start by asking yourself whether you’re looking for a speculative opportunity with the potential for quick capital appreciation or are interested in a safer investment? Is it a retirement home with access to services you can enjoy immediately what you are after? Do you want to rent out the property in the short term? Are you willing to purchase off-plan? The answers to these kinds of questions will help you decide which area to focus on.
Not all ‘purchasing destinations’ in Costa Rica will offer the same risk/reward profile. In this article we define three categories to help you zero in on the area that fits your goals.
1) Established areas with mature infrastructure and services
The Central Valley close to the capital of San Jose has emerged as one of Costa Rica’s most established second home markets. Most investors here are seeking a ‘lifestyle buy’ – a property they can enjoy immediately. The area is well served with infrastructure, amenities (such as golf courses, spots clubs, national parks) and services and is arguably the most cosmopolitan part of the county. The recent upgrade of the road from San Jose to the Jaco beach area has increased the accessibility of the area to the coast.
2) Hot tourism areas
Real estate investors often look at tourism visitor numbers as an indicator of the strength of a property market. They know that some of Costa Rica’s top tourism spots have evolved into important real estate purchasing areas. Places like Tamarindo and Flamingo in Guanacaste and Jaco beach in Puntarenas started out as vacation spot (often first discovered by surfers) and quickly developed vibrant real estate markets.
3) Newly emerging areas
Recent years have seen investors seek out newly emerging areas for ‘early in’ real estate investments. These areas tend to be lower priced than their more established counterparts and it’s possible to get a foothold early, before the water cooler investors take notice. The southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and the Caribbean zone around the port city of Limon are starting to attract more interest from investors and are slowly emerging onto the real estate map.
Whether you are seeking a location ‘in the path of progress’ or an established second home destination, Costa Rica has opportunities for you to consider. And the good news is that it is currently a buyers market in Costa Rica. Buyers have more leverage than they have in years and sellers are motivated. The upshot: There are great deals to be had if you negotiate hard enough.
