Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna and Sunset Tours

The small town of La Fortuna, Costa Rica is the main gateway to the Arenal Volcano. Despite it's tourist boom, La Fortuna still serves as a regional agricultural center, with strong ties to the local beef cattle economy. Pineapple and papaya are the most popular crops, most of which are exported to US.

The town is bustling with tourists, here to see the mightly Arenal Volcano's eruptions and experience the many adventure outdoor activities.

Best place to catch one of these tours is Sunset Tours conveniently located on the town square.
You can pick from horseback riding, river rafting, hiking around the base of the volcano, rainforest expeditions, canopy tours, sky tram, visit a self sustaining organic farm, visit an indigenous indian village, bird watching, river floats to view allegators, monkeys, and water fowl. And much much more. Plus it is a photographers paradise.

How many days should a tourist stay in this area of La Fortuna? I recommend a minimum of 3 nights. I stayed seven nights and did not run out of things to see and do.

La Fortuna offers small hotels that are for the budget minded. And local restaurants offering typical Costa Rican dishes, lots of small shops to pick up local souvenirs and T shirts.

Thinking about Retiring in Costa Rica

If you are considering retirement in Costa Rica, the first question you ask yourself is: Where do I Live-What area would I feel good about to purchase Real Estate or to rent a house or apartment?

The central valley is the most popular for many reasons: 1. Geographically it is a valley, surrounded by mountains, and because the elevation is around 3,000 feet above sea level-the weather is cool and spring like all year round. 2. its rich in culture, and 3. economic activities dominate the scene.

San Jose, the capital city is located here. It is the center of the Federal government and it is home to dozens of upscale hotels and restaurants, museums, and tree lined parks. Also, the city is buzzing with business activity.

The National Theatre, a copy of the beautiful Paris Opera house is the center piece of cultural life. Most every week-end Costa Ricans flock here to experience opera, theater, ballet, and pop concerts.

Most foreigners choose not to live in the central part of San Jose, due to the noise and pollution from hundreds of vehicles. Also crime is a consideration.

The suburbs of Escazu and Santa Ana as well as Heredia are very popular spots for retirees to settle. There are beautiful homes, condos, and apartments to choose from and lots of English speaking expatriots to make friends with, and so many social clubs and activities one cannot possibably become involved in all of them. Shopping is like living in the USA..Pricemart, Office max, ...etc. Grocery stores like Auto Mercado carry prodoucts from US.

If you want to get "away from the crowd" you can settle in Grecia or Atenas, smaller towns or "villages" where life is much simpler. Many North American have settled here and love the quiet. The Ticos (local Costa Ricans) are easy going, hepful, and welcome new English speaking
neighbors.

The beaches of Costa Rica are beautiful with tropical settings and blue waters. But you have to be the type of person who really wants the "beach life style" The beaches are not very accessible by car from San Jose and the central valley, because the roads are not in good repair. North American products are not found in the grocery stores in the rural beach areas, and large shopping malls, movie theatres, and fast food restaurants are not found either. Quiet unlike beach resorts in the US.
However if you are a golfer..you can find gorgeous golf courses on many of the upscale properties along the Northern and Central Pacific coasts.

The south part of Costa Rica is still a bit unexplored. Property costs less to purchase here, but again you are "off the beaten path". But some people like that and are up for the adventure of setting in this "new frontier"

Retiring in Costa Rica, Considerations When Purchasing Real Estate

Are you thinking of retiring in Costa Rica?

Considerations: What area of the country should I look into for purchasing real estate? Most people relocate to the central valley (which is the area of San Jose, the capital city and its suburbs of Santa Ana and Escazu...Also, Alajuela where international airport is located and the smaller mountainside towns of Heredia, Grecia, Atenas.

There are many reasons to choose these areas. First, you can be close to the major shopping..the Auto mercados which are the American grocery stores, Mas Por Menus Costa Rican style large grocery stores, and the large malls (just like the ones we have in the USA) The largest and nicest one is located in Escazu. Here are the best international restaurants as well as the Mc Donalds and other American fast food chains. Plus there is ample entertainment such as movie theatres, night clubs and other social clubs where all speak English. Then there is the travel clubs, golf and tennis clubs, and much more.

Second: the climate is nice..mild and cool. How cool depends on how high the altitude is where you live. Average year round temperature is around 72-75 degrees F. You dont need heating or air conditioning and this saves you a lot of money.
You probably want to be where you can meet and make new friends (and there are a large number of English speaking people living in these areas. They love to socialize and have formed numerous clubs just for that purpose. Tico Times (English language newspaper list all of these in it's weekly publication)

Third: There are plenty of homes or condos to rent in these areas. Also if you plan to buy or build you will find many options. Just find a reputable real estate agent and spend as much time as you need looking around. Don't rush!

Locating on the beach: This is more expensive and the weather is much warmer. You need air conditioning. Plus you are not near the large grocery stores so products are limited and are more expensive due to transporation costs. No movie theatres, etc. If you play a lot of golf, you can find a course on most of the beaches on the Northern and Central Pacific beaches. One thing to keep in mind, the drive from the beaches into the cental valley area is not easy..many of hte roads are in poor repair and it can takes hours, and on week-ends and holidays the roads are very congested.

Costa Rica Real Estate Choose an Attorney Carefully

Buying Real estate in Costa Rica: Choosing an attorney

Very important! First he or she should speak English and speak it well. And get references..not one but several.

Ask up front for the fees.. what do they consist of and how much? Get this in writing before going ahead with the deal.

Does he or she have ample experience in real estate law?

Don't pay any attorney fees until the deal is closed!

Buying Realestate in Costa Rica : How Do I Know if the Price is Right?

How do I know what is the right price to pay for a house in Costa Rica?

Things work very different in Costa Rica. And determining the correct price to pay for a house or land is not easy. You cannot find in a tax office or the public real estate register the price paid for a given house. And believe me there is massive speculation going on in Costa Rica in property prices! I built a house and hired a master carpenter to oversee the construction..the over all experience was stressful and the house cost me 30% more that I had anticipated. I wish I could have bought a house already built. But every time I made an offer on a house, the Tico owners kept raising the price so I just gave up.

So you must approach this endeavor of buying a house in Costa Rica with much caution and a lot of time.
I think the best overall thing to do is first decide on what area of the country you want to live. Then search out the most reputable realestate broker in the area. Get several references on him.
Talk to other American or foreigners who live in the area and get their input as to prices, etc.
Many people call themselves real estate salespeople but have not experience nor are they experts. Costa Rica law does not require a real estate license to sell realestate.
And there is no such thing as multiple listings.
So really you are wondering around in a deep ocean trying to stay afloat.

Everything in Costa Rica is "negotiable." even the rent you would pay for a house or apartment. so that means you can negotiate the commission paid to your broker, if he sells you land or a house.   (standard in Costa Rica is 5%) but if he asks more just negotiate...or he might even take less than 5%.

Ask the attorney you choose (he should speak English) what his fees are going to be (up front) so there are no unpleasant surprises.   Attorney's fees for closing a real estate deal are high so check all this out first!

There are no zoning laws (in general) in Costa Rica so you could find a half million dollar house next to a shack. (Although the very expensive home would probably be surround by a tall wall so you cannot see inside the property from the road.

Yes, one can become enchanted with the beautiful natural beauty and climate of this country and forget that things just do not run like back home. So rent for awhile and take all the time you need to check out that area you think might be your shangri la.

Buying Real Estate in Costa Rica

If you are thinking about buying a home or a lot to build in Costa Rica? I have done it and I can give you very valuable advice.
If you are not very familiar with Costa Rica and its diverse climates and locations to live : first rent a place for 6 months or even better for one year. This will allow you to familiarize yourself with what the different areas offer: 1. climate 2. close proximity to all kinds of shopping 3. location..it is mountains or is it beach. Do other foreigners live there , and if not do you want to learn Spanish ( if you don't already speak) The language will enable you to integrate into the community and make new friends.

Property prices are higher if you are a North American (the Ticos simply raise the price for foreigners) because they think we have more money.
Options to Consider: 1. Hire a Tico to look for the property and get him to negotiate a Tico price.
2. Use a reputable real estate company ...but first, get several references before using the agent.
3. Ask other North Americans about prices they paid, this will give you some general idea of prices in a given area.
4. But, as I said rent first and then take your time and do a lot of investigation.     5. Never pay the first price quoted, which is usually very high. Negotiate until you feel you are paying a reasonable price.

I recommend buying a house already built since building in Costa Rica is not cheap, ( similar price as in the USA) esp if you use a building contractor...This experience could cause your enchantment with the country to quickly sour.

Beach properties are very expensive...like Fla. or California and often the roads leading to them are in very poor repair and many times there is little shopping options near by.

Keep in mind that the climate on the beach is hot and in the mountains it is much fresher and cooler (depending on the elevation).

You will not want to leave your house alone when you go on a vacation: so I highly recommend that you buy in a gated community where there is a 24 hour guard.  Or hire someone to live on your property at all times to keep watch.
Theft is common and thieves are constantly looking for unoccupied houses with easy entry.

Do not confide in maids or gardners..since they could easily tell others when you are not going to be home or where valuables are stored.