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Central Pacific Real Estate in Costa Rica |
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Edited by
Kenneth R. Saborio |
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Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
The Central
Pacific nestles some of the most beautiful
beaches in Costa Rica. Playa Herradura,
Jaco Beach, and Hermosa are the most popular.
Jaco Beach boasts a thriving and lively
real estate growth. Residential and commercial
property in various Central Pacific locations
including Quepos and Manuel Antonio is selling
rapidly.
Central Pacific Real Estate
Located in between Jaco and Quepos, Playa
Esterillos and Bejuco Beach are the newest
locations of interest among real estate
buyers in Costa Rica. Playa Matapalo is
also a popular location. The Central Pacific
offers a fabulous atmosphere.
Manuel Antonio is the most visited National
Park in Costa Rica and nightlife at Jaco
is absorbing and thrilling. South of Jaco,
Playa Hermosa is known as a surfer's paradise.
Playa Herradura with an 18-hole golf course
and marina is attracting a wealthy retiree
crowd to the Central Pacific.
About The Central Pacific
Costa Rica's mid Pacific coast ranges over
500 miles from the top of Puntarenas to
the Panama frontier. This expanse of coast
line varies from bustling port cities welcoming
cruise and cargo ships, to wide, white beaches
with powerful waves -long favorites of the
surfing crowd- to jewel like half moon coves
like Manuel Antonio. Visitors can find enough
options to spend their entire vacation in
the region, even if the activity of choice
is meditating in the sun.
A full spectrum of beaches and picturesque
can be encountered along the coast, with
varying degrees of development. Towns can
range from stretches of beachfront property
with extensive choices of hotels, restaurants
and tourist activity, to nearly deserted
beaches containing a cabin or two. Due to
its ecological significance as a transition
zone between Guanacaste's tropical lowlands
and the more verdant pacific coast, this
region boasts both national and private
protected areas.
The region starts in the city of Puntarenas,
a narrow finger of land jutting into the
Golfo de Nicoya. In the 19th century this
port city served the entire country, but
as development increased and Puerto Limon
was established on the Caribbean coast,
Puntarenas gained more significance as the
closest beach area of the Central Valley.
Several hotels and resorts still draw busy
Costa Ricans for a quick and easy weekend
at the beach.
Nearby Puerto Caldera now provides the pacific
coast with its port city. Several cruise
lines harbor there en route to the Panama
Canal, allowing their passengers to enjoy
various exciting day trips along the coast
or further a field. Visitors traveling in
this manner can now plan trips across Costa
Rica and rejoin their ships a few days later
in Puerto Limon. Cargo ships from Central
America and all over the world unload goods
and take on shipments of Costa Rican products.
Differing from the sport fishing that takes
place further down the coast, this area
is a hub of the fishing industry and numerous
restaurants offer the fresh and delicious
fare.
A drive to the pacific coast brings visitors
to bridge over the Rio Grande de Tarcoles.
Whether in a rental car, or with a tour
bus, make sure to stop in the other side
and view the numerous American Crocodiles
nearly always found sunning on the banks.
These creatures range in size, but it wouldn't
be unusual to spot an extended family of
10 to 12 foot giants lazing around the water's
edge.
The transitional nature of the region is
exemplified beautifully in this private
reserve. One of the closest wildlife observation
spots to the Central Valley, this 11,600
acre reserve is home to species common to
both dry lowlands and the humid southern
coast, several of the endangered. In fact,
one of the largest populations of scarlet
macaws in Costa Rica finds sanctuary in
this reserve. The largest species in the
parrot family, these brilliantly flamboyant
family creatures migrate at dusk from the
Carara forest to the swampy mangroves, providing
a nightly, display for visitors. Only certain
trails are open to tourists, but professional
guides -some of whom have spearheaded programs
to increase the macaw population-
are available to hike in restricted areas.
Insect repellent, sun hats and binoculars
are recommended.
Jaco beach is one of the closest towns along
the mid-Pacific coast to San Jose. This
laid-back area provides a large range of
options for accommodations, within nearly
any budget.
Activities, both on and off the water are
abundant, including horseback riding, fishing
and kayaking. Instructors are available
for many of the water sports, and visitors
often find themselves paddling along side
of manta ray or dolphin. Of course, surfing
still reins supreme in Jaco, as the waves
in the area are said to be among the best
in the country, while the town offers many
activities for when the sun goes down.
Much of Costa Rica's advertising is done
"word of mouth", and many visitors wax poetic
about the picture post-card views of Manuel
Antonio. Visitors enter the area through
the fishing village of Quepos, where sport
fishing enthusiasts from all over the world
come to try their luck for sailfish, marlin
or tuna, among others. Once a banana - exporting
town, Quepos has recovered nicely by means
of tourism, with a multitude of first rate
restaurants and quite a few choices of hotels.
Nearby Isla Damas provides an important
destination for those interested in experiencing
the incredible wildlife that Costa Rica
has to offer. Whether by gently kayaking
along with a guide or hopping a safari boat,
a trip through the beautiful estuaries and
mangrove forests will provide up close viewing
of monkeys, sloths, marine birds and reptiles.
There's even a floating restaurant on the
estuary where visitors can enjoy a typical
lunch while comparing notes about the day's
animal count.
Just up hill from Quepos is the village
of Manuel Antonio. A seven kilometer road
winds up the slope, passing many small elegant
hotels in a variety of price ranges. Owned
by tropics-lovers of many nationalities,
these hotels offer many options of style
and level of seclusion. Several provide
their guests with Breath taking Ocean views,
with amenities such as " infinity pools"
and Jacuzzi's in which to enjoy the sunset
in style. Manuel Antonio National Park,
one of the smallest, yet most visited in
the country, remains one of the remaining
Habitats of the mono titi-or squirrel monkey.
But to the forest corridor that still remains
into the hills outside the park, these and
the other 3 species of monkey found in Cost
Rica -the howler, white faced and
spider monkeys- all often can be sighted
poolside from your hotel. In fact, sometimes
guests can be heard laughing about their
early wake ~ up call courtesy of their neighborhood
howler alpha male!
Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the
gems of the country's protected areas. To
one side, the beautiful blue waters of the
Pacific, to the other, and flank white sand
beaches the 600-plus hectares of rainforest.
Trails lead along the seaside section of
the park, including one that leads to the
unique "tombolo" formation of Cathedral
Point. A "tombolo" is an island that become
connected to the mainland by a neck of land,
formed by sand deposits over thousands of
years. The picturesque view has become one
reason Manuel Antonio has such year round
visitation. The fact that the park includes
one of the best snorkeling beaches found
on the mid-Pacific coast, as well as over
100 species each of mammals and birds only
adds to its popularity!
Travel Tips
Take the highway out of San Jose to the
west toward Alajuela. You'll exit into highway
34, which will swing to the south and on
down toward the coast. From there, you'll
follow the coast road to the east. If planning
on heading across the Golfo de Nicoya, go
to Puntarenas for the ferry. Flights are
also available to the mid-Pacific town of
Quepos, as well as Playa Tambor on the Peninsula
de Nicoya.
Climate
Temperatures hover in the eighties in this
tropical area. During the rainy season.
May through November, the climate gets very
humid but lends to the tropical atmosphere
as well as often bringing the temperatures
down a bit.
What to bring
With the humidity come the mosquitoes. Be
sure to bring along insect repellent as
well as soothing aloe lotion to relieve
the itching. When hiking, avoid perfume
and fragrant shampoos, this only attracts
biting insects. As with other areas of Costa
Rica, a hat, sunglasses and sun block are
wise choices. Lightweight cotton clothing,
sturdy hiking shoes for trails, as a rain
poncho and snorkeling equipment are all
you should need for this area.
Things to do
- Birdwatching
- Fishing
- Diving
- Snorkeling
- Walking
- Rafting
- Horseback Riding
- Swimming
- Surfing
Places to go
Isla Tortuga - Located off the coast of
Puntarenas, this privately owned island
has pristine beaches and nature trails.
Carara Biological Reserve - Located where
the dry and moist ecosystems converge, this
reserve is home to monkeys, crocodiles and
other wildlife. Guided hikes are available.
Manuel Antonio National Park- Dry tropical
forest with wildlife, nature trails and
beaches.
Isla Damas - Protected estuaries and mangrove
forests. Great spot for kayaking.
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Costa Rica Specials
LEADER Realty
Phone/Fax: (506) 2226 6483
P.O. Box: 4766-1000 San Jose
E-mail: intercomcr@live.com
Barrio Vasconia, San Jose
Costa Rica
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