Boomers In Costa Rica's Real Estate & More

A Little bit on Costa Rican Coffee

When you think of Costa Rica, you think of its year-round tropical climate, pristine beaches, stunning mountain ranges, mysterious rainforests and friendly, welcoming people.  However, coffee is an important part of the historical fabric of the country and remains one of Costa Rica’s top exports to the United States and other countries.  No trip here is complete without sampling coffee from several growing regions.  Costa Rican coffee also makes an inexpensive gift to bring home to friends and family and it fits easily in your carry-on bag!

It is hard to confirm the origin of coffee but the most common tale is about how an Ethiopian goat herder noticed his flock eating a red bean from glossy plants.  The goat herder tried one of the beans and quickly noticed he had extra energy for the next several hours.  He brought some beans to a monk who later boiled them into a liquid to drink.  From there, news of this “magical bean” spread throughout the world.

Whether the story of the Ethiopian goat herder is true or not, coffee eventually made its way to Costa Rica and cultivation of coffee began here in 1790.  Since then, a mature industry has developed and the country’s various blends can be found in stores and restaurants throughout the world. 

Today, coffee comes in two varieties, Robusta and Arabica.   Robusta coffee beans account for about 25% of the world’s coffee production.  The Robusta variety tends to be grown at lower altitudes and is prevalent in Asia.  While Robusta produces more beans per plant, with the end result being a less expensive product for consumers, it offers a harsher taste.  Arabica coffee accounts for 75% of world production and is grown at higher altitudes throughout Latin America, including Costa Rica.   The taste of Arabica coffee is much more refined than other species and is generally more appealing to most consumers.   The Arabica bean is harder and has a denser aroma.  At the turn of the 20th century, the Costa Rican government passed a law stating that only Arabica coffee could be grown in Costa Rica which differentiates this country from all others in the world. 

Costa Rican coffee is grown in several regions, generally in the Central Valley highlands outside of the capital of San Jose.  Costa Rica has many microclimates and due to the drastic change in altitude and climate over relatively short distances, the result can be differences in flavor in the end product.  Regions in Costa Rica famous for its coffee are Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Herediá, Alajuela, and Poas Volcano. 
Despite differences in climate, Costa Rican coffees are known more for their straightforward taste and appearance compared to more complex blends found in other countries.  With all of the “designer blends” available today, if it is a traditional cup of hearty Latin coffee that you want, Costa Rican coffee is the way to go.

The advent coffee production brought Costa Rica from a wild, tropical backwater to a more modern society with the profits from coffee going to support the development of towns, the opening of schools and medical facilities, and stronger links to the outside world.  Today, Costa Rica’s rich coffee history is remembered throughout the country in local celebrations and through a number of “coffee tours” in the Central Valley.
Don’t let your time in Costa Rica slip by without sampling some of the finest coffee in the world—and definitely bring some home with you!

To learn more about Costa Rica for retirement and investment, take a Boomers Tours!

For Retirement, Vacation Living or Investment: Finding a Nice Community in Costa Rica
By Andrew Mastrandonas & Preston Gitlin

 
Costa Rica is an alluring place for many people. With a terrific climate, stable and democratic government, proximity to the United States, lower cost of living, and many outdoor and cultural activities, it is no wonder this country only the size of West Virginia remains one of the best in the world for a vacation, retirement and investment. Over one million people visit Costa Rica each year generating about $1 billion in revenue for the country. Tourism surpassed coffee and bananas many years ago as the country’s top industry.

Foreigners, particularly North Americans, continue to visit Costa Rica in large numbers with many of them coming to explore retirement and real estate options. A quick search of “Costa Rica real estate” on Google reveals almost 2.8 million entries. Compare this to any other country on the Central American isthmus, and it’s clear that Costa Rica is first in activity related to real estate geared to foreigners. Since real estate sales are not regulated in Costa Rica—anyone can be a real estate agent or land developer—everyone seems to be involved in real estate in one way or another here. And, with the advent of the Internet, anyone can create a website and offer properties for sale. Usually Americans or Europeans, they seek out Costa Ricans with land or homes and put them on their websites. There are, of course, well known, established real estate companies like Century 21 and Coldwell Banker in Costa Rica as well.

People are finding these websites and doing much research through the Internet to explore various regions, view land and homes for sale, and make contact with real estate agents and others. After spending weeks and months doing research and finding people they think they can trust, they make the trip to Costa Rica, ready to purchase their dream property. When they finally arrive in Costa Rica, they oftentimes realize it is a much different place than they expected—sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. For example, they don’t realize from the stunning pictures they found on the Internet that the home of their dreams is next to an automobile repair shop. The stories go on and on. 

We find that if you do your homework first and then visit, you will likely be in better shape than others. Contacting developers by email, carefully reviewing their websites, talking with others who have brought property from them, and asking a wide range of questions about their properties will likely give you a good sense as to whether you should view a particularly property. Even with all of the research many people conduct, with a strong increase in real estate values year after year in Costa Rica, many people feel they must “get in now” in order to ensure they can afford it. With appropriate research, asking the right questions, and carefully thinking about what you want in terms of a living situation, you can find a property you will like, even during a short stay in Costa Rica.

Yes, it is true that property continues to appreciate in Costa Rica, and faster than in many other countries. Before long, the country will not likely offer many real estate bargains unless you want to live in very small towns far away from shopping, restaurants or good medical care. So, how can you “get in now” and avoid the mistakes many people make in purchasing real estate here?

Initially, take the time to get to know the country. Get to know a wide variety of people. Understand real estate values in a particular area by talking to many people including real estate agents, developers, foreigners living in the area, and even locals. Stay in several different towns and get to know each of them while being mindful of your needs for shopping, medical care, entertainment, real estate, and other issues.

It wouldn’t hurt to pick up some Spanish because learning directly from locals about new properties or getting real information from them about an area could prove much more valuable than hearing it from people who are in the business of trying to sell you something. Even if you speak just a little Spanish, “Ticos” will very much appreciate your efforts to communicate with them and oftentimes will go out of their way to help you.

There are also several “retirement tours” of Costa Rica that provide a multi-day trip through various parts of the country, introducing foreigners to specific towns that may be suitable for retirement or finding good quality and reasonably-priced properties. On many of these tours, you’ll meet others who have already made the move to Costa Rica and purchased property. You will also meet a wider variety of real estate agents and developers than you could probably do on your own. And, just by interacting with other tour guests, you’ll learn about what other people are thinking as they consider Costa Rica for retirement, partial-year living, or investment. 

Some of these tours will also introduce you to attorneys, architects, builders, and others who can be helpful to you as you consider buying land and building a home or purchasing an existing home. Take a look at their websites and determine if what the tour offers and the types of clients they serve seem to be geared to your lifestyle. Taking a tour is a convenient way to screen a range of properties quickly, meet experienced developers and learn about areas more quickly than you likely could do on your own. After you’ve taken a tour, definitely stay for several extra days, going back to the areas you liked on the tour or follow up with some of the people you met during the tour. Two of the more well-known tours in Costa Rica are: “Boomers in Costa Rica,” at http://www.boomersincostarica.com and “Live in Costa Rica,” at http://www.liveincostarica.com.

Whether you’ve spent time on your own or took a tour you may have discovered an area or property that may be right for you. What do you do then? What factors should you consider in determining if you should purchase a property? In other words, what makes a nice community for you to enjoy for many years to come while ensuring you feel you got good value through your purchase and can trust the seller of the property?

As in the United States and other countries, there are many resale homes of all types, sizes, ages, quality and prices so we won’t focus on homes, rather, we will look at purchasing land and building in a community as this is more typical for many foreigners who want to move to Costa Rica.

The development of communities geared to foreigners is by no means new to this country. It has been happening for well over a decade, particularly on the Pacific Coast and in the suburbs of the capital, San Jose. However, development continues to occur, with no end in sight. And, because in many cases, an investment in land is still relatively affordable to most developers and the profits can be significant, planned communities, or simply subdividing raw land into smaller parcels and selling them to foreigners, continues to occur frequently.

 A quick look at the various glossy real estate magazines, written in English, and oftentimes produced by the Costa Rican arms of international real estate companies make it apparent that the choices for a retirement home, condo, or land to build your dream home are staggering. Do you want the beach? There are many communities on or near the beach. Do you like to play golf? There are several golf options to choose from.  Perhaps a community in one of the quaint mountain towns west and north of San Jose is for you? There are many communities that offer a range of home and/or land options with stunning scenery. Your choices are virtually limitless.

If you are considering a community for your retirement or vacation home, what factors should you consider? Of course, what will make you happy is a personal choice and no one should sway you as to what you need.  In Costa Rica, for example, many realtors and developers often quote they have “the best climate” or that their project is “convenient to_____” (fill in the blank). The point is that no one can tell you what you need, and you alone (or with your significant other) should do your homework and decide what is best for you.

If you think you want to live in a community, below are some considerations to keep in mind:

·     DDo you prefer a planned, gated community where you are close (or fairly close) to your neighbors or do you prefer a more unstructured community, perhaps with a few less amenities and in a more natural setting?

· Would you prefer to live among people similar to you or would you prefer to integrate into a community that is primarily composed of Costa Ricans? Perhaps a combination of foreigners and locals is best for you?

· Do you prefer to live in a home or a condominium?

· How big of a property do you want and can you afford to maintain it?

· Are you more interested in a community that has set home plans to choose from (or existing homes already built) or would you rather hire an architect and design and build a home?

Once you have narrowed down the type of community you might want to live in, below are some factors to consider when comparing among several you have looked at:

 

                                                                                                       

Attributes	Property 1	Property 2	Property 3
Location
Buildable space
Privacy
Quality of infrastructure
Type of residents
Climate/weather
Natural setting
Community amenities
Distance to town/services
Price
Investment value
Overall Quality

 

1 = excellent

5 = poor

NA = Not applicable

 

While there are other considerations as you look at possible places to live, the table above is intended as a general guidepost you can take with you so you won’t forget about the attributes you liked and disliked for specific developments, particularly if you are looking at many of them.

 

Of particular importance in your decision-making should be climate and weather. Costa Rica has many microclimates and this will affect the weather where you might decide to live, particularly in comparison to nearby areas. For example, at a given hour it might be sunny in town but just 2-3 miles away it could be raining. Because elevations change quickly in Costa Rica, so does the weather. It is important to consider the amount of rainfall; low, high and average temperatures; and wind throughout the day and at different times during the year. Many shady developers will try to show you their land at the right time of day or year and claim the weather is always terrific. Ask people in the area—those who have lived in the area for years—to give you the real scoop on the climate and weather.

 

Another important consideration is the infrastructure provided by the developers of the community, particularly, electricity, water, and telephone service. Obviously, if you are going to buy a lot and intend to build a home you will need assurances in writing from the developer that at a minimum electricity and water will be provide to your “lot line” prior to closing on the property. Usually, it is the buyer’s responsibility to bring the electrical and water lines from the edge of the lot to the home. Most architects or builders will help you get this done as part of their services. However, one of the key problems buyers are facing is lack of understanding as to where their water comes from. Many developers are building wells and then telling their clients not to worry because everyone in the community will have access to water.  But, who is going to ensure each member of the community chips in for his or her portion when the pump breaks, or when so many homes are built that the area needs a new pump? It is also possible that down the road, if your community’s water supply does not come from the local municipality, any shortage will be your problem well before it’s the public’s problem. When deciding on a developer to trust, demand information about the proper water studies he or she should have completed and municipal help he or she should have requested. While telephone service is standard in most places it is possible that it will not be available immediately as the government may not have the resources—or may be behind—in providing land lines to new homes. In some areas, it may take many months, and indeed years, for telephone service to be provided. However, this is usually not an issue for most people as they simply purchase cellular service which is readily available and inexpensive.

In the U.S. and other developed countries, most of us have lived in communities where there were paved streets.  In Costa Rica, some planned communities don't offer paved streets.  Instead, many communities use lastre, a combination of hard rock and sand, which handles the affects of rain a lot better.  Lastre roads are actually quite nice, easy to maintain, and keep expenses low for both the developer and the residents of a community.

However, lastre roads can be troublesome if your developer is not experienced in creating roadways.  As many people know, Costa Rica has two seasons: the dry season (from December to May) and the rainy season (from June to November).  A good lastre road needs to be able to survive the rainy season.   Some developers put in lastre roads in the dry season just to see them washed away in the rainy season, and oftentimes, the residents of a community get stuck with the bill for new roads or repairs.  How do you know, then, if the road put in by a developer is a good one?  First, and foremost, keep in mind that the surface of the road is only part of the story.  A pretty road with nice rock and sand will look good but if the developer hasn't considered what's around the road--or what will "attack it," it may not last through the first rain of the season. 

Taking into consideration rainfall and proper water drainage is critical.  If the developer hasn't put in suitable drainage, rain water may spill into the road from various parts of the development and make a mess of it.  So, when looking at a lot you potentially want to buy, talk to the developer about the roads and understand how they were constructed, how drainage is handled and what happens if the road needs repairs.  Second, find out to what extent the developer has put drainage pipes under the road in areas that may require them such as if there is a small stream or spring that drains near a road.  Third, ask about the type of culverts and drainage pipes that are under the road—called “alcantarillas”—and how big they are.  The alcantarillas need to be big enough to handle the anticipated water drainage.  Finally, before buying a lot it wouldn't hurt to go out to the property during a heavy rainstorm and see for yourself.

There are many examples of both terrific and poor communities in Costa Rica. In fact, most people will be able to tell fairly quickly if they believe a development is well-planned, conveniently located and well executed just by seeing the project, talking to people in the area, and learning about the types of people who have already purchased property in the community. However, it is important to ask many questions of the developer or sales person before you purchase. One of the most important issues to address is how accurate the survey work is for the property you are interested in.  For example, in our own experience we bought a large farm from a cost-conscious developer who had already hired his inexpensive surveyor to segregate the farm into smaller parcels. We later found out that the surveyor didn’t properly survey the borders.  If we had not caught his mistake, unknowing lot buyers would have bought land that they didn’t completely own! If you are not happy with the answers you getting, move on, as there are many other choices available.

Communities in Costa Rica are not unlike those you would find in other places. For example, you can find communities with high-rise condos and others offering low rise “garden style” homes—both with limited land and easy maintenance. Other people prefer larger tracts of land in former agricultural areas which generally have 5000 square meters (1.25 acres) to 7000 square meters (1.73 acres) of land, depending on local zoning requirements. Building space in agricultural projects is ample for single-family homes, guest houses, pools, and more. Finally, many developments, built primarily for the local population, called “urbanizacion,” typically have smaller lots and homes.

While there are many developments in Costa Rica, below are a few examples known for both their high quality and value for the price and/or investment purposes. These samples differ in price but they give you a flavor for what is available.

DelPacifico – http://www.delpacifico.net (Pacific Coast)

Pacific Hills at Magallanes – http://www.crcommunities.com/PacificHills.html  (Central Valley)

La Joya de Esperanza - http://www.everybodylovescostarica.com/costa_rica_real_estate.php (Pacific Coast)

Plantation Estates - www.plantationestatescr.com (Central Valley)

 

It’s rarely said that looking for real estate in Costa Rica is not an adventure—it can be. However, it can also be much fun if you keep your eyes and ears open and go with your most important emotion—your common sense.

 

Happy hunting!

Andrew Mastrandonas, a former airline industry executive and management consultant in the United States, lives in Costa Rica where he owns a relocation tour company designed to provide an introduction to Costa Rica for retirees and others considering moving here.  He also owns a bed & breakfast and writes about travel, community issues, and culture for a variety of publications, including the Tico Times.  Andrew can be reached directly at boomersincostarica@gmail.com.  Preston Gitlin, President of CR Communities, a real estate development company offering ocean view properties in San Ramon, contributed to this article. Preston can be reached at pgitlin@crcommunities.com. More information can be found here:  www.crcommunities.com, www.boomersincostarica.com, and www.AngelValleyFarmBandB.com

Five Reasons Why Costa Rica isn't a Third-World Country
By, Preston A. Gitlin
President, CR Communities, S.A.
CR Communities
pgitlin@crcommunities.com 

When many people hear about Costa Rica, they think, “Well isn’t it a third world country?” or “It’s probably pretty risky to live there.” Sure, it’s a fair assessment to say that Costa Rica isn’t as developed as the United States, or similar nations, but if you tell someone who’s been to Nicaragua or Honduras that Costa Rica is a third world country, they might look at you cross-eyed.  There are many aspects of Costa Rica that differentiate it from other much less developed countries, but below are five reasons why “third world” appears to be incorrect categorization.

A relatively high economic standing, and is growing fast

At one point known only for its agriculture products and tourist attractions, Costa Rica is growing rapidly in the telecommunications and call center sectors. For example, Intel has made a substantial investment here and continues to create jobs for Costa Ricans. It also has the highest GDP per capita in Central America at $11,862 annually according to an IMF study.  This is relatively high when you consider it’s not a highly industrialized nation and the cost of living is about half of what it is in the United States.

Given current economic woes in the United States, those looking to invest or retire here may wonder how this will affect Costa Rica’s economy. Of course, if companies in the U.S. import less from Costa Rica it will certainly have some impact, but Costa Rica is well prepared to fend off any possible recession because it currently has a surplus. Therefore, the government will have more flexibility in placing more capital in the marketplace short term to boost the local economy.  Just the fact alone that Costa Rica has a surplus should be a solid indicator that “third world” just doesn’t fit. In addition, Costa Rica’s tourism sector, which employs a significant number of people, is expected to continue to be strong as historically in times of recession, people travel closer to home for their vacations.

A highly educated labor force

Due to an abundance of public and even low cost private schools, Costa Rica now boasts arguably the best equipped labor force in all of Latin America.  Its literacy rate of 96% only validates the priority Costa Rica places on education. To put it into perspective, neighboring Nicaragua has a literacy rate of 67.5%.

A highly democratic structure without a military

Costa Rica is one of the world’s most democratic and peaceful nations. Over 50 years ago it abolished its army, allocating those resources to education, public health, and environmental protection.  A current example of how democracy plays an important role in society is the recent passing of CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement).  Costa Rica was the only country to conduct a national referendum where citizens actually decided whether or not to join the U.S.-led free trade agreement. While the referendum did just barely pass, international election watch dog groups said the referendum was highly transparent and there was no evidence of corruption. And, while there were many rallies on both sides of the issue, there was no violence during the referendum process.

Improving infrastructure

Alright, I admit it. The roads in Costa Rica are still a bit more comical than anything else.  However, in the past five years alone, the improvement is so obvious and widespread that it has only encouraged investment around them.  It is also important to note that the main highway which feeds many retirement towns from the airport is very well maintained.  It isn’t until venturing off to more distant and less-traveled side roads that you start to realize an SUV is your best friend here.

Potable water, electricity, and Internet access are abundant. In fact, in the last year alone, I have seen the number of Internet cafés double in the town of San Ramon, where I currently reside.  In my town there have been recent additions such as a mall and movie theater.  Shops with electronic goods, hardware, etc., are everywhere, and even Wal-Mart has opened dozens of stores throughout the country. You won’t have to completely forgo convenience and creature comforts to make the move to paradise.

Affordable and accessible health care

Health care is affordable and accessible to everyone. There are also several established private hospitals in Costa Rica. One in particular, CIMA, has facilities, medical equipment and patient rooms as modern as any hospital in the U.S., with many of its bilingual doctors trained in the United States.  In San Ramon, we have many private health clinics to choose from, and in case of an emergency there is always the public hospital.  Most Costa Ricans are registered under the CAJA system, which would be the equivalent of a low cost insurance program in the U.S.  For those who can afford to go to the private hospital, you will find the doctors to be exceptional.

These are only a few examples to differentiate Costa Rica with typical third world country.  Countries that are normally less developed usually have much more poverty, are engulfed in violence, substitute education and healthcare for more military might, have a dictator, and/or do substantial net damage to the environment.  None of this describes Costa Rica. So, at the very least, please think ‘thrice’ before calling Costa Rica a third world country.

Preston A. Gitlin, originally from Rochester, New York currently lives in San Ramon, Costa Rica. He is President and co-founder of CR Communities, an investment company known for its strong community presence. He also co-owns Boomers in Costa Rica Tours which offers tours for those looking to invest and/or retire and want an introduction to reputable and honest professionals, as well as an array of quality real estate options. He may be reached at  pgitlin@crcommunities.com, or for general inquiries about the tour, boomersincostarica@gmail.com.

Real Estate Considerations: Central Valley vs. Pacific Coast
By Preston A. Gitlin,
President, CR Communities, S.A.
CR Communities
Co-Founder, Boomers in Costa Rica Tours
Boomers in Costa Rica Tours
Email: pgitlin@crcommunities.com

While there are numerous real estate options throughout Costa Rica, it is extremely important to avoid any potential problems related to purchasing property in a foreign country. These include clear title, quality construction, and proper utilities among others. We strongly encourage you to sign up for one of our informative "Boomers in Costa Rica" tours.  Below you will find the differences between the Central Valley and Pacific Coast.

If you feel that you have already done your research, Boomers in Costa Rica provides a service for those strictly interested in being introduced to real estate options from reputable sellers and agents. You may e-mail Preston Gitlin at pgitlin@crcommunities.com for questions and further information.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Climate: The temperature usually fluctuates between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the time of the day.  Temperature will also vary according to the altitude above sea level.  We try to locate properties that are about 3,000 feet above sea level or higher, because in our experience, it results in the most comfortable climate.  Humidity is also lower at this altitude.  Air conditioning is almost never used.

Costs: If you choose to buy property and build a home, a property of approximately 1.25 acres (5000 square meters) or greater, with a home will run between $135,000 and $235,000, depending on how large or how luxurious the house is.  Lot prices will vary from as low as $10 per square meter to $50 per square meter, with larger tracks of land costing less.  Construction costs for a higher quality home will be between $45 and $60 per square foot.  Again, it is always possible to spend more if you so choose.  It is also possible to find extremely cheap land or construction quotes, but we have found when the price seems too good to be true, it usually is.  We have spent many hours screening various properties, weighing price and quality, in order to find property priced well, without sacrificing quality, location, clear title, etc.   

The prices of resale homes will vary widely depending on the size of the house and lot, location, quality of finishings and other factors.  Keep in mind that many resale homes may have been originally built for Costa Ricans and may not have the features North Americans expect such as bath tubs, large bedrooms or in some cases, modern showers.  However, newer homes built specifically for foreigners are becoming more widely available.

Infrastructure: The Central Valley’s infrastructure is far superior to that of the beach.  Most streets are paved with asphalt and are considerably wider.  While beach areas sometimes suffer from droughts and power outages, these are usually not issues in the Central Valley. You will also have easier access to public transportation, taxi services, a wider variety of grocery stores and other shopping, and the main Inter-American Highway.  

Location: Most areas of the Central Valley that we introduce you to are about 45 minutes to the nearest beach.  Most towns are also about 45 minutes to San Jose’s international Airport.  Things to do in the Central Valley include canopy tours, horseback riding, various nature trails, bungee jumping, fine dining (both international cuisine and typical Costa Rican food), and more.   Most towns in the Central Valley are also between 1.5 to 2 hours to the famous Arenal Volcano where you’ll find a variety of tourist attractions such as hot springs, horseback riding, and hanging bridges.

Type of Client: We find the majority of Central Valley tour clients enjoy the ambiance and tranquility of this different life style.  Those, especially from the Northeast, find it to be an alleviating escape from the rat race back home.  Foreigners living in the Central Valley are usually not “beach goers,” but instead have a higher interest in natural surroundings and outdoor activities.

PACIFIC COAST

Climate: Due to its lower elevation, areas surrounding the ocean tend to be hotter and more humid.  Temperatures tend to range from 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, cooling off into the mid 70s at night.  Due to the humidity, it may also feel warmer.  Air conditioning is a must.

Costs: Prices of homes and condos we show tend to range from $250,000 to $1,000,000.  Lot prices will usually cost over $100 per square meter (compared to $10 to $50 in the Central Valley).  The cost per square foot to build is also substantially higher due to the high demand for materials from the recent construction boom.   For quality, home construction costs generally are between $60 and $100 per square foot. 

Infrastructure: Beach areas are well known for their poor roads; however they have been improving in recent years.  Lower water supply and more frequent electricity cuts occur than in the Central Valley.  It is extremely important to be assured of access to such services before purchasing property.  Our goal is to introduce you to developers or real estate agents with a track record of establishing residences without any of these major issues.

Location: All properties we show are within minutes to the beach.  There is also a larger array of finer restaurants with dishes from many parts of the world.  Things to do include boating, fishing, golfing, and walking along some of the world’s most prestigious white sand beaches.

Type of Client: Clients for the Pacific Coast tour will spend substantially more to live at the beach and to purchase property.  The higher prices are due to the enormous demand.  The supply of quality developments with breath taking views and a good location is relatively small for the thousands of people who are trying to get a piece of this paradise.  Almost all activities are predicated around the beach, and therefore, we wouldn’t recommend this tour to anyone who is not a beach lover.  If you are looking to live less expensively, this tour probably isn’t for you, rather, the Central Valley tour would likely be more appropriate.

 

Preston A. Gitlin, originally from Rochester, New York currently lives in San Ramon, Costa Rica. He is President and co-founder of CR Communities, an investment company known for its strong community presence. He also co-owns Boomers in Costa Rica which offers tours for those looking to invest and/or retire and want an introduction to reputable and honest professionals, as well as an array of quality real estate options. He may be reached at  pgitlin@crcommunities.com, or for general inquiries about the tour, boomersincostarica@gmail.com .