Real Estate in CR: Comparing the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast
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 tours. Below you will find the differences between the Central Valley and Pacific Coast.
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 $175,000 and $275,000, 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 $65
and $95 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 $85 and $200 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.
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