Saturday, November 05, 2011
A panoramic view of Turtle Cove Lake Club
Dear Reader,
Costa Rica's Lake Country is beautiful. It's a tranquil, secluded spot, home to a huge lake, a dramatic volcano and a very relaxed atmosphere. So the sight of yellow crime scene tape in the middle of the main road surprised me.
Is it the scene of a murder or serious accident, I wondered. But as we got closer, I realized that the tape surrounded a small pile of tree branches and foliage. After some heavy rain, the branches had washed down a hill and ended up on the road. And the local police had decided to tape it off with what they had to hand.
I'm guessing they don't use much crime scene tape in Arenal. A group of howler monkeys feeding in the trees overhead placidly watches our "crime scene". The calm waters of the lake ripple against a couple of small boats, tied to a pier. Giant feathery grasses sway in the lakeshore breeze. The purple cone of a volcano rises majestically to meet the blue sky overhead. It's totally serene.
Arenal's just over three hours north from San Jose, Costa Rica's capital city. The scenic drive takes you through coffee country, hills and forests, and pretty little villages. Moreover, you can access Arenal from both of Costa Rica's international airports. There's one in San Jose. Liberia, home to Costa Rica's second international airport, lies ninety minutes west of Arenal.
Arenal is Costa Rica's largest lake. You can fish here for rainbow bass (known locally as "guapote"), wild tilapia and a hard-fighting fish called machaca. Kayakers skim across the lake's surface. You can also go boating, windsurfing, or water skiing on the lake.
We stopped in the town of Nuevo Arenal for gas. You'll also find a German bakery, along with grocery stores, several banks, a gym and a health clinic. A new steakhouse recently opened up on the outskirts of town. And the Gingerbread restaurant a few minutes outside town serves up world-class gourmet food, with world-class style and attitude, at pocket-friendly prices.
I'm here to re-visit Turtle Cove Lake Club. I haven't seen the development in three years. It's changed a lot during that time. It's no longer a site of empty fields. Today, it's taking shape as a chic community.
Turtle Cove sits right on Lake Arenal. From the community's elevated lakeside seat, the 26-mile long lake stretches across the horizon in front of you. Rolling pastureland and lush green hills surround you. It's a peaceful, restful place where you can kick back and enjoy life.
Turtle Cove's ticked off many milestones. The entrance gate, paved roads and underground utilities are already completed. Landscaped grounds wrap around the homes. Seven homes are finished or under construction. Boating enthusiasts will make full use of Turtle Cove's small marina, which holds boats up to 26 feet long.
The two-bed two-bath villas in Turtle Cove feel spacious beyond their 1200 square feet. The open-plan kitchen and living space lead out onto a wide terrace that looks directly over the lake. It's a gorgeous panoramic view. The terrace would make a nice spot for an early-morning cup of rich local coffee or an alfresco lunch. The master bedroom opens onto the same terrace.
Property taxes on the villas run around $150 a year, for a 2-bed villa. The association fees run around $50 a month for undeveloped lots and $100 a month for developed lots. That includes security, use of the marina facilities, and maintenance of common areas.
One of the finished homes in Turtle Cove
The finishes in the villas are luxurious...granite and marble counter tops, hardwood cabinets and doors, ceramic tile floors, and stainless steel appliances.
The interiors feature granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and ceramic tile floors
The two bed villas cost $195,000. Larger three bed units are also available. You can also purchase a lot and build your own house. You pay 10% down on the villa, 15% when construction starts, and stage payments during construction.
You can take advantage of 5 years of interest free finance on lots. Take a half-acre lot for $57,000. You pay $11,400 down, and 60 monthly payments of $760. You can contact the developer here for more information.
Turtle Cove definitely offers some of the best lake views in Arenal. Moreover, it's one of the nicest developments here in terms of the standard of roads and landscaping, and the quality of finishes inside the homes.
But you don't have to take my word for it. If you want to come and see Turtle Cove for yourself, you can stay in one of the two-bed villas on site- for free. Over two days, the developer will show you the Turtle Cove community, and the Arenal area, to give you a feel for this unique location.
Spaces are strictly limited for this offer, so contact the developer today to reserve your spot.
Margaret Summerfield
Posted Under:
costa rica, developer financing, affordable, lake
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