Sunday, August 28, 2011
Costa Rica's final frontier: an undiscovered gem
Dear Reader,
Frommer's calls it Costa Rica's final frontier.
It's often compared to Tahiti...or the coastlines of Thailand or Vietnam. It's just as stunningly beautiful...but much easier to get to...and it's very affordable.
It's Costa Rica's Southern Zone. If you're looking for a second home location in Costa Rica...with pocket-friendly prices and upside potential...this place should be on your shortlist. Here's why...
The Beauty. The Southern Zone is a region of rugged natural beauty. The sharp peaks of the Talamanca Mountains fall almost vertically to a coastline of sandy beaches, rocky points and quiet coves. Waterfalls send cool, clear water crashing down the mountainsides. Clouds ring the tops of the highest peaks. Rich green forest covers the mountain slopes, and almost meets the Pacific Ocean. Only a ribbon of sandy beaches separates the two.
Almost two-thirds of the land in the Southern Zone lies in protected parks and reserves. The waters of the Golfo Dulce ("Sweet Gulf") teem with marine life...including dolphins and whales.
It's the most biologically intense place on the planet
Corcovado National Park is truly wild. It doesn't have roads, stores or hotels. Massive trees tower overhead, filled with chattering monkeys, neon-bright frogs and spectacular birds. Vines drape themselves over tree branches, and around immense tree trunks. The thick undergrowth conceals big cats and tapirs. Giant otters play in the sparkling rivers that run through the park. This is the "most biologically intense" spot on the planet, according to National Geographic.
The Southern Zone is a playground if you love spending time outdoors. Swimming, surfing, sea kayaking, canopy tours, zip lining, horse riding, bird watching...adventure and fun...await you.
The Amenities. Of course, you have the great outdoors as the biggest amenity. But the Southern Zone isn't entirely a frontier outpost. You won't rough it here, unless you want to. The town of Ojochal has a small community feel, with mom'n'pop stores and many of the conveniences you need (doctor, dentist, hardware store, gas station, and internet café).
You can grab an espresso and muffin from the coffee shop...imported Brie, fine wines, or Swiss chocolate from the delicatessen...and pick up smokehouse chicken for lunch.
You can dine out in style at the little local restaurants
The tiny local restaurants serve local fare, French, Italian, Indonesian and organic food. A small group of expats run many of these businesses.You'll find banks and supermarkets in Uvita, another small town close by. The bigger town of San Isidro boasts a large supermarket (Maxi Bodega, the local equivalent of Walmart), clothing stores and even a McDonalds.
If you're concerned about medical facilities, there's no need to worry. Hospital de Osa opened in 2008 in the Southern Zone. The 85,000-square-foot hospital features multiple treatment facilities including a state of the art emergency room, a pediatrics wing, a neurology center and an obstetrics and gynecology center.
Despite these amenities, the Southern Zone remains laid-back, tranquil and under-developed. It feels like it's off the beaten track - but in a comfortable, relaxed way.
The Opportunity. So how did the Southern Zone manage to steer clear of the property boom that swept Costa Rica's north and central Pacific coast? That's easy. Until last year, this region only appealed to those with a frontier spirit. It was almost impossible to get to.
One road wound its way up Costa Rica's highest point (more than 11,300 feet up), around hills and mountain ridges. It wasn't an easy drive, and getting stuck behind a truck or bus meant long delays.
The other road hugged the coast. But decades of neglect had taken their toll. The road surface had worn away, and bridges had fallen apart. Long stretches were impassable in rainy season, and incredibly uncomfortable in dry season. It took seven hours or more to reach the Southern Zone from San Jose (Costa Rica's capital). It felt like seven hours of back-wrenching, bone-jarring, kidney-shaking hell.
Only the foolhardy or determined traveled to the Southern Zone. So while property prices quadrupled in three short years on Costa Rica's north Pacific coast, they stayed low here. That's because mainstream developers and tourists turned property shoppers fueled the north Pacific boom. They never made it to the Southern Zone...so they didn't know what they'd missed out on.
But in January 2010, the new coastal road opened. And what a difference it made. It's now smooth, pothole-free, with new bridges and drainage systems. It's easy to drive, and comfortable. It's also quick. Now it takes three hours to get to the Southern Zone from San Jose. Now you get to enjoy the view...
Out with the old road, and in with the new...
Government plans also call for an international airport in the Southern Zone. (It currently has a small domestic airport.) That would really push this place center stage.
But for now, you can buy mountain view lots from $40,000...or a half-acre ocean-view lot from $120,000...in a private, established community. Compare that to the $550,000 you'd pay for an ocean-view lot in Costa Rica's north Pacific and you'll see the potential here.
And you should come and see the potential here with your own eyes on a Southern Zone chill weekend. You'll travel the new coastal road...spend time in the largest private community in the area, with those ocean-view lots for $120,000...enjoy freshly-prepared, delicious meals...explore the beaches and parks nearby... try on the Southern Zone for size, and see if it fits...
All you have to do is get to San Jose, and the developer will take care of the rest. For only $250, you get airport transfers, meals, transport, and accommodation. You get to sit back and soak up the Southern Zone's magical atmosphere, and decide if it's right for you.
Click here today to book your place.
Margaret Summerfield
P.S. These trips are popular and fill up fast. If you really want to see the Southern Zone for yourself, don't delay: click here today for a full information package and start planning your trip.
Posted Under:
costa rica, appreciation potential, affordable
Want More?
Sign up here for your free Pathfinder Alert e-letter, and we’ll send you our $50,000 Report...showcasing seven real estate opportunities for $50,000.
