Three Pristine Hideaway Beaches--with Home Comforts

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Dear Reader,

Nothing beats an afternoon unwinding at the beach. And when I want to kick back and relax, I head for a secluded beach every time—with a good book, and a picnic hamper. Forget beachside amusement arcades, umbrellas for hire and jet skis…and those vendors trying to sell you tired-looking shellfish and fluorescent candyfloss. Peace and tranquility are far more important to me.

That doesn’t mean I don’t like my creature comforts nearby. Far from it.

So in picking my top hideaways, I have chosen three of my favorite undiscovered beaches…that are close to three of my favorite real estate opportunities. You can have the best of both worlds: a comfortable, luxurious home, and a beach that will restore your sense of inner calm.

Pick #3 is in Mexico. Picture the whitest of powder-sand beaches. Combine that with the most turquoise-blue of Caribbean waters—and some ancient Mayan ruins—and you have Tulum, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya coast.

My initial impressions of this area were disappointing. The pueblo (village) of Tulum is dry, dusty, and developing. There are broken-down cars parked on the sidewalks, scrawny cats stalking around, and houses with tarpaper roofs.

But the beach is a different matter. I spent the first ten minutes hanging over the beachfront restaurant railings, absorbed in the beauty of the coastline. During lunch, the water washing over the sand enchanted me, shimmering in the sunlight. I spent the afternoon on the near-deserted beach, soaking up the sun, and floating in the clear water.

The nearby real estate opportunity is 15 minutes drive up the coast, between Tulum and Playa del Carmen. You have all the creature comforts…a 27-hole signature golf course, a choice of restaurants, entertainment, and a white sand beach (of course).

This project is ideal if you want a hands-off, income generating condo that’s yours to use for four weeks a year. The lease agreement gives a fixed rental income, and takes care of all the bills, maintenance and repairs. Surprisingly, the units start at only $154,000, with a full furniture and appliance pack included. To see more on the project, click here.

Pick #2 is Costa Rica’s Southern Zone, which is wild, raw, and untamed. It’s the perfect spot for outdoor activities…surfing, diving, hiking, bird watching, whale spotting, and sport fishing.

There is more land preserved in national parks and reserves in this region than any other in Costa Rica. Ballena National Marine Park is a hotspot for humpback whales (ballena is Spanish for “whale”), who spend December to April in the waters off the coast. Corcovado is awesome in itself, reputedly one of the largest areas of primary rainforest left in the Americas, and home to a bewildering variety of plant and animal species.

The beaches in the area are mostly deserted. Playa Uvita in Ballena Park is my favorite.

This is one of the top beaches in Costa Rica. Miles of wide darker-sand beach, empty and pristine. Swimming conditions are near-perfect. Towering emerald mountain ridges and slopes, covered in lush rainforest, backdrop the beach. A projecting sandbar at the northern end of the beach forms the shape of a whale’s tail at low tide.

My residence pick is a project called Pacific Lots, an established community 12 minutes drive from Playa Uvita. Here, a custom constructed 2000 square foot home costs $180,000…and lots start at $40,000.

There’s a deli with imported treats (cheese, wine, dark chocolate) just down the road, too. Ideal for stocking up that picnic hamper…

My favorite beach hideaway sits in the Pacific Ocean south of Panama—but the ocean is Caribbean-clear. From the air, it’s a tiny beach-fringed green jewel, surrounded by coral reefs. It has thirteen white-sand beaches.

Contadora is one of more than 200 islands that form the Pearl Islands, sprinkled in the ocean south of Panama City. Developed in the 1960s, the island has attracted the rich and famous, seeking privacy and peace. The Shah of Iran came here when he was deposed. Jimmy Carter negotiated the hand-over of the Panama Canal on the island, and returned to vacation with his family.

Panama’s elite own homes here. Contadora is where they head for the weekend, relaxing with friends and family.

The island has a couple of restaurants, two grocery stores stocking the basics, an internet cafe, and a souvenir shop. You can hire a golf cart to explore the island and find your own hidden beach. Diving and snorkeling are popular—Contadora’s crystal-clear waters and coral reefs are rich in marine life.

The real estate market is limited on Contadora. Some years ago, International Living’s parent company snapped up a group of villas here, renovated them, and sold them. Only villa 14 remains. It’s a one bedroom, two bath villa, 1000 square feet, and turnkey… down to the linens and cutlery. It’s for sale at $199,000.

The beauty of Contadora is just how secluded and private it feels. You’re only a 17-minute flight from Panama City, but far removed from the city’s hustle and bustle.

If you’re looking for a beach retreat with all the comforts of home close by, these three locations should be on your radar.

Margaret Summerfield

Three Pristine Hideaway Beaches—with Home Comforts