Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Nature
Rainforest
By percentage, no country on earth has more rainforest! More than a quarter of Costa Rica’s total land area hosts either national parks, biological reserves or wildlife refuges. Unlike many countries that are blessed with this great natural treasure, Costa Rica recognizes the infinite value of its rainforests and all that they offer. The jungles and rainforests of Costa Rica are home to the most colorful and exotic flora and fauna on the planet. With over 15,000 species of plants and trees alone, the rainforests of Costa Rica are the most bio-diverse ecosystems on earth. Costa Rica is an epicenter for ecotourism and nature adventures. The jungles are lush and green all year and the most pristine and undisturbed on the planet. In the rainforests one will find mix of reptiles, amphibians, insects, mammals, fish and birds. Costa Rica’s jungles can be primarily identified as three distinct groups: rainforests, cloud forests and topical dry forests.
The rainforests are the most common of the three. They are characterized by their lush and dense forestation and enormous annual rainfall. The cloud forests of Costa Rica are majestic. They host many of the exciting animals that characterize Costa Rica: toucans, leopards, and bull frogs. Rainforests can be found in the southwest of the country as well as in the Atlantic lowlands, with giant trees and twisting vines that create a mysterious and enchanting environment. The cloud forests of Costa Rica cover the high slopes of volcanoes and mountains all across the country, these pristine ecosystems with dense fogs and thick growth of bromeliads, mosses and ferns, offer tourists unforgettable opportunities to hike or canopy tour.The North Pacific coast of Costa Rica harbors tracks of tropical dry forests. While not as diverse as the rainforests, they are home to many unique and exciting species of plants animals making for an incredible ecosystem all of its own. Among the most productive ecosystems in the world, Costa Rica’s Rain forests have created truly unique habitats that have a micro-climate all their own. One day you can be canoeing down the watery forest of the Tortuguero National Park, and on another day you can be trekking the pretty Manuel Antonio National Park with its gorgeous beaches. Visit the Corcovado National Park to glimpse the last remaining stretch of tropical primary lowland rainforests or tour the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a completely distinct hiking experience.
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Nature
Protected Lands and Species
Costa Rica has been a world leader in green technologies, environmental protection and conservation. The government takes an active role in protecting endangered species, unique habitats and ocean, lakes and rivers. Almost 30% of the country lies within the boundaries of protected areas to the benefit of those who live and own real estate in Costa Rica. Protecting the jungles, rainforests and cloud forests have enabled a booming eco-tourism industry and have allowed property owners to maintain the integrity of the special lands of which they own. Keeping the water sources clean allow for drinkable well water and swimmable lakes and rivers. The beachfront is clean and safe for swimming and recreation. Valuing the land and the opportunities that it affords us has been the example Costa Rica has set for the world.
Costa Rica, for its size has an extremely disproportionate amount of: Nature Reserves, Wilderness Areas, National Parks Natural Monuments, Species Management, Areas, Protected Landscapes and Seascapes, Areas Managed for Sustainable Use, Marine and Littoral Protected Areas.
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Nature
ecoTourism
While many Third World nations are racing towards rapid industrialization and urbanization, Costa Rica has put its focus onto ecotourism as its key to economic development. Although it incorporates a very small area, Costa Rica has astounding biodiversity comprised of picturesque beaches, luxuriant rain forest, massive volcanoes, and verdant wildlife. Costa Rica ecotourism as an industry attracts roughly one million visitors and generates approximately one billion dollars in revenue each year.
By virtue of its natural gifts, Costa Rica provides its visitors with adventure sports like surfing, mountain biking, river rafting, hiking and scuba diving. Sight seeing opportunities as well: you can view five active volcanoes on on the Pacific Ring of Fire, take boat trips down jungle rivers and soar through the rain-forest canopy on rain-forest aerial trams, or fly through the rainforest ceiling on an expansive set of zip lines. Home to an astonishing abundance of tropical flora and fauna, Costa Rica has long been a mecca for the ecologically-minded traveler.
Costa Rica's incredible biodiversity in the mountains, volcanoes, beaches and rainforests are detailed by 24 national parks, covering 28% of the country's territory. Volunteer programs are becoming increasingly popular where travelers can get involved in reforesting national parks, turtle-tagging on the coast and tracking endangered animals. Caribbean and Pacific beaches border a land bursting with white-water rivers and waterfalls, tropical rain forests, active volcanos, mountain cloud forests and coral reefs. Rare and exotic wildlife you can see include monkeys, sloth, sea turtles, caiman, colorful frogs and butterflies. Costa Rica boasts over 850 species of birds including exotic varieties you can easily observe like toucan, Scarlet macaw and the Resplendent quetzal. Costa Rica has more butterflies than the entire continent of Africa. The rainforest is home to the three-toed sloths, monkeys and five different kinds of jungle cats. Rainforests, misty cloud forests, wildlife, volcanoes, tropical rivers, endless plant life, over 850 species of unusual birds and over 1200 different types of orchids inhabit Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Real Estate FAQ Index Catalog
Why Costa Rica Real Estate
- Stable government; Currency,Infrastructure,Values foreign investment, Protects foreign investment
- Investment security; excellent lending market, ROI, low tax rate, intrinsic value, insurable title/home
- Healthcare; high-quality, high tech, inexpensive, easy access, insurance
- Economic; stability, foreign investment, government, investment potential
- No ownership restrictions; valued by government, no restrictions, same rights as natives
- Proximity to the U.S.; 10 major North American cities with a 3-5 hour direct flight to Costa Rica
- Culture; high standard of living, friendliness to foreigners, education, low crime rate
- Nature; beaches, rainforest, protected lands and species, eco-tourism, diversity
The Buying process
- Finding a broker; certified, experience, track record, language, area knowledge
- Calculating value; comparative value, asking price, investment potential, true value, municipal
- Purchasing; incorporation, appraisals, home inspections, attorneys, contracts, survey map, registration, notary, taxes, titles, closing
- Financing; mortgages, documentation, banks, property protection, using retirement fund
- Types of properties; stand-alone house, apartments, gated communities, condominiums, timeshare
- Building; land & title, permits, size, utility of land, civil engineer, architect, construction, contractors
- Protecting the investment; insurance, making claims, property management
- Oceanfront real estate; defined, taxes, usage, foreign ownership
- Common & avoidable problems; liens & encumbrances, expropriation, environmental & squatters
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Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Nature
Beaches
All beaches are public and owned by the people of Costa Rica. The beaches of Costa Rica are among the most beautiful and diverse in the world. With a coastline that stretches over 1100 miles, Costa Rica hosts a wide array of breathtaking beaches. From rocky shores with sandy inlets to classic palm tree lined white sandy beaches, the vibrant and lush coast-line offers something truly special. Golden sand beaches, pink sand beaches and black sand beaches are scattered along Costa Rica’s coastal plains, making this country a truly phenomenal beach destination.
The waters are warm year-round and the attractions are unlimited! Costa Rica's Pacific coast has so much to offer. Safe swimming and water recreation are a couple of the many good reasons to visit. The nature is unique and awe-inspiring. Over 2/3 of Costa Rica's boarder is ocean front. The Caribbean creates the eastern boarder and the Pacific creates the western boarder. With over 1,000 beaches, each one is unique and offers something a little different.
The Pacific Coast is filled with expansive sandy beaches in the north and rainforest mountains that fall right into the water in the south. On the east coast of Costa Rica you find the Caribbean Sea. Caribbean culture is alive and authentic here. Less developed and frequented by tourists, many refer to this as the real Costa Rica. Rasta culture and beautiful beaches are to be found here as well.
Ocean recreation is extremely popular in Costa Rica. World class scuba diving, deep sea sport fishing, sailing, surfing and ocean kayaking are some of the biggest draws to the beaches of Costa Rica.
There is tremendous eco-diversity within the beaches of Costa Rica. Turtles, crocodiles and monkeys can be found in some locations!
Why Costa Rica Real Estate?
Nature
Diversity
Weighing in at about 0.9 West Virginias, Costa Rica features greater biodiversity than Europe or North America combined! Pound for pound the most biodiverse region in the world! How can this be? Costa Rica is located between North and South America, enabling plants and animals from both continents and the Caribbean Islands to establish a home. Costa Rica's tropical environment and ecological makeup, that consist of a variety of unique habitats: lowland rainforests and mountainous cloud forests, to mountain lakes and tropical rivers. Costa Rica is home to numerous national parks and wildlife preserves that host a extensive array of birds, mammals, reptiles and rain-forest flora and fauna. The biodiversity among birds alone is astronomical. There are over one thousand species of birds in this small country. Almost 30% of Costa Rican land has been reserved as protected environments, earning Costa Rica a reputation as a leader in ecotourism and environmental conservation in the region.
Costa Rica hosts over 9000 recognized species of vascular plants, including over 900 unique species of trees, and more are registered each and every day. Unique groups include sub-alpine dwarf vegetation, rainforest flora from sea level to could forest to mangrove swamps and seasonal dry forest with its deciduous trees. Within the cloud forests like Monteverde, plants proliferate and have adapted to derive moisture directly from the cloudy mist. These forests are the major source for fresh water in Costa Rica
Epiphytes, plants that live on trees in order to see sunlight, also flourish in these forests, and compliment the water retaining potential of the trees. The epiphytes are not parasites, but rather a symbiotic partner for they feed on water, minerals and nutrients which amass around their roots.
Costa Rica has over 1,500 species of orchids. Costa Rica provides much of the world's supply of orchids. Costa Rica is also home to over 200 types of bromeliads. The epiphytes, tree tops and vines create a canopy that conserve the wetness and mist within the jungle, and provide a home for an ecosystem of small animals and insects that live their whole lives in the canopy, never touching the ground. The cloud and rainforests of Costa Rica encompass some of the planet's most intricate ecosystems.
Guanacaste hosts seasonal dry forests with their own unique blend of flora. The hallmarks of these habitats are huge, deciduous trees that bloom magnificently at the commencement of the dry season. The forests are painted with white, pink, orange, scarlet, yellow and purple blooms. Other plants flower during the rainy season, supporting a different mix of pollinating birds and insects.
The diversity within the Pacific swampland is extensive as well. Here are six different species of mangroves, four species of monkeys and thousands of other recognized species. In combination with marine flora and fauna, they form their own diverse ecosystem.
Other unique features of Costa Rica include the whales and dolphins of the Pacific Ocean, the river mouth crocodiles, the jungle cats, toucans and monkeys in the mountainous rainforests, the turtle breeding beaches and hundreds of herbal flora and fauna, used for medicinal and sustenance purposes, growing throughout the country.
