Brought to You by Package Costa Rica
November 2007
Traveling
Finally Corcovado!
By: Scott Bowers
Editor, The Costa Rica Zine
After being in Costa Rica for the last seven years I finally had the experience of going to the wonderful area known as the Osa Peninsula, specifically Corcovado National Park. I had heard such amazing things about this place. Located along the Pacific Coast of the famed Osa Peninsula, the Corcovado National Park has been dubbed by National Geographic as “the most biologically diverse location on earth.” From my experience, I would not want to argue the point...
Getting There
There are two basic ways to get to Corcovado, either by car or by plane. I chose car, probably because I like to do things the hard way. If you are driving from San Jose, I suggest you spend one night in Dominical to break the trip up a bit. It is about four hours from San Jose to Dominical (either by way of Quepos or by way of San Isidro General). We spent one night in Dominical. The next day the sun was shining as we set off for adventure. The road all the way from Dominical to Palmer Norte is one of the best in the country, so you can make pretty good time. From there things get a bit more interesting. Your ultimate destination is Puerto Jimenez, a little town on the Golfo Dulce. By the way make sure to stop at one of the scenic points overlooking the Golfo Dulce because it is truly magnificent. You will have to pass over some pretty rough roads to get to Puerto Jimenez. Just take your time and enjoy the scenery (maybe that will take you attention away from your sore @#$). You can also choose to take a direct flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. The flight on Sansa runs about $100 (with taxes and fees included). Remember, however, there is a pretty stringent weight requirement and you will pay dearly if you have too much luggage or equipment.
Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez is the most happening place in the area. There are restaurants, some shops, a disco, internet cafes, a bank (with cash machine) and many places to stay (I address accommodations below). The place is on the water and has a very nice vibe to it. The people down here are very inviting and I did notice that the women are quite pretty (hey, I can notice things like that. I’m not married!). While there we took a boat across the gulf to Pavones. The boat ride took about an hour and cost $200. The drive would have taken us 6 hours. Pavones is famous for surfers and boasts the longest left breaking wave in the world. The day we went there was not much there, but it can get quite big. Anyway, the boat ride over was stunning and we say some beautiful coast and several schools of dolphins.
Places to Stay
There are many hotels that range from hostels to really nice resorts. Two that stand out are "Yellow Coco and Lapas Rios. Yellow Coco is located on the beach about 15 minutes from Puerto Jimenez. It boasts a beach house that sleeps nine as well as two bungalows that each sleeps 3 to 4 persons. Yellow Coco does not have a restaurant or a pool. Meals will be on your own, i.e., you can bring groceries in a cook (each accommodation has a fully equipped kitchen) or go to any of the many local restaurants (the ones we tried were excellent, by the way). Lapas Rios is a little farther away and is actually about half way to the entrance of the Corcovado National Park. It is about a 45 minute drive from central Puerto Jimenez. The Lapas Rios resort is beautiful beyond description. The resort has won several awards for sustainable tourism. They actually run programs out of the resort to teach rain forest conservation. The rates run about $295 double and include the round trip transportation from Puerto Jimenez and all meals and non-alcoholic drinks. I have heard that the food at Lapas Rios is out of this world delicious. The resort also offers several packages that include a variety of tours.
Corcovado National Park
The highlight of any visit to the Osa Penninsula is Corcovado National Park. It is one of the most biologically intense locations on earth and houses an astonishing variety of plants, insects, birds and mammals. It is one of the only places in Costa Rica where you can still find Jaguars (although experts estimate there are only about 100 left in the park) and it is the only place where you can find all four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica (which are the spider, squirrel, howler and white face). On my trip I did not get to see the elusive big cat, but did see a Danta (or, Tapir) and almost ran over a Sloth crossing the dirt road. We actually drove into the park and had to cross many rivers (one of which was deep enough that the water covered the hood of the SUV). One of the most amazing sights I saw was a tree full of Scarlet Macaws.
You Need to Go There
Over the last four years we have brought about 1,000 tourists to Costa Rica. However, only a few have experienced this magical place called Corcovado and the Osa Peninsula. Places like Arenal and Manuel Antonio have put Costa Rica on the world tourism map. But people are missing out on places that are more remote like Corcovado. We currently have a great package that even includes a flight into the Serena Station deep in the park with a naturalist tour guide. This is called our Eco-Tourism package and I would highly encourage you to consider it.
Investment
Road Improvement in Costa Rica
By: Scott Bowers
Editor, The Costa Rica Zine
It cannot be ignored these days that almost everywhere you look there is road construction in Costa Rica. And not just in San Jose, but all over the country. President Arias made improving the infrastructure of Costa Rica a major campaign pledge. And unlike most campaign pledges, this one is actually being fulfilled. Let’s examine some of the areas where construction could have a significant impact on real estate prices.
Construction in General
Tourism has become the biggest economic factor in Costa Rica. And for good reason as this country offers some of the most incredible natural beauty of any on earth. Tourism industry growth generally leads growth in development and increases in real estate prices. This phenomenon is certainly taking place in Costa Rica this very moment. As the infrastructure improves, drive times between tourist locations, as well as safety, will improve as well. This can only leads to greater increases in the tourism market, which already is one of the fastest growing international markets in the world. With increases in tourism, which have no foreseeable end in sight, increases in development of tourism related real estate will also increase leading to higher prices. Moreover, the trend of tourists returning to buy and even live in Costa Rica will also increase. These factors should keep the real estate market strong in Costa Rica for years to come.
Let’s look at some specific examples of improvement...
The Costanera Highway
The highway I am referring to is the one that extends from Jaco all the way south to Parmer Norte. It is the only real costal highway we have. The road has been traditionally well-maintained from Jaco to Manuel Antonio with the exception of two atrocious bridges on either side of the little town of Parrita, about 15 minutes north of Quepos. However, those bridges as we speak are being changed for better and bigger ones! Upon completion it will make the trip from Jaco to Quepos much quicker and also be a boost to the many developments going on in the area and to property values in general. One example is the Del Pacifico development in Esterillos. Upon completion this development will also include an 18-hole golf course (Billy Casper design) and a commercial center.
Possibly the worst stretch of road in the entire country is the dirt road that leads from Quepos to Dominical. Anyone who has ever had the good fortune of driving this road at night in the green season knows the horror. It is probably the busiest stretch of non-paved road in the country. Driving at night enveloped in a cloud of dust on this bumpy road is a teeth chattering experience that can lead the most patient and calm among us to loose their cool. Well this road is under construction as well. I like to divide (at least mentally) this nightmarish road into two distinct sections. The first is the section from Quepos to Matapalo (a charming little beach village halfway between Quepos and Dominical). This section of the road seems to be getting the most focus and may indeed be completely improved in the next couple years. There are many developments along this road that could benefit nicely. One that is mentionable is Hills of Portalon, which offers single family lots with nice views of the Pacific on one side and mountains on the other. Most lots are a couple hectareas in size (or about 5 acres) and range in price form $200,000 to $300,000. The other part of this road that extends from Matapalo to Dominical is another story and in my opinion it will not be improved extensively for the next five years. With all that said, it is only a matter of time before this 40 kilometer stretch of unimproved road will be completely paved and therefore now is the time to take advantage of what will surely be a boom in real estate prices over the next five to ten years in this area.
One reason I believe that it is only a matter of time is because once you reach Dominical, the balance of the Costanera is probably the newest, best marked and smoothest rides in all the country. It simply defies logic that 40 out of the some 200 kilometers of the Costanera would remain unpaved forever, especially in light of the current administration’s emphasis on attracting foreign investment into Costa Rica. The recent adoption of the CAFTA (what we call here the TLC) lends even more weight to that prediction. The fact that Costa Rica is attracting big money from the U.S. and other developed countries will only put more pressure on the government to act.
Caldera Highway
The long-awaited Caldera Highway may finally be in the works. However, on this one I would not hold my breath. Yes property values in the areas around this highway as well as its destination would get a benefit were this road to ever become a reality. But the reality of that ever happening, well who knows? Below are excerpts from an article that appeared in insidecostarica.com on August 30, 2007.
San José-Caldera Continues Stalled
The construction of the San José-Caldera will continue stalled as representatives of the banks financing the project and the construction company have yet to reach an agreement and as such the government is extending the start of construction date while the two parties continues negotiations.
The project has been in the works for the last two decades and recent starts were stalled or halted as the government and various constructions awarded the contracted came to a stalemate. The latest round of stalls is just another in a long list of stalls and stopped work.
Karla González, the current minister heading the Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes (MOPT), assures that the work will commence before the year is over. Notwithstanding, the minister, said that the government has to respect the process and the requests made by the creditors of the construction company.
The San José - Caldera project is only 77 kilometers from an idea that began three decades ago to build a highway that connects capital with the Pacific port town of Caldera.
The road weaves through Santa Ana, Cuidad Colon, Atenas and Orotina and would cut travel between San José and Caldera to less than one hour from the current almost two hours.
The completion of the San José-Caldera will also greatly reduce travel to Jacó and Quepos/Manuel Antonio, as the highway intersects with the Jacó exit at Orotina, reducing San José - Jacó travel to less than 45 minutes rather than 90 plus minutes it takes now.
The Bottom Line
The above mentioned projects are only a few of those that are underway in Costa Rica. The bottom line is that Costa Rica’s roads are improving rapidly and real estate prices climbing as a result. Better to get in before the dust clears from all the road building equipment that is currently making driving in Costa Rica as miserable as ever!
Happy Driving and Investing and as always, Pura Vida!
Tico Style
Great Food in Costa Rica
By: Scott Bowers
Editor, The Costa Rica Zine
Yes we make restaurant recommendations too here at the Costa Rica Zine. Here are three of my favorites:
Mirador Ram Luna
Located in the hills of Aserri, about forty minutes outside of downtown San Jose, this is one of my favorite restaurants in the San Jose area. It is known both for its incredible view of the city lights below, as well as the delicious food. Also, every Wednesday night they have a typical show and a buffet style dinner. The show ends in fireworks outside the restaurant and is truly a memorable experience. This place has a great ambiance and is a place to take a family out or have a romantic candlelight dinner. Getting there is the hard part. It will be a costly taxi drive from downtown San Jose, but the unforgettable view and the great food and super friendly service will make it well worth the cost and time. A typical entrée will run about $15. Ram Luna is closed on Mondays.
Macchu Picchu
For seafood the Peruvian restaurant known as Macchu Picchu can’t be beat. There are three locations, one in Paseo Colon, and another in San Pedro and the newest installment, in Santa Ana. The cuisine is as authentic Peruvian as you will find. Be careful with the orange salsa picante. It will light you up. Also, definitely try a Pisco Sour, the national drink of Peru. They are excellent, but very potent. The place is reasonably priced and the atmosphere will definitely give you the feeling of Latin America. Macchu Picchu is closed on Sundays.
Tiquicia
Located in the mountains overlooking Escazu, Tiquicia is another restaurant with an incredible city view. The food here is authentic Costa Rican with casados (the typical Costa Rican meal that always includes a meat, salad, platanos maduros, rice beans and usually some type of potato or yucca casserole) as well as other typical dishes. Tiquicia has a similar feel to Ram Luna, but is closer to downtown and has a more informal atmosphere. They also have a typical dance show; similar to Ram Luna’s show, but the show is an every night event at Tiquicia. Tiquicia is closed on Sundays.
So there you have, three of my personal favorite restaurants in the San Jose area. Each one will provide a great meal and a unique experience of Costa Rica. For restaurant recommendations in other areas, feel free to contact us before or after your arrival to Costa Rica at 866-424-6439.
Pura Vida!
Advice
Getting from Place to Place in Costa Rica
By: Scott Bowers
Editor, The Costa Rica Zine
We are often asked how people can get from place to place in Costa Rica. Our packages always include transfers to each location included in the itinerary. However, for those of you that are do-it-yourselfers, here is a list of your transportation options...
Renting a Car and Driving Yourself
We don’t normally recommend this, but it is certainly an option. If you have at least a conversational level of Spanish and a real strong sense of adventure, go for it. Also, if you are going to be in one location for an extended time, it is a good idea to get a car specifically for the time you are there (for instance Thrifty will deliver and pick up the car at your hotel for no extra charge). You can still take one of the other means (as described below) for the next destination. A good rental car (4x4 is recommended) is the Toyota Rav 4. A standard works better here than an automatic. A Rav 4 can be rented for $90 per day (basic insurance already included). Gas (regular) currently is around $4.00 per gallon. In addition to requiring the basic insurance, the rental car company will freeze $1,000 on your credit card to cover damage to the car. This amount is released 48 hours from the time you return the car.
The “Tourist Bus”
There are two main companies providing this service. We recommend Grey Line (the other is Interbus). There are several other smaller companies. Grey Line uses 25 to 30 passenger air conditioned buses. They will pick up customers at various hotels who are going to the same destination. For instance, if you were staying in San Jose and needed transportation to La Fortuna, you could schedule it with Grey Line and they would pick you up in the morning (at a set time) and transfer you to La Fortuna for $30 per person. These transfers take longer as the company will be picking up and dropping off customers staying in different hotels, so you have to be patient.
Private Transfer
An alternative to the Tourist Bus is the “Private Transfer.” This works similarly, although without other customers accompanying you for the ride. Our company performs such transfers for small groups (1 to 4 people) and we contract with others for larger groups. A typical transfer as described above (San Jose to La Fortuna) in a 15 passenger air conditioned van will cost you about $150. So if you have more than 5 people doing the transfer, it can be even cheaper than the tourist bus. It is also a lot faster and operates on your schedule. That is the bus arrives at your hotel when you are ready to go!
Air Transfer
This is not a bad option. It is actually quite cheap. For instance a flight from San Jose to say Tamarindo will cost around $90 (after all taxes and fees) one way. And rather than the 6 hours it will take you by land, the time in the air is less than 1 hour! The drawback is the luggage weight limit. You will have a hard time getting a lot of luggage on the plane and the usual weight limit is only about 25 pounds per passenger. One option if you were flying to Tamarindo and then returning to the same hotel in San Jose is to leave some of your luggage at the hotel. There are two major in-country carriers and they are Nature Air and Sansa. Both are similarly priced and offer the basically the same routes. One thing to note is that the Sansa office (where you have to check it) is located right next to the San Jose international airport, whereas Nature Air is in a different smaller airport (in La Uruca about a 20 minute, or more, ride from the San Jose international airport). This little fact has caught many by surprise and caused them to miss their flights!
Public Bus
I always joke with my customers that there are three things you can find virtually anywhere you go in Costa Rica (and that includes being in the middle of the deepest darkest jungle). Those three things are a soccer field, a bar and a bus stop. Costa Rica has an extremely vibrant public bus system and there are buses going everywhere at most times of the day or night. These buses are very slow and very cheap. It is by far the cheapest way to go, but you will quickly discover the meaning of patience. A public bus is also a great way to experience culture up close and personal (I mean real personal). We do not recommend public buses for our customers going to various destinations, but they can be a useful option (cheaper than taxis) for getting around San Jose.
So there you have it. These are the basic ways to travel around in Costa Rica. We can set up travel to any destination, so by all means give us a call when you are here and we will be glad to help, or just offer our advice! 1-866-424-6439.
Pura Vida Mae!
Scott Bowers, Editor