Costa Rica Hotel for Sale, But Not The Memories or Lifestyle

In February of 2011, we published this article about a boutique hotel in Cahuita: http://theticotimes.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/from-luxury-yachts-to-luxury-bb-bungalows-in-caribbean-cahuita/, Owners, Joe and Chris, wrote to update us on their status, and we found their heartfelt expressions so poignant as to why many foreign residents appreciate Costa Rica, that we decided to publish their account in its entirety.
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We previously had written about the joy of moving to Costa Rica and pursuing our dream of having a small hotel near the beach and living Pura Vida after having originally started with meeting each other while working as crew members on private mega yachts, which together was our first great adventure.

Now, after making a very difficult decision to fully retire and sell this well established and successful hotel business (www.hotelforsalecostarica.net)so that we can move on to our next great adventure, we realize at times we have some very strong regrets! We are moving on to enjoy retirement, to travel and visit some of the many great people we have met here at our hotel from around the world, who we promised we would come see some day, while keeping Costa Rica as our base.

Now, “some day” has come.

Fernandez Aguilar Announces Opening of New Showroom in Escazu, Costa Rica

Fernández Aguilar, “Cermamicas Con Nombre Y Apellido,” is proud to announce the opening of their new and luxurious showroom in upscale Escazu, just three blocks west of the Paco Shopping Center on the old road to Santa Ana, Calle Vieja.

Formerly the location of the La Casa de Doña Lela Restaurant, that structure was removed entirely to make way for the advanced design concepts of architect Denise Michaud.  With floor to ceiling expanses of glass letting in the natural light, the tasteful use of marble and ceramic tiling, the ensuing comfortable browsing environment invites clients to explore their re-decorating ideas.

US Home Improvement Company Marketing Through Costa Rican Call Center

While many people are aware that big companies like Hewlett Packard, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, Western Union and Fujitsu have “call centers” in Costa Rica that provide everything from technical support and customer service to sales, few people are aware that smaller companies are also finding their way here. Once blemished by the unfair associations in the minds of many that a call center means a gambling “boiler room,” or some other nefarious operation, that is far from the intent of mainstay businesses in the US looking to save money on marking costs by coming to Costa Rica. And, with good reason.

For about half of what it would take to operate a qualified operation in the United States, a small business can set up a satellite marketing office in Costa Rica – an important financial savings, especially in the present state of the world’s economy. One such company is Dixon Group Services, an Atlanta based home improvement company specializing in roofing, decks, insulation, painting and energy efficient window installations.

No Shortage of Investment, Expansion and Construction in Escazú, Costa Rica

Luxurious Viva Residences in Escazú Soon to be Completed

There seems to be no shortage of confidence in the business and housing sectors in Escazú.

More recent developments in the west end of upscale Escazú seem to hold true to the promise that the economy is alive and well in one of San Jose’s most affluent areas.  As an example, the most recent development under construction is the new and luxurious Viva Residences.

Eco Tourism Meeting Medical Tourism Development Opportunities in Costa Rica

Would you develop property in Costa Rica today?

With all the doom and gloom coming to us by way of the media, including those of some visitors and tourists from North America and Europe, the answer would probably be, “no”, says Robert Shannon of Costa Rica Retirement Vacation Properties Real Estate Company.

Costa Rica’s tourism is still flourishing but for how long, some think?  It’s hard to predict as one would have to believe the impact of world events would catch up with us sooner or later.

But, consider these facts:
1.  This year alone over 250,000 Americans will travel to Costa Rica and places like Thailand for affordable medical care. They will be seeking everything from root canals to heart transplants. The proximity to the USA and the high standard of health care Costa Rica offers suggest that a higher percentage will come here.

2. We keep seeing statistics that eco tourism / sustainable tourism is becoming one of the most sought after travel packages. This comes in many different forms, but one of the most popular is the vacationer seeking to get a feel for making their contribution to our planet by using these sustainable tourism facilities.

We have seen some good attempts at eco-sustainable projects and they are interesting, and often in provocative, if not primitive, places.  But, Costa Rica has yet to see a major developer get involved in what many consider a necessary part of the future that will impact all of us for the good – combining the medical tourism aspects with eco-tourism!

Global Warming and Costa Rica – A Refuge from the Storm?

The World is facing one of the greatest challenges that humanity has ever endured in the modern age – global warming. Yes, we’ve all heard some say in the past that it’s junk science, but now, the question isn’t is there global warming or not, but whether it is caused by man, or just nature going through cycles. It really doesn’t matter at this point, as it is coming upon us with the inertia of a heavy flywheel.

Often I’ve heard people say, “How can we stop it; reverse it?” “For me”, according to Brad Butler of Emerald Forest Real Estate Company in Costa Rica, “I am of the opinion it is beyond a quick fix at this point, and what we humans must do is ask, ‘How we can best survive the storm at this approaching, late date?’”

Rapid Growth in Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, Through the Eyes of a Vacation Rental Owner

Even though the real estate market has slowed greatly in most areas of Costa Rica in the last several years, the Dominical and South Coast areas seem to be immune, with previous lot buyers now building their dream home.

Glen Love - rental owner

“When we first started building our luxury homes in Dominical in 2003, there were only 4 listings for the Dominical area on the entire VRBO website. Now, there are more than 90! That is certainly amazing growth for this once difficult-to-reach area,” related Glen Love, owner of Paradise Costa Rica vacation rentals. “Even before the improved Costaneras coastal highway from Manuel Antonio to Dominical was built, that didn’t seem to deter people’s interest in this pristine, remote area, including ours. It used to take almost two hours to drive the pot hole-filled dirt road with rickety, one lane decrepit wooden bridges – a real daring experience! Even so, the area grew rapidly.”

Increased Vacation Rental Bookings Lead to a Rise in Real Estate Sales for Rental Homes

Manuel Antonio Vacation Rental overlooking the Pacific and Park

In response to consumer surveys from Trip Advisor, one of the worlds largest travel sites, indicating holiday maker’s preference for vacation rentals,  Escape Villas, Costa Rica´s leading vacation rental Management Company has announced a significant increase in property owners signing up for their services for 2011.  Traffic to their popular vacation rental website – www.villascostarica.com, has increased, as well as booking contracts, and home owners wishing to use their advertising and rental booking services.

One of the reasons for this is that according to a report released in May 2010 by TripAdvisor, the world’s top rated online tourism guide, vacation rentals have emerged as a popular choice for travelers in 2010. The Trip Advisor survey attributes this growing trend to vacationers seeking greater value and more varied amenities when choosing their accommodation.

In a survey of over 1,000 American participants, results illustrated how 68 percent of travelers are either planning or considering staying at a beach vacation rental in 2010. These figures show a marked increase of 52 percent compared to past renters who said they opted for a vacation rental or villa in 2009.

From Luxury Yachts to Luxury B&B Bungalows in Caribbean Cahuita

Joe and Chris Cannon

Joe Cannon and his wife, Chris, owners and operators of Coral Hill Bungalows, reflect on their adventures, dreams, visions and plans that took them from working on private luxury yachts to buying, building and launching their luxury Caribbean bungalows five years ago in the small village of Cahuita, Costa Rica.

Chris says “Joe and I met back in the 80′s when we both worked as crew members on private mega-yachts. Joe was the Chef and I was the lead Stewardess. The standard of service, quality, presentation and congeniality that we learned while serving on those yachts were of the highest level. The people who owned or charted these mega-yachts paid for and expected that exceptional kind of experience and that is what groomed us for our present roles as proprietors of a boutique hotel.”

“We felt we wanted to offer a similar kind of attention to detail, but in a small land based Bed & Breakfast type of establishment somewhere in a remote ocean side area. We were looking for a place that had top of the line mattresses, thick plush towels, impeccably clean rooms, large luxurious showers and a unique high quality breakfast, but couldn’t find exactly what we were looking for, so we decided to create one ourselves.”