Regions

Most visitors to Costa Rica are surprised to find so many regions, climates – and yes, real estate markets – crammed into such a tiny space. Considering the wealth of options, just planning a trip can be a daunting task, and deciding on a place in which to live or invest even more so. The mountainous landscape that produced so many micro-climates is also home to a vast variety of small villages and communities, each with it’s own particular flavor. This is especially the case when it comes to the expatriate communities around the country.

Variations in accessibility, community acceptance, infrastructure, and climate mean that each region, town and village has developed at a different pace and to a different level. Take, for example, the Guanacaste beach communities of Nosara and Tamarindo. Though only a few kilometers apart by boat, Nosara remains obscure because of certain environmental laws and difficult road access – plus, the community in Nosara likes it that way.

The incredible variety in the country’s different locations makes this chapter extremely important for people who have yet to pick a spot for their new home or investment. This chapter will take you on a written and graphical tour through the country by splitting into the following regions:

1. Central Valley

a) San José and Environs

• West San José suburbs: Escazú, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colón and Puriscal.

• San José’s Western Neighborhoods: Sabana and Rohrmoser

• Old Colonial San José: Barrio Amón and Barrio Otoya

• East San José suburbs: San Pedro, Curridabat and Cartago.

b) Heredia: San Rafael, San Francisco, San Isidro.

c) Alajuela: San Antonio de Belén, Cariari, Atenas, La Garita, Grecia, San Ramón.

2. Northwestern Guanacaste:

a) Langosta to Potrero: Tamarindo and area, Langosta, Playa Grande, Conchal, Brazilito, Flamingo, Surfside, Pinilla and Potrero.

b) Playas del Coco, Hermosa and Playa Panamá.

d) Hermosa to Papagayo.

e) 27 Abril, Lagarto, Manzanillo, Playa Negra, Marbella.

e) Carrillo, Nosara, and Sámara.

3. Central Pacific

a) Jacó and Herradura to Esterrillos

b) Quepos and Manuel Antonio

4. Southern Nicoya Peninsula

a) Santa Teresa and Mal País.

b) Montezuma.

c) Tambor.

5. Southern Zone.

a) Dominical to Ojochal.

b) Ojochal to Palma.

c) Golfito area.

6. Southern Caribbean.

a) Cahuita

b) Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo.

7. Northern Costa Rica

a) Lake Arenal and area (including Cababga and Guatuso)

b) Tilarán side of Lake Arenal.

c) San Carlos area (including La Fortuna.)

This chapter will evaluate each area in accordance with the following factors:

1. Getting there.

2. Brief local history, culture and economy.

3. Geography and climate

4. Community: Local and expatriate and living in the area.

5. Services (schools, hospitals, daily needs, shopping needs, entertainment.)

6. Investment and business opportunities

7. Crime.

8. Public transport (road quality, buses, local airports, taxis.)

9. Property: Overview of market

10. What people are buying (types of property and communities.)

11. Restrictions on building (Wildlife, National Parks)

12. Real Estate and Pending Legal Issues:

13. Prices

14. Utilities: water and water treatment, electricity, telecommunications.

15. Rental prices

16. Conclusion