Absolute Luxury in Manuel Antonio

When you first see the Punto de Vista villa in Manuel Antonio, on the central Pacific coast, it is immediately apparent that you won’ be staying in another tourist destination. You will be a guest in a work of art.

As you near the open-air lounge and dining area on the 4th floor of the villa’s west wing you see a panorama of the sequined water of Manuel Antonio’s crescent bay, whitecaps dotting the surf and inexplicable rock formations rising from the ocean.

There is no column supporting the ceiling, there are no walls enclosing you, and only the glass guardrail keeps you from walking right off the edge. Though you are underneath a 5th floor and completely shielded from all weather, you feel a bit disoriented.

This magnificent villa in Manuel Antonio goes beyond being a hotel; it is a non-traditional combination of design and physics. And a definite must see.

Punto de Vista was designed for events, large gatherings and, in particular, for weddings. The villa sleeps up to 27 people.

Top US Official Visit to Costa Rica

A top U.S. official will visit Costa Rica and Nicaragua this week to discuss a variety of issues that require bilateral cooperation. U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Arturo A. Valenzuela will begin his tour on Wednesday, making his first stop in Costa Rica.
On the next day, he will proceed to Nicaragua and will stay in the country's capital Managua until Friday.
In each country, he will meet with government officials and political, business, and civil society leaders to discuss bilateral and regional issues, the U.S. State Department said.
The agenda includes bilateral cooperation to promote democratic governance, citizen safety, inclusive economic opportunity, energy security and climate change.
Washington had expressed concerns about Nicaragua, where the Supreme Court last year opened the way for Leftist President Daniel Ortega to seek a new term in a 2011 election.

New Rules for Tourism Drivers

The Consejo de Transporte Público (The Council of Public Transport) will take a week to come up with changes in regulations that cover what are being called “special transports” or servicio de porteo. Many are drivers who work in tourism.
A decree appeared in the La Gaceta official newspaper Oct. 15 tightening the controls of the central government over such workers. The drivers engaged in slow-moving protests Monday and eventually met with transport ministry officials.
The Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes said that the rule that each driver must have a contract with those who are being carried would not be waived.
In addition, the Council and the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism must approve the vehicles involved. However now the drivers are arguing that under the rules set down Oct. 15 only big corporations would be able to do the work.

Costa Rica Exports Up 9%

The Foreign Trade Promotion Office announced Wednesday that Costa Rica’s exports have increased 9 percent this year when compared to the first nine months of 2009. From Jan. through Sept. the country has raked in over $7 billion in sales, compared to $6.5 billion at this point last year.

They reported that 75 percent of all exports are industrial products, 23 percent agricultural products and 2.4 percent fish and livestock. Industrial exports accounted for $205 million more in 2010 than last year, boosted primarily by a 96 percent increase in the export of electric cables and a 36 percent increase in both tires and electrical switches and breakers. Microprocessors and other electric components continue to bring in the largest amounts of revenue, accounting for over $1.4 billion in sales so far this year.

Regarding food and agricultural products, the export of bananas, pineapples and coffee - historically among Costa Rica’s leading exports – all improved, led by a 23 percent increase in the shipping of bananas. In addition to these principal exports, sugar sales abroad have increased a whopping 217 percent, jumping from $23 million in 2009 to $74 million this year.

The majority of Costa Rican exports (41 percent) in 2010 were shipped to the United States, while 12.4 percent have gone to the European Union. Since 2008, exports to the EU have increased 5.9 percent. So things are looking up for Costa Rica and we are all excited about what the optimistic future will bring for us!

Stadium in San Jose Nearing Completion

The $80 million stadium in San José’s La Sabana Park, a gift from the government of China, is nearing completion. The behemoth’s seats have been installed, the scoreboards mounted and the playing field lain with grass.

During President Laura Chinchilla’s first official tour of the stadium on Thursday, the Chinese ambassador told her the stadium would be ready for final inspection in November.

“We are in the final phase of construction of the national stadium,” he said. “After a few months of trials, we expect the inauguration to take place at the end of March.”

He anticipates a “great party” in celebration of a stadium that he said is a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. The 35,000-seat stadium was pledged to Costa Rica after the Central American country established relations with China, severing ties with longtime friend Taiwan, in 2007.

Chinchilla said she will look to guarantee that Costa Ricans “have true pride in the stadium” and that it will pave the way for a greater participation in sports.

“We want a stadium that is alive; that is always filled with people,” she said.

When asked about a name, she said it is still open for conversation, but that “there are many athletes who have made important imprints in our history.”

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica: #1 Ranking

The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica received the #1 position in all of Central and South America from one of the most coveted readers’ choice awards surveys in the travel industry: the Condé Nast Traveler 2010 Readers' Choice Awards. More than 25,000 readers voted in the 23rd annual survey.

“It is testament to our staff and their dedication to continuously exceed our guests’ expectations,” said Luis Argote, general manager of the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica. Since opening in 2004, the Resort was ranked #1 in Central and South America in 2005 and 2006.

Four Seasons Golf Club at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica has been recognized for environmental excellence by Audubon International. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Golf course is one of four courses in Costa Rica and 778 courses in the world to receive the honor.

Beautiful Condo! New Listing!!! $330,000

Please See Remax Connection of Jaco Beach New Exclusive!