The Tropical Weather of Costa Rica

Around one quarter of the land in the tropical country of Costa Rica is protected land for parks and reserves and because of this there is incredible flora and fauna all around. It has the most biodiversity in the world, with over 10,000 plant species and 36,000 animals, reptiles and insects.

In addition to all of the amazing species present in beautiful Costa Rica, there are also 12 distinct ecosystems. This country really has a little something for everyone, from dry beaches to tropical wetlands to mangrove swamps!

Furthermore, this tropical country does not even have a winter! The sun shines here throughout the year with an average temperature of 70 to 80 degrees. What more could you ask for!

Low Property Taxes in Costa Rica

The common rate of Property Tax in Costa Rica is 0.25% of the declared value of the property, which is typically determined by the local government. So that is just one quarter of one percent of the registered property value.

This rate is extremely low when compared with many other countries, especially Canada and the United States. The property taxes make investing in Real Estate in Costa Rica a great and very affordable option for foreigners.

Titled Versus Concession Real Estate Costa Rica

In Costa Rican Real Estate there is something called “Zona Maritimo Terrestre” which loosely translates to the Maritime Shoreline Zone. This is also referred to as “Concession Land” which can be a very tricky aspect of Real Estate here in Costa Rica. Roughly 95% of the beachfront property in Costa Rica is labeled Concession Land, in order to try to protect the pristine Pacific and Caribbean Coast beaches.

The main problem with this is that the government does not allow private ownership of this beachfront property.

The first 200 meters from the shoreline are owned by the government of Costa Rica, the first 50 meters are public beaches on which no construction may take place and the remaining 150 meters may be developed through special "concessions" that are approved by the local government.

Beyond this there are many specific rules as to getting a concession from the government and these rules are very important for foreign investors. For example, foreign investors must have lived in Costa Rica for at least 5 years prior to the purchase of Concession Real Estate and at least 50% of the development capital must be Costa Rican.

However we are lucky enough here in Jaco Beach, Costa Rica, to have beautiful TITLED beachfront property. One of the only beaches in Costa Rica that is completely titled and therefore foreign investors don’t have to worry about these restrictions when buying Real Estate in Jaco Beach.

For more information on Titled vs. Concession Real Estate in Costa Rica please feel free to contact me: PiperCostaRica@gmail.com

Ortega on The Border Dispute with Costa Rica

Ortega said that he will continue with his work of dredging in order to open up the navigation in the San Juan River.

The president of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega, called to the OEA to help with the border conflict with Costa Rica, meanwhile the Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla declared before the Central American bishops that her country has absolutely no hope for the San Juan River.

Ortega announced that his government will present a book titled, “Las verdades que oculta Costa Rica” or “The Truths that Costa Rica Hides” in which he will expose his version of the territorial dispute.

He also claims that although Costa Rica says they don’t have armed forces, the Central American country really does have an armed military that occupied the Nicaraguan Territory and began this territorial dispute in the first place. So Ortega’s plan for now is to expose his idea of the “truths” of Costa Rica in his book, which is yet to have a precise date of publication.

I guess we will just have to wait on the edge of our seats for this best seller!

The Changing of Seasons in Costa Rica

The weather this week and possibly next will be dry and wet and dry and wet, as the change from the rainy season to dry completes in the Central Valley, Central Pacific and North Pacific.

The national weather service of Costa Rica says that the dry/wet days will continue until the process of change is complete, which is expected by the end of the month.

The weather during this period will include hot sunny days, cold cloudy mornings, heavy afternoon rains, cold nights and everything in between and all in the same day on some days.

The experts in Costa Rica say that when strong winds are present there is less chance of rain. However, the winds are expected to stabilize over the coming week, which signifies the change to the dry or summer season.

The Central and South Pacific has yet to enter the transition period and can expect more isolated rain. The dry season is expected to reach the area by mid December. So very soon we will be back to our beautiful pacific coast beaches full of sun all day long!

This Holiday Season’s Upcoming Events in Costa Rica

• 2010 Christmas Festival: Arts and culture activities, eco-friendly product fair, gifts, Nov. 20-21 and 27-28, CENAC, Av. 3/5, Ca. 11/15,
• Lighting of Coca-Cola Christmas Tree: With cultural shows, Nov. 28, 6 p.m., opposite National Gymnasium, southeast La Sabana Park, San José.
• Christmas Choir Festival: Dec. 1-3, 6 p.m., Plaza de la Cultura, San José.
• Lighting of the Children’s Museum: Featuring 3,000 lights, concerts by the Colegio Metodista Choir and the University of Costa Rica Symphony Band, with fireworks, live nativity scene, Dec. 1, 6 p.m., Children’s Museum, north end of Ca. 4, 2258-4929.
• Hanukkah Menorah Lightings: Dec. 1-8, 6:30 p.m.; family program and lighting, Dec. 5, 5:30 p.m., La Sabana Park, behind León Cortes statue, 2296-6565.
• Lighting of Children’s Hospital Tree: Including cultural events, Dec. 2, 6 p.m., National Children’s Hospital, Paseo Colón, 2523-3600.
• Christmas Festival: Float parade, bands, dance, Dec. 3, 6 p.m., Miramar, Puntarenas.
• Teletón: Proceeds support the National Children’s Hospital, featuring national and international singers, bands, actors, dancers and other entertainers, Dec. 3, 9 p.m., through midnight Dec. 4, Palacio de los Deportes, Heredia, www.ayudemos.com. Donations can be made to Banco de Costa Rica account 12345-5, or by text message in amounts of ¢1,000 (dial 2030), ¢2,000 (2032), ¢5,000 (2035) or ¢9,000 (2039).
• Annual Nativity Scene Contest: Enroll by Dec. 6; award ceremony with choir recital, Dec. 18, 5 p.m., José Figueres Ferrer Cultural Center, San Ramón, Alajuela, 2447-2381, ccehjff@ice.co.cr.
• Arte Hoy International Art Fair: With approximately 150 national and international artists, Dec. 8-12, Avenida Escazú shopping mall, Escazú.
• Embrujarte Art Fair: With approximately 200 artists, Dec. 8-13, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., soccer field, San Rafael de Escazú, 2280-9121, 8383-3518.
• Christmas Fair: Workshops, gift fair, Dec. 9, 8 a.m.-6 p.m., Crowne Plaza Hotel Corobicí, 2291-8831, navidad @aportasolutions.com.
• Festival of Lights: Companies and organizations compete to construct the most elaborate illuminated floats in a parade with band music, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., from National Gymnasium, La Sabana Park, along Paseo Colón and Av. 2, San José.
• Christmas Concert by National Youth Symphony Orchestra: Dec. 17-18, 7:30 p.m., Melico Salazar Theater.
• Zapote Traditional Fair: Rides, food, games, concerts, bullfights, Dec. 25-Jan. 3, Zapote.
• Tope Horse Parade: Dec. 26, 1 p.m., Paseo Colón, San José.

Costa Rica Nicaragua Dispute

Costa Rica has filed a formal complaint before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Netherlands, claiming that Nicaragua has violated its sovereignty and destroyed parts of a protected wetland.

This is part of a one-month old border dispute between the two Central American countries.

Costa Rican Foreign Minister René Castro said Thursday that it appears Nicaraguan officials are attempting to build a canal between the Río San Juan, which divides the two countries, and a nearby lagoon.

This is the second time in less than two years that the ICJ has been called to settle a dispute over the Río San Juan. In July 2009, the ICJ ruled that Costa Rica was granted navigational rights to the Nicaragua-owned river.

The Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) met again this week in Washington D.C. to address the border row. Earlier this month, 22 of the 27 OAS representatives voted to request that Nicaragua remove troops from the area, but Nicaragua has not responded.

Nicaragua's ambassador to the OAS, did not attend this week's meeting. Last week, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega called the OAS a "failure," and said Nicaraguan troops would remain in the disputed area indefinitely.

OAS Secretary General José urged the two countries to find a peaceful resolution through dialogue.

Bejuco Beach Home Reduced Price!!

I now have this amazing home in Bejuco Beach that just reduced the price to $199,000!

It is a fully furnished 3 bedroom, 3 bath home set in the gated community of Costa Del Sol.

This luxury community features a large pool area, barbeque/club house, volleyball court, tennis court and only 200 meter access to the stunning Bejuco Beach. This home is brand new and ready to be rented, loved and lived in.

Check out my YouTube Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZhxVaAhR1Y

TV Show in Costa Rica with Lea Thompson!

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to take part in a Costa Rica Real Estate television show with DateLine NBS’s Lea Thompson. It was quite the experience to say the least. We toured some stunning homes in the Los Suenos Resort complex and I got a taste of the spot light!

The first challenge was getting the microphone underneath my dress in an inconspicuous manner and then trying to make it work with my pearls! Who knew that pearls draped around my neck could be so difficult?

Then after touring the stunning $4.3 million dollar home in Los Suenos overlooking Herradura Beach we went to 2 stunning condos in the luxury communities of Del Mar and Montebello. Working with Lea Thompson and her production team on this unique Real Estate TV show was such a great experience and I can’t wait to see the final product!

National Disaster for Costa Rica-Relief on the Way

Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla announced that at least 2,540 homes had been affected by floods and landslides caused by indirect rains from Hurricane Tomás last week.

Chinchilla said that she expects the cost to be “extremely high,” and that road repairs will have the highest price tag. “The country is equipped to deal with crises of certain levels,” Chinchilla said. “But this one of the first of this magnitude, which has caused damages in such a large portion of the national territory.”

So far, the government has pooled $86.4 million in funds for the disaster and Chinchilla said on Tuesday that she expects other public agencies to contribute disaster relief money by the end of the week.

**To donate to the Red Cross, make a deposit to the Banco Nacional to account number 100100-7 in colones, or account number 68666-7 in dollars, or to Banco de Costa Rica account number 176003-3 in colones, or 204-6 in dollars.**

Scenic Country Home -Hermosa Beach- ONLY $165,000

This stylish country home is located a short five minute drive from Hermosa Beach and five minutes from Esterillos beach. It is built in a scenic country area in the traditional Costa Rica style with wrap-around balconies surrounding it.

The large property is already completely fenced in so it is perfect for someone with dogs. This home is priced EXTREMELY well. For the area of construction it would be hard to build for the asking price. There is a transferable mortgage of $60,000 with monthly payments of $450.

Please contact me for more information on this scenic country new construction home.

www.PropertiesJaco.com