Slightly north of Playa Hermosa, at the entrance to Bahia Culebra, you’ll arrive at Playa Panama, a popular destination for Costa Ricans. Nestled into the bay as it is, Panama is among the calmest beaches in the area, so like Pez Vela, it offers a tranquil place for swimming and lazing about in the sun.

Unlike Pez Vela it is much less secluded. Playa Panama is part of the long-standing Gulf of Papagayo Project aimed at developing the gulf for tourism. Several large, all-inclusive resorts are in operation here, with another currently in development. Some residential developments are underway as well. But there are no stores in Panama and only one restaurant. And while one dive shop is based in this beach community, independent water sports operators do not make their home here.

More secluded is Bahia Pez Vela, the smallest of the area's beach communities. To reach it, you must drive through the gated community of Ocotal. Here, there is only a single resort, expensive villas and a restaurant set against a picturesque garden and lawn overlooking the bay. Buy you don't have to be a resident or guest to enjoy Pez Vela's often deserted w/b sand beach if you are really in the mood to get away from it all. All beaches in Costa Rica are public, so everyone has free access to them.

Just as you enter Coco, the pave road to the left will take you to the other enviromental award winning beach, Playa Ocotal. This relatively small beach is a favorite among locals and residing ex-pats largely because its rocky shore is great for snorkeling. It's also a popular destination for divers; Ocotal is home to the resort with the other longest established dive shop in the area. As with the other beach communities, you can make arrangements for sport fishing and other water sport activities from here as well.

Aside from the resort, there are a couple of other places to stay in Ocotal, including a bed and breakfast and a hotel offering condo's and villas. Primarily, it is made up of large, expensive private homes and condo's that lie within a gated community. This is the place to go if you want something a little out of the way but within easy rich Coco, which is about a mile away. There are no grocery stores or other service outlets here and only a couple of restaurants, including one bar restaurant just off the beach.

About four miles before you get to Coco is the paved turnoff to the area's second largest beach community, Playa Hermosa. Considerably more laid back than Coco, Hermosa is less of a town than it is a resort and retirement community. Its mix of beach front and off beach hotels, including two large all inclusive resorts, are set amidst private homes and numerous small developments, where mostly North Americans have taken up residency or live part of the year.

Hermosa's near white sand beach is one of two in the are to earn enviromental awards for cleanliness. It's great for sun bathing, swimming, skim boarding and snorkelling. One of the oldest and largest dive shops in Costa Rica makes its home in Hermosa, making this community a key destination for divers. You can arrange to go sport fishing or surfing through the shop as well as any Hermosa hotel. You can also book sailing and/or snorkeling cruises on one of the sail boats that moor off the beach.

The recent growth in Hermosa has led to an increase in the number of dining options in this community. In addition to established local restaurants that serve typical Costa Rican food, there are now several restaurants offering more sophisticated international menus-at more upscale prices. Services in the area are improving as well. There are now several small, but well stocked, grocery stores, where you can buy food, wine and beer, as well as such things as insect repellent, sunscreen and other everyday over the counter drug store items.

Just 20 minutes from the Liberia airport along paved roads is Playas del Coco, Costa Rica's oldest fishing village and the area's central hub. Here, the old and the new blend with a bit of a honky tonk feel. A growing, international ex-patriot community resides alongside established Costa Rican families. Moored to the left of its three kilometer long beach are Coco's traditional commercial fishing boat's; to the right, a fleet of boats geared to the tourism trade. And in town, old time sodas and pulperias coexist with high speed internet cafes.

Tourism is chiefly how Coco survives this days and to that end, it, unlike the other beach communities in the area, is truly a full service town. There are numerous low and moderately priced hotels that rent rooms to visitors as well as bars and restaurants on and off the beach offering international and local cuisine. There are two dive shops in town that take out divers daily as well as several privately owned sport fishing boats that take out customers in search of tuna, wahoo, rooster fish, marlin or sail fish. Here, also, is where you can book surf trips to Witch's Rock or Ollie's Point or rent snorkel gear. Coco beach itself is best for sunbathing, swimming, people watching and a little exploring: at low tide, you can walk over the rocks at the left end of the beach to reach the secluded, white sand beach of Playa Blanca.
At the end of the day, Coco offers more than dining in the way of nightlife. Its bars and restaurants offer opportunities for dancing, pool playing, casino gambling and even Karaoke.

This beach town is also the service center for the area. The port captain has an office in Coco as does Costa Rican inmigration. There's a bank, supermarket and medical facilities, including a pharmacy. There's a couple of high speed internet cafes, where visitors can check email and make international phone calls. And, of course, there is shopping.

Coco's main street is lined with open air and indoor shops offering a broad range of souvenirs for tourists to take home. Any of the hotels in town can help you with tours and water sports bookings, but Coco is also one of the few communities with several independent tour offices that can help you arrange activities during your stay.

CANOPY TOUR

Visiting the northern flanks of Rincon de la Vieja volcano is perfect for enjoying several activities during your stay at one of Guanacaste's best mountain lodges. The canopy tour takes you through the tropical forest in a truly unique way. Equipped with a harness and accompanied by trained guides, you'll embark on an adventure that'll take you across ten cables that connect platforms which sit in centuries-old trees.

A 400 meter (1300 foot) waterslide is also located in the forest. The slide is a like a fountain of youth for grownups and great fun for children. After these two activities, you'll enjoy a wonderful traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Either a horseback ride or a trip in horse-drawn carriage will take you to some thermal hot springs located in the middle of nature, where you'll receive a volcanic mud treatment. The curative properties of the mud will leave your skin feeling rejuvinated.

VOLCANO AERIAL TOUR

Departing from Liberia Airport, Paradise Air takes you on a breathtaking aerial tour of the Guanacaste chain of volcanoes, Rincon de la Vieja, Miravalles and Tenorio and the ultimately to Costa Ricas most famous, Arenal. From the large viewing windows of our brand new, seven passenger airvans you will witness magnificent volcanic craters, mineral-rich lakes, rugged mountains and lush rainforest. The tour is one and a half hours. Contact: Paradise air, 231-0938.

RINCON DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK

After a two and a half hour ride, you'll arrive at one of Costa Rica's most comprehensive national parks. Rincon de la Vieja houses an active volcano and a variety of ecosystems that include everything from the the rainforest to dry forest, passing through cloud forests along the way. The parks biodiversity creates one of Guanacaste's most important attractions. A 2.5 hour hike will take you right into the thick of the forest, where you'll experience nature at its purest form. You'll se volcanic activities such as fumaroles and the famous "little volcano", which is a miniature volcano that shows complete volcanic activity. The search of wildlife is important as well, as the variety of fauna that lives in the park at any given time is surprising.

SHOPPING TOUR IN LIBERIA

After lunch, you'll leave your hotel and head for the white city. Calle real is your first stop. This is street is an architectural gem with adobe houses adorned with Spanish-title-roofs. Later, the bus will stop in the city's Central Park for two hours while you go about shopping. On the way back from Liberia you'll stop in two other spots to shop for a few little things that are worth the trouble!

PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK

A two hour trip along the Tempisque River will take you to Palo Verde National Park. Mangroves abound. The best birdwatching for aquatic species is found right here, as the park is favor by many migratory birds as they escape the cold winters in North and South America. At the same time, the are's density gives it a rich mix of mammal, amphibian and reptile life, including the famous (and feared) crocodiles. An expert naturalist guide will explain all the facets of the park, which simply by itself is a great oasis of Guanacaste's plains. At the end of your river trip, you'll stop at the river's edge to have lunch at a picnic spot. At around 1:30 in the afternoon you'll begin the return to your beach hotel, passing through the Village of Guaitil along the way. This small village is the birthplace of vases and other handmade ceramic goods.

MACADAMIA TOUR

This great tour not only reveals the secrets of the most exotic and expensive nut in the entire world, but also offers impressive views of three of Costa Ricas Volcanoes. Additionally, you'll experience the impacting climatic change between tropical dry and rain forests. During your time on the macadamia plantation you'll discover what makes this queen of the nuts" so spectacular. After the tour, you'll have a delicious, authentic Costa Rican lunch.

It sounds ideal: you've found a beautiful piece of beachfront property in a peaceful country, where you plan to spend your days watching the sun set and the waves roll in.

Unlike many countries, foreigners in Costa Rica have the same rights to property as residents, meaning that if you buy a titled property, you become the sole owner of that property. However, many properties have problems with their titles, and buyers should beware before jumping into a costly investment.

Additionally, many investors don’t fully know the pitfalls that can accompany purchasing beachfront property.
Ever since the maritime zone law was effected in1977, all land within 200 meters of the high-tide line is considered public property and cannot be subject to any private transactions.

These 200 meters of untouchable land is divided into two sections. The first 50 meters from the high-tide mark cannot be possessed or develop in anyway and remains public property. It is possible to construct on the next 150 meters, but only under a long-term lease (usually 99 years) from the local municipality.

Many property owners face serious challenges to building on their beachfront property, even when they have concession from the government. The law stipulates that both the high-tide mark and then 50 meters beyond must be indicated by border markers. Although this responsibility belongs to the National Geographic Institute, many beach towns haven’t surveyed and plotted the land.

Another obstacle to building your beachfront dream house is the Regulatory Plan, which is a zoning plan that shows what type of construction is permitted where – be it residential, industrial, recreational or commercial. If a town has no plan in place, investors can pay to complete it. However, this is a process that can take from six months to two years to accomplish, and is subject for public debates from approval.

The only exceptions to the Maritime Zone law are older port cities, such as Limon and Puntarenas, and marinas, which are subject to separate legislation. If a marina complies with strict environmental requirement, it can be constructed within the 50 meter mark. In regards to marinas, currently the Los Sueños marina is the only legally sanctioned marina in Costa Rica.

Still, investors need to remember that land within the 200 meter mark can only be leased in a government concession. Concessions are still owned by the government, said an industry insider. If at any time the government wants that land back, they can take it. Owners can’t do anything.

Stewart Title offers protection for weary investors. They offer title insurance, which protects against any title defects or fraud. Titles are insured at the investment value.

Many realtors recommend title insurance as an inexpensive assurance that your investment will be protected. There are several potential problems that can befall investors, For example, if something was misstated in the Public Registry, there can be serious problems with the property later on. Additionally, squatters, easements and encumbrances are other issues that owners must investigate before purchasing.

Lawyers at Stewart Title go through a 30 point checklist, which they then give to the client, along with their professional opinions.

The price of the title insurance depends on the purchase price of the property. Call (506) 258-5600 or visit (www.StewartTitleLatinAmerica.com) for more information.

1. Get good legal advice.

Buyers should either deal with renowned real estate companies or use their own lawyer. Because Costa Rica has a unique, legal system, buyers should use a trustworthy lawyer to research liens, encumbrances, boundary lines, name of the title holder, and other things that would affect the title or subsequent construction. Buying a home or property is an important investment, and one should take the necessary precautions to ensure the process goes smoothly.

Additionally, it is important that the buyer have her or his own attorney conduct an independent title search and investigation rather than rely on the seller’s attorney. Stewart Title (http://www.stewarttitlelatinamerica.com/) offers these services, and can help point you in the right direction.

2. Understand Costa Rica before buying.

Avoid the Paradise Syndrome. Many vacationers are quickly enamored by Costa Ricas breath taking scenery and charming people. But real life is not a permanent vacation. There are bills, chores, work and cultural adjustments. We recommend that people live here for a while or visit a few times before investing in a home and moving here. One should get a feel for what the country is really like and talk to those who have made a similar move.

3. Research Location

Concentrate on your needs. Do you want modern conveniences like internet, cable TV, public power grids and shopping? Or would you prefer to live deep in the rainforest, with only monkeys as neighbors?

Costa Rica has a wide variety of climates, from Guanacastes dry pampas to Heredia’s alpine mountains to the tropical rainforests of the Caribbean coast. Once you’ve found your climate, make sure that you’ll be close to what you find important, whether that’s great surfing beach of first class shopping.

Be sure to look at everything that surrounds the property. How close is to town? Are there banks and schools nearby? Does the property have water and electricity? These are questions one must ask before purchasing.

Finally, take a look at the type of community you’ll be living in. Places of such as Manuel Antonio and Escazu, for example, have large expatriate communities, where you can still experience the tastes and sounds of home. Alternatively, you can enter a mainly Costa Rican area, for total cultural immersion.

4. Compare and contrast

Once you’ve seen a variety of properties, make a list of the pros and cons of each one. Carefully consider market conditions, quality of construction, surrounding neighborhood and amenities. After a detailed analysis, your decision will be easier.

5. Once you’ve bought enter the culture

Moving to a new country isn’t easy, but it can be exciting and rewarding. Take the time to learn conversational Spanish. Your experience will be infinitely richer if you can communicate with your neighbors. Also, try a Latin dance or cooking class. Go to the farmer’s market. Live like a Tico. The more effort you put into learning about your host culture, the quicker the assimilation process will be.

Real Estate in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's real estate market is booming. A stable government, steady economy, great social benefits, pristine landscapes and a welcoming, friendly people all help make the country a popular destination for retirees and investors.

Guanacaste

It's hot. A great climate, gorgeous beaches, and a growing infrastructure (including a recently opened international airport) make Guanacaste Costa Rica's most popular are right now. Real estate brokers quote prices of properties near the beach that are higher than in San Jose, and the boom isn't slowing down. Guancaste's beaches, mountains, wide variety of activities, international hotel chains (including a Four Seasons in Papagayo and a JW Marriot at Hacienda Pinilla) all contribute to the area's growth.

This are of Costa Rica located on the West Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, extends from Playa Carrillo in the South all the way up to Puerto Soley in the north near the border with Nicaragua.

In this area of Costa Rica, known as the "Gold Coast" one can find many bays and coves and endless beaches that will take your breath away. Watching a sunset full of indescribable colors while floating in the calm waters of the north pacific or while wading in a private pool high on a holl overlooking the Gulf of Papagayo, one is transported to a world without cares where your biggest worry is remembering to put on that suntan lotion or wondering which of the tasky menu choices you should pick for dinner! Hmmmm... Lobster or shrimp? Yes, that's life on the Costa Rican Riviera!!

You can drive (under 4 hours) from San Jose and enjoy the varied scenery while exploring small towns along the way or you can take a short flight from San Jose.

If you drive, you can go north to Liberia and then west past the Daniel Oduber International Airport towards the town of Filadelfia and the past Belen to Huacas and onward to the beaches of Langosta, Tamarindo, Playa Grande, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo, Potrero, Ocotal, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa and Playa Panama.

On the other hand your are headed for Nosara, Samara, Carrillo or the sorrounding beaches, your best bet is to get off the main highway north and cross the Tempisque river bridge. Inaugurated in 2003, this excellent bridge is a pleasure to cross. A magnificent structure, built with the help of the Taiwanese government, which cuts driving time to the city of Nicoya and from there to the Southern Guanacaste beaches.

You can also go north from Nicoya to Belen and on to the Northern Guanacaste beaches. There is plenty to do on the "Gold Coast". Sailing, diving, sport fishing, golfing, swimming, surfing, kayaking, horseback riding, river rafting, canopy touring, bird and other wildlife watching or just plain old sun worshipping while sipping on a tall, cool beverage.

There are also plenty of bars, restaurants, casinos, and a variety of entertainment to keep you busy in the evenings, so don't just read about how great this area is.. come experience it for yourself and if you get hooked, we are ready to help you find the perfect property for your needs and wants.

In Costa Rica, most land is titled, and titles are registered and centralized at the offices of the Public Register in San José. Most titles are currently organized by the means of a computer system called "Folio Real", although some of them, especially the ones for properties that have had no transfers or other transactions affecting them for a long time, are not organized in the computer system and are still registered in an older fashion, which refers to specific books, pages and entries of hard records at the Register.

Property transfer require for buyer and seller to sign a deed before a Costa Rica Public Notary (whose concept is different than the one in many other countries such as the United States, Canada or the United Kingdom and is required to formalize all transactions dealing with real estate) and for such deed to be recorded at the Public Register.

A.- "Folio Real" and "Book/Page/Entry" Systems - Title Searches

All titled land in the country, notwithstanding of it being registered following the newer "Folio Real" system or the older book/page/entry system can be accurately and safely title-searched in order to determine all relevant aspects on the specific property, such as ownership, liens, encumbrances, annotations or other issues that may affect ownership rights or the possibility of transferring the land to a third party.

Title searches on "Folio Real" properties may be initiated in the computer system, which is accesible on-line, but will then probably require to be continued in the book/page/entry system, especially when the computer search shows liens, encumbrances or other property characteristics that were "inherited" from older transactions on such land before it was transferred to the "Folio Real" system. Additionally, although the computer system will indicate a list of liens and encumbrances, in most cases a thorough and complete title search will require the review of microfilmed or scanned documents indicating the details of such finds, which are not accesible on-line and can only be obtained at the offices of the Public Register.

Although, as indicated, the "Folio Real" system is accesible on-line, in general private parties lack the legal training to be able to accurately, safely and thoroughly interpret the information, as well as follow-up any required further steps, reason for which we strongly recommend for a knowledgeable professional to be used for performing and reporting the title search.

In addition to the performance of a title search, when the property is owned by a corporate entity, it is essential to perform a corporate search at the Commercial Section of the Public Register, since only this step will allow to verify that the entity transferring the property is in good standing and that the proposed signatory of the transfer deed has sufficient capacities to do so.

B.- "Folio Real" Search Reports

When reviewing a "Folio Real" title search report, the main elements that will appear and need to be understood are the following:

1.- "Folio Real" number:

This number is traditionally reported as composed of:

a single number from one to seven, indicating the Province where the property is located, namely 1 for San José, 2 for Alajuela, 3 for Cartago, 4 for Heredia, 5 for Guanacaste, 6 for Puntarenas and 7 for Limón:

then followed by a sequence of five or six numbers:

finally with a sequence of three more numbers, which are generally three zeroes (indicating that the property is fully owned by one person or corporation) or two zeroes followed by another number (indicating partial ownership by different parties).

2.-Location information

The report will show the name and number of the province, County and District where the property is located.

3.- Measure:

An indication of the size of the property, in square meters will be made.

Boundaries:

There will be four boundaries indicated, normally North, South, East and West; although it is also possible to find them as Northwest, Northeast, Southwest and Southeast. Boundaries can consist, mainly, of names of the owners of the neighboring properties, natural landmarks such as rivers or lakes, or man made landmarks such as public roads.

5.- Owner Information:

For corporations, it will indicate the company's name and its corporate identification number. In the case of individuals, the Register will show full name, identification number and marital status. In the case of marital status, it is crucial to verify that it has not changed from the one shown at the Register (i.e. married once to divorced once; married once to widowed once) since in many cases the transfer or other transaction will not be authorized without a Court's resolution resolving the division of assets.

6.- Map number:

In most cases, the "Folio Real" will show an existing registered map for the property (in Spanish, "Plano Catastro"), although there are still properties in which such map number is no quoted or simply does not exist.

Within the Public Register, the department that registers and keeps record of these maps (namely, the Department of "Catastro") is different and separate from the Property Register, where "Folio Real" is. This means that one may encounter a registered map which is no quoted at the Property Register and that even shows data as measure or boundaries which does not coincide with the computer search. If that is the case, there must be a determination of the consequences of these differences and if they are not obstacles for the transaction, a rectification of the record must be made at the moment of the transfer.

By law, no property transfers can be currently made if the land does not have a registered map, and such map must be quoted in the transfer deed. If such does not exist, it must be made by a specialized registered surveyor, then recorded before the transaction can be effectively achieved and a delay of several weeks should be expected while this process takes place.

7.- Encumbrances

This item is referred to in Spanish as "Gravámenes" and it includes many items that under other countries legal terminology may be considered not only as emcumbrances but also as liens.

If the title indicates the existence of "Gravámenes", the most common elements that can be found here are:

Mortgages, which will show their term, amount, creditor and debtor. Further information and mortgage terms would need to be consulted in microfilmed or scanned documents at the register.

Easements, which might be in favor or againts the property and could consist on road rights, right for the passage of water, transiting rights, etc.

Conditions and limitations, which normally originate when the property was originally titled and generally concern public roads, bodies of water, limitations on sale or use, etc. and expire after certain term.

Encumbrances will show a reference number that allows its follow-up with microfilmed or scanned documents, in many cases directly related to the filling data of the document that originated them.

8.- Annotations

All filed documents pending registration for transactions on the property as well as some court procedures concerning the title-searched property will also be shown.

Pending registration may be due to filling of incomplete or erroneous documents, lack of payment of taxes, etc. A document filled on a property while an annotation appears will not be registeres until the annotated document or documents are either registered or removed from the queue following a special procedure.

C.- ADDITIONAL ELEMENTS

1.- Form of ownership:

Although titled land can be purchased in Costa Rica in the name of an individual as well as in the name of a company, and foreign ownership is fully permitted, it is advisable to purchase property through a corporation. This structure allows to have flexibility and more predictability on areas ranging from estate planning (if share ownership is properly structured the investor can avoid his heirs a painful and lengthy long-distance probate procedure), tax management (as an example, rules on corporate expenses are more flexible than the ones on personal ones), and representation (shareholders meeting can facilitate granting special powers of attorney or other types of authorizations for many actions thus not requiring physical presence in the country).

2.- Buying the shares of the company that owns the property instead of transferring it through the Register:

A somehow common practice has been to transfer the shares of an existing company that owns the land to be purchased, instead of transferring it through the Public Registry to a third party.

Although the share transfer system may sound appealing at first sight, since it allows to save money in notary fees and transfer taxes and may seem like a faster way to achieve the goal of transferring control of the property to the buyer, we don't recommend to take this path and strongly advise to transfer property through the Register under the standard procedure of a notarized deed.

When you acquire the shares of a Corporation in Costa Rica, as in most other countries, you do not only get the company's assets (in this case, mainly, the land) but also its liabilities, and there is no mechanism to satisfactorily list them or rule out their existence.
Such liabilities, if existent, would directly affect the land being acquired.

Under such terms, it is highly recommended that the extra cost is takes and that a normal transfer through the Public Register is made. Many people will consider such extra cost as a type of insurance of the property which will shield them against possible future claims from the seller's creditors.

3.- Buying only a piece of a registered property:

Purchases of portions of a titled property are also possible in Costa Rica, this is called "segregacion". For such purposes, a registered map for the land to be purchased is required, as well as an authorizations for the local government ("Municipalidad") where it is located. Such authorization must appear in the registered map in the form of a stamp, which is referred to as "Visado Municipal".

4.- Concesion Land:

Several areas of the country, mainly the ones affected by the Maritime Zone Law and locate adjacent to the ocean, are not subject to private ownership and their possesion is granted as a concession which could simplistically be compared to a lease made from the government for a specific period of time.

Concessions are difficult to examine and in many cases the prospective buyer will not be able to get a good level of certainty on what is being acquired. This type of transaction should be avoided if pieces of land with similar conditions and titled can be found; otherwise, additional caution must be exerted.

Costa Rica has so much to offer... Whether you come as a visitor, an investor or to establish a permanent residency, there is something attractive here for you. As one of the oldest democracies in the Americas and having abolished its army over 50 years ago Costa Rica has instead chosen to spend its money on education, health services and now infrastructure to make life better for its inhabitants. Having established political and social stability, Costa Rica offers a peaceful and prosperous nation that is safe for both the visitor as well as the resident.

No longer a secret, Costa Rica has become the number one Ecouturism destination in the world and with over 25% of its national territory set aside as protected areas, there is ample variety and beauty to enjoy. Costa Rica is a paradise for those who enjoy Nature and the Outdoors, as well as the Water-sports, Sport-fishing and Golf enthusiasts. The rivers, lakes and coast lines all offer ideal conditions for fishing, rafting, kayaking, diving, surfing or just plain sun worship. All these attractions are close enough that you can enjoy a sunrise on the Caribbean coast and on the same day take in the spectacular beauty of a sunset on the Pacific Coast.

Located in the Central Plateau, the capital city of San Jose offers all the attractions of a cosmopolitan city including theaters, plays, movies, shopping centers, and a multitude of nightlife attractions insuring that there is something for everyone. Come and enjoy this magnificent place with us.