| The Republic of Costa Rica is an amazing place to live | | | | half of neighboring (and wealthier) Panama's, and |
| in. The country is experiencing major development | | | | ¼ of Nicaragua's. But rather than being swept |
| under the presidency of Nobel Peace Prize winner | | | | under the rug, this issue is widely discussed by all the |
| Oscar Arias. Costa Rica stands out among the Latin | | | | major parties, with many plans being proposed to |
| countries, including even Chile, Mexico and Brazil. | | | | help the poor improve their status. The countryside, |
| According to most sources, Costa Rica has the | | | | and the cities and towns besides the capital of San |
| premier reputation for safety and democracy in the | | | | Jose, are tranquil and safe to visit or live in. |
| region. For example, in the global rankings of | | | | Foreigners, if they behave well and show respect, |
| democracies recently published by the Economist, | | | | are welcome. Buying real estate in Costa Rica is |
| only 28 nations were considered full democracies. And | | | | made extremely easy by This US-owned company |
| of all the nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, | | | | has been in business for over ten years. Located in |
| only Costa Rica made the list (and Uruguay, which | | | | the resort town of Dominical, Land Assurance is a |
| was last). Even Chile was deemed a "flawed | | | | leading property broker along the southern Pacific |
| democracy." And the "ticos," as the citizens call | | | | Coast, where it offers Costa Rican properties for |
| themselves with pride, recently justified the honor by | | | | sale. Times have changed since Land Assurance |
| approving CAFTA in a national referendum. In | | | | opened its doors back in 1996. Real estate in Costa |
| addition, Costa Rica did very well in the Economist's | | | | Rica with decent access and nice views, especially of |
| 2007 "business risk of investing" survey. It came in at | | | | the ocean, can no longer be bought at the cheap |
| 33rd in the world, out of over 200 - and not that far | | | | prices of ten years ago. That's because back then, |
| behind the US at 23rd! Costa Rica was deemed a | | | | there was minimal infrastructure in place. But now as |
| safer business environment than any other nation | | | | roads are built, gravel roads are paved, resort are |
| south of the US, except Chile (which even beat the | | | | developed, golf courses are created, marinas start |
| US). So everyone expects the pace of foreign | | | | up, and so on, prices have risen accordingly. |
| investment here to quicken. After all, the market is | | | | However, the Southern Pacific Coast, from Quepos |
| looking for three things: safety (physical and legal), | | | | to Panama, is still very much on the ground floor in |
| beauty, and proximity. With those three in place, | | | | terms of costs to buy real estate. One need only |
| infrastructure will follow. If Costa Rica continues to | | | | compare its prices to Guanacaste to realize how |
| move politically more towards places like Switzerland | | | | much more expensive land and houses are going to |
| and Canada, and away from the Nicaragua and | | | | become south of Quepos, around the towns of |
| Guatemalan model, it's current boom may well | | | | Matapalo, Hatillo, Dominical, Uvita, Ojochal, Palmar, and |
| become a permanent prosperity. Costa Rica is widely | | | | Golfito. Prices are generally driven by location, as well |
| known for its scenic beauty. But that is only part of | | | | as infrastructure. Location can be defined by the |
| the story. After all, Colombia and Guatemala are even | | | | scenic beauty and natural attractions of a given area. |
| more beautiful. What stands out about the ticos is | | | | Infrastructure includes not only the physical |
| their extremely hospitable and friendly disposition. | | | | improvements like roads, airports, resorts, hospitals, |
| National politics is built on respect and conciliation, and | | | | and so on, but also the availability of financial |
| a deep sense of duty towards the poor. In Costa | | | | instruments. Only now are bank loans becoming |
| Rica, medical care is free to all, unlike any other Latin | | | | widely available to foreigners for the purchase of real |
| nation and even the US. In addition, every poor | | | | estate. And the easier the credit, the higher prices |
| Costa Rican is eligible for a free plot of land and the | | | | tend to be pushed (more money competing for the |
| funds to build a small house, courtesy of the | | | | same amount of land). |
| government. The poverty rate is about 19%, about | | | | |