Joseph A. Emanuelli Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Price Reduced on 1-Condo Paraiso Place in Playas Del Coco

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Tue, 08 May 2012 20:19:00 GMT

Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste - Announcing a price reduction on 1-Condo Paraiso Place, a 775 sq. ft., 1 bath, 1 bdrm 2 story. Now $65,000 USD - Motovated Seller.

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Costa Rica, Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, a typical day for a expat living by the beach! Part 1

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:43:00 GMT

Every morning the sun comes up more or less the same time, around 5:00 am. At this hour of the morning the howler monkeys start to sing their ritual call. If you never heard it before it can freak you out a bit as the sound is very guttural and deep sounding. It is amassing the sound that comes out of such a small animal. This is a perfect time of the day, I enjoy sitting back and having a great cup of freshly brewed Costa Rica coffee to take in splendor of mother nature. The birds start waking up as well and the morning chorus is just so beautiful to your ears. There are over 800 different species of birds in Costa Rica and vary depending on your location in the country. I Guanacaste we have some of the most beautiful species.

After a traditional breakfast of eggs, gallo pinto (a traditional dish of rice and beans with peppers, onions and cilantro and spices), corn tortillas, queso (Cheese) and fresh fruit it is time to take a leisurely stroll to the beach.

Living close the beach is great! You can hear the surf breaking on the shore and it makes the anticipation of putting your feet into the warm soft sand worth the time it takes to get there, a whopping 10 minute walk to Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, the town I live in and the beach I play on. I love this beach as it is a Costa Rican certified BLUE FLAG beach. A clean and sanitary and easy to walk on with a slight slope leaning towards the water’s edge. Many expats live in Playa Hermosa and many take the same walk every morning. Most have their four legged furry friends with them and it is nice to stop and chat about what’s going on or a new place to visit or new restaurant that opened up to hear some local gossip while getting your daily exercise. The great thing about this beach is the surf is gentle and there is no fear of rip tides which makes it a great swimming beach. After returning home and washing off the sand and salt from the walk on the beach and swim in the tropical waters, it is time to think about some landscaping or minor repairs to the house. This is what I love best as I can hire someone to do it for me and it doesn’t break the bank.

After the work is done now it is time to decide what to do for the next few hours. Should I go fishing, or should I get in the car and take drive to the volcanos for a hike in the forests and a dip in a natural hot spring? Maybe instead I think I will go horseback riding on some trails to enjoy more of Gods’ wondrous work. There are so many different things to do that I never get bored. Today I think actually since it is Friday I will take a drive into Liberia and go to the local farmers market (feria, which literally translated means fair). The market is a bustling mixture of local vendors selling everything from deep red vine ripened tomatoes to some of the most obscure fruits and vegetables I have ever seen. All the products are priced much lower than what you find in the grocery stores and for the most part are a lot better quality. Usually I only buy enough to last for a couple days and plan menus around the fresh products.

On the way home I will stop at a great meat market and pick up fresh whole tenderloin of beef, grass feed, nice and lean, totally trimmed of fat and ready to cut into filet mignons. Now in North America for this same cut of beef you would be paying somewhere around $15 to $20 dollars per pound and even higher is it is already trimmed for you. Not here, I pay under $7.00 per pound.

Well once I get home and put the groceries away and play with the dogs some, it is time to sing off. Keep an eye out and look for part 2 of what it is like to be an expat living in paradise.

Or send me an email and we can discuss it further, jaaechef@gmail.com

Playa Ocotal, Guanacaste Costa Rica. Oceav Views to die for

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Located three kilometers south of Playas del Coco and only 35 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International Airport, is the small quiet bedroom community of Playa Ocotal. This quaint coastal town has a residential feel to it as much of the land has already been developed with private home lots, and condos within a couple hundred meters from the beach starting as low as $115,000 to beautiful ocean view homes nestled in the hills valued into the millions. Ocotal is not over built and has impressive development projects such as Azul Paraiso, Vista Ocotal, Pez Vela Resort, Coco Bay Estates private Beach Club and the Ocotal Beach Resort, as well as an array of smaller bed and breakfast hotels with a low-key, rustic vibe. Playa Ocotal has some of the best ocean views in the area!

The beach at Playa Ocotal is a calm, black sand beach about a third of a mile long situated in a tiny cove protected by high bluffs. It is ideal for swimming and snorkeling, or just to relax and enjoy the peace and tranquility in a lush tropical setting. Scuba diving is also available, and the nearby Catalina Island is a recommended diving spot. Many local sport fishing operators work out of the bay for some of the best fishing in the area.

Father Rooster is the premier beachfront bar and grill in the town and is situated along the north end of the beach. This is the place if you want the best fish tacos in the area. Enjoy the wonderfully bright red and purple colors of the sunset while sipping a frozen tropical drink, munching on their famous nachos or other great menu items. Other great restaurants include the Ocotal Beach Resort, set above the ocean in the surrounding bluffs offering incredible ocean views, A great location to watch the whales when they come to this part of Costa Rica in December to February with their calf’s. Another good restaurant is Picante, located on the beach in the Pez Vela Resort offering delicious international cuisine at affordable prices.

Playa Ocotal is only a five to seven minute drive to Playas del Coco, the commercial hub of the surrounding bedroom communities, offering all the necessary services and featuring an abundant night life with many lively bars, restaurants, shops, and two casinos. After living it up in Playas del Coco, return to the quiet and tranquil peacefulness of Ocotal and realize that you are so close to everything, yet a world apart.

If you would more information about Playa Ocotal or are interested is potential ownership in this rustic but close part of Costa Rica,

just end an email to Joseph Emanuelli, Broker Associate with Re/Max Tres Amigos. jaaechef@gmail.com

or give him a call toll free, 1-877-661-6074

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. A little Peice of Paradise

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:20:00 GMT

Just 25 minutes from the Daniel Oduber International is the quaint quiet beach town of Playa Hermosa – the closest beach town to an international airport in all of Costa Rica! Playa Hermosa is a quiet bedroom community offering a high quality lifestyle with a great mix of North Americans, Europeans and Ticos (an endearing name for people from Costa Rica). Beautiful luxury homes, second homes and condos as well as full time residences are situated on the hills surrounding Hermosa. Offering a wonderful year round climate, Playa Hermosa is a great place for retirement, vacation or investment with homes and condos starting in the low $200,000 range and going up to some of the most expensive homes in all of Costa Rica. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from the hills surrounding the horseshoe bay where you neighbors are beautiful tropical birds and monkeys. The ocean views are comparable to those along the California coast without the hefty price and tax load that goes with it! Costa Rica has been compared to Hawaii of the 1950’s so the opportunities are here!

The beach itself is tremendous with beautiful tan to cream colored sand with no riptides or undercurrents. Playa Hermosa means “BEAUTIFUL BEACH” and it truly is. Playa Hermosa is one of only 26 Certified “BLUE FLAG” beaches in the Pacific Northwest region of Costa Rica. This great swimming beach is safe for children of all ages! Plus when the waves are up, it is a fun yet safe boogey boarding beach similar to a large wave pool!! Sport fishing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking and diving are just some of the activities offered along with all the regular beach fun. And every spot on the beach enjoys a perfect view of the famous Monkey Head Rock (named for the strong resemblance of a monkeys face that can be easily seen as you pass by on a boat) and the Four Seasons Luxury resort. Many of the homes and condos in the area are within walking distance of the beach, a great plus for those wanting to live here without renting or owning a vehicle.

Playa Hermosa is in the midst of some great future projects. The community is bordered on the south side by the Steve Case Cacique Project, which will see an Andre Agassi & Stefi Graf tennis center along with a One and Only Hotel, Miraval Spa, golf course, equestrian center and many other amenities. Mr. Case has stated he is committed to completing this huge project while minimizing the environmental impact – lots of natural green area with state of the art environmental conservation programs. To the north is Playa Panama which will be home to the new Westin Hotel, Grand Occidental, Hilton Papagayo which are already open, and more on the way. There are many positive changes for this beautiful area.

Playa Hermosa offers great hotels, bars and restaurants as well - Ginger, Villa del Sueño, The Upper Deck Sports Bar, La Finestera, El Velero Hotel and the Bosque Del Mar Hotel (Playa Hermosa Hotel). There is a Spa, movie theatre, and miniature golf, gymnasium as well as some of the best Pizza around. The Super Luperon, the local grocery story, will fulfill most of your shopping needs from fresh produce to fine imported wines to dog food for your pets. For more choice in shopping and restaurants, Playas del Coco, just 10 kilometers away, is the main shopping hub for the area - it offers great shopping with four supermarkets including the Auto Mercado which is equivalent to the best supermarkets in the US or Canada.

All in all, Playa Hermosa offers many great attributes and amenities to those looking for their “Piece of Paradise”

Contact me today for more information on this great town.

“I know firsthand, as I invested in this great town and live here. FULL TIME”

Price Reduced on 5-Coco Sunset Hills Court in Playas Del Coco

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 22:38:00 GMT

Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste - Announcing a price reduction on 5-Coco Sunset Hills Court, a 976 sq. ft., 1 bath, 1 bdrm single story. Now $129,900 USD - Low price for Ocean View.

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Price Reduced on 52-Artola lane in Artola

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 20:26:00 GMT

Artola, Guanacaste - Announcing a price reduction on 52-Artola lane, a lot / land. Now $49,900 USD - FIRE SALE.

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Liberia, Costa Rica. The White City

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:13:00 GMT

Cowboy hats and Ox-Carts, Snow-cones and Bicycles. These are just a few of Liberia’s every day sights.

Liberia, Guanacaste, the Gateway to Costa Rica, is still used today as a trading hub for locals and foreigners alike. This Costa Rican city takes center-stage leading us to all important destinations such as San Jose, in 3-4 hours, Nicaragua in 3 hours, and only 20 minutes to the beach. With almost 40,000 inhabitants, this fair sized city provides most all comforts of home, while still endowing the beauty of unfamiliar culture.

This bustling colonial city satisfies the craving of both commercialized and cultured taste buds. The local Food Mall provides franchised fast food restaurants such as Burger King, Papa John’s, Cinnabon, Church’s Chicken, while the other side of the International Highway boasts the famed French fries of McDonald’s and the delicious Latin American Fried Chicken franchise called Pollo Camperos. Other smaller, yet valued venues such as Café Liberia, El Cevichero, Pizza Pronto and Choza de Laurel provide a glimpse of polished Costa Rican style.

Also convenient for nationals and internationals alike is a 3D Movie Theater, a variety of clothing and home furnishing stores, as well as a grocery store and restaurants located inside Mall Plaza Liberia. Other convenient commercial locations include JUMBO Supermercados and Maxi Bodega (franchised by Walmart). Some well known hotels in the center of Liberia include Best Western El Sitio and Best Western Las Espuelas, Hilton Garden Inn as well as many other comfortable venues.

For those whose quest for nuance is only satisfied through local culture, try visiting the Museo de Sabanero “The Cowboy Museum” and “La Agonía” the oldest existing church located at the far end of the “Avenida Central”. Also consider passing through other historic buildings such as the former Governor’s mansion “La Gobernación” or “Zúñiga-Clachar” House, both which boast the honorary Ministry of Culture’s Save Our Heritage Award. Spanish urban architectural influence pomp narrow streets and white-washed adobe houses. These were traditionally built using the bahareque technique of mud and bamboo and “sun-doors” to catch the morning and afternoon’s rays.

A true living Costa Rican town, Liberia is pocketed by four volcanoes, only a few minutes from Volcán Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Miravalles, as well as Orosi and Tenorio. These fantastic volcanoes provide lush green vegetation, rivers and waterfalls, hot springs and clay pots. Liberia is known as the Ciudad Blanca or “white city” characterized from volcanic elements causing its soil to be white in color and originally used as a component in the construction of buildings

Costa Rica as a culture is known as the happiest place on earth. One very important contributing factor is the country’s exceptionally high life expectancy, greatly due to its excellent medical care. In Liberia, the Enrique Baltodano Hospital provides state of the art equipment and care. Other available care catering to medical tourism near the Papagayo Peninsula and surrounding areas are the private hospitals Clinica Biblica and the soon to be finished CIMA Hospital.

This city continues to be the focal point for much national and international commerce. Some national Banks include; Banco Nacional, Banco Costa Rica, Banco Popular, and Banco Crédito Agrícola. International and Private Banks include; Desyfin, HSBC, Scotia Bank, Citibank, BCT, Bac San Jose.

What is even more advantageous is the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport located only six kilometers (4 miles) from the city. This is the second international airport in Costa Rica. Airlines such as Delta, Continental, American Airlines, United, and US Airways serve a variety of cities in the United States and Canada, as well as London. Also available are LACSA, TACA, with other large airlines such as Frontier and Spirit on its way. This makes your trip to the Gold Coast even easier. Only 20 minutes from Liberia’s International Airport, beaches such as Playa Panama, Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, and Playa Ocotal are only a hop and a skip away. You’ll be relaxing in Prime Resort Destinations such as the Four Seasons Hotel, The Riu, Allegro Papagayo, OR even better yet, in your very own Beach Front Home in no time at all.

For more information on Liberia and the sounding areas visit

www.CostaRican-American-connection.com or send an email to Joseph Emanuelli, Broker associate with RE/MAX Tres Amigos, jaaechef@gmail.com

Lot / Land For Sale in Coco Bay

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 17:06:00 GMT

Great Development

• lot / land - $375,000 USD - Best view for price

Coco Bay, Playas Del Coco - Did you ever want to you look down on the birds as they fly by? Now is your chance!! This spectacular top of the mountain ocean view lot is now available. The lot measures over 1600 sq. meters, just under a half acre in size, in the upscale community of Coco Bay Estates located in Playas Del Coco, just 25 minutes from the new Liberia International Airport and the new CIMA hospital The development features, solid paver roads, underground utilities, professional lighted tennis courts, state of the art gymnasium, restaurant, private beach club, 24/7 security and fabulous community swimming pools.
below owners cost!
$375,000

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Single Story For Sale in Ocotal

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 19:42:00 GMT

• 893 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story "All on one floor" - $135,000 USD - Lowest price furnished

Ocotal, Playas Del Coco - This Condo # G-3 in Sarena Suites has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, in suite laundry and a spacious kitchen. The custom made cabinetry in the kitchen gives a rich homey feeling. The large living room and patio is perfect for entertaining friends and family. The unit has large windows that let in lots of natural light and making the units feel even bigger than the 83 m2 that it is. Serena Suites is nestled in the valley between Playa del Coco and Playa Ocotal on Costa Rica’s northwest coast, only 20 minutes from Daniel Oduber international airport at Liberia. Within a few minutes’ drive you have sport fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, a golf course, canopy tours, volcanoes, national parks, abundant wild life, fantastic surfing. From an investment point of view the high demand for rental property in the area means high returns for those putting their condos into the rental pool. Come see what Playas del Coco has to offer you.

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Playas del Coco Costa Rica, What a great community!!!

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 22:47:00 GMT

Playas del Coco lies 35 kilometres (22 miles) west of Liberia, Guanacaste’s main hub. Its close proximity to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia means you can get off the plane and be sipping a cold one in less than 30 minutes. You can’t beat that for location! The new CIMA Hospital is only 20 minutes away making this a great location for retirees, families with children and those looking for a cosmetic surgery holiday.

This former fishing village is a popular destination for Ticos and international travelers alike. It offers a variety of nightlife and restaurants. Some of the popular restaurants include Papagayo Seafood, Coco Palms, Casa Maria Bonita at Ladera del Mar, Las Olas Seafood, Citron in the Pacifico Retail mall, Jardines Tropicales and Soda Teresita. Most evenings (and well into the night) you can hear plenty of music coming from the open air bars and night clubs in town - from the sounds of Latin America’s top musicians to Rock & Roll. A few of the famous (or should I say infamous) clubs are Zi Lounge, Beach Bums, Lizard Lounge and Coconutz Sports Bar. Happy hours range from noon to 7 pm depending on the establishment, so bar hopping is a common past time for all who want to enjoy the laid back atmosphere and energy of a beach town in action. For those looking for a snack on the run, you’ll find a Subway, Texas BBQ Burgers, Asia-Tica Chinese & Thai Cuisine and of course several pizza joints. For those with a sweet tooth, you don’t want to miss out on an ice cream or gelato at the Italian ice cream shop or POPS.

The bank, church, police station and new post office are located along Coco's main boulevard as are well-stocked supermarkets like the Auto-Mercado and Luperon, hardware stores, a variety of pharmacies, taxi services and of course fabulous souvenir shops. There are a number of medical clinics in town offering medical care in Spanish and English with a 24-hour emergency care complete with a new ambulance service.

Sailboats and fishing boats can be seen scattered throughout the bay offering a great opportunity to watch local fisherman at work. Playas del Coco is one of the most popular beaches in the country. It is best known for its sports fishing, surfing, scuba-diving and snorkeling. Originally known as the main Costa Rican hub for surfers who want to take in surf spots like Ollie’s Point and Witches Rock, this busy beach has become a prime launch site for many dive shops. Local waters feature rich marine life with huge schools of fish and other marine animals. Many rock formations can be explored with good visibility. Humpback whales, dolphins, Olive Ridley and Leatherback turtles, eagle and manta rays as well as other wildlife can be spotted in the waters around Coco. The pirate ship “The Perla Negra” offers a great event venue where you can “walk the plank” and listen as Captain Richard Hook shoots off the cannon.

The soft volcanic sand of the Playas del Coco beach provides a wonderful place to walk along the shoreline especially when the tide is out. Surrounded by steep hills, this horseshoe shaped bay area is the ideal place to have fun, relax, take in the view or spend the day people watching. By August 2011, the new boardwalk, affectionately called “Amor de Temporada” should be complete. The name comes from a song written by Guanacastecan Héctor Zúñiga Rovira in 1930. It’s a sad love story about an April romance that ends with him riding out of Coco on his horse with only the moon to accompany him and his sweetheart in love with another man.

The weather in Guanacaste is the best in all of Costa Rica. The climate is perhaps Costa Rica's most temperate, averaging 85°F with only 55-65 inches of rainfall annually. Sunshine washes over the region most days even during the rainy season, making outdoor activities from hiking to windsurfing to sport fishing or lazing about on the beach a year-round possibility. The strong Papagayo winds blow in during the dry months to provide a wonderful cooling effect especially while you’re relaxing in the warm sun. With the dry season comes the busy tourist season, but here's a secret not everyone knows about: Guanacaste is a nice place to visit year round. Yes, the dry season is a nice reprieve from the Northern Hemisphere's cold winter, but during the months of May through November the area is thick and green from the almost daily rain showers. Characterized by sweeping savannas and rolling hills that turn dense and green in the rainy season the area around Coco provides an interesting change of scenery as the dry season leaves and the rainy season begins. The spectacular flowering trees herald the change of seasons and one knows that soon everything will be green and lush again.

Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo it all Started Here.

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:42:00 GMT

The Papagayo Gulf is located in the NW corner of Costa Rica. The majority of this area is a National Park known as Santa Rosa. But a gorgeous pristine bay, Bahia Culebra, is very quickly becoming one of the worlds prime resort destinations. Over 20 years ago the Government of Costa Rica designated this area strictly for Resort Tourism Development. They picked this area for three main reasons. Weather; The Gold Coast of Guanacaste has more days of sunshine and the least amount of rain than anywhere in the country. Water; This is one of the only areas in the country with tranquil calm bays, perfect for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, water sports, fishing, boating and marinas as there are no rip tides or dangerous currents like other parts of the coast. For those that love surfing, Witches Rock, one of the top surf destinations in the world, is just a few minutes away. Airport; The Daniel Oduber Airport opened in 2004. It has recently under gone an $18 M expansion making it one of the nicest International Airports in Central America. A short 20 minute drive makes it very convenient after a day of travel. Just a few minutes after you land, you can be enjoying a cocktail on your patio and watching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. The cornerstone for the future growth of this region is a mega project known as Peninsula Papagayo which is over 2000 acres. The star of the show is the new Four Seasons Hotel which the brand calls its Flagship Hotel, and whose share holders include Bill Gates and Saudi Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal. There is also a $25 M Arnold Palmer Golf Course and a new $15 M Marina. With a 28 year development plan, Peninsula Papagayo will be home to 9 of the top hotels in the world, a 375 slip marina and 3 of the finest golf courses in the world, as the new Jack Nicklaus course is slated to be opened within a year. There will also be multiple Beach clubs, Tennis and Fitness and Equestrian centers. But that’s not all. The rest of the Bay will also be home to over a dozen other high end resorts; Hilton, Occidental, Westin, Viceroy, Mandarin, Melia, Hyatt, Starwood and the Cacique Project by Steve Case and Andre Agassi which includes the One and Only Hotel and the Miraval Spa. This truly is an uncut jewel and we are in the earliest stages of what will become some of the highest property values in the world.

Just across the the bay is the quaint beach town of Playa Hermosa ( Beautiful Beach), a fantastic location to visit and retire to. Join ,me today and own a piece of this paradise, just send an email to me jaaechef@gmail.com or visit www.costarican-american-connection.com to learn more about this fantastic community.

Lot / Land For Sale in Playa Panama

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:35:00 GMT

Awesome Ocean View

• 1,495 sq. m. lot / land "Great Views" - $175,000 USD - Reduced by $125K

Playa Panama, Guanacaste - This Fabulous Ocean view, fully titled lot is located in the Exclusive Vista Del Pacifico Development. Only a short 30 minute drive from the Liberia International Airport. Overlooking the world class Four Season Resort and the Papagayo Peninsular. This lot features a Large building pad with Awesome Ocean View, nestled in the hillside with lots of lush vegetation and tropical fauna. This Great investment opportunity measures over 15,000 square feet in size. Enjoy the extra large infinity edge pool and BBQ rancho area within the community. This lot is perfectly situated to build a custom home with two levels or for those that want to develop and resell. There is additional room on the lot for a second small home or casita.

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Single Story For Sale in Playas Del Coco

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:45:00 GMT

Great pool view

• 860 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story - $124,000 USD - Great Price

Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste - This Marine Sunset condo is a spacious, fully furnished, 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit. 80 m2 (860 sq ft) gives you room to move around. It's an 2nd floor condo with a great patio to enjoy your morning coffee and to look out over the garden and pool area. Most mornings you can hear the monkeys in the trees and watch the parrots fly overhead! This condo is located 4 blocks to Coco Beach and a short walk to town. It comes complete with custom cabinets in the kitchen and the bedrooms. The vaulted ceilings make it feel even more spacious! The second bedroom has a large bunk bed that will sleep 3. Marine Sunset has invested in a back up water tank that is available to all of the owners during the dry season. This unit won't last as it is one of the larger units in the area. Now is the time to buy!

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Single Story For Sale in Playas Del Coco

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 22:33:00 GMT

• 828 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story - ARCHIVED $123,500 USD - Great Price

Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste - Marine Sunset is a great main floor condo located close to the North end of the beach in Playas del Coco. It is also within walking distance to town. This unit is fully furnished and comes with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The pool area and rancho are open and spacious. The complex backs on to a green space where you can hear the monkeys in the morning. This is a great condo to use yourself or put with a rental management company. The rental income is a great way to offset some of the monthly costs although the condo fees are only $110/month. Now’s the time to buy your getaway in Costa Rica!

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Single Story For Sale in Playas Del Coco

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:54:00 GMT

Great Home Price Lowered

• 1,100 sq. ft., 2 bath, 2 bdrm single story "Tradiontional" - $170,000 USD - Reduced by $55,000

Playas Del Coco, Guanacaste - This lovely quaint 2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom home has more charm and appeal than any other home on the market in this discounted price range. The home is located in a quiet residential neighborhood of Playas del Coco and 1.5 miles from the beach. The attention to detail is evident when you approach the Home with its ornate electric gate, peek-a-boo details on the exterior walls, rich colored paint and textures throughout, cane ceilings and eaves, vaulted ceilings, brick accents and imported ceramics and granite countertops! It doesn’t stop there, all the oversized arched doorways and cabinets are custom made of local hard wood, Stainless Steel appliances adorn the kitchen, washer/dryer, lovely furnishings and décor, all the kitchen ware and linens, making this a full package for the new owners. A recently renovated car port turned roomy office and entertainment room is a perfect addition to this home, giving it added room and appeal as well as a new half bath with pocket door adjacent to the master bedroom. A pull stair attic and pressurized back up water system adds to this house. A nice fenced yard and lush landscaping will tickle your fancy before walking through the door.
Included in the price is a 2 door Suzuki Sidkick Car that is in great condition!!
Ease right into Costa Rica at only $170,000 reduced from $225,000
Seller willing to listen to all reasonable offers

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Costa Rica Weather for Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 21:14:00 GMT

The traditional rainy season in Guanacaste ends somewhere in the middle of November to early December every year, from mid-December to sometime in April there is not even a drop of rain, Sunny blue skies every day. The last measurable rainfall in Playa Hermosa for 2011 was on December 14, and 0.3 inches of rain was recorded. After a long dry spell of no rain in Playa Hermosa, yesterday April 4, 2012, a nice thunderstorm was starting to build in the mid afternoon as the temperature rose to the mid 90’s and the humidity was close to 85%. You could see the clouds starting to form in the east and getting darker. Around 4:30 pm the clouds could not hold the moisture any longer, as they started moving west toward the ocean, and the rain started to let lose. At first it was just some really big droplets, the size of a US nickel, then 10 minutes all heck broke loose and it poured for the next 20 minutes with some unusually strong winds.

The storm did not last all that long and was basically over by 5:45 pm and with the setting sun and the clouds over the ocean, it made a beautiful evening sky, with lots of reds and purples and oranges. Just beautiful!!

A total of 0.7 inches of rain was recorded in Playa Hermosa. It may be not rain for another week but it is amazing how all the people that live in the area get so excited about the first real rain. Come October when it is really rainy their attitudes will be completely different as in, “ when is it ever going to stop raining”! All I have to say, I LOVE Living in Costa Rica no matter what the weather is.

Come and join me you won’t be sorry

Why Live In Costa Rica

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Clients, friends and family ask me all the time “Why live in Costa Rica?”

And my reply is always the same! Why Not? Do you have a better idea?

Tell me about someplace else that has what Costa Rica has to offer.

You do not want live in the Caribbean, too many hurricanes! I know I could not afford Hawaii

Mexico and the other Central American countries are way too dangerous with drug wars and unstable governments.

And who wants to stay in the cold weather of the north.

With the taxes as high as they are, and about to get higher, I said forget it.

You can no longer afford to retire in the US and Canada, Not to mention the cost of living, insurance and crime.

But Costa Rica is the perfect place to invest and live.

The weather is spectacular 98% of the year

The people are warm, wonderful and very friendly. The cost of living is half of the USA and Canada.

It is so close that you can go back north in a blink of an eye.

You also get very good medical care while your insurance and carrying costs very low.

Then the same people will ask me “Why did you invest in Costa Rica?”

And my reply is always the same! Why Not?

Why do you want to put your money in a bank? The returns are lousy.

The Stock market is way too risky! Take a look at your IRA and 401K’s over the past 3 years.

The US real estate market, Forget about it. Its will take a close to a decade to turn around and the higher property taxes!

But Costa Rica has everything an investor could ask for.

It has a stable democratic government. It has very little crime, constantly improving infrastructure.

Very low property taxes only 1/4 of a percent of assessed value

And most important Item! Costa Rica welcomes foreign investors and retirees with open arms.

Now if you’re going to live or invest in Costa Rica there is only ONE place to live

Guanacaste and the Papagayo Bay

Playa Coco, Playa Hermosa, Playa Panama and Playa Ocotal

The Main Reason Why You Should Make The Move? Follow the BIG INVESTMENTS.

I tell most of my clients that investing in Costa Rica is not like investing in the States or Canada. You can’t just buy anywhere. You have to pick your spots. The government of Costa Rica, compared to other Central American countries, is very well off. But they do not have an unlimited supply of money. So when they decide to focus on an area, like they have here in Guanacaste, they are going to make sure it succeeds. They can’t afford to make a mistake, because they can’t afford to throw money away. The government has decided that this is where all of their investment dollars will be going over the next 10 years. They have sunk millions into upgrading the infrastructure: roads, municipal water, telephone, internet and cable and satellite TV. They have backed hundreds of projects from golf courses to resort hotels to marinas and have even expanded the airport to handle all of the incoming traffic. Putting your money into the Papagayo area is about as safe of an investment as you can get. With everything that is happening we will see record returns on our money in just a few years. What I am seeing is that due to the fear of the stock market back home and the stagnant economy and real estate market in the US and Canada, more and more people are moving their money to offshore investments such as real estate here in Costa Rica. We have been seeing consistent returns of about 20% per year for the last 5 years and upwards of 40 to 50% returns in 2005 and 2006, making this one of the hottest investments going. We expect to see this same kind of growth over the next 5 years as hundreds of millions of dollars continues to be invested in our area.

LEGAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RESIDENCY IN COSTA RICA

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:22:00 GMT

There are Three Main Categories of Residency in Costa Rica

The information below will help you decide which avenue works best for you.

This correct, professional and easy to understand information is supplied by

Lic. Marcela Gurdian, owner of Immigration Experts, in Costa Rica.

Marcela is the attorney I trusted to help me receive my residency in Costa Rica. I highly recommend Marcela’s services to anyone that wants to reside legally in Costa Rica and have a smooth and easy experience. I know firsthand!!!

To contact Marcela, Please email me at jaaechef@gmail.com and I will personally introduce you to her.

Residency as a Retired Person or Retiree

A foreigner and family (spouse, parents, single siblings and children) can only apply for this type of residency if he is entitled to a lifetime pension of $1000 per month in their country of origin. This could be from a US IRA program, or a 401K retirement plan or a certifiable pension from a corporation or the US Social Security. The same applies for Canadian residents with their RSP program .The foreigner must obtain a certifiable letter to prove life time pension and this letter must be authenticated either by a Costa Rica Consulate or through the “Apostille” Process. The foreigner will be given a temporary residency and can work in Costa Rica only if he has his own Costa Rican corporation / business and not work for another company. After 3 years of temporary residency, the foreigner can apply for permanent residency with no restrictions.

Residency as an Investor

A foreigner and their family (spouse, parents, single siblings and children) can apply for residency as an investor if the foreigner owns investments in Costa Rica valued over $200,000. USD$. The Investment should be in specific areas as tourism, reforestation, and share ownership in a Costa Rican corporation, properties and/or any other activity supported by the Costa Rican government. The foreigner will be given a temporary residency and can work in Costa Rica only if he has his own Costa Rican corporation/business and not for another company. After 3 years of temporary residency, foreigner can apply for permanent residency with no restrictions. This is one of the easiest ways to obtain and maintain residency in Costa Rica. A retiree can purchase a property as in a home, villa, condo or even a farm that they will retire to, as long as the property is held in a Costa Rican corporation that is legally registered in the National Public Registry showing a value over the $200,000. To maintain the temporary residency for the 3 years all that is required is proof of value and proof of property taxes being paid.

Residency as a Renter

A foreigner and family (spouse, parents, single siblings and children) can apply for residency as a Renter, if foreigner receives a certifiable monthly income of $ 2,500.00 USD$ for the following 5 years or has verifiable bank investments in Costa Rica of $150,000. USD$. Under this type of residency the foreigner CANNOT work for another company while living in Costa Rica. To prove the income, the foreigner must get a letter from a Costa Rican Bank, financial institution, foreign bank, CPA or Law Firm certifying he will be receiving a monthly income of $2,500.00 USD$ for the next 5 years. If the letter is issued outside of Costa Rica, this document must be authenticated either by a Costa Rica Consulate or through the “Apostille" Process. The foreigner will be given a temporary residency and can work in Costa Rica only if he has his own Costa Rican corporation/business and not for another company. After 3 years of temporary residency, the foreigner can apply for permanent residency with no restrictions. . (The Immigration Law will change soon and required the bank investment in Costa Rica to be $60,000.00 USD$ for 2 years or the foreigner must prove he will also receive a certifiable monthly income of $2,500.USD$ during the 2 years)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

Application Letter: This letter should include the following information

v complete name of the person applying for the residency

v nationality, marital status and occupation

v passport number, date and place where it was issued and date it expires

v name of any direct family member (children or wife) dependent on the income of the applicant who will also apply for residency

v date in which the applicant entered Costa Rica

v a formal request of his/her desire of being a Costa Rican resident

v specify the type of residency applying for

v temporary address in Costa Rica or the address in the country of origin

v Must indicate a place or fax number to receive notifications

2. Birth Certificate: Must be authenticated either by the Costa Rican Consulate located in the country where the document is issued or through “ Apostille” Process This document expires after 6 months of being issued.

3. Marriage Certificate: Must be authenticated either by the Costa Rican Consulate located in the country where the document is issued or through “ Apostille” Process This document expires after 6 months of being issued.

4. Police record: Must be authenticated either by the Costa Rican Consulate located in the country where the document is issued or through “ Apostille” Process This document expires after 6 months of being issued.

5. Finger Prints: They need to be taken at the Ministry of Security in San Jose, Costa Rica and applicants must bring passport and 3 photographs of them selves

6. Certified Passport Copy: of the entire passport (even blank pages).

7. Special Power of Attorney: Granted by the applicants to the attorney that will handle the residency application.

8. Photos: 8 passport size photographs or each person applying for residency

9. Fess to Costa Rica Government: The applicant is required to pay/ deposit $250 for each person applying for residency, in the following bank account that belongs to the Immigration department of Costa Rica: Banco de Costa Rica, Account # 242480-0

10. Registration: The Applicant must registration their intentions at the embassy of its origin country located in Costa Rica.

Reference: What is an "Apostille" or "Authentication?"

Since October 15, 1981, the United States has been part of the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Under the Hague Convention, signatory countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an "apostille".

The Apostille ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country.

The sole function of the Apostille is to certify the authenticity of the signature on the document; the capacity in which the person signing the document acted; and the identity of any stamp or seal affixed to the document.

An Apostille issued by the Secretary of State is a one page document embossed with the Great Seal of a State. The Apostille includes the facsimile signature of the individual issuing the certificate.

There are currently over 60 member states of the Hague convention and in addition to those countries many other countries will also recognize an Apostille certificate. The Convention applies only to public documents. These are documents emanating from an authority or official connected with a court or tribunal of the State (including documents issued by an administrative, constitutional or ecclesiastical court or tribunal, a public prosecutor, a clerk or a process-server); administrative documents; notarial acts; and official certificates which are placed on documents signed by persons in their private capacity, such as official certificates recording the registration of a document or the fact that it was in existence on a certain date and official and notarial authentications of signatures.

The main examples of public documents for which Apostille are issued in practice include birth, marriage and death certificates; extracts from commercial registers and other registers; patents; court rulings; notarial acts and notarial attestations of signatures; and academic diplomas issued by public institutions.

Diplomas issued by private institutions may not receive an apostille (apostillised) directly; however, a "private" diploma may, however, bear an official certificate issued by a notary, Solicitor, Agency or any other person or authority competent under the law of the State of origin of the diploma to authenticate the signature on the diploma. This official certificate is a public document under the Convention and thus may receive an apostille. In such a case the Apostille does not relate to the diploma itself; instead it certifies the authenticity of the certificate on or accompanying the diploma.

NOTE: All documents written in a foreign language must be legally translated into Spanish.

Single Story For Sale in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Great corner lot 168 meter of road front

• 7,000 sq. m. single story - $795,000 USD - Only $113 pr m2

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste - This lot would make a great a great building site for a commercial building, hotel or housing project. The lot is Located on the main road in down town Hermosa and only 500 meters from the beach. There is a side road that runs down the south side of the property that goes to the beach. The lot is close to the well known time share Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort. This is lot is mostly flat and will be easy to build on no matter what you plan to build. The lot is only a short 20 minute drive from the Liberia international airport, 15 minutes to the new CIMA Hospital and a 5 minute drive to Playas del Coco.

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Price Reduced on 7000 main Street Hermosa in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:56:00 GMT

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste - Announcing a price reduction on 7000 main Street Hermosa, a 7,000 sq. m. single story. Now $795,000 USD - Only $113 pr m2.

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Lot / Land For Sale in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:29:00 GMT

Great location on main road in Hermosa

• 7,000 sq. m. lot / land - $795,000 USD - Only $113. pr. m2

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste - This lot would make a great a great building site for a commercial building, hotel or housing project. The lot is Located on the main road in down town Hermosa and only 500 meters from the beach. There is a road that runs down the south side of the property that goes to the beach. The lot is close to the well known time share Villas Sol Hotel & Beach Resort. This is a flat lot and will be easy to build on no matter what you plan to build. The lot is only a short 20 minute drive from the Liberia international airport, 15 minutes to the new CIMA Hospital and a 5 minute drive to Playas del Coco.

Property information

Eco-friendly Costa Rican beaches earn coveted Blue Flag

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 21:04:00 GMT

On International Water Day Costa Rica awarded its Blue Flag awards to communities, beaches, businesses, conservation areas and other organizations demonstrating a commitment to protecting the country’s natural resources.

“Costa Ricans, since the 1960s, decided to have a … social pact with nature, and that is what we are fulfilling today,” President Laura Chinchilla said Thursday at the Blue Flag awards ceremony at Casa Presidencial in the southeastern Zapote district of San José.

At the ceremony, Chinchilla also signed a new law to protect the country’s hydrological resources and a sweeping anti-smoking bill.

In the ’90s, the National Water Laboratory – an office of the Costa Rican Water and Sewer Institute (AyA) – began promoting development in local committees with conservation and protection of natural resources as a goal.

In 2011, some 1,400 organizations participated in the Blue Flag Awards in seven categories, including protection of beaches, community development, educational centers and protected areas. The initiative also sought to mitigate the effects of climate change, protect hydrological resources and promote public health.

Of the 1,400 organizations that participated last year, 857 were awarded this week with at least one of five possible stars indicating the level of commitment to environmental protection.

Of 106 beaches that competed, 80 were awarded at least one star. Play Hermosa in the northwestern Guanacaste province was one of the 80 reciepients of the "Blue Flag".

A big thank you goes out to the local Playa Hermosa Association, this has many great programs in place to help make Playa Hermosa, a place that is represented by its name "Beautiful Beach"

Other For Sale in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:27:00 GMT

Move In Ready

• 1,400 sq. ft., 3 bath, 2 bdrm other - $199,000 USD - Reduced By $100,000

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste - Fresh breeze, Perfect view. Every day begins with awe. This breathtaking panorama of the Hermosa Bay is enjoyed in a beautiful condo complex. This Great unit features 2 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, with 1400 sq ft of fully furnished living space. Enjoy the views from the private balcony off the master suite. The open single floor plan is perfect for entertaining and ease of mobility. Desirable amenities include covered parking, a roomy BBQ area and a community pool ready to entertain.
Seller is Motivated and willing to listen to All Reasonable offers
Originally Listed for $299,000 NOW reduced by $100,000. to ONLY $199,000

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Price Reduced on B1 Unit 3 Colinas Paraiso in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:27:00 GMT

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste - Announcing a price reduction on B1 Unit 3 Colinas Paraiso, a 1,400 sq. ft., 3 bath, 2 bdrm other. Now $199,000 USD - Reduced By $100,000.

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Other For Sale in Playa Hermosa

Joseph A. Emanuelli — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:27:00 GMT

Move In Ready

• 1,400 sq. ft., 3 bath, 2 bdrm other - $199,000 USD - Reduced By $100,000

Property information