Sacha Tarkovsky asked:


With many ocean front properties in the US expensive, more Americans are turning their attention overseas and getting properties up to 70% cheaper than the US and better capital growth potential.

Not only this, but your Costa Rica second home is just 3 hours from the US and offers a fantastic lifestyle.

So why are Americans buying in second homes in ever increasing numbers?

Here are 10 reasons why:

1. Cost of Real Estate

The cost as we have seen is 70% less than in the US, making it affordable to a huge number of people, but buying a second home in Costa Rica offers something more:

2. Investment Potential

Average prices have risen 300% in the last 10 years and many investors in the right locations have doubled or tripled the money in a few years.

The future potential for the Costa Rican second home market looks good going forward as foreign investment soars and the economy booms.

Prices are on the increase and so to are rentals, as more tourists visit than ever before.

3. Costa Rica Is Cheap

Property is cheap and so are living costs.

You can live well on just $2,000 per month. Want to dine out? $12, fancy a full time maid? – $150 a month

4. Costa Rica Is Safe & Secure

The World Bank at its annual conference stated that Costa Rica was “one of the most stable and robust” democracies in Latin America and commented on Costa Rica’s “healthy economic growth rate” and “some of the best social indicators” on the continent.

When buying a second home in Costa Rica it’s nice to know you are investing in a stable country, where you enjoy the same rights as residents and it has strong ties with the US.

This is not the case with many other Latin American countries, So Costa Rica offers peace of mind when investing.

5. Tax advantages

You gain significant tax advantages when buying a Costa Rica second home. The government wants investment and tax and red tape are kept to minimum.

6. It’s Beautiful

Voted one of the top adventure tourist spots in the world, Costa Rica offers stunning beaches, the pacific the Caribbean, spectacular rainforest, hills, majestic mountains, awesome volcanoes and a huge amount of wildlife.

7. It’s Close

Your Costa Rica second home is just a three hour flight form the southern US and the time difference is just 2 hours.

Proximity and ease of access from the US is a major reason for the influx of people buying second homes

8. Crime

Unlike many other Central American countries violent crime and drug wars are non existent and this low crime rate is a major factor for people coming Costa Rica

9. Its relaxed %& Friendly

With more and more Americans buying second homes in Costa Rica there is large expat community as well as friendly locals.

The pace of life is unhurried, relaxed and for those wanting a more peaceful friendly environment Costa Rica offers this and much more.

10. The economy is growing

The economy has been growing strongly since 1997, which is seeing a dramatic change in the infastructure as more people buy property this means:

More growth on your second home in Costa Rica, better rental income and more amenities to enjoy!

So leave the high prices, low growth rates, high crime and stress behind, relax and make money from your own Costa Rica second home, it’s affordable and could be your best investment.

Cerro Fresco asked:


Looking for a tropical locale that boasts rugged highlands, volcanoes and miles upon miles of beaches that can all be experienced in one day? Costa Rica, a small Central American country nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, is the place for you. The real estate market in Costa Rica is booming since the profile of this Central American country has been raised. Whether you are looking for a second home or a new home Costa Rica has what you are looking for.

There are many types of homes for sale in Costa Rica. From luxury condos to unique tropical homes to luxury beachfront homes such as can be found at www.cerrofresco.com. When looking at homes for sale in Costa Rica you will find all the comforts of home, plus more. All amenities that you are used to, such as electricity, fresh water, internet and even television are readily available in homes for sale in Costa Rica.

Homes for sale in Costa Rica are largely affordable with prices generally lower than those in the United State, the United Kingdom and Canada. There is also a large market for resale in Costa Rica. Between the low cost of living, an amazing quality of life and an affordable luxury lifestyle, who would not want to look at homes for sale in Costa Rica? Costa Rica is a politically and economically stable country. There are already over fifty thousand United States citizens living in Costa Rica. The Costa Rican people strive for a quality of life similar to that of the Western way of life. All in all, when looking at homes for sale in Costa Rica you must keep in mind that you are likely to find whatever type of home it is that you are looking for in nearly any price range.

Nick Viale asked:


Falling in love with Costa Rica is easy. Still relatively undiscovered with a warm climate, white sand beaches, lush wildlife and stable democratic government, this welcoming central American country attracts more foreign investment every year. With the new airport well-established in the province of Guanacaste, prices are steadily rising and development in this area is moving steadily forward. So if you’ve lost your heart to this tiny country, the time to invest is now - but don’t go it alone.

Costa Rica is a new frontier that’s also been attracting its fair share of shysters. Don’t go it alone - protect yourself by building a solid real estate team before you buy.

THE KEY PLAYERS IN YOUR LINE-UP:

THE REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY

Hire an experienced lawyer to help you manage the financial details and ensure you get what you expect from any deal. An attorney can also help you set up a corporation if you are interested in purchasing your property this way. It’s essential that your lawyer be familiar with Costa Rican real estate laws, as they can be vastly different from the laws in the US.

THE NOTARIO PUBLICO

You will also need to contract the services of a notario publico. Your notario, who is also an attorney, will verify who has title to the land (and who has the right to sell it) according the the public land registry. This simple search is invaluable - make sure you’re not putting your money down on the equivalent of “a nice bridge in Brooklyn.” As an added precaution, have your notario research the ownership history of surrounding properties as well, it’s good to know your neighbors.

THE MENTOR(S)

Make friends with your future neighbors and compatriots as soon as you can! Talk to everyone you can who has had experience buying real estate in this beautiful country. The Costa Rican culture is unique. Let people who understand the country guide you through important details like local politics, regulations, culture and general trends. Of course it goes without saying that your chosen advisors must not stand to benefit from any purchase you will make.

THE (licensed!) REAL ESTATE AGENT

Your real estate broker should be someone you have good communication with, who understands your needs and has a history of experience with real estate in the region you’re interested in. Insist on an agent who is licensed, in Costa Rica, anyone at all can legally sell real estate, make certain they are accountable!

THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT

This is especially important in an area like Guanacaste where hundreds of miles of protected rainforest, natural biodiversity and abundance have elevated the area to a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered to be a universally important part of our world’s shared culture and history, parts of Guanacaste are governed by strict environmental laws and buyers may be liable for violations that occurred prior to purchase. Before you buy, have a thorough Environmental Due Diligence assessment done and reviewed by your team.

THE SURVEYOR

Contract a land surveyor to check out the property and the properties surrounding it in order to get a big picture of what you’re buying into.

THE APPRAISER

It never hurts to have a second opinion. Hire an appraiser to assess the value of the property.

CHECK THE RECORDS

Finally, prior to closing any deal, find out if there’s tax owing on the property and what the tax history is. Check lien notices, mortgages, construction plans, and condominium documents.

Whether you’ve been captivated by the beauty of this coastal paradise or simply want to make a strong investment, there’s no need to resist Costa Rica’s allure. With the right team and a bit of homework, your investment in this growing real estate market will be protected.

Scott Hughes asked:


Costa Rica has become a popular destination for vacations, weddings, honeymoons, and many other trips. Costa Rica has also become home to many resorts, conferences, and social gatherings. With so much hype about Costa Rica, you may consider retiring there. You are not alone. Many people from the United States and other English-speaking countries have retired in Costa Rica. There are many advantages of retiring in Costa Rica.

First of all, the lower cost-of-living in Costa Rica makes it a great retirement spot. Your savings and your retirement income will buy you more in Costa Rica than it will in the United States. If you lived and worked in Costa Rica, you would also receive a lower pay, which would balance out the lower cost-of-living. However, retirees have the advantage of receiving the same income no matter where they live. By retiring in Costa Rica, you can save a lot of money.

Another great thing about retiring in Costa Rica is that the local people are so polite. Politeness is a major part of Costa Rican culture. You will find that polite and helpful people come in especially handy when you have moved to a new place and do not know your way around that well.

You will also love the weather in Costa Rica. It is warm year-round. The only drawback is that Costa Rica does have a rainy season. If you really dislike the rain, Costa Rica may not be for you.

The wildlife in Costa Rica is amazing. There are all sorts of animals and plants. It is very green in Costa Rica, and the scenery is beautiful.

Costa Rica also has beautiful beaches on both sides of the country. If you really wanted, you could visit the Pacific beaches on one side of the country and the Caribbean beaches on the other side all in the same day. You can relax on the beaches, but you can also engage in various activities such as SCUBA diving or fishing.

Before retiring in Costa Rica, you want to think about it carefully. Research the country and the retirement laws. You do not want to make such a major decision on an emotional whim. If you have not visited Costa Rica, try visiting it a few times before deciding on retiring there. Also, remember that Costa Rica is a Spanish-speaking country, so you probably want to start learning some Spanish if you plan on moving there.

Whatever you do, good luck and have fun!

William Freeman asked:


My name is William Freeman, Jr. In April of 2000 Interpol arrested me at my home in Guadalupe, Costa Rica for charges that stemmed out of Wyoming in 1991. The charges were Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine. Costa Rican law and the Costa Rican Constitution do not have a provision for conspiracy laws; therefore, I decided to fight the Extradition.I was arraigned in Court and appointed a Public Defender. was advised of my rights under he laws of Extradition and also under the Constitution of Costa Rica.I was then transferred to San Sebastian Prison in San Jose, Costa Rica where I was confronted by a group of inmates at knifepoint. They wanted the clothes I had brought with me. I refused to relinquish my clothes and suffered the consequences with a broken arm.The unit I was placed in was equipped with 80 beds, yet there were 324 inmates in this unit, most of which were sleeping on the floor. I did sleep on the floor for the first couple of days until I was able to purchase a bed for $200. The prison does not supply you with clothing, dishes, hygiene products or bedding. This, you must have delivered to you from the outside if you, in fact, have someone to do this for you. The prison does not have hot water, nor does it have water for toilets. There were two faucets with cold running water which the inmates used for showers. I made arrangements to have bedding delivered to me, along with the many other items I needed, including the delivery of food. Without this outside assistance, I would never have survived the 15 months I spent there. The prison unit was dark, filthy, over-crowded and filled with disease, rats, and daily violence that resulted in the deaths of other inmates.My public defender was at first very confident that I would win the Extradition and be set free. According to her, it was just a formality that I must go through and we must wait the formal filing of charges by the United States Embassy. She was certain that they would not file these charges in 60-day time period allotted by the courts in accordance with the Bi-lateral Extradition treaty between the United States and Costa Rica. Late in the afternoon of day 60, the United States Embassy did file the formal charges. I decided that I would continue to fight the Extradition to the United States. For those of you not familiar with Extradition law, you have only three days to appeal the court?s decision.While I was awaiting a decision from the court, my attorney stopped taking my calls and would not respond to my inquiries. I knew that the court would be rendering a decision at any moment and my attorney?s failure to communicate with me had me quite concerned. It was at this time I decided to write my own appeal for a court decision I had not yet received. I feared that the court would decide against me and allow the United States to extradite me and that my attorney was working in conjunction with the United States Embassy. I was correct in this assumption, as the Court had in fact decided in favor of the United States to extradite me. But because I had anticipated this, I had a friend of mine hand-deliver the blanket appeal I had prepared to the court. This allowed me time to prepare another appeal that would answer the court?s decision. Had I not filed my appeal prior to receiving the court?s decision, the time allotted for appeal would have lapsed and I would have been extradited.To my amazement, when I read the court decision, the Judge had taken my one conspiracy charge and made two charges out it to fit a similar charge of distribution of cocaine under the laws of Costa Rica. To be extradited from another country, both countries must have the same exact law. According to the laws of Extradition, if the country you are residing in does not have a similar law, then you are not extraditable. Due to the fact that Costa Rica does not have conspiracy laws, I would not have been found. Therefore, the judge changed my charge from conspiracy cocaine to distribution of cocaine, now justifying my Extradition, as the laws are now the same in both countries.I decided it would be in my best interest to continue studying the law and I made arrangements to have the Costa Rican law books purchased for me and delivered to the prison so that I may study for my defense. I was doing a much better job than the attorney I had and my appeal had been accepted. This allowed me more time to study and submit another appeal. I am fluent in Spanish and this was of great assistance to me in my studies of the law and preparation of legal briefs. Through my studies, I also had studied the conventions that govern Extradition law and I was becoming very knowledgeable in law which related to Extradition, the Bi-Lateral Treaty, and the Constitution of Costa Rica.As I had been preparing everything in Spanish, the court assumed that I had had legal assistance of some sort. I then learned some very important things that directly related to my case. The first one was that my rights had been violated because all the documents I had received to date were in Spanish. Due to the fact that I am American and my native language is English, the court violated my rights by not having an interpreter present during the court proceedings and that the documents I had been receiving were not translated into English. I filed an appeal with the Tribunal Appeals Court which decided in my favor and had the Extradition proceedings suspended until an interpreter was appointed and all the documents were translated and prepared in the English language. This bought me time to prepare my case on appeal. I also learned that due to the fact that I was looking at a sentence of ten years to life, it was a violation of the Costa Rican Constitution. Costa Rica does not allow indeterminate sentences. This now required that the United States provide the Costa Rican Government a judicial promise the I would not receive an indeterminate sentence. The problem with this is that the judicial system in the United States will not allow a judge to make any type of promise to another country, nor can he make a promise on a case that has not yet been tried in a United States court of law. I had the United States in a ?Catch 22? on this point. Under Costa Rican law, there is a five-year statute of limitations to arrest and convict a person. My charges stemmed from a 1991 charge so I was protected under this law. It was at this time that I noticed that Article 16b of the Extradition Treaty was unconstitutional under the Costa Rican Constitution which states that once a person is extradited, the United States can also charge a person with other crimes that were not included in the request for Extradition. With this information at hand, I began to prepare my defense what I believed to be a winning defense. I also decided that I needed a defense attorney to present my arguments. It was at this time that I hired my own attorney to do this for me. When he came to visit me at San Sebastian Prison and read the documents I had prepared, he was confidant the I would be set free. My new attorney accompanied me before a panel of a three-judge appeals court tribunal. The United States Embassy was also present for these proceedings. As I began to present my arguments, it was very apparent that the Judges were not listening to me and that they, in fact, were once again trying to twist the laws. When I argued that the statute of limitations had expired, they responded by saying that there is no statute of limitations in the United States. But Extradition laws clearly state that Extradition laws of the country of residence shall govern the Extradition proceedings. I could see that I was not being listened to and, therefore, finished presenting the arguments I had prepared. I then returned to San Sebastian Prison to await the decision.During the days that followed, I tried to contact my attorney to inquire if he had any response from the court and to get feedback from him. Once again, I ran into the prior problem I had with my public defender; he would not answer my calls. I had a friend of mine try to call him and his calls also went unanswered. I then had someone go to his office, only to find that he had moved. When a friend on mine finally located him at his new office, he informed my friend that he had been confronted and told to drop my case if he had any political ambitions for he future. Once again, I found myself without an attorney. It was at this time that I decided to file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Costa Rica. I filed the appeal stating that (1) the statute of limitations had lapsed; (2) the United States had to provide a judicial promise, stating that I would not receive a indeterminate sentence; and (3) that conspiracy does not exist in Costa Rica; therefore, these proceedings should be dropped. The Supreme Court issued an order to the United States Embassy, The Costa Rican Courts and immigration that I was not to be touched by anyone and that I could not be removed from Costa Rica.I then had another public defender appointed for me and she was, at first, very confidant that I would be set free. But I had been studying the law that pertained to Article 16b of the Treaty that allowed other charges to be filed against a person that was extradited. I had been visiting with another private attorney who was knowledgeable in Extradition law and together we prepared an argument to submit to the Sala IV, the Costa Rican Supreme Court, challenging the Bi-Lateral Extradition Treaty between the United States and Costa Rica, stating that Article 16b of the Treaty was unconstitutional and that the Treaty needed to be ratified to reflect this unconstitutional article. I had to submit the argument two times. The first time, the Sala IV returned my argument, stating that the argument had merit but I lacked the proper stamps that must be submitted with a brief and that I must follow their established format. They asked me to rewrite the brief and resubmit it, at which time they would make their decision. In the meantime, all Extradition proceedings would be suspended, not only against me, but also against any other persons that may be awaiting Extradition to the United States.With this filed in the Sala IV and having been accepted, along with the Sala IV order stating that I could not be removed from Costa Rica Territory, I was confident I would go free. Legally, I had won on every point of the law and I was not extraditable. I needed only to wait for the ruling to be handed down that would set me free in Costa Rica.On May 9, 2001 my name was called in the San Sebastian prison. I was put into a prison van and brought to the airport, where two United States Marshals were waiting for me, along with a judge I had never seen, and representatives from the United States Embassy. With my Supreme Court order in hand and under protest, I was illegally taken from Costa Rica and brought to the United States, where I was eventually sentenced to five years in a federal prison for Conspiracy To Posses With Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine. I completed my sentence on November 21, 2003.

Written by: William Warren Freeman Jr.

Chris Rempel asked:


The three countries- Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama offer excellent options for real estate investment with their fantastic coast lines and breathtaking scenic beauty in a pollution free relaxing environment.

Among these nations, Costa Rica has proved to be the first preference for real estate investments among foreigners. A long history of political stability and conscious promotional efforts by the government are main reasons for such a development.

Nicaragua is trying to follow the Costa Rican model for real estate development. The political stability achieved in the past two decades along with the government support will make this a lucrative place for foreign investments.

Many foreign investors turn towards Nicaragua as real estate prices are much cheaper there than in Costa Rica. For some, it is prudent to invest in Nicaragua now as cheap lands at prime locations are still available in this county at reasonably low prices. The Costa Rican phenomenon, where real estate investment growth by over fifteen times in a period of five years is expected to be repeated in Nicaragua, if the political climate remains as it is now.

The real estate prices in Panama are comparable to CR. Panama has good infrastructural facilities. American presence in the country for a long time has created infrastructure which is much closer to American style of living, thus making foreigners feel at home in this country.

All the three countries, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama offer beautiful bio-friendly environments at affordable prices as compared to their home lands for the foreign nationals.

Those who look for settlement in a foreign land close to their home land and those who want to invest in real estate for financial gains should give serious considerations to all the three countries. Individual properties available in all these three countries are to be evaluated on a case by case basis. This will help the investor select the property best suited for the intended purpose.

However, because of the consistent economic climate, a stable government and incredibly reliable real estate value increases, Costa Rica is your best bet for investment considerations - especially when it comes to doing development, buying pre-construction properties and purchasing/reselling lots.

Costa Rica also has the most straight-forward (and favorable) policies in terms of land/title ownership, beachfront title ownership (yes, you can obtain 100% ownership to beachfront properties in some areas of Costa Rica), property taxes and the legal process of acquiring property.

Best of all - if you’re looking to purchase and then resell property at a profit (flipping), you’ll love the fact that CR has no capital gains tax whatsoever. Combine this powerful advantage with the fact that some investors are making as much as 150% to even 300% or more on resales - that’s a pretty sweet deal to say the least!

And if that’s not enough - Costa Rica is paradise, literally. But like all opportunities - the conditions won’t be “perfect” forever. Eventually, enough people will catch on, riding the real-estate bandwagon (making small fortunes), and then real estate in CR will reach comparable prices to places like Hawaii and Tahiti.

So if you’re serious about making some major returns on a real estate property - or even just purchasing a vacation/rental home in paradise - then sooner is definitely better than later…

Liz Galloway asked:


With the powerful ride of our daily lives, sometimes creating vertigo, our search for an

emotional and physical break, and a combined rationalization to justify it, will continue to rise. Though the ride of life will continue, there are some things we can do to make it smoother from time to time.

For the past few years, I have had the assorted delight of exploits and objection of living in a

small resort town in Costa Rican, one of foreign tourism’s most sought destinations. In my

endeavors in the spa industry both here and in the US, I have found varying assumptions, real life

options, along with what works for that illusory thing we call rejuvenation.

Costa Rica, a country comparable to the size of West Virginia is, in and of itself is a Mecca

of natural wonders made for revivification. With my own inner desire to seek out some renewal for

myself, and being right here in “Mecca land” I decided to take it upon myself to find out what is out there not only for me, but for those around me who look to me for knowledge in this area.



Hundreds of auspicious companies now acknowledge the commitment needed to redirect the

unhealthy and unhappy workforce created by the demands of the job. Many are realizing that these

sedentary and high pressure positions may be causing employees a loss of physical health, leading to further preoccupations and overworked psyches. The return, high cost healthcare, and less productivity. Health oriented firms are taking advantage of this shift by craftily applying well planned, results oriented programs to increase worker productivity and reduce stress, while setting markers to measure goals and savings. Firms will work one on one with your company to implement on site healthcare facilities, work out centers, meditation rooms, weekly massage, nutrition and stress management classes, among other incentives. Giving back to the employee and acknowledging they are more than a 9 to 5. This provocation of our spiritual search and looking into our own behavioral patterns and how they lock us into our external lives is increasing. Our need to reclaim our behavior is a reason to seek places of divine retreat.

We seek rejuvenation centers for solace, to manage stress, detoxify, find alternative healthcare or for motivation for a lifestyle change, all while satisfying our craving for euphoria. What if we could bring about a radical change within ourselves, and let that ebb and flow in our daily lives. What is that worth to us?

From coastal plains to rugged mountains, and over 100 volcanic cones, several that are active, the humble country of Costa Rica depends on tourism to bring in foreign income that allows them to tackle environmental and social issues. The past year has brought that tourism, and foreign direct investment, over 480 million dollars of it. It has also brought advancement, with spas popping

up in rapid succession, and a seeming rush to beat out the next guy. According to the Coyle

Hospitality Group, a New York based market leader in quality assurance, the average person, 57% of

us in fact, have visited a resort or hotel spa 1-5 times in the past year. With spas at almost every edge of Costa Rica, from the south end of the Osa Peninsula, to the far north where you can visit a Four Seasons, I agree we will see our share of the 59% of consumers who now want more time to explore their spiritual side, according to the 2001 Leisure Travel Monitor.

R &R Resorts is the management operation of three well known and highly sought international wellness centers with spa and retreat villas. Providing the total “mind, body, spirit”

connection before it was trendy to include this slogan on every youngling spa brochure. One of their three facilities, aptly named Pura Vida, or Pure Life, a national anthem and frequent greeting for the Costa Rican People, symbolizing to take it easy and enjoy life. In other words most things can wait until tomorrow, not a mentality easily ingrained into our work harder, get more,

puritan roots.

I decided it was time to take advantage of my location and experience this for myself. As I passed through a small country town, they call Cerrysel, I am amazed at how much of this small country still remains for me to see. High green mountains, surrounded by coffee fields,

and winding small roads that lead to a remote hilltop location, needing a little navigation, almost as if you need an exclusive password for the privilege of the location. A seeming world away from my four hour drive from the coast, with fog misted mountains and a quiet calm, I looked forward to sharing with the staff. Having previously arranged a meeting with the general manager and marketing coordinator, I knew I only had the day to enjoy this getaway, because of my schedule.

Promising myself I would make a return visit for the much talked about week of transformation.

Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome by Manrique Gomez, the GM here for the past

three years with 20 years of management experience. I was immediately taken through the grounds, as we discussed the types of accommodations, classes, treatments and pricing they have to offer.

The walk was colder than I am used to, quiet, with only the wind moving the palm and almond trees

with a perpetual breeze, and a refreshing clear view of the valley and surrounding hills. With a

review of the 22,000 square meter grounds, of comfortable sturdy “toldos” or tents, and pagoda

style villas, 53 in all, I was invited to lunch. In the Garden Restaurant a cozy cafeteria style center, I sat down with some very sincere and enthusiastic staff. More rightly referred to as part of the community, at least that is how they like to view themselves. I was pleased to find some of my favorite combinations, tofu dishes, lots of fresh vegetables, cheeses, fruit juice and salad. A light healthy fare, that blends well with a weeks retreat of healing therapies from Bioenergetics, Watsu, Inner Guidance, Thai, Reflexology, Reflective time and all other customary treatments you may think of.

Everyone I spoke with was honest and open, not at all excessively protective of their

proprietary works as some who shrink from the interest of other trade professionals. Proud of their success and innovative programs they were happy to share. With members of the “community”

from Israel, Australia, USA, Germany, Britain, and of course Costa Rica, they have no shortage of

people who seek a chance to live and work here. Isvari, a Sanskrit word for the feminine of God, is the name the resident yoga instructor takes. Trained in Kripalu, Holistic Nutrition, Danskinetics, and Iyengar theories, she brings an open minded vision to her teaching. When I asked another member, what she enjoyed most here, the response was “touching hearts”, which is what she sees in the responsive and physical difference in her clients, at weeks end. Trained in Israel, Switzerland, and India, she has a friendly face, wide, clear eyes, and a true dedication to her work. Management, instructors, therapists, enthusiasts, solace seekers, and Pura Vida regulars all eat, live, practice, and

heal together.

Built on an old coffee farm, significantly more developed than when it was purchased 20

years ago by the founding couple of R & R Resorts, Pauline and Michael Klegg.

Now a prosperous company, it is comprehensibly managed by a couple of “corporate refugees”,

Rakesh and LuAnn. Based in Dahlonega, Georgia, near the Pura Vida USA wellness center, they

travel monthly to their sister properties in Tulum, Mexico, and Alejuela, Costa Rica. Rakesh, a former corporate financier, and LuAnn a lawyer by training, make for a well designed management

team. For two and a half years they have been behind the properties and programs you can find

available. In speaking with the management team I was able to relate to the dedication and skill it

takes to keep these wellness centers going. With my own recent work in boutique, and resort spa

start up on the Pacific Coast, I’d had my days of rewards and set-backs. The couple, having visited

the Costa Rican property three years ago on vacation, decided to modify their lives and upon their return, applied with R& R Resorts, later finding themselves heading up the project. Attracted to the wellness industry by a desire to do something more thrilling than the routine corporate world, and I’m guessing a little healthy self-interest to do something for themselves, they took it on with enthusiasm. With no misconceptions about the industry, they admit, it is just as hard, if not more, to manage these properties, as it was in high demand jobs. Travel is frequent and quality checks are consistent, along with ensuring that each property reflects and represents what they advertise, and is homogenous with the whole body connection put into place at the original MayaTulum property 20 years ago. The founding couple had some healthy discernment in bringing together yoga, and spa awareness when it was not mainstream, an became an inspiration to others.

LuAnn tells me there are no immediate plans for expansion on the Costa Rica property, but

that they are always looking to improve the look and “deepen their offerings” to the guests, and

leave them with something to take home. As we all know, our guests can be the greatest reward, and

the greatest challenge, all at the same time. The reason they always look for staff with the ability to deal with the public, and amongst it all, smile! A pre-requisite to be a staff member, I am told, is quality training, knowledge, and of course the right attitude. As I’ve heard throughout my career from therapist, to manager, through development and consulting, people can be trained, but if they are inherently unhappy, that will reflect in their work.

It must be working, as LuAnn informs me they consistently receive compliments from

clients around the world on the positive fulfillment of expectation and forceful energy of Pura Vida retreats. From experience I know how hard it can be to execute countless biddings, the feeling to out perform, and surpass your guests expectations. In this aspect LuAnn put it so objectively, “Some may have better rooms than us, others may have better treatments, but it is what we put into it, and the service and caring that our clients receive that make it an experience to remember.”

This is the attitude that has made this one of the most popular destination locations in Central

America, and the management awareness is key.

With the average vacation being 10-14 days out of 365, some of us, myself included prefer a new experience during our time away, where our personal needs will be addressed,

and you can really take some, YOU time. Sometimes that takes seclusion, and lifestyle change,

which is part of what Pura Vida does in taking pride in raising a level of consciousness for their clients, and creating a safe space for transformation to happen. Where as one staff member put it, “giving them time to return to the beautiful person they have forgotten they are”

LuAnn maintains a belief that nature has a way of healing us, if that is the case, then this is

a perfect tropical location to begin your renewal. Not only a popular spa with 9 mountain view

rooms dedicated to treatments and a private Watsu pool. Their wellness center can also be reserved

for yoga teacher trainings, therapist CEU’s, and seminars for all types and levels of the trade.

Destination spas are one of the things people think of when looking for a much needed

escape and to allow our overworked minds to be swept away, to contemplate a recent change, a

divorce, work, or life. Each of us will look to have a different expectation filled, seeking our own path, transcending age, health and circumstance. We all need, and deserve to function at our best physiologically and emotionally. Personally I look forward to taking them up on an invitation to return and participate in their wellness program and trying out the ‘Unwrap Journey Paradise” package , floating from massage to wrap to detox steam and ******. Exploring the boundries of my yoga stretches, and taking some time for introspection of my own to re-direct some goals that may have slipped off track.

Costa Rica can be a place where your daily rejuvenation rituals and healthy habits may be

challenged, you certainly will be hard pressed to find a turkey burger or raw foods juice bar,

especially disadvantageous to those of us living day to day lives here. Whether we are traveling or a long term guest in a foreign location, our well being is within our reach. Inside the borders of this little country I currently call home, I now have one more channel to access in my personal search for the sometimes misleading or unbridled spirit. Rejuvenation is deeply personal to each of

us, as we create our rituals to get through the day, deep breaths when needed, a private minute for a mantra, or scanning trade and travel magazines for the next get away. We find our way.

I look up as I am writing this, into a tranquil ocean cove, a friends’ sloop moored below, the

sun is setting, soon I will see the capricious pattern of shades on the horizon, a bird swoops

in to pick up a wandering gecko, and I move to the sounds of distant titi monkeys, and a subtle

background beat of a locally bought c.d., ‘Sounds of the Coffee Lands’. An echo of breaking surf

moves up the hill, like a chant, a sound that has always been my soul rejuvenation, that wraps me in

contentment. I guess this is the beginnings of my dream, my chance to re-invent myself and

capture the empowerment to appreciate it, and what enables me to provide a center of renewal

for myself and those around me. So my daily ride, once a roller coaster has slowed to a tranquil

merry go round, with an exceptional view… at least for the time being. After all I am working the controls.

boake moore asked:


Costa Rica is known for being a storehouse of high-quality gourmet coffee and consequently coffee is regarded as the primary drink of this part of the world. It is the healthiest drink that one can ever enjoy. Modern day researches have identified coffee to have highest concentration of useful antioxidants when compared to other popular drinks. These antioxidants help to initiate the healing process in your system and increase your immunity assisting the destruction of the free radicals which can lead to a dangerous disease like cancer.

Drinking coffee is a wonderful remedy for staying away from heart diseases, diabetes and stroke. Recent studies have revealed that gourmet coffee is an extremely good preventive measure for Parkinson’s disease. Drinking coffee regularly supplies adequate antioxidants needed for the toxin-release of your body.

However, health benefits are easily achievable if you learn to make a perfect cup of gourmet coffee. This will make your kid drink at least a glass of delicious coffee everyday. Learn different other gourmet coffee recipes, so that the taste of coffee doesn’t become monotonous to your child. Desserts like Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Latte can be some nice options for you.

The ultimate buy for all gourmet coffee lovers is a home coffee-roaster. Buy the green coffee beans; roasting your own coffee beans takes around 20 minutes of time. The best thing about this kind is the aroma of fresh coffee, but the most significant fact is that it is even better for your overall health.

Spending a few days of leisure at the magnificent land of Costa Rica is even more valuable due to the abundance of healthy coffee beans.

Kristi Ambrose asked:


Millions of people go on vacation every single week through out the entire world. Places like Europe, North America, Australia, etc. But Costa Rica is probably one of the most spectacular places I’ve been to thus far, besides my first favorite place which is Florida. But that’s just because Florida is my second home! If your looking for clear blue water, warm weather, and white sandy beaches, then Costa Rica is the place for you.

Some people think that Costa Rica is overrun by tourists but there are actually a few different places you can visit where it’s not super crowded and it can be more like a tropical island rather than a top tourist locale! Its like this with any other vacation place as well, you just have to know where to go, where to stay, and when to stay! A lot of people say the same thing about other tropical isle type places such as Jamaica and Bahamas. But if you know where to look online before visiting, then there is a good chance you will find some “secret” spots that are less touristy than other spots.

Do yourself a favor, if your going on vacation anywhere, look on some destination guides for this sort of information! Try sites like Expedia, Travelocity, LonelyPlanet and of course Frommers. If you’re going to be visiting Costa Rica any time soon, or you’re curious about some of the non hotel type lodgings such as beach houses, cottages, or villas then it’s a good idea to visit some of the websites about Costa Rica beach properties. From the looks of the prices versus the looks of the type of lodging, these prices are pretty tame for what you get.

I just recently was reading a website online that offered Cost Rican vacation rentals, and one of the rentals was for $1500 a week… A WEEK! I would pay that in a second! Everything about this vacation rental was just incredible, and best yet it was right on the beach. You really can’t beat that. Spacious rooms, nice view, on the beach, close to restaurants but far away enough from all the hustle and bustle of life. These websites that offer these great deals are regular Vacation and Travel websites. Nothing super-unique about them except for the fact that they specialize in just one place instead of zillions like other vacation and travel sites. This should help you find all the info needed!

Cerro Fresco asked:


For those who are planning to invest in real estate, one great place to invest is in the country of Costa Rica. You’ll find that Costa Rica is a lovely country and it definitely has a lot to offer those who purchase Costa Rican real estate. Many people are starting to invest in real estate in this country, and when you look at the beauty of the country, it is very easy to see why. When you are dealing with Costa Rican real estate, there are a variety of different options for you to consider. You can choose from single family homes, lots that can be developed, and condominiums as well. Sure, there are a variety of reasons to buy Costa Rica real estate, but there are some great reasons that involve the beauty of the country.

First of all, you’ll find that Costa Rica has beautiful beaches, and there are actually beaches on both sides of the country. This is reason enough to buy Costa Rican real estate, since beach property is worth so much. The beaches are very beautiful, and there are great properties located on the beach and close to the beach. Of course the beach is not the only beautiful part of the country.

The mountains in Costa Rica are also very beautiful, and it may be difficult to decide whether the mountains or the beaches are more beautiful. There are also rain forests in the country, and you’ll find active and inactive volcanoes as well. With so many magnificent scenes to enjoy, you’ll soon realize that Costa Rican real estate is a great purchase.

Not only is the country beautiful, but the cost of living in the country is cheap as well. If you are looking for a place where you can live fairly cheaply on beautiful property, then Costa Rican real estate is right for you.