After a drought of financing options, banks are making a push to re-start housing in Costa Rica. The recent housing Expo showcased several banks offering long-term, low-interest rate financing for single-family homes, as well as large construction projects. This bodes well for Costa Rica real estate over the next few years.
The Construction and Housing Expo, or Expo Construcción, brought together sellers and would-be buyers of home appliances, construction materials and building related services Wednesday through Sunday in San Antonio de Belen in Heredia. Under the same roof, visitors to the fair could find doorknobs, showerheads, solar water heaters, refrigerators, floor tiles, plumbing materials and even luxury items such as hot tubs.
But in the center of the sprawl of displays sat the most essential stands for realizing home ownership and remodeling dreams: those of the banks. Just off the main entrance to the Expo, several public and private banks, including Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR), HSBC, Banco Popular and BAC, were promoting their limited-time-only housing and construction financing deals. Of the five banks interviewed by the Tico Times, each claimed to offer home construction financing for at least 80 percent of the cost of the project for terms of up to 30 years, with BCR and Banco Nacional offering 100 percent financing.
“We want to offer premiums to people who are looking to buy or build a home,” said Olman Fallas, the sales and customer service manager at BCR. “We are coming out of a recession year and a lot of people are just starting to regain their footing financially. What we aim to do is offer a plan that will help them reestablish stability over the long term.”
The financing offers are accompanied by discounted interest rates in both dollars and colones. The offerings vary among the banks, but in general include very low interest rates over the first one to three years of a mortgage, with incremental growth beginning in year four or five. The initial interest rates on financing on offer range between 2 and 7 percent in colones and 3.5 to 8 percent in dollars.
Contributed by Andrew Mastrandonas and Preston Gitlin from CRCommunities
Buying a home site and building your own home can be a daunting task anywhere in the world; it is no different in Costa Rica. However, with proper due diligence, and a realistic evaluation of budgetary concerns, the process can be the most rewarding way to express your dream of living in Costa Rica.
Tips For Finding Your Home Site
Find your climate. Costa Rica is subtropical, so it seems like a no-brainer to those arriving from the North. However, Costa Rica’s mountainous terrain creates an incredible diversity of micro-climates. A few hundred feet in elevation can be significant. Rainfall amounts can vary, too. For those who can afford to, it is invaluable to see the country in both the dry season and the rainy season.
Find your town. First, read any one of the fine books published about Costa Rica. You will learn about the town history, the people, what modern conveniences are available, etc. Once you have found a town (or towns) that seems to suit you, plan your trip to Costa Rica to see for yourself. Ultimately, no amount of research is sufficient without experiencing a place firsthand.
Find your lot. Our communities are in San Ramon and have ocean views. We believe that the location is ideal, and offers a tremendous value. There are some fundamentals for lot buying that should be considered, regardless of location: title, infrastructure availability, and engineering. First, a lot should be researched by a lawyer who can obtain information from the National Registry to be sure that the property is clean, and has no issues outstanding. If the property is in a gated community, very often the developer will purchase a clean corporation for the property in order to make for an easy, less expensive transfer than a person-to-person sale, as well as to make it easy for the buyer to obtain their utilities. We have done this for all of our lots. The second consideration is the ease of installing infrastructure (if it does not already exist). Very often a lot that seems far cheaper than other similarly-sized lots will be raw land. The cost of infrastructure, viability, and placement can be very complicated. Be sure that you know the real state of the lot before purchase, taking into account the cost and time for development. Lastly is the engineering that a lot might require. Some of these “hidden” costs can include driveway engineering and installation, need for retaining walls (VERY costly), resolving drainage issues, creating a plantel (flat, buildable space), and being aware of home placement based on underground springs, nearby rivers, or road frontage.
Tips for Making Your Home Construction Easier
Have patience. Like anywhere, building a home is not a perfect process. Building a home in a developing country can be an even greater challenge. By selecting a builder with strong references, integrity, and a dedication to quality, you will find the process easier than you might expect.
Understand your financial situation prior to signing a contract. Obviously, building a home requires a significant outlay of money. Before deciding to start construction, assess your financial situation and determine both how much you can afford and when those funds will be available (if not immediately). Also, don’t only think about the cost of building your home, but what it will cost to live in your home.
Know what you want. It’s important to have a good idea of what you want in a home prior to signing a contract. This will make the process go more smoothly and avoid costly changes once the process has started. However, this doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. If you are at a loss for ideas, talk to friends and family. Also, and probably most important, describe your needs to your trusted builder so he or she can come up with some ideas that may work for you.
Communicate. Reputable builders want to build you the home you’ve always dreamed of and will work hard to meet, and oftentimes, exceed your expectations. However, we find that the vast majority of issues arise due to lack of communication or miscommunication. Follow up in writing on all major decisions and don’t assume items mentioned in person or on the phone will always be remembered. Your builder will likely be working on several homes at once, so it’s important you confirm all details.
Be reasonable in your expectations. We realize that building a home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make, and it will involve a significant monetary investment. Your builder should realize this too. However, just because this is Costa Rica, it doesn’t mean it will be cheap, or it will be similar to building in North America or Europe. Things are different here (to some extent) and oftentimes things move more slowly than in your home country. However, a reputable builder is very experienced at operating in this environment and you should trust their judgment on what’s possible or not possible as you design and build your home.
Consider micro-climates. Costa Rica has many micro-climates. It might be sunny and 80 degrees in one spot, but windy, cooler and rainy just a few miles away. As you design your home, work with your builder to better understand the micro-climate of the area you’ve selected and how to build a home suitable for that environment.
What Does it Cost to Build a Home in Costa Rica?
The final cost of your home will depend on two factors: how large your home is, and what type of finishes you select. A “cost-plus” basis is usually the best way to ensure that the construction process will be efficient, transparent, and timely. Typically, you can expect to pay roughly between $75 per square foot and $95 per square foot which will include permitting, architect’s work, construction, and the purchase and installation of most finishes such as kitchen cabinets, countertops, and appliances, flooring, kitchen/bathroom fixtures and associated plumbing, and lighting fixtures. Your builder will advise you on the type of finishes possible based on your budget. If you are unwilling to work on a cost-plus basis, a bid will be provided. However, in our experience, a guaranteed cost usually means a significantly higher profit margin for the builder. We’ve also found that sometimes contractors (the dishonest ones) will provide a low bid in order to get the job, but then surprise you later with “that wasn’t included,” etc.
In addition, it is important to do as much thinking and research about the type of home you want, the layout, size and of number of rooms, whether you want a guest house, garage/car port, pool, or other structures, prior to signing a contract. Re-work during the construction process not only can lengthen the time to complete your home but also will likely increase the cost as more material may be needed, walls torn down, etc.
How Do I Pay For My Home?
Generally, construction services are paid for in cash, including an initial deposit and then periodic payments as your home construction progresses. The schedule for payments will be determined between you and your builder. Payment is usually made by wire transfer. It is important to allocate funds ahead of time so construction of your home is not delayed.
How Long Will it Take to Build My Home?
It normally takes between six and nine months to build your home. A number of factors could lengthen the time to build your home including the extent to which pre-work is necessary (such as lot preparation), the size of your home, weather, and the availability of the materials you select. After discussing your specifications with your builder, they will give you a more specific time estimate.
What If I Am Not Living In Costa Rica During The Construction of My Home?
It is preferable to be in the country during the construction process in order to inspect the work on a regular basis. However, this is often not possible for many people. Therefore, your builder should provide frequent updates on the progress of your construction and send you photographs as certain milestones during construction are met (i.e., foundation is laid, roof is put on). If at all possible, it is helpful for you to visit at least a few times during the home construction process, particularly to pick out tiles, cabinets, appliances, and other fixtures.
We hope that this short guide gets you started toward realizing your dream of building a home in Costa Rica. We have years of experience finding land and creating communities. Please CONTACT US as you begin your search — we will be happy to assist you!
Finally, after more than three decades of planning, promises, starts, stops and delays, the San José - Caldera highway, though some prefer to call it a road, is a reality and travel between the interior of Costa Rica and the Pacific coast is at least 45 minutes faster.
However, Ruta 27 is not cheap. A round trip between the Sabana, San José and PuertoCaldera, Puntarenas, costs ¢3.860 in tolls (¢1.930 in each direction), for the 77 kilometre trip that takes less than an hour.
On Wednesday, Costa Rican president, Oscar Arias, officially inaugurated the road wich for some moments was open to the public from Orotina to San José, who were met by protestors at Pieades (Cuidad Colón exit), having to turn around and take the San Rafael exit that weaved around the La Reforma prison and ended up at the Panasonic.
Protestors were out early in the morning to stop the inauguration and opening of the highway.
A truck dumped debris on the road under the bridge at Piedades and then about 50 protestors maintained a road block all day long, waiting on the presidential motorcade to arrive, to make their concerns known to president Arias.
However, the presidential motorcade took the San Rafael route, avoiding the roadblock, to attend the inauguration ceremony at Orotina.
The road officially was opened to traffic Wednesday night and the toll stations began collecting at midnight.
Even though the road is now open and the tolls are being charged, parts of the road is still missing signaling, bus stop bays, lighting and rail guards.
What the road means to many is a savings in time, fuel and wear and tear on their vehicle.
Some prefer to call the highway a road, since it is for the most part a two lane road that weaves between the mountains, not much different than the other roads that lead to and from the Pacific, but with tolls.
Until yesterday, the only routes to and from the Pacific coast from San José was the Cambronero or the Desmonte (Aguacate), which took almost two hours to make the trip between San José and Puntarenas.
The new San José - Caldera road now means the trip takes less than an hour and no mountains to climb or descend. Also, the new road offers passing lanes at points where there some gentle climbs, allowing slow moving traffic to the right.
Whatever you call it, a road or a highway, to paraphrase president Arias during the inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, the new highway will be a boost to tourism.
The day is soon approaching when you can travel from San José to points like Playa Jacó, Caldera or Puntarenas in under one hour by way of the new San José – Caldera highway that is nearing construction.
The new highway, that is missing completion between Santa Ana and Orotina, will shave off at least 45 minutes travel to all points on the Pacific coast.
A trip to Liberia that now takes 3.5 hours on best days will be just a little over 2.5 hours, meaning you reach the beaches of Coco, Hermosa for instance in less than three hours. Tamarindo and Flamingo will also be less than three hours away.
Quepos and Manuel Antonio will be less than 2 hours.
The reason for the current extended drive time is the winding of the mountains from the Central Valley, either over the Monte de Aguacate, a steep climb and drop of the more gentler pass on the Interameircana.
Either way, the drive is slow, slowed even more by large trucks and loaded buses and few passing lanes.
The new highway cuts through all that. The slopes and hills are gentle, the winding is to a minimum.
Inside Costa Rica took a rare look at the new highway on Christmas day when several of the guards manning the points of entry only for workers on the highway, let us pass.
It took only 13 minutes to drive from Piedades de Santa Ana to 8 kilometres east of Orotina (the guard at that check point did not allow passage), driving at an average 60 kilometres per hour.
The road is completely asphalted, what is missing is the final touches of completing the road markings, some of the barriers and of course, the toll stations.
For the most part the highway is a two lane road, one lane for each direction. However, near the intersections of Piedades (though the signage reads Cuidad Colón), La Guacima, La Garita, Turrucares and Atenas, the road opens up to four lanes and illuminated.
The road delivers what will surely be a very pleasant experience driving to and from the Pacific beaches and other destinations.
And since it is a toll road, like the San José – Santa Ana section, it will be lightly travelled, as the cost from Escazú (the first toll) to west of Orotina (the last toll) is ¢1.120 each way.
On Friday, December 25, 2009, 10:30am, Inside Costa Rica, with camera in hand filmed the new road from Piedades to West of Atenas (the only portion of the unopened highway we were allowed to travel).
Whether you are involved in a traditional urbanization, or are planning a sustainable community, finding water before spending money on other infrastructure is essential. Lately, we have heard of too many developments that either have left this important detail for last, or have hired local hydro geologists who may not have the best equipment for guaranteeing proper water source location. The following is from Ferdiand Metz whose company, The Water Prospector, represents the best to be found in Costa Rica. Not only will his company find the water source, they will pinpoint the exact depth, saving time and money spent on errant drilling. Remember, many drilling companies will not encourage such accuracy, as it behooves them to say, “Let’s try another 25 meters,” padding their bill.
By Ferdinand Metz
Water is a critical necessity for any development project anywhere in the world. Whether you are supporting one house or one thousand homes, you still need to have a source of fresh potable water that will meet the projects needs. Many projects in Costa Rica are in areas not supported by AYA (the Costa Rican Municipal Water Agency). Even if you are in an area that AYA covers, your project may not be supported by AYA. They are already running at maximum capacity in much of the country. Therefore, you have to find your own supply of fresh water, which will have to be a water well.
Even with Costa Rica’s abundant rainfall, ground water is difficult to find. Costa Rica is mostly a hard rock volcanic region. Therefore, the only place to find sufficient ground water is in aquifers also known as water bearing fracture zones. These zones are impossible to site from the surface. Many drillers and local geologists will try to access the surface topography and make an educated guess of were to drill. This method requires a lot of luck. The other option is a well witcher also known as a dowser or diviner. This is also a very risky method and statistically proven to be less than 15% accurate. The Water Prospector (WP) conducts geophysical surveys using state-of-the-art technology. We have been refining our methods for years in the toughest regions of the world. We are based in southern California and have been conducting successful surveys in the deserts of California for many years. Ron Barto, a WP partner, has been a licensed geologist for over 30 years, working primarily in the western United States. Prior to becoming a geologist, 10 years ago I was an electronics engineer; this has been a very useful tool in working with and refining our technology.
Our primary service is referred to as a Low Frequency Fracture Survey. We conduct a survey across a property in several different locations. By taking progressive readings on each scan line, our system creates a visual image of the sub-surface conditions. Our readings are based on identifying the density of the sub-surface materials. This allows us to see the rock formations, soils and, most importantly, the water-bearing fracture zones. We have the ability to not only detect the location of these fractures, but also to pinpoint the best target area for the driller, resulting in the maximum yield for our clients. Many fractures will have a deep end and a shallow end. However, finding the fracture zone is not enough. We pinpoint the deep end of the fracture or the area that has the most porosity. Either way these points will have the greatest volume of water flowing through them. At times, even a few feet can make the difference between a successful well and a low-producing well. We have found that on any given property in Costa Rica, less than 8% of the property can produce water. That means you have a 92% chance of drilling a dry hole. Property location also requires a bit of luck. If you have a smaller lot (1 hectare, for example), you may have water-bearing fractures in your area, but you have to be sure that one of them travels through your property. Since fracture zones are often sporadic, your property could be a victim of bad luck, which is another critical reason to conduct a survey during your due diligence period if possible. When we conduct a survey, our clients receive a detailed report. This report shows all of the targets that were identified during the survey. We rate them from the strongest to the weakest in order to give the clients as much information about each target’s potential. All of the targets that are in the report have the potential to become a successful water well. We also take the client’s needs into consideration during our evaluation process. We will focus on the targets with the greatest potential if we know the client is building 200+ homes, for example.
Our system is susceptible to interference. Electrical interference is the biggest problem. The best time to survey a property is when there is the least amount of interference present. If the land is undeveloped, and there are no electrical power lines present, that is the best time to survey. We can still perform our surveys when there are electrical lines in the area, but it may affect how much of the property can be surveyed. We also ask our clients to remove any old barbed wire cattle fences if possible, as these can also cause unnecessary problems. The best time to conduct our survey is when you are in the buying process. We can survey the land before you buy it. This will give you vital information of the property’s water potential before you commit to purchasing the property. If the survey results are not what you are looking for, then you should keep shopping. If you already own land, then the survey should be done before you start development. Many people make the mistake of developing roads, adding utilities, and grading—then they start to look for water. One problem is the interference that is created; the other is that we may find the best targets in areas that are already designated for other purposes due to their plans. Find the water first, and then design your development. If you have already started development we can still help, but it will be more difficult and we may be more limited on what we can provide.
We cannot guarantee the amount of water in our targeted results. Anyone who claims they can is not being honest. The technology used to detect the amount of water present in a target does not exist yet. We have an 80% success rate in the deserts of California, and an even higher rate in areas with greater rainfall such as Costa Rica. Our reports are designed to inform both the property owner and the driller. They can be reviewed by a Costa Rican geologist to help inform him or her of what conditions are present. We are the only company in Costa Rica which offers and specializes in geophysical ground water surveys. We are also the only company that offers this type of service and technology on an affordable, cost-effective level. In the United States, our main focus is on individual homebuilders. There are plenty of large geological firms that only offer this type of technology to big developers, or municipal jobs. Although we are well equipped to handle large development jobs as well, we have always targeted our services to individuals, as the prices these larger firms charge are cost prohibitive to them; and they still need to find the best water possible.
Above all: avoid a dry hole. Dry holes are very expensive—usually half the cost of a successful hole. Our survey rates start at $800.00, which is based on a 1-hectare survey in the central valley. We cover the entire country and any surveys that are outside the central valley we charge an additional fee for necessary travel and lodging. Currently, well drilling is $150 dollars per meter; and wells can easily reach depths of 100 meters or more. Our surveys are a fraction of that. If you are going to invest into a well, or a development that depends on water, you should do everything in your power to increase your odds of success.
The Costa Rica chapter of the Green Building Council was notified of induction into the World Green Building Council . Environmental sustainability in Costa Rica is a major social concern as the country covers 0.01% of the world’s land surface yet contains over 5% of the world’s biodiversity.
In 2007, officials of the Costa Rican government stated that they aim to be the first carbon-neutral country in the world by 2021. In 2008, Yale University ranked Costa Rica as 5th in Environmental Performance among 149 countries sampled. The chairman of the Costa Rica chapter, Craig Williamson, stated, “The establishment of this chapter marks a historic point in Costa Rican history. It provides Costa Rica Real Estate developers the tools and information needed to make sustainability and carbon neutrality an attainable goal. It is important that there is a solid, measurable certification for Green Building, there has been far too much speculation, misleading labeling of projects, and pure green-washing in the past.”
Few countries in Latin America have established chapters beneath the World Green Building Council. Currently, the only established chapters are in Brazil, Mexico, and now Costa Rica. “There has been an overwhelming response from people wanting to join this chapter,” Mr. Williamson said. “We can provide LEED education and certification to the developers and help them make this happen.” First steps include assembling board members from inside Costa Rica and some from outside that can bring networking and vision. To this end, the inclusion of Frank Biden, Brother of US Vice President Joe Biden, as a Board Member has now been achieved. “I have spent much of my life in the public arena. The last several years I have worked as the director of a major philanthropy in Central America. The health and well-being of employees, members of the local community and protecting the breathtaking beauty that is Costa Rica are my priories with my involvement in this wonderful organization..
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a green-rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. It establishes standards and practices for developers to create sustainable properties and provides accredited inspectors to guide and certify a development. The certifications can range from simply “Certified” all the way up to “Platinum”, which is the highest level of sustainability and resource conservation.
“We want a new wave of sustainability to spark in Costa Rica, and we want to spread that fire throughout Latin America—a new chapter in every country, LEED a household name,” Mr. Williamson said. “Green building is the future of Real Estate across the world, and we’re going to keep pushing until that future is a reality.”
For information about the Costa Rica Green Building Council, visit http://www.crgbc.org/
About The Costa Rica Green Building Council
The Costa Rica Green Building Council is a non-profit organization providing education and resources to developers and individuals interested in sustainable building practices. The future of green building is shaped by GBCCR members who join committees, the core of the consensus-based process that develops LEED, educational offerings, Greenbuild, and other programs. Our commitment to preserving the wildlife and natural beauty of Costa Rica is what drives us to create a more beautiful, healthier world.
If you are an individual interested in promoting green building, or even if you work for a GBCCR Corporate Member company, Individual membership allows you to get plugged-in with education, networking, and advocacy efforts that will enrich your neighborhood, city and region.
Much has been reported about the “new highway” that runs between the port/beach town of Caldera on the Central Pacific coast and Costa Rica’s capital city San José. In fact, it has been somewhat of a running joke for 30 years among folks that live in the areas involved, and especially for those of us who work in real estate. After going through decades of tangled bureaucracy, the highway project concession was granted in 2007 to the Spanish construction firm Autopistas Del Sol, and the progress has been staggering.
The advancement of the new highway is evident in Atenas and the excitement is building among residents. The city phase of the new toll highway in Escazú is now completed and the coastal phase in Orotina is already paved. There is an impressive amount of machinery rapidly paving the way from both ends and it looks like they may actually meet their deadline of opening in 2010.
This road will make traveling in Costa Rica exponentially more convenient for residents and tourists alike. For residents, the highway puts our quaint agricultural town of Atenas a comfortable 30-minute drive to the Central Pacific beaches, and about 20 minutes to glamour shopping in Santa Ana and Escazú, CIMA Hospital, and the modern amenities and cultural attractions of the city.
For tourists, more day trips will not only be possible, but will be much more comfortable than the current route of winding mountain roads. This should spur a whole new boom in tourism as the average time one needs in order to see Costa Rica will be greatly reduced. The current average tourist stay in Costa Rica is 12 days, which is largely due to the fact that people need to account for road time to view the many wonders of Costa Rica. Now, a one-week stay, or even a long weekend can be realistically enjoyed.
The new highway will be fantastic for business as well. Transportation times and costs will be reduced, as well as offer large vehicles the highways that they need to travel safely. It should allow for more diversity of goods and services in previously remote areas. In addition, there is expected to be a large reduction in the number of traffic accidents that are currently caused by overburdened vehicles traveling on mountainous, narrow, poorly lit country roads.
Because of the expected new convenience of the highway, young professionals who are currently living and working in the city will be drawn to tranquil western Central Valley towns like Atenas. Safe areas around San José have become very expensive, especially if a young family desires a nice private yard or pool to enjoy. An estimated 20-minute commute from Atenas to San José will allow these professionals to live in a more peaceful setting with convenient access to their workplace.
Large infrastructure projects like this highway tend to heap loads of investment potential on the areas that benefit from them. Location, location, location is important to all real estate investors and projects like these create a location opportunity for savvy investors. The towns expected to see the most benefit are Atenas, Ciudad Colon, Santa Ana, Orotina, and San Mateo.
The new San José—Caldera highway also presents a win-win situation for residents, tourists, and Costa Rican businesses. The completion of this major new infrastructure will offer important connections that will enhance Costa Rica’s already surging interest among travelers and expats.
The only way to get these photos is by mountain bike or hiking. Many thanks to our colleague, Rodrigo Mendez, for trekking 40 kilometers on his mountain bike to get these wonderful photos. Readers can follow the progress of the San Jose/Caldera highway at the official highway website http://www.autopistasdelsolcr.com/.
Much has been reported about the “new highway” that runs between the port/beach town of Caldera on the Central Pacific coast and Costa Rica’s capital city San José. In fact, it has been somewhat of a running joke for 30 years among folks that live in the areas involved, and especially for those of us who work in real estate. After going through decades of tangled bureaucracy, the highway project concession was granted in 2007 to the Spanish construction firm Autopistas Del Sol, and the progress has been staggering.
The advancement of the new highway is evident in Atenas and the excitement is building among residents. The city phase of the new toll highway in Escazú is now completed and the coastal phase in Orotina is already paved. There is an impressive amount of machinery rapidly paving the way from both ends and it looks like they may actually meet their deadline of opening in 2010.
This road will make traveling in Costa Rica exponentially more convenient for residents and tourists alike. For residents, the highway puts our quaint agricultural town of Atenas a comfortable 30-minute drive to the Central Pacific beaches, and about 20 minutes to glamour shopping in Santa Ana and Escazú, CIMA Hospital, and the modern amenities and cultural attractions of the city.
For tourists, more day trips will not only be possible, but will be much more comfortable than the current route of winding mountain roads. This should spur a whole new boom in tourism as the average time one needs in order to see Costa Rica will be greatly reduced. The current average tourist stay in Costa Rica is 12 days, which is largely due to the fact that people need to account for road time to view the many wonders of Costa Rica. Now, a one-week stay, or even a long weekend can be realistically enjoyed.
The new highway will be fantastic for business as well. Transportation times and costs will be reduced, as well as offer large vehicles the highways that they need to travel safely. It should allow for more diversity of goods and services in previously remote areas. In addition, there is expected to be a large reduction in the number of traffic accidents that are currently caused by overburdened vehicles traveling on mountainous, narrow, poorly lit country roads.
Because of the expected new convenience of the highway, young professionals who are currently living and working in the city will be drawn to tranquil western Central Valley towns like Atenas. Safe areas around San José have become very expensive, especially if a young family desires a nice private yard or pool to enjoy. An estimated 20-minute commute from Atenas to San José will allow these professionals to live in a more peaceful setting with convenient access to their workplace.
Large infrastructure projects like this highway tend to heap loads of investment potential on the areas that benefit from them. Location, location, location is important to all real estate investors and projects like these create a location opportunity for savvy investors. The towns expected to see the most benefit are Atenas, Ciudad Colon, Santa Ana, Orotina, and San Mateo.
The new San José—Caldera highway also presents a win-win situation for residents, tourists, and Costa Rican businesses. The completion of this major new infrastructure will offer important connections that will enhance Costa Rica’s already surging interest among travelers and expats.
The only way to get these photos is by mountain bike or hiking. Many thanks to our colleague, Rodrigo Mendez, for trekking 40 kilometers on his mountain bike to get these wonderful photos. Readers can follow the progress of the San Jose/Caldera highway at the official highway website http://www.autopistasdelsolcr.com/.
Much has been reported about the “new highway” that runs between the port/beach town of Caldera on the Central Pacific coast and Costa Rica’s capital city San José. In fact, it has been somewhat of a running joke for 30 years among folks that live in the areas involved, and especially for those of us who work in real estate. After going through decades of tangled bureaucracy, the highway project concession was granted in 2007 to the Spanish construction firm Autopistas Del Sol, and the progress has been staggering.
Escobal to Atenas is Paved
The advancement of the new highway is evident in Atenas and the excitement is building among residents. The city phase of the new toll highway in Escazú is now completed and the coastal phase in Orotina is already paved. There is an impressive amount of machinery rapidly paving the way from both ends and it looks like they may actually meet their deadline of opening in 2010.
This road will make traveling in Costa Rica exponentially more convenient for residents and tourists alike. For residents, the highway puts our quaint agricultural town of Atenas a comfortable 30-minute drive to the Central Pacific beaches, and about 20 minutes to glamour shopping in Santa Ana and Escazú, CIMA Hospital, and the modern amenities and cultural attractions of the city.
For tourists, more day trips will not only be possible, but will be much more comfortable than the current route of winding mountain roads. This should spur a whole new boom in tourism as the average time one needs in order to see Costa Rica will be greatly reduced. The current average tourist stay in Costa Rica is 12 days, which is largely due to the fact that people need to account for road time to view the many wonders of Costa Rica. Now, many more attractions can be seen in the same period of time.
Paving Crew Hard at Work
The new highway will be fantastic for business as well. Transportation times and costs will be reduced, as well as offer large vehicles the highways that they need to travel safely. It should allow for more diversity of goods and services in previously remote areas. In addition, there is expected to be a large reduction in the number of traffic accidents that are currently caused by overburdened vehicles traveling on mountainous, narrow, poorly lit country roads.
Drainage in and Ready for Paving
Because of the expected new convenience of the highway, young professionals who are currently living and working in the city may be drawn to tranquil western Central Valley towns like Atenas. Safe areas around San José have become very expensive, especially if a young family desires a nice private yard or pool to enjoy. An estimated 20-minute commute from Atenas to San José will allow these professionals to live in a more peaceful setting with convenient access to their workplace.
New Highway Map in Red
Large infrastructure projects like this highway tend to heap loads of investment potential on the areas that benefit from them. Location, location, location is important to all real estate investors and projects like these create a location opportunity for savvy investors. The towns expected to see the most benefit are Atenas, Ciudad Colon, Santa Ana, Orotina, and San Mateo.
The new San José—Caldera highway also presents a win-win situation for residents, tourists, and Costa Rican businesses. The completion of this major new infrastructure will offer important connections that will enhance Costa Rica’s already surging interest among travelers and expats.
The only way to get these photos is by mountain bike or hiking. Many thanks to our colleague, Rodrigo Mendez, for trekking 40 kilometers on his mountain bike to get these wonderful photos. Readers can follow the progress of the San Jose/Caldera highwayat our Costa Rica photo blog at the official highway website.
Paradise Profits will be present at the 2009 ExpoCasa along with their Costa Rica Environmental Development Group which includes green building products and sustainable development team.
The 6th annual Expo Casa will be returning to Costa Rica this year from Aug. 5 to 9 at the Centro Ferial PIMA in Cenada, Heredia. The event is the largest show of its kind in Costa Rica, expecting 15,000 visitors over the five days.
Potential real estate buyers, investors or developers will find a wide range of services presented in one venue: building materials suppliers, architects, builders, interior design professionals, experts in environmental construction, real estate agencies, relocation services, as well as legal and financial services and educational materials such as books about investing in Costa Rica real estate.
The PIMA center offers ample parking, and the show coordinators have provided large, attractive, and furnished modules for visitors to feel comfortable when speaking with presenters, or even to negotiate a deal. The event has proven to be a massive success in the past and is expected to have its largest turnout of both expositors and visitors.
Schedule:
Wed. Aug 5: Grand Opening 1 p.m. Inauguration 5 p.m.
Thursday and Friday Aug. 6 & 7: 1 p.m – 10 p.m.
Saturday Aug. 8: 10 a.m – 10 p.m.
Sunday Aug. 9: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Directions: If traveling west from San Jose: use exit for Mall Real Cariari, continue toward Barreal Heredia, one km turn right in front of large company building of URSA. Enter PIMA/Cenada.
If traveling east from the airport: use exit for Mall Real Cariari, cross over bridge and continue straight toward Barreal Heredia, one km turn right in front of large company building of URSA. Enter PIMA/Cenada.
Fees:
Entrance is free.
Parking 1,500 colones
For more information, you may contact the organizers at: Congrex de Costa Rica
Tel. 506 2204-7204 2588 2439 / (506) 2588 2440• Fax: (506) 2588 2442 •
E-mail: Ivannia.mora@congrex.com
Costa Rica, recently voted the “greenest and happiest” nation in the world, is poised to become a model for sustainable development. It is no secret that the development boom has not always been good for the environment, especially when the typical construction is done with concrete block and steel rebar which is used to meet earthquake-proof codes and because it is what the local builders are accustomed to using. However a new company, Eco-Bloques, has recently landed in Costa Rica with a revolutionary green building product, Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) which can be made on-site with local materials.
Compressed Earth Blocks are made with abundant local materials of sand, clay, and aggregate material that can be found at just about any construction site. The earth that is moved when clearing home sites is now put to use instead of wasted, or ending up as runoff into local rivers and streams. It is the ultimate sustainable local building material and it costs less than concrete block.
Concrete has the highest embodied energy of any traditional building material. Actually, concrete itself has an inherently low embodied energy, but it must be quarried, produced and transported. Additionally, it is the most widely-used material in existence, thus producing a high net effect of emissions. So widespread is the use of concrete, that nearly 2 tons is produced for every person on the planet.
Building Materials Embodied Energy
The use of modern Compressed Earth Blocks seems to have originated in the 1950s in South America, but not until the 1980s did many European countries provide standards which enabled widespread acceptance and use. Earth blocks are exceptionally strong, always exceeding 1,000 PSI. CEB constructions will last centuries vs. today’s several-decades maximum. One company has been making machines for 20 years, and is now in 70 countries, with over 2,000 machines in operation.
CEB Made On-site
CEB also capitalizes on thermal mass which allows for heat retention in winter and heat release in summer. CEB structures are virtually soundproof and are thus ideal for urban environments, also providing these environments with more pleasing aesthetics and increasing overall temperature stability. Earth blocks can be used to build green homes, condo buildings, landscape walls, roofing tile, floor tiles, and brick road pavers.
CEB Floor Tiles
Compressed Earth Blocks will save builders and developers money, and gives their projects an authentic green appeal. As the majority of people become more conscious of sustainable living, this green building product will give developers the power to market sustainable elements in their project. Developers will also experience savings reflected in the cost-per-block and the lack of transportation costs, while sustainably allocating waste soil on the project site.
Saving money and time, building green, and not giving up quality, make using Compressed Earth Blocks a no-brainer and a win-win for everyone.
Compressed Earth Blocks will be on display by Eco-Bloques at the ExpoCasa August 5th – 9th in Cariari Costa Rica. For more information or a quote for your project in Costa Rica, please email us at paradiseprofits@gmail.com or visit our website.
Much has been said about the “New Highway”. The expansive, multi-million dollar project will connect the Central Valley to the Westside beaches, replacing the crumbling, curvy stretch of road that services these areas now. Anticipation for this new pipeline is at an all time high. And no wonder; once the road is up and running, residents from the Escazu, Santa Ana and Atenas will have easy access to the coast, and beachcombers will be just a short drive to city shopping, hospitals and restaurants. Not to mention the expected increase in property values as the quaint towns along the stretch become more accessible to commuters working downtown.
Workers are making steady progress, and here in Atenas you can see daily labor on the off-ramp that will bring traffic right into el centro. In this picture you can just barely make out the orange-vested worker, taking a break in the hot afternoon sun.
