Costa Rica Guanacaste Regional Print by Howler - April 2021

Freecopy

h o w l e r m a g . c o m celebrating 25 years publishing

GUANaCASTE

BY HOWLER s i n c e 1 9 9 6 april 2021

REGIONAL

discove

PR

er

RAVDA vodka the jewel among vodkas and

symbol of quality and

great taste!

PRAVDA vodka represents all that’s best:

The softest grain spirit from late harvest swe the cleanest water from a mountain spring and craftsmanship.

Recognized by experts all o Now available in nine exqu

Our passion and dedicatio PRAVDA a true gem!

Let yourself be pampered.

Find out

www.pra

eet rye, d love of

over the world. uisite flavors.

on makes

.

t more here:

avdavodka.com

Dreaming of Sandy Beaches?

As we all cautiously emerge from our safe corners of the world, travel and adventure with all our favorite people is at the top of everyone’s bucket list. Horizon Pacific is here to help you find a safe, tropical retreat to renew your spirit and help you reconnect to your people and to the world.

With lush tropical flowers, fresh delicious food and exciting experiences, Horizon Pacific will provide all the best places to stay. Please reach out to our team, so we can help your bucket list dreams become reality.

And not to worry, we will continue all our Covid-19 safety measures and flexible options.

Vacation Rentals • Property Management • HOA Management 888-795-7373 (US & Canada) • (011) 506-2653-0390 • HorizonPacificVacations.com

WELCOME

Enjoy this regional print to provide a few highlights of Costa Rica.

John B. Quam

See more at our website www.howlermag.com

Click on the cover photos to discover the other issues!

Cover photo courtesy of Tres Amigos Realty Group Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica

Join the regional magazine publication by including HOWLER in your business marketing strategy.

Contact Terry today! (506) 4701-5942 terry@howlermag.com Publisher / Editor-in-Chief John B. Quam CR Office: (506) 4701-5942 Sales and Marketing Manager Terry Carlile Graphic Design, Art Director & Rock Star Terry Carlile The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Howler organization or its advertisers.

The Howler Magazine does not assume responsibility for the content of its advertisements.

Images not credited are acquired from stock photography services.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests write to: info@howlermag.com.

Copyright © 2021 The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Copyright © 2021 Howler Media Holding, Inc. Panama The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Ced. Juridica: 3-101-725213 HOWLER (TM)2017

COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE SPECIAL EDITION

Villa La Cima Pacifico Lot

Read all the related articles: CLICK THE PAGE

Summer Is Not All That’s Hot in Costa Rica

Moving To Costa Rica

The Unplanned Wonders of Pura Vida

What Area of Costa Rica is Right for Me?

Seven Things to Thinks About

Finding Your Own PIece of Paradise

Sustainable, Attainable and Affordable

Picking Your Dream Property

Understanding the Real Estate Market

Digital Nomads Welcomed in Costa Rica

FULLY DAY CUSTOMIZED CHARTERS

We Keep Exploring Because We Keep Finding Places Like These...

We Keep Finding Places Like These Because We Keep Exploring...

Come Explore With Us!

IMAGINE NO LIMITS! RESERVATIONS:+(506) 8861-5676 pacificsoulsailing@gmail.com

4 NIGHT NICOYA PENINSULA 6-14 NIGHT ENTIRE PACIFIC COAST UP TO 8 PASSENGERS OVERNIGHT 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN FLAMINGO

+(506) 8819-3889 www.pacificsoulsailing.com

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVING LIFESTYLES ONE CLIENT AT A TIME

COVERING THE ENTIRE PAPAGAYO REGION Playas del Coco

Playa Hermosa

Playa Panama

www.playasdelcocoproperty.com

www.tresamigos-cr.com

prestigecostaricaproperties.com

Sponsored content Photo courtesy of Tres Amigos Realty Group

C O S TA R I C A : IT’S A LIFESTYLE

L

LIFESTYLE FEATURE

PURA VIDA / LIVING CR

iving in the small fishing village of Playas del Coco has undeniably slowed this New York City girl down. Giving up a stressful finance career for the sun and sea changed my life in a very profound way, and now my passion is helping anyone else with the same dream make it happen. Yes, it’s possible and can even be seamless with the proper guidance. If you’re a young family wanting your littles to experience a nature-focused way of life, or empty-nesters living out your dream, Costa Rica has that to offer — and more.

The Papagayo Gulf of Guanacaste boasts a variety of living and lifestyle opportunities.

Playas del Coco is in Guanacaste, centrally located in relation to many major tourist attractions. That means there is plenty to do, so get ready for visitors! It’s also not far from a major hospital and an international airport offering daily flights to the United States and Canada. With the airport being so close, you are home in 30 minutes once you leave the airport.

Playas del Coco is a town where people tend to come and stay for extended periods to escape the cold, brutal winters of up north. Life is simple here. Join us!

Whether you’re moving here permanently or plan to enjoy a snowbird lifestyle, it’s essential to know that people rave about the area’s sense of community.

It could be a beach clean-up, animal spay and neuter clinic, food drives or helping the local children with their school supplies and remembering them at Christmas. No matter what happens, the community rallies together. And that could soon include you.

When I’m helping new clients, they always ask how I “ended up here.” My original plans were to move to southern California, but I wanted to take some time off before returning to the 9-to-5 workday. I discovered this more straightforward way of life when I visited Costa Rica with a scuba diving group and returned to take my divemaster certification. I eventually decided to stay, trading in my business suits and heels for flipflops and board shorts.

When I say I fell in love with it here, I mean it. I even married a local, and we built our home in 2010, which was also the same year I decided to focus on marketing our sportfishing business, North Pacific Tours. In 2013, I joined the Tres Amigos Realty Group as an agent to share my knowledge with all of you and help you create your dream of living in paradise.

I work for homeowners to sell their properties as quickly as possible and help buyers purchase their property at the best price. If you need a recommendation of where to stay while you are here, I can point you in the right direction; I have contacts with all the property managers in the area and all of the hotels. You’ll be working with someone who truly lives the pura vida lifestyle and who has fantastic relationships all over town.

Take the step in the right direction and contact me today!

Lisa Farrell

Tres Amigos Realty Group Mobile: 011 (506)-8398-8129

www.papagayorealestate.com CRGAR, NAR and, SUGEF Approved Agent Villa La Cima Pacifico Lot

by Rick Philps

UNDERSTANDING THE COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE MARKET

I

have over 30 years of combined experience as primarily a real estate attorney, in both Canada and Costa Rica, and also a law degree from each jurisdiction (English common law and Roman civil law, respectively), and a notary and registry degree from Costa Rica. During my time practicing law in Costa Rica, I have seen several real estate market cycles completed.

REAL ESTATE 101

U.S. economic effect From a residential and commercial real estate point of view, these real Estate market cycles are largely driven by the state of the U.S. economy at any given time. There is a lag-time of approximately 18 months to have an effect on the real estate market in Costa Rica.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly its impact on travel, Costa Rica’s real estate market has been slow for property sales, making it a buyer’s market price-wise. However, there is evidence of a market uptick, as travel becomes more accessible again.

There are also a number of properties available where owners have been forced to sell for economic reasons at below market price.

Effect of the U.S. presidential election There is habitually an exodus of U.S. citizens from the U.S., from the losing side, following any presidential election. I expect that following the 2020 election, a number of disgruntled Republican voters will be seeking greener pastures somewhere outside the U.S. I have witnessed this pattern previously following U.S. presidential elections, but expect it will be amplified this time around because the latest election was more emotionally charged and politically divisive.

Buyer beware Expats considering a real estate purchase in Costa Rica must be aware that this country’s legal system is different. Roman civil law applies here, not the English common law system that is dominant in the U.S., Canada and British Commonwealth countries.

My prediction is that the Costa Rica real estate market is on the cusp of changing into a seller’s market.

Many requirements differ between the two legal systems.

Also, there is no regulation of the real estate industry in Costa Rica and no formal MLS system to provide information on both the availability of properties or market price comparisons.

Accordingly, it’s very important to choose a realtor with good credentials and references, and good local knowledge of the area where you wish to purchase property. Choosing a knowledgeable and competent real estate attorney is equally important, to undertake the legal due diligence requirements necessary in a property purchase transaction.

My opinion Taking into account the U.S. economic lag-time factor, the expected availability of various COVID-19 vaccines and consequential economic recovery, along with the increase in travel over the next few months and U.S. election results aftermath, my prediction is that the Costa Rica real estate market is on the cusp of changing into a seller’s market, beginning in mid-2021.

Accordingly, current property prices will most likely rise, due to the increased buyer demand, consistent with the seller’s market cycle arriving.

Ready to Take the Plunge

Legal Due Diligence Seminars Discover the important legal issues about moving to Costa Rica to live, from 30+ Years of Canadian and Costa Rican legal practice

?

— helping expats.

...to Costa Rica

Limited Attendance Seminars AND Open Q&A Sessions with LIC. RICK PHILPS, COSTA RICA LAWYER

March Seminar March 9, 2021, 9AM to 11AM April Seminar April 13, 2021, 9AM to 11AM Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo Ask about more mo seminar dates available until July 2021 www.costaricacanadalaw.com More Information and Reservations Email: rick@costaricacanadalaw.com

More info here:

Those Zany Sloths

By Jim Parisi & Alei Burns

Fun Facts About Our Unofficial Mascot

S

loths have become Costa Rica’s unofficial national mascot, emblematic of the pura vida lifestyle. They are just so darn cuddly! Here are a few obscure sloth facts you may not have already known.

• Sloths live in the tropical rainforests throughout Central and South America. Their populations are densest in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and northern Brazil.

• Food takes about a month to digest in a sloth's stomach, fermenting all the while. For this reason, they are not a preferred delicacy by their primary predators — jaguars and snakes.

Reinvent

Turning DreamsInto IntoRea Reality lity

Turning Dreams

www.marvistacr.com US 1-888-414-1836 CR +506 8387 8888

Your Life

SURF High

April 4

G

APRIL TIDE CHART

MOON PHASES

11:17 / -0.91 ft

17:37 / 10.06 ft

23:50 / -1.04 ft

12:05 / -0.43 ft

18:26 / 9.53 ft

Sat

00:41 / -0.50 ft

06:58 / 8.47 ft

12:58 / 0.22 ft

19:20 / 8.84 ft

Apr 4

Sun

01:36 / 0.16 ft

07:58 / 7.87 ft

13:58 / 0.91 ft

20:23 / 8.13 ft

Apr 5

Mon

02:40 / 0.77 ft

09:07 / 7.40 ft

15:08 / 1.48 ft

21:34 / 7.57 ft

April 11

Apr 6

Tue

03:53 / 1.19 ft

10:22 / 7.22 ft

16:29 / 1.73 ft

22:50 / 7.34 ft

New Moon

Apr 7

Wed

05:09 / 1.29 ft

11:35 / 7.37 ft

17:46 / 1.60 ft

Apr 8

Thu

00:00 / 7.41 ft

06:16 / 1.13 ft

12:36 / 7.72 ft

18:49 / 1.25 ft

Apr 9

Fri

00:59 / 7.65 ft

07:10 / 0.87 ft

13:27 / 8.12 ft

19:40 / 0.85 ft

Apr 10 Sat

01:48 / 7.93 ft

07:55 / 0.61 ft

14:10 / 8.48 ft

20:22 / 0.49 ft

Apr 11 Sun

02:30 / 8.17 ft

08:33 / 0.41 ft

14:48 / 8.76 ft

20:59 / 0.22 ft

Apr 12 Mon 03:08 / 8.33 ft

09:08 / 0.30 ft

15:24 / 8.92 ft

21:34 / 0.04 ft

03:44 / 8.38 ft

09:42 / 0.29 ft

15:58 / 8.96 ft

22:07 / -0.03 ft

Apr 14 Wed 04:20 / 8.33 ft

10:15 / 0.39 ft

16:31 / 8.88 ft

22:41 / 0.04 ft

Apr 15 Thu

04:55 / 8.15 ft

10:48 / 0.60 ft

17:05 / 8.66 ft

23:15 / 0.23 ft

Apr 16 Fri

05:31 / 7.86 ft

11:23 / 0.91 ft

17:40 / 8.34 ft

23:52 / 0.53 ft

Apr 17 Sat

06:08 / 7.51 ft

12:00 / 1.29 ft

18:17 / 7.94 ft

Apr 18 Sun

00:31 / 0.90 ft

06:50 / 7.13 ft

12:40 / 1.68 ft

18:59 / 7.51 ft

Apr 19 Mon

01:15 / 1.29 ft

07:37 / 6.80 ft

13:28 / 2.04 ft

19:49 / 7.11 ft

Apr 20 Tue

02:05 / 1.63 ft

08:33 / 6.61 ft

14:26 / 2.26 ft

20:50 / 6.84 ft

Apr 21 Wed

03:04 / 1.82 ft

09:37 / 6.65 ft

15:34 / 2.25 ft

21:59 / 6.80 ft

Apr 22 Thu

04:09 / 1.77 ft

10:42 / 6.98 ft

16:44 / 1.92 ft

23:06 / 7.06 ft

Apr 23 Fri

05:12 / 1.46 ft

11:40 / 7.56 ft

17:48 / 1.33 ft

1st Quarter

April 26 Full Moon

SUNRISE APRIL 1 APRIL 30

5:38 am 5:23 am

SUNSET APRIL 1 APRIL 30

5:52 pm 5:53 pm

Apr 1

Thu

05:17 / 9.44 ft

Apr 2

Fri

06:05 / 9.03 ft

Apr 3

Apr 13 Tue

Time/Height

High

Time/Height

April 20

Day Time/Height

Low

Time/Height

3rd Quarter

Date

High

Low

COSTA RICA

Apr 24 Sat

00:06 / 7.54 ft

06:08 / 0.95 ft

12:33 / 8.29 ft

18:43 / 0.58 ft

Apr 25 Sun

00:59 / 8.14 ft

07:00 / 0.36 ft

13:21 / 9.06 ft

19:33 / -0.17 ft

Apr 26 Mon 01:48 / 8.73 ft

07:48 / -0.20 ft

14:08 / 9.74 ft

20:21 / -0.82 ft

02:36 / 9.23 ft

08:35 / -0.65 ft

14:54 / 10.24 ft

21:08 / -1.27 ft

Apr 28 Wed 03:23 / 9.54 ft

09:22 / -0.89 ft

15:40 / 10.48 ft

21:55 / -1.45 ft

Apr 29 Thu

04:10 / 9.63 ft

10:09 / -0.88 ft

16:28 / 10.41 ft

22:43 / -1.35 ft

Apr 30 Fri

04:59 / 9.49 ft

10:59 / -0.62 ft

17:17 / 10.06 ft

23:32 / -1.00 ft

Apr 27 Tue

Time/Height

Read surfing articles CLICK HERE!

Delivery Available!

Photos and article by Tom Schultz

MEET COSTA RICA’S LATEST BIRD CELEBRITY TO U R I S T S F LO C K TO P O CO S O L F O R R A R E C U C KO O G L I M P S E

I

COOL PLACES

t seems that nature, especially the avian sector, is doing everything possible to help reactivate tourism in Costa Rica. In late 2020, the country’s first known appearance of an Orinoco goose drew visitors from far and wide to the Rio Tarcoles, where boat tour operator José Eduardo was restarting his business after a series of misfortunes.

Now another rare bird has caused a similar sensation by triggering flocks of wildlife enthusiasts to an off-the-beaten path locale where tourist traffic is normally sparse. For birders hoping their “life list” might one day include a rufous-vented ground-cuckoo sighting in Costa Rica, it was a dream come true. Learn more about this highly sought-after bird species in a future Howler Creature Feature article .

Easy to see

Costa Rica’s latest celebrity bird tale begins the first weekend of February 2021, with an astonishing sighting at the Pocosol station of the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (Bosque Eternos de los Niños).

A local guide and station staff spotted not a single bird, and not a pair, but as many as seven of these seldom-seen ground-cuckoos. Consistent with their feeding habits, the birds were following a swarm of ants, eating insects scurrying away in the front of the swarm. Remarkably, they were easy to see and showed no signs of fleeing the nearby human witnesses.

A post with photos appeared that Sunday on the Facebook page of the Asociación Ornitológica de Costa Rica (AOCR), Costa Rica’s largest orinological organization.

PURA VIDA LIVING COSTA RICA

Yoga and Wellness Retreats What Makes Costa Rica an Inspiration Destination?

By Jenn Parker

W

e’ll begin today’s practice in a comfortable seated position.

Gently rest your hands on your knees with your palms facing up. Touch your index fingers to the tips of your thumbs. Imagine your spine is straight and tall like a palm tree as you roll your shoulders back and down like fronds giving in to gravity. In this sacred space among the ancient trees, find comfort in the clouds hanging in the tangled branches. Let the past and the future roll off like raindrops and the present fill your pool.

WELLNESS FEATURE

Photo courtesy of Vajra Sol Yoga Adventures

The practice of yoga is not supposed to be as much about our physical or geographic location as it is about places in our mind. Ideally, however, practicing somewhere that enkindles present mindfulness through the space itself — the energy, the scents, and the sounds — only helps us deepen our practice.

CLICK HERE to read more

Photo: Jorge Russell

CLICK HERE FOR ALL OF OUR MENUS

Visit us Today!

USE DISCOUNT CODE

HOWLER

LIVE DEAD & MORE 6:30 WWRR FF S & NOON # 1 SUNDAY FUNDAY

-Breakfast -Lunch -Dinner

From Tama Sat - Free Boats + Shuttle Back Sunday - Free Boat In and out

- Covid Safe - Contact us to reserve the experience

Call: 2653-0975 Text +506 8707 9939 US 0973-536-1191

Palm Beach Estates - Playa Grande www.thegratefulhotel.com contact@thegratefulhotel.com