Five Things to Do In Arenal

It's a dramatically beautiful setting with lots to do... and low-priced properties

Dear Reader,
Arenal's a little hidden corner of Costa Rica, with a dramatically beautiful setting. Lush green hills and mountains curl around a wide,deep-blue lake. The show-stealer sits lakeside. It's a cone-shaped volcano, with smooth purple slopes rising skywards, its peak ringed by clouds. The scale of the views- the huge lake, the high volcano, the impressive mountains- contrasts sharply with the small towns and little farms scattered across the landscape.
It's not just the setting that draws a growing number of expats and property buyers to Arenal. The serene, placid, unhurried pace of life attracts them, too. Factor in low property prices, and Arenal's appeal becomes obvious.
More on the low property prices in a moment. But first, five things you'll enjoy if you visit Arenal...
#1, Water Sports. At 26 miles long, Lake Arenal will win over water sports fans. You can try swimming, water-skiing, sailing, kayaking, wind-surfing or fishing. Close by, you can swim in waterfalls, or try your hand at white-water rafting.
If you prefer dry land, you can explore the cloud forest and national parks that surround the lake...go hiking, horse riding, or bird watching (you can spot hundreds of bird species here).
With warm sunny weather and cooling lake breezes year-round, you can spend a lot of time outdoors in Arenal.
#2, See the Sights. Aside from the obvious lure of the lake and volcano...
You can check out the gigantic ceiba tree, that's around 500 years old and 197 feet high, at Ceiba Tree Lodge. Draped with ferns and orchids, and truly massive, this ceiba was Costa Rica's national tree in 2006.
It's a nature walk that will take some beating, and a must-see in Arenal: The Hanging Bridges. It offers 3 kilometers of walking trails, and six hanging bridges, suspended between towers. You'll see all kinds of wildlife as you walk through this tropical rainforest reserve.
If you prefer cool, dark, and underground, Venado Caves formed 15-20 million years ago. A ninety-minute tour will let you see limestone rock formations and marine fossils.
The Maleku indigenous village (thirty minutes from Arenal) gives you a glimpse of the traditional way of life of Costa Rica's smallest tribe. One tour option takes you into the forest to show you the medicinal plants used by the tribe.
#3, Thermal Springs. If relaxing is more your style, try soaking in thermal springs. La Fortuna, a town in Arenal, boasts a range of resorts and spas that make the most of the area's heated mineral water springs. The best resorts offer a selection of pools, with the water varying from cool to very hot. Some offer pampering massages, swim-up bars and cleansing volcanic mud treatments.
#4, Good Food. In the town of Nuevo Arenal, try fresh-baked bread from the German bakery. Or a recently opened steakhouse, with burgers, barbecue and wings on the menu. Little sodas offer low-cost, local plates...and there's a choice of pizzerias and cafes. Food gourmets should make a beeline for the Gingerbread restaurant. You won't find better food in Costa Rica.
#5, Good Company. Arenal's expat community is small, but friendly and active. They get together regularly, and support each other in a way I haven't seen elsewhere. It's a major factor cited by many of the expats who move to Arenal or buy a vacation home here.
Of course, Arenal's low property prices help make it an attractive location. Here's a sample:

• Half-acre lake-view lots in a private community from $19,000
• A two-bed two-bath riverfront home for $75,000
• An 8.25-acre estate lot with volcano and lake views for $195,000
• 93 acres with forest, pasture and rivers for $93,000
• A new, two-bed, two-bath home with lake views, furnished, for $125,000

If you want to check out Arenal for yourself...contact Terry Moran here. Terry is a real estate agent we work with in Arenal. He'll help you with your travel arrangements and accommodation. And he'll show you a customized selection of properties... based on your budget and requirements. You'll see what you want to see, when you want to see it.
This is the easiest way to get a feel for Costa Rica's lake country, and immerse yourself in its charms for a few days. Contact Terry today...and discover this hidden corner of Costa Rica.
Margaret Summerfield

International Living The Greatest Name in International Real Estate

Moran Real Estate - Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Nothing is predestined: The obstacles of your past can become the gateways that lead to new beginnings.

de Lux Property Management

de Lux Property Management

Moran real estate is proud to announce our association with Robert Lux of de Lux Property Management. I have known Bob for over 25 years and can attest to his knowledge, integrity, honesty and experience in property management, all types of homes,apartments, pool, spa and yard maintainance. Bob worked with me in the U.S. Virgin Islands and later in Oregon and has a wealth of experience. He is headquartered in our office at Gingerbread Hotel. So for all your property needs please contact him at:

de LUX  Property Management

LakeArenal, Costa Rica

Located at the offices of Moran Real Estate

Contact :Robert Lux                                                                      

Phone: 506-8703-9383

In the US call: 305-307-0088

E-Mail: deluxpropertymanagement@gmail.com

Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure.
-- Joseph Sugarman

The Switzerland Of Central America



Your day starts with a strong coffee, and the delicate layers of a crisp pastry. The smooth surface of the lake beneath your terrace mirrors the blue sky overhead. Rich green mountain scenery surrounds you...revealing a tiny pointed church spire and a handful of chalets...
But you're not in Switzerland, or Austria. You're not even in Europe. You're in a little secret corner of Costa Rica, called Arenal.
And while the gorgeous lake landscape might remind you of Europe, the property prices certainly won't.
You can buy two and a half acres here, with fruit trees, your own private lake, a main house and a lake cottage, for $159,000...
Today's draw could win you a free tour of Arenal's hidden real estate gems...a boat ride on the lake...and a couple of nights accommodation and breakfast. It's an opportunity to scope out the area before the mainstream catches on. Click here to enter the draw...and read on below to find out more about Costa Rica's best-kept secret.
It was Costa Rica's best-kept secret. I first scouted here three years ago. I fell in love with the setting, and the scenery. I enjoyed good food, and good company. It reminded me of lake country in Europe...from the dramatic, rich green landscape, the warm bread and crisp pastries in the little Austrian bakery, to the mini Swiss village on one side of the lake.
I couldn't believe just how affordable property was here, either. Only a handful of expats had discovered this location, and they preferred to keep it to themselves. But word is starting to get out slowly about this hidden gem...
At International Living's conference in Costa Rica in August 2010, this place stole the show. Some attendees toured the area before the conference. They liked what they saw...and they couldn't keep it to themselves. We should have had two small tours of the area, one before the conference and one afterwards. That soon turned into four bigger tours...and a lot of excitement. There's something special about this location...

We're talking about Arenal, in north central Costa Rica. It's Costa Rica's lake country, and it ticks all the right boxes for a growing number of expats and retirees. The weather hovers in the high-70s year round. There's enough rain to keep the landscape fresh and green.
Arenal often reminds visitors of Lake Tahoe...without the crowds. If you love hiking, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, bird watching, horse riding, or kayaking...this place is paradise. It's a secret part of Costa Rica, where you'll find gourmet food, good company, and property prices that seem to belong in a history book.
But the secret's slowly getting out...as more expats, retirees and property buyers uncover this hidden corner of Costa Rica.
Lakes, Rivers, Waterfalls, and Hot Springs
Let's start with the natural beauty. It's easy when you have the right ingredients: the country's largest lake (33 square miles), a lush landscape of soft rolling hills, lofty mountains, and a towering volcano. For much of the year, only fishermen and sailors break Lake Arenal's mirror-smooth surface; for a few months, stronger lake breezes bring in windsurfers.
The sharply pointed cone of the volcano reaches 5300 feet. It's live. That means a spectacular fiery display most evenings...and hot springs. Resorts offer a choice of outdoor pools, with different water temperatures, swim-up bars, and spa treatments--a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.

The volcano, the lake, and hot springs are major tourist attractions
The thermal water has reputed healing powers, and the volcanic mud is great for deep cleansing. There are a number of hotels that offer a variety of treatments...or you can simply soak contentedly outdoors in the heated water and relax.
Throw in crashing waterfalls, deep caverns, and misty cloud forests...and a total of 790 square miles of conservation area, parks and reserves...and "unspoiled paradise" sums this place up.
A Warm Welcome is Waiting...
The expat group in Arenal is small, but very active, and welcoming to newcomers. They meet regularly, often at the Gingerbread Hotel. Once you've dined here, you'll know why. The chef, Eyal, serves delicious, fresh, gourmet food. He prefers to use locally sourced products. On the taste front, his food ranks alongside the top restaurants in Europe or the US...and at much more wallet-friendly prices. It's by far the best food in Costa Rica.

The bargain-basement real estate is as mouth-watering as the food. Local-style three bed homes start at $55,000. For $179,000, you get fifteen acres of jungle, rivers, pasture, and a small house. A well-maintained 2-bed home in a private community is on the market for $89,000. A home with its own private lake set in two and a half acres is $159,000...
I could go on and on, but you get the idea. This overlooked area boasts a wide range of properties, from local "Tico" homes, to lake-view or volcano-view home sites, to US-style condos with a private marina overlooking the lake. They all have one thing in common: affordability.
If you want to check out Arenal for yourself...and see what's getting so many people buzzing about this place...then you

should enter today's prize draw.
Terry Moran is a real estate broker we work with in Arenal, and he's offering a free tour, two nights accommodation at the Gingerbread Hotel, including breakfast, and a boat ride on the lake.
He'll also show you a selection of properties in Arenal, based on your preferences...whether it's farmland, a second home, or a lake-view lot.
You'll meet other expats, who'll share why they chose this spot as their piece of paradise...
And you'll see just how far your real estate dollars will stretch here.
If you want to get a feel for Costa Rica's lake country, and immerse yourself in its charms for a few days, this is the easiest way to do it. Enter the prize draw today ...and discover this hidden corner of Costa Rica...before the mainstream catches on.
Margaret Summerfield
Pathfinder - International Living

http://internationalliving.com/ international Living - The greatest Name In World Real Estate Values

http://moranlakearenal.com/  Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence

http://gingerbreadarenal.com/ Gingerbread The absolute finest restaurant and boutique hotel in Costa Rica


The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.
-- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Costa Ricas's Lake District Is Causing Quite A Stir

It's no wonder—spectacular views, the best food in the country, and seriously affordable property

Costa Rica's Best-Kept Secret
By Margaret Summerfield

It's Costa Rica's best-kept secret—and it caused quite a stir at a recent IL conference. Some attendees had been there before and couldn't wait to share what they'd found. Word is slowly getting out about this hidden hot spot...

I'm talking about Arenal, in north central Costa Rica. It's Costa Rica's lake country, and it ticks all the right boxes for a growing number of expats and retirees.


The weather hovers in the high 70s year-round. There's enough rain to keep the landscape fresh and green. Then there's the beauty of this place...the friendly expats...the gourmet food...and the bargain-basement property prices.

Arenal often reminds visitors of Lake Tahoe...without the crowds. If you love hiking, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, boating, bird watching, horse riding, or kayaking...this place is paradise. It's a secret part of Costa Rica, where you'll find gourmet food, good company, and property prices that seem to belong in a history book.

Let's start with the natural beauty. It's easy when you have the right ingredients: the country's largest lake (33 square miles), a lush landscape of soft rolling hills, lofty mountains, and a towering volcano. For much of the year, only fishermen and sailors break Lake Arenal's mirror-smooth surface; for a few months, stronger lake breezes bring in windsurfers.

The sharply pointed cone of the volcano reaches 5,300 feet. Yes, it's "live". That means a fiery display most evenings...and hot springs. Resorts offer a choice of outdoor pools, with different water temperatures, swim-up bars, and spa treatments—a perfect way to unwind at the end of a long day.

Throw in crashing waterfalls, deep caverns, and misty cloud forests...and a total of 790 square miles of conservation area, parks and reserves...and "unspoiled paradise" sums this place up.

The expat group is small, but very active, and welcoming to newcomers. They meet regularly, often at the Gingerbread Hotel. Once you've dined here, you'll know why. The chef, Eyal, serves delicious, fresh, gourmet food. He prefers to use locally sourced products. On the taste front, his food ranks alongside the top restaurants in Europe or the U.S.—and at much more wallet-friendly prices. It's by far the best food in Costa Rica.

The bargain-basement real estate is as mouth-watering as the food—homes start at less than $60,000.

This overlooked area boasts a wide range of properties, from local "Tico" homes, to lake-view or volcano-view home sites, to U.S.-style condos with a private marina overlooking the lake. They all have one thing in common: affordability. 

Moran real Estate Over 50 years Of Tropical Real Estate Excellence 

International Living - The Greatest Name In Real Estate Values 

Failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying. 

Costa Rica Becomes A World Leader In Space Travel Technology

***********************************************

Thanks to the presence of some of the most innovative companies in the world today Costa Rica
has become a major player in high-technology manufacturing, medical technology manufacturing,
professional services and believe it or not, the development of advanced plasma rocket
propulsion technology for space travel!

Since the year 2000 the number of companies in Costa Rica's manufacturing sector has increased
by 83%, Costa Rica's medical devices sector has increased by 288% and the services sector has
increased by 1,760%

Ad Astra is a rocket propulsion company dedicated to the development of advanced plasma rocket
propulsion technology. It was started by Franklin Ramón Chang Díaz a Costa Rican-American
engineer, physicist and former NASA astronaut who is a veteran of seven Space Shuttle missions.
His ambitious goal is to revolutionize space transportation and exploration, through the
development and commercialization of the VASIMR® engine and related technologies.

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics named the Variable Specific Impulse
Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR) among the top 10 emerging aerospace technologies of 2009 and
aerospace experts believe that a 200 Mega Watt VASIMR® powered space ship could make the trip
to Mars in as few as 39 days.

In an effort to help bolster this new industry, Costa Rica's President Laura Chinchilla is
seeking to attract more investment from aerospace companies and this week signed a decree
creating the National Council of Aerospace Industry which will be chaired by Clotilde Fonseca,
Minister of Science and Technology.

In an interview this week, the World Bank Director for Central America Laura Frigenti was
asked about the the prospects for Costa Rica this year, she answered: "They are very good.
We at the World Bank, look at Costa Rica with a lot of admiration. It is a country that has
much to offer the world in terms of good policies, results, particularly in the areas of
social policy, debt and openness to foreign direct investment."

And you saw in the news this week that out of 65 countries, a young Tico - Rafael Angel
Rodríguez Arguedas - just won the Gold medal in the World Olympics for Chemistry? He beat
other very talented contenders from countries that have typically performed well in this
field including the USA, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina.

Good things are happening in Costa Rica, come be a part of it!

If you enjoy our newsletter and website, please feel free to forward this onto someone you love...

Scott Oliver - Founder of WeLoveCostaRica.com

We Love Costa Rica

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years Of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Start by doing what's necessary;
then do what's possible;
and suddenly you are doing the impossible

What On Earth Are You Waiting For

Tired of the rat race, shoveling snow, traffic jams, stress, higher taxes, more government rules and regulations?
Imagine yourself in the hammock on the back porch of this cute Caribbean style country cottage with a great book in one hand and  an ice cold Imperial beer in the other. For $59,000 you can live this dream in this great 2 bedroom cottage in a small village just 30 minutes from the Lake and walking distance to all the basic conveniences.

If your home and your car is paid for, you and your wife can live very comfortably for just $1000 per month. And remember total and complete health care for you both is just $40 per month. The freshest, cleanest air you will ever breath, the cleanest water you will ever drink, in a country that has one of the longest longevities in the world, where a traffic
 jam is 5 cows in the road, where real estate taxes are $100, not thousands,   Where you never need heat or air conditioning. Where your gardner or maid costs $1.50 an hour, where the soil is so rich and the rainfall so ample that you'll discover a green thumb you thought you never had,

Where your neighbors are friendly and invite you in for coffee every time you walk past their door, where you can walk down to a cool, spring fed mountain river for a swim, where the monkeys, toucans, parrots and a thousand other birds and animals come right up to your porch.

Where your friends and family will have to make reservations to come visit you, Where life is sweeter, more relaxed, more full filling than you had ever imagined possible. It is all within your reach, and its not expensive, its waiting for you, this is the time, this is the place, do it now.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. And Today? Today is a gift. That's why we call it the present.

Afacha Marama - The Maleku Indian Medicine Man

For thousands of years the various Central American Indian Tribes have had Medicine Men, or Women  who passed down through the generations the wonders of the medicinal plants in the jungle. It has grown and been fostered by generations of trial and error to the point that some of their remedies and cures for many ailments are far superior to modern medicine.

I recently visited the Medicine Man on the Maleku Reservation about an hour north of the Lake and sat down for a long and interesting talk about the history as has been told down through the years.
Although Alvino Solano has taken a Spanish Christian name, he is pure bred Maleku. He is almost 70 years old and doesn't look a day over 50. I asked him how and who taught him the Indian medicines as far back as he could remember. He called his wife and some other members of his family into his small treatment  and consulting room and through their collective memory they went back quite a ways. His mother, who lived to be over 100 years taught him, His mothers mother, who also lived to be over 100 years taught her. His mothers, mothers grandfather taught her and that is as far as they could remember.
Sometimes The chief or Cacique will act as the chief and the medicine man also, or he will add to the knowkedge of the current medicine man.

He brought out a book and a binder in which were written the plants and herbs from the jungle used to cure various illnesses, how much should be taken and for how long. His binder was full of newspaper and magazine clippings from all over the world where some of his treatments had cured various forms of cancer, diabetes and other ailements.

He said that to find all the plants he needed, he had to travel far and wide into the various micro climates of Central America to find all that was necessary to treat the various illnesses. However a very rich area of the deep primary forest could produce as many as 1500 useful plants per manzana {1.7 Acres}.

He is also very cognitive of diet and health and advises his clients where they are going wrong on their eating habits.

His treatment room is full of various types of bottles and small plastic bags full of different colored liquids and dry plants which were proportioned doses of the various cures. As a matter of fact he had just brewed a fresh warm batch of various potions and extracts he let me touch and smell. He asked me what was ailing me, did I have pain anywhere. I told him I would be back very soon to try some of his remedies.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seeds of  its own redemption

Brilliant Artistic Exotic Furniture Maker

Mitchehell Ramon Lance has been bringing extotic woods from all over the world to life as the most incredible unique furniture for over 20 years, first in Texas, but for the last 10 years here in Costa Rica where the most exotic hardwoods are available.

Being very careful Mitch makes regular trips to the forest to find fallen, dead trees only, which he carefully selects for his projects. Some of the woods he regularly uses are Cocobolo, Ron Ron, Caoba (Mahogany), Rosewood and many many others you may have never heard of. Many of the woods he uses are so dense that they sink in water..

He has made Beds out of a single stump of exotic wood. Bathroom Wash basins, all kinds of tables, desks, stairs, plates, lamps and just about any type of furniture you can imagine. He can look at a piece of wood and see things that you and I would never see in a million years.

Mitch has his shop and showroom in Arenal Town acros from the German Bakery and can be reached by phone at 506 8371 8218, or through our office

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate excellence

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.

Lake Arenal Costa Rica Exotic Properties

This magnificent 100 foot waterfall on 8.75 acres of exotic Jungle land was just purchased  through Moran Real Estate by a visionary couple who are transforming it into what will surely be one of the most exotic homes in all of Central America. The waterfall falls into a large natural pool perfect for swimming. A river then winds down stream over smaller falls and water slides into further pools. Further down river it intersects another river which create more pools. The property also includes an unusual number of exotic Tropical hardwood trees and is visited by two specises of monkeys, The White Faced and the Howlers, as well as numerous bird species.

The development of this unique property is a slow labor of Love which when finished will certainly be featured in numerous architectural magazines.
As the plans and the construction progress I will up date this site so that you may see this artwork in progess.

The opportunities at Lake Arenal are some of the most unusual and unique in all of Central Anerica, Moran Real Estate prides ourselves with seeking out the unusual, the unique, the special tropical properties our clients come to Costa Rica to find, and we have found many. But there are many more out there and we are discoverning new properties every week, so keep your eyes on our web site at Moran Real Estate Unique Properties, you never know what you are going to find.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

A Man is not finished when he is defeated, he is finished when he quits

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence 

The most beautiful things in the world are not seen, nor touched, they are felt with the heart

Lake Arenal Costa Rica Homes Of Distinction

This cute as a button 2 bedroom 2 bath Artists Cottage is right out of Caribbean Style. The fantastic colors and art work all blend together to give this house a special aura of  comfortable old world tropical living.

Located walking distance to Arenal town and the Park on the Lake where you can swim, fish and launch a boat and with a beautifully landscaped yard, it is a jewel.  Currently a very successful short term rental property, if offers income and is available when you wish. And at Just $95,000 it is a bargain

To see more of the most beautiful properties and best values in Central America call 506 2964 0088 or Cell 506 8880 8888  24/7

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical Rean Estate excellence

One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure its worth watching.

A Friends Comical Account Of Why Not To Ship A Car To Costa Rica

Hands down, you do not want to ship your car to Costa Rica.  We have  all heard horror stories about bringing in a car and I personally speak from experience. Some time ago, I purchased a little Toyota to ship to Costa Rica from my neighbor in the States for $1,500. I felt that if the relocation did not work out for me I could sell or gift it, should I decide to return.

Thus my story begins! After hiring a shipping broker to prepare the documents necessary to take to port, I drove the car to Port Everglades in Florida to board the Dole fruit boat for Costa Rica. I was given an arrival date and off I went confident that my decision to ship would be a breeze. In Miami, I paid the shipping broker to have the car delivered from Limon to San Jose, not far from the hotel I would be staying as I did not know the country well. The following morning I flew out of Miami to my new tropical paradise. I arrived in San Jose and, having days left until my car arrived, I decided to travel around my new destiny and take in the incredible scenery. A day before my car was to arrive, I returned to the hotel that I was staying in to await its arrival. This would mark the beginning of one of the most difficult experiences of my life bar none!
I called the shipping company the day my car was to arrive and was told to sit tight and I would be contacted when the car was on its way to San Jose. Two more days went by and nothing and now we were into a weekend. The following Monday I called again and was told it was in a warehouse in San Jose so I asked directions and went there but no car! Frustrated by the situation I returned to the hotel and called the shipper in Miami and told them of my dilemma. I was told to sit tight and they would call me back when my car was located. Another day passed and no call! I called again and was told my car had been located, but it was still in Limon. I explained that I had paid extra to have my car driven to San Jose. Then I was told I had to speak with a local agent of the shipping company. I called the local agent and she said my car was in Limon and I would have to go there to pick it up. I told her that I had paid to have it driven to San Jose and she said, “ That’s impossible, you must go in person to sign for it at the port warehouse.”
Next morning, I boarded the next bus for Limon. Two hours later I arrived in a town I knew nothing about and could not speak much Spanish. I felt abandoned and stranded and, at that moment I questioned my move. After asking many people where to go, I arrived at the warehouse via taxi several miles out of town. I waited in a line for an hour and finally made it to the window where the clerk told me that I had to go back to the customs office in the town of Limon to get my papers stamped and pay a fee so, back in the taxi I went. I arrived at another line and waited over a half an hour and was told I needed an insurance stamp before I could get my papers stamped!!! I went to the office several blocks away to buy the stamps where I endured yet another line. My God, what did I ever do in my life to deserve this I kept asking myself over and aver again.

After arriving back to the customs office, I walked to the front of the line as I had served my time prior and an officer quickly ushered to the end of the line, me explaining all the way that I had been there and done this before. By this time the day was growing late and I wondered if I would make it back in time to claim my car. The taxi drove up to the warehouse just moments before 5PM and I was inside, only to find a line from here to hell! I waited and, by this time, I had decided I had come here for a slower lifestyle and I would just sit it out and relax. My turn finally came and I presented my papers and stamps. The man took my papers and left to what I thought was a mini vacation. He returned 45 minutes later with a stack of papers and proceeded to tell me the charges! Sr. Butler you need pay $300.00 for spray car to enter country for insectos. You need pay storage fee. You need pay………….I had brought $540.00 dollars and it was going fast. When they got through with me I had exactly $10.00 left for my return to San Jose. I was taken to a lot where my car was and given the keys. I was instructed to inspect it while the lot attendant was standing there so I did. My jack was missing, my good flash light and anything not welded down was gone. I was exhausted beyond words and told him all was fine as I just could not sit through another hour or two of paperwork.
The car was sitting on empty as I had been instructed to arrive at port with an empty tank. I had $10.00 to my name, tired and hungry I left for San Jose. I put the $10.00 in the tank and off I went, by now it was dark and had started to rain no less. To get back to San Jose I had to travel through the Brallio Carillo National rainforest and park on a windy unlit road in pouring rain. I could not see two feet in front of me and could only go 15 to 20 miles per hour max. It took me all of 5 hours to drive back to San Jose now finding my hotel was the next big challenge. This experience had been nothing short of torture for me but it wasn’t over yet.


Then came the task of nationalizing the car! Take the first part of my story and times it by 3 and there you have it. The gray hairs I now have I can attribute 99% of them to this hellish experience. I can also say that this was the only major taxing experience thus far in my 7 years in Costa Rica. There were more exhausting lines, payoffs and confusion to finally have a legal car in this country. If I were to tell you the rest you would not in a million years believe it! I can assure you of one thing it was not worth it as you will see in a moment why.

Cost of Car $1500
Cost of shipping broker $535
Cost to deliver the car to San Jose $250
cost of stamps, fumigation and storeage $530
Cost of lawyer to nationalize the car $3,500
Cost in pay offs to speed things up $350
6 months later I was legal with a grand total of $6,665

I priced the exact car here and it was $2,000

Now if there is any question in your mind  as to whether you should ship or buy a car here, call the nearest psychologist for an appointment. Shipping a car is a Pura Vida Experience

Moran Real Estate call 506 2694 0088 or Cell 506 8880 8888  24/7

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Patience and perseverance have a magical affect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.

Lake Arenal Costa Rica Homes Of Distinction

 

This Newly renovated 5 bedroom Walled Estate was just completely renovated by an old world craftsman and due to health concerns is forced to sell. The property is situated in a quiet community walking distance to Nuevo Arenal Town and the public Park where you can swim, fish or launch a boat. The home includes a pool and beautifully landscaped grounds and offers a variety of options to a new buyer as a large family or corporate home, or a B&B. The owner is asking $275,00 and open to offers. This is one of the best home values at Lake Arenal today, so please call Moran Real Estate at 506 2694 0088 or cell 506 8880 8888   24/7 for further information.

Moran Real Estate Lake Arenal Experts
Moran Real Estate Lake Arenal Costa Rica
Moran Real Estate Caribbean

Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Lake Arenal Costa Rica Canopy Zip Lines

 

Now that you have been relaxed taking a calm, peaceful, tranquil Kayak Tour on the Lake it is time to get some adreneline going and your heart pumping.

For this we recommend our friends at Sky Tram Sky Trek for the ultimate Canopy Zip Line ride of your life. They are located on the south eastern coast of the Lake very close, and with breath taking views of the Volcano and the Lake.
You will never be closer to feeling like a bird, flying through the canopy at up to 50 miles an hour over 100 feet in the air, zig zagging through the jungle like Tarzan on steroids. They also have an aerial Tram for those that don't wish the more exciting Zip Line experience which slowly ascends the Jungle Canopy to a outlook that is spectacular.  You will see Costa Rica, Lake Arenal and the Volcano from a perspective you had no idea existed and this exciting experience will be with you until the day you die.  Very few ventures will leave you with such an intoxicating glow, so hook up, hang on and fly like the wind.

Moran Real Estate

over 50 years of tropical real estate Excellence

Call 506 2694 0088 or Cell 506 8880 8888  24/7

An Incredible True Story, of a Dream, Trust, Teamwork, Achievement, Happiness and Gratitude

Over one year ago a Doctor from Chicago surfing the web for information on Real Estate In Costa Rica came upon our web site  moranlakearenal.com and was enthralled by what he saw. We began to correspond, him doing his due dilligence asking a million questions, especially since he had never been to Costa Rica. The real estate questions I answered as completely and thoroughly as possible. When the questions regarded legal I introduced him to our super attorney Gonzalo Viquez (Junior), for construction to Luc Charette. All responded quickly and efficiently to his every inquiry. He was drawn to the Real Estate development Turtle Cove Yacht Club. He asked my opinion as to what lot I thought was the best buy. I responded and he bought it cash sight unseen.
He then asked Luc Charette to recommend an architect to design a home for the lot. Luc gave him a name and a plan was created, with Luc,s input about the site, topography and the views. The Doctor approved the plans and construction commenced. He had still never come to Costa Rica. As the construction progressed Luc would send him regular photos and comments, questions about the construction. He would call me regularly to ask my opinion about colors, tiles, windows. The house was completed just a  month ago and is now being furnished by Luc. The Doctor has still to this day never stepped foot on Costa Rica and I would like to include an e mail I just received from him today as a testament to our team work, trust and professionalism.

Hi Terry, Just wanted to let you know how much I like the house, and how much I appreciate all the help you and Luc and Jr. have been. I am just starting to work with Luc on the furniture and look forward to seeing it finished. But most of all I want to say thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Talk to you in 2010. Regards, John

Moran Real Estate Lake Arenal Costa Rica

Lake Arenal Construction

Lake Arenal Costa Rica Development

Lake Arenal Costa Rica management

Call Moran Real Estate at 506 2694 0088 or Cell 506 8880 8888   24/7

CHIRRETE - COSTA RICAN MOONSHINE

CHIRRETE – COSTA RICAN MOONSHINE

Don’t Get me wrong its illegal, but this doesn’t stop some enterprising Ticos from the age old tradition of making moonshine, which is called Chirrete here in Costa Rica.

As a matter of fact there is a small village just minutes from the lake that is famous for its Chirrete. All you have to do is go to the village and ask around and you will be given the directions to a house on the outskirts of town where an old woman, the wife of the man who makes the spirits will gladly let you sample her husbands latest batch and sell you whatever quantity you need, generally sold per gallon at the going rate of about $8.

I have asked the farmer who has the still if I could see the still and he said he would be happy to show it to me, until I found it was a half days horse ride into the mountains each way, so I declined until another day.

This particular Chirrete is well known in northwestern Costa Rica for its quality and I wish I could say smoothness but that would be pushing it a little too far.
The proof, or strength of Chirrete is by definition impossible to say as every batch is different although usually ends up being between 100 and 120 proof. Anything over 160 proof is extremely strong and almost impossible to drink unless mixed with water or juice. 200 proof is pure alcohol. Costa Rican Chirrete is generally made with sugar cane, corn and rice and produces a clear liquid. There are some distillers that after the distilling process flavor their Chirrete with herbs which gives it various other colors.

Because of the single run distilling process most all moonshines are subject to some poisonous by products, including methanol and fusel oils. Fusel oil gives the moonshine that particular oily smell and is not very good for your health if you really get into your shine.

Going to a birthday party one day I thought it would be fun to take a 5 gallon plastic water container normally put on top a cooler and bring it as a gift. I asked the woman if she could fill it for me and without a thought she disappeared into the garage and came back 5 minutes later with it full. More important than that I got a quantity discount at only $6 per gallon and she threw in a bottle of her own home made concoction of Chirrete mixed with coconut syrup that tasted as good or better than a similar brand name bottle at the store.

Was my friend surprised when I walked into his house for the party with a 5 gallon water jug over my shoulder and plunked it down on the ground and just walked away. He later told me he was mystified at first why I was dropping off 5 gallons of mineral water.


Only later did he discover the real contents and needless to say he had a very happy birthday party

Costa Rica Lake Arenal Moran Real Estate