Lomas Del Mar

Lomas del Mar, in Costa Rica is an ecological community offering awesome views in one of the world's most beautiful destinations. Lomas del Mar (Hills of the Sea), a planned gated residential community where spectacular flora and exotic wildlife flourish just outside your door.



The views from Lomas del Mar are the best in Costa Rica. A bold statement. But true. Glorious sunsets over the Pacific. The white sand beach of Matapalo. Santa Rosa National Park. Boats bobbing in Coco Bay. Rolling hills and majestic mountains. Surreal volcanoes. It's like a new postcard with every blink of the eye.
We're only 35 minutes from Costa Rica's international airport in Liberia, serving the country's northwest beaches with direct flights from Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Houston, Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Toronto, and London.

Nestled upon 600 tropical acres of lush pasture, primary forest, and hills over looking the Pacific Ocean and the Papagayo Bay in peaceful Costa Rica. Valley and mountain views complement vistas of the North Pacific Coastline including Playas Matapalo, Ocotal, Coco, and Papagayo Bays. Our ecological residential community development is focused on providing property owner privacy and luxurious amenities while safeguarding local bio-diversity for which Costa Rica is famous.



Developer and Bank Financing Available - We'll Assist You

Costa Rica real estate including - ocean and mountain view lots ranging from 1.25 acres to over 4 acres and our new condominiums: Serendipity Residences. Imagine yourself residing on a spacious real estate property enjoying your Pacific ocean views in privacy and tranquility.

Fitness Center

Within minutes of your home, our top-of-the-line fitness center is fully equipped, featuring high quality strength and aerobic exercise equipment. We have more than a dozen stations to help you tone up, taking full advantage of the healthy lifestyle that is yours to enjoy at Serendipity Residences.

 

equestrian center

Haras del Mar Equestrian Center is located within 600 acres of ocean views and mountain trails in the Lomas del Mar planned ecological community.

We provide boarding in a brand new 14 stall Spanish-style stable with turnout paddocks. Our state of the art equestrian center offers professional instruction in equitation classes for jumping and dressage at our full-size Federation Arena. And we sponsor supervised trail rides to the idyllic beach of Matapalo.

With Lots beginning at $59,000 and built in financing these are the best located, most carefully developed land, homes and condos with the greatest amenities anywhere in Costa Rica.

Call Moran Real Estate at 506 2694 0088 or in the U.S. at 305 307 0088

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of Troipical Real Estate Excellence

One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon-instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today.
-- Dale Carnegie

Moran Real Estate Unique Properties

A Rare Hotspring on 25 acres of rolling pasture land 30 minutes west of the Lake. The hotspring is just a few feet from the springs that make up the pure clean large Rio Corobici, and the hot spring is accessed from a hanging bridge across the river.

The property also includes a former bar and restaurant next to the Hotspring Pool and a beautiful 3 bedroom 2 bath home, which is connected but can be utilized as 2 living units. The property is totally off the grid, having their own well and solar and hydro-electric power system.

The views from the property are spectacular, including 5 volcanos and on clear days all the way to the Pacific Coast. Just one hour from the Liberia International Airport which you can see lit up at night far in the distance.

This property offers a myriad of possibilities but in my opinion it is an ecological resort waiting to happen, with horse trails going in every direction for miles and miles and the peace and quiet of the country side.

This property is offered at $685,000, call us and take a look, the photos don't do justice to this unique beautiful property.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

                       Buy land. They've stopped making it.
                                       Mark Twain

Lake Arenal Housing Demand Way Up

In spite of the worsening economy and real estate market in the United States, from which over 85% of our buyers originate, Lake Arenal is experiencing somewhat of a boom. Even compared to the rest of Costa Rica, Lake Arenal continues to grow and be discovered and recognized as one of the premier expat and retirement favorites in all of Central America.

This has caused a lack of available homes for sale and in turn caused many of the developers to begin spec homes to fill this void. The few fire sale homes that were on the market because of owners pressured by the economy in the U.S. were quickly sold. The current demand is in the $125,000 to $275,000 range in which there are few relatively new homes on the market, and has caused prospective home buyers into buying land and building, which offers a good option with a good builder and in which you can sometimes obtain a superior value result, aside from the fact that you are getting a brand new home to your specifications in the exact location you want.

We have worked with Luc Charette, a Canadian builder for over 10 years and he has built dozens of homes for our clients, all of which are satisfied customers. The current cost for building a home, depending on design and location is between $60 and $80 per square foot and Luc has many examples of his work he can show.

We here at Moran Real Estate are not only working with the developers to fill this void, but have sold much of the land to the developers initially. In most cases they offer the plans for the spec homes to us for comment before commencing construction in order to fill the exact void and end product desired.

Contact us for those homes under construction at this time, on the drawing board or in the permit process for an up date on what is coming up.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence

Lake Arenal Homes of Distinction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-HG6QGxQo

Lake Arenal Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkybUEuHFrQ

The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
-- Allan K. Chalmers

Bella Vista Estates - The Ultimate Eco Community

Bella Vista Estates, A gated Jewel, just 6 miles from the town of Nuevo Arenal features a unique concept of residential development.

These extra large estate lots ranging in size from 2 acres to over 13 acres with prices starting at just $70,000, were carefully master planned with one purpose in mind. They are the ultimate safe haven with individual wells already drilled on each lot, rich black soil, ample rainfall, great views and aa alternate power system planned for the entire project. This will give the owner the option of going completely off the grid, being able to grow your own food, as many of the current owners are doing, and be self sufficient on your own land.

The United Nations, in a recent study determined that one hectar or 2.5 acres of land in a proper climate, with good soil and ample rainfall can support a family of 4. This is the idea behind Bella Vista. When worse comes to worse, peak oil, political turmoil, war, terrorism, wothrless dollars, radiation scares become more and more of a problem, Bella Vista Is the place to be, there is no better insurance policy for you and your family anywhere.

Remember Costa Rica has no army, no enemies, produces over 95% of its own power and the people are friendly, food exporters.

Bella Vista is also building a number of modern well designed and constructed spec homes starting at 2 bedroom 2 bath at just $179,000, fully furnished and ready to move in to.

To See more of the most beautiful properties and best values in all of Central America go to moranlakearenal.com, or call 506 2694 0088, in the U.S. 305 307 0088

Moran Real Estate over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence      

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvnrGyOz78E - Bella Vista Video

If I have been fortunate enough in my life to prosper in my work, to meet and be endowed with great friends, a loving partner and family and a healthy life, I do not attribute this to being in the right place at the right time, to luck or good fortune, but to being blessed with these things for which I thank God every day of my life - Terry Moran

Fantastic Lake And Volcano View Land With No Money Down

THE PRESERVE AT LAKE ARENAL, Just 40 ecologically sensitive lots on 85 gated pristine acres of tremendous lake and volcano view land, crisscrossed with rivers and springs, rolling pasture land and primary forests, with half acre lots beginning at just $14,900, with terms as low as no money down and up to 15 years to pay, with low interest. Two lots on the main public Lakeshore Road ideal for commercial utility with almost half of all the tourists that come to Costa Rica passing right in front on these lots. One with a Nice Tico House. The Preserve  has access to a nearby marina for the owners. Just minutes to Arenal Town and the Lake. A jewel of a property

Townhouses now being planned with spectacular Lake Views, coming soon, club house under construction right now

To see more of the most beautiful properties and best values in all of Costa Rica go to moranlakearenal.com, or call 506 2694 0088 from the U.S. 305 307 0088

Many more listings, way more sales, decades more experience and much more professional dedication than anyone at the lake by far

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mw5S5PGIIY

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.
-- Mary Anne Radmacher



Renting A Car In Costa Rica

There are many reasons, and most are good, why you may want to stay away from cars when visiting Costa Rica, and use the public transports; For a starts, it is greener, and secondly, driving in Costa Rica may be a shock to you, and to your passengers! If however you are an independent globe trotter and like to explore the unbeaten path, you will need a car, and a 4×4 at that! This will give you an almost unlimited freedom and movement, as  the best parts of the country are often hidden away: here are some basics points that might help you make up your mind:
Fast and Easy
As long as the roads are in condition and the traffic is down to a minimum, you stand a chance to make it on time and to actually reach your destination on time, however, bare in mind that speed is rare here, and most definitely hazardous. Roads are sinuous and narrow, making their way through steep volcanic landscape. Pots holes are legendary in Costa Rica, so are the endless queues. Patience and good humour are the key. Tarmac is of poor quality so repairs  as they close down half the road to fill up the pots holes will often cause delays. If you happen to travel when it rains heavily, be careful; I have had to stop the car altogether as I could not even see the road anymore! An average of 45kph is a realistic expectation, however, anything can happen!

Versatile
The hotel you have chosen, the beach you want to find, they many not be  so easy to reach if you are traveling by bus. Or you may find this beautiful and breathtaking spot you would have missed if you had not been driving. The hotel you reserved is not up to your expectations?  Never mind, you can hop in the car and drive back to this cute B&B you passed a while back. If you are travelling by bus, once it drops you, you are on foot and you may find you are in the middle of nowhere!
Cost
While a rental car may be costly if you are on your own, it cuts down the price if you are sharing it with a bunch of people. For example, a cheaper sedan can go for $250 a week, with unlimited mileage, tax and mandatory insurance included. The cost of Super currently cost ¢621 and Diesel ¢544.
Road Signs
A lot better than back in 1990 when I first got here, but don’t count on them too much, they are still, basically, non existent! You may drive miles in this country without passing any kind of road signs. Asking the locals is good some times, and very bad at others. The Latin mentality likes to help, and they will help you, even if they do not know; this gives way to long drives, lost in some small unpaved road under the rain, bringing in arguments most likely due to  exhaustion and stress. Of course, we are talking here of an extreme case! Make sure you have a good road map!
Transit Police
Do not under any circumstance try to bribe the police if they stop you. This is highly illegal and will end up with a higher fine, if you are lucky. Speeding, passing the yellow line, driving under the influence of alcohol, children not using proper equipment, all these are strictly forbidden. The laws have changed recently and now you risk not only getting a very heavy fine, but your driver’s licence and the car may be taken away from you: Beware!
Unattended Objects in the Car
Do not leave anything in the car if and when it is unattended. Do not park your car in unsafe areas. You will notice how many parking lots there are in San Jose for example, and the guardas are plentiful, looking after your vehicle in return of a small fee. Just use common sense!
After over 20 years of driving in this country, I have only one thing to say: It is a sport, but I love it. I love driving along the coffee plantations, discovering a new inn, a new lake, a new vision. I love exploring the “unexplorable”, I love to get up and go and Costa Rica is perfect for this.
I have however used public transports as well, and they are economical and plentiful, they run on time and get you from A to Z….This is a question of choice and taste. It depends on what you are doing, on what you have in mind, and on where you are going. Wherever you go and however you get there, you are bound to have a marvellous time. Enjoy your Trip!

Lake Arenal - The Secret Jewel Of Central America

Moran Real Estate - Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate excellence

Beauty, truth, friendship, love, creation – these are the great values of life. We can't prove them, or explain them, yet they are the most stable things in our lives.
-- Jesse Herman Holmes



Costa Rica Retirement: Lower Costs, Higher Lifestyle



So let’s talk money. Just how much can you save by living as a pensionado here in Costa Rica? For Baby Boomers facing the end of regular earnings, the question of how to stretch retirement income is a very real issue. With limited savings, reduced home equity (if they can sell at all) and an average Social Security benefit of around $1200 per month for an individual and $1750 for a couple [1], most retirees will have to cut expenses one way or another. Even at the maximum benefit amount of $2,346 [2], a mere $28,152 per year before taxes, those of us who have enjoyed the advantages of a moderate income will undoubtedly have to find ways either to increase that income or minimize expenditures.
At first glance, these are not pleasant prospects for most of us. Accustomed to the good things in life, it may be difficult to face up to a lower standard of living. But the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau statistics on Income and Earnings by Age of Householder [3] reveals the stark realities: According to their report entitled “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008,” measuring all sources of money income, we find that the median income for 45 to 54 year old householders was $64,349; for the next age group, 55 to 64 year olds, the median figure drops slightly to $57,265; but for the over 65 year old group, the slide is precipitous, to $29,744. The message is clear. After retirement, you can expect a negative change in your financial situation.
But here’s the good news! With retirement comes a unique opportunity to make some important changes in your life — to simplify, downsize, reduce the clutter, re-prioritize and finally do some of the things that full-time work has prevented you from doing. Volunteer work, enjoying a hobby, traveling, getting more exercise, experiencing less stress – whatever it is, we all hope our Golden Years offer the time and space to pursue those dreams. And they can if you consider the advantages of retirement in Costa Rica, where your limited income fits nicely with the lower cost of living.
The most obvious ways that expats save money here is in housing costs. In many parts of Costa Rica, you can rent a comfortable Tico-style home for less than $500 per month, including most utilities. In outlying rural areas, it can be even less. You can also find a well appointed, 2500 square foot American-style home for $1200 to $1500 per month, if your budget allows. You can spend considerably more but if you can see the advantages of a somewhat modest home with a lower overhead, you can certainly find such a place. In addition, in the Central Valley where most people live, you will have no need for heating or air conditioning, as the climate is temperate all year round. Even in the higher elevations or at the ocean, where temperatures range lower and higher, the need for climate control is minimal. For most Americans, that would represent another huge savings in monthly expenses.
And if you choose to buy property and build a home, as many expats do, that is also a bargain in most areas. For instance, we know a transplanted Texan contractor in the Orosi Valley, east of Cartago, who can construct a beautifully detailed 900 square foot home for less than $100,000. Since so much of life is lived out of doors here, the interior of a home, which costs the most to build, can be smaller because your living space is supplemented by covered patios and detached ranchos where you will enjoy warm evenings watching a tropical sunset, sipping your favorite cocktail. Who needs a big house? It’s just that much more to clean.
And speaking of cleaning, our housekeeper costs us $10 per week for about four hours of work. And that’s actually on the higher end of such costs, we’re told. She does an excellent job, too, including the windows, floors, patios, shower walls. She even rakes the leaves in the back yard! In fact, all labor costs are lower here, which means services such as gardening, household repairs, remodeling, bicycle repair, haircuts and massage are dirt cheap in comparison to the U.S. To give a couple of examples, I had my hair dryer repaired for only $4; a recent very good haircut cost me $6. When visiting a friend recently near Turrialba, she had a plumber come out to replace her on-demand water heater. Although he had to drive quite a ways over terrible roads to near the top of a mountain, the total tab was $10 for about an hour of work.
Another area of savings for us living in Costa Rica is transportation. The latest U.S. Department of Labor survey [4] indicates that Americans spend more than 15 percent of their income on transportation costs; based on a household income of $63,000, that’s a whopping $7,658! For expats living in Costa Rica, the availability of inexpensive taxis and convenient bus service makes that look extravagant. Based on four round-trips to town by taxi each week at about $4 each (most of the time we walk), and two or three bus trips into San Jose per month, we probably spend no more than $70-$80 per month on transportation, leaving the rest of that money in our bank account. And as we hop on that bus, we smugly think to ourselves just how much we are cutting our carbon footprint!
Here in Atenas on the edge of the Central Valley, we live in a modern apartment with utilities paid, including broadband, surrounded by beautiful jungle with toucans and monkeys as visitors, a swimming pool and a rancho with a gas grill just up the hill, all for about $650 per month. We enjoy good wine and dinners out, buy household supplies as needed and live comfortably here on our two Social Securities. Back in California our overhead still includes some $250 a month for the care of my retired horse, plus the cost of a property manager and any needed maintenance on our leased horse property there. Here, we save money in so many ways — local fruits and vegetables, medical care and health insurance, entertainment. But we also know that if the need arose, we could cut our costs even further. For now, we are grateful we can enjoy the pleasures of Pura Vida. Clearly, for a laid-back lifestyle with a lower cost of living, it’s hard to beat retirement in Costa Rica.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Each day is a new canvas to paint upon. Make sure your picture is full of life and happiness, and at the end of the day you don't look at it and wish you had painted something different.