10 Reasons to Buy Property in Costa Rica



Costa Rica is a popular tourist destination. More than two million tourists visit this small country each year. They love this country’s natural beauty….pretty beaches…and wildlife-packed forests. Many of these tourists put down roots here, as expats, retirees and second-home buyers. And if you’re looking for a second home destination, Costa Rica’s hard to beat. Here are ten reasons why Costa Rica is on the shortlist of savvy property buyers:

1. It’s a stable, democratic, peaceful country. In fact, it officially abolished its army in 1949. It’s the only Latin country listed in the 22 most steadily democratic countries since 1950.
2. It’s close to the US. A 2 hour 40 minute flight gets you here from Miami, and it’s only five hours from New York. With so many major airlines flying here, and budget groups like Spirit and LACSA, you can take advantage of low-cost fares to visit friends and family back home…or they can come visit you.
3. It has a growing economy, up by 3.6% in 2010. The total amount of foreign direct investment was second only to Panama in the Central American region in 2010. Last year was a record year for tourism, too, when more than two million tourists visited Costa Rica.
4. It’s stunningly beautiful.
   Costa Rica has an abundance of natural wonders… volcanic peaks, a craggy spine of mountain ridges twisting its way through the center of the country, limpid lakes, thundering waterfalls, pristine beaches, and rich cloud and rain forests. 27% of the land lies in parks and reserves. One area, the immense Corcovado park in the Southern Zone (covering more than 100,000 acres), ranks as the most biologically intense place on the planet, according to National Geographic. Fluorescent frogs, scarlet macaws, secretive tapirs, sociable monkeys, gigantic butterflies…you can’t help but spot wildlife in this place
   
5. Medical care is top quality and highly affordable. In San Jose, the capital, hospitals like Clinica Biblica or CIMA provide world-class care, at a fraction of the cost you’d pay back home. Costa Rica is a popular choice for North American medical tourists looking to cut the cost of major procedures (dental treatments, joint replacements, eye surgery, etc.). Costa Rican residents pay a low monthly fee to join the national health care system (CCSS), and can use CCSS hospitals and clinics. Fees for private medical cover start from around $50 a month.
6. Costa Rica boasts a superb quality of life. Life expectancy is high, at 77.7 years on average. The country also regularly tops the Happiness Index. The index is a measure of health, life satisfaction, and environmental footprint. A score of 8.5 for life satisfaction places Costa Rica almost a full point ahead of its closest rival in this category. Costa Rica’s easygoing, friendly, family-centered, low-stress outdoors lifestyle plays a big factor in longer lifespans and feeling content with your lot.
7. The climate is warm year-round, outside the Central Valley (where temperatures hover in the 60s). You can wave goodbye to freezing winters, ice and snow. Temperatures average in the 70s and 80s, with no tornadoes or hurricanes. If you enjoy spending time outdoors…sport fishing, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, zip lining, horse riding, hiking, wildlife watching…the climate in Costa Rica will allow you to enjoy these activities pretty much all year.
8. You have a choice of residency options. You can become a resident if you can prove income of $1,000 a month, for example.
9. Costa Rica is already home to an estimated 30,000-50,000 North American expats who own property in Costa Rica, or live here full or part time. They have a long-established association of residents with a bi-monthly newsletter, and they help newcomers get settled in.
10. It’s affordable. It’s not just the health care. Property taxes are low, at around 0.25% of the recorded or municipal-registered value of the property annually. That’s around $462 on a $185,000 property…annually. You can afford domestic help, too.

And despite the growing numbers of celebrities and wealthy businessmen who have purchased multi-million dollar homes in Costa Rica, you can still find low-priced properties here…and afford to custom build your dream home.

Moran Real Estate Over 55 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, who strive valiantly; who know the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spend themselves in a worthy cause; who at the best, know the triumph of high achievement; and who, at the worst, if they fail, fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat

SODAS IN COSTA RICA-SO MUCH MORE THAN “THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES”

Ask most North American visitors to Costa Rica what a “soda” is, and you are liable to get a response concerning some kind of carbonated beverage. To those from the Southern U.S., the term “coke” applies to all carbonated drinks; in New England, they are called “tonics” (regardless of what flavor or brand) while on both East and West Coasts, “soda” is the term used. Mid-westerners call it “pop” or “soda pop” and some places just use “soft drink”. Yet, in the land of Pura Vida, a “soda” is much more than a thirst quencher.
Sodas are small, usually family-owned and operated, restaurants that can be found on roadsides, in major centers like San Jose, and everyplace in between. The term “soda” is generally translated as “diner”. To Ticos and non-Ticos alike, these ubiquitous eateries provide both satisfying and inexpensive meals and drinks. Additionally they allow patrons to share, if only for a meal, a true sample of Costa Rican life and hospitality in a way that larger restaurants and chains never can hope to equal.
You probably won’t find any menus at most sodas since the selections are fairly standard from one soda to the next. Comida tipica (native Costa Rican cuisine)iis the centerpiece and allure of their selections. Casados, fruit drinks, and, yes, sodas (the carbonated variety) are the main staples that are offered.
The casado is usually a fixed platter with a chosen meat, plantains or vegetables, and the ever-present beans and rice. The choice of meats can be large or small-depending on the owners of the soda, although you can usually find variations on the following

Carne en salsa-beef in a thick gravy, much like a pot roast type of dish
Pollo en salsa-a piece of chicken in a lighter gravy or sauce
Chuleta-a pork chop, maybe in sauce, maybe not
Pescado-fried fish
Pollo frito-fried chicken
The fruits drinks can be passion fruit, carrot, blackberry, oatmeal, mango, pineapple and more. Obviously, what is and isn’t available is dependent on seasonal availability, supply, and the preferences of the soda’s owners.
Again, as with any independent business, each soda has it’s own “special” that can vary from the Central Valley to Domincal and sometimes, even from day to day. You may find sodas that offer sandwiches and buffets, others might even have merchandise like a small convenience store-think in terms of a Tico version of a 7-11!! At night, some of these roadside locations even become clubs or discos (yes, disco lives in the land of Pura Vida!!).
While sodas are certainly an institution today throughout Costa Rica, many Ticos and non-Ticos alike are probably unaware that the concept of the “soda” actually began roughly ninety years ago. To many long time residents of San Jose, the “original” soda is El Chelles. Located on the central pedestrian walkway close to the Teatro Nacional., this culinary institution-at least to those who have been loyal customers for years- continues to sell the same tasty food, sandwiches, casados, breakfasts and beverages to one and all just as it has for nine decades. Whether you’re heading to work, or staggering in from a night of fun and frolic, El Chelles remains open around the clock to provide food, drink, and a place to people watch.
So the next time you pass one of these little shops, take some time to stop to and experience a tradition that has become an essential part of daily life in the land of Pura Vida.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 years of tropical real estate excellence

Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay, not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end. Failure is something we can avoid only by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing

Costa Rica: The Secret of a Healthy, Happy Life

Healthier and happier. We heard that over and over today at International Living's Live and Invest in Costa Rica Seminar.

I'm Suzan Haskins, reporting to you from the seminar here in San Jose, Costa Rica. This was a day of inspiration. Everyone here is pretty darn sure they made the right move when they decided to take an in-depth look at Costa Rica.

Of The 250 attendees that participated in the recent conference in San Jose Costa Rica, fully 25% came to look at Lake Arenal according to Terry Moran, a speaker at the event. Those that looked at the Lake 7 purchased property while they were on the pre and post conference tours and another 6 or more are in the process of analyzing the data and making offers on what they saw. All and all it was a tremendous success

All the attendees that came to the Lake said it was the most beautiful place they had seen in all of Costa Rica and 90% said they would be back.

A great time was had at the Gingerbread Dinners and many if not all said it was the best food in Costa Rica. Chef Eyal roasted an entire pig for each dinner and the guests raved.

Plans are underway now for next years event which will be even larger, more informative and organized to a tee.

Moran Real Estate Over 50 Years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

Gingerbread - The best Restaurant In Central America

International Living - The Greatest Name in World Wide Real Estate Values

Escaping it all for 'paradise' in Costa Rica



Nadine Hays Pisani was desperately seeking a permanent vacation.
She and her husband, Rob, both chiropractors, had a comfortable life in York, Pennsylvania, but they were miserable. Both were working long hours, hated their jobs and felt burned-out.
So they came up with a bold plan: Sell everything and find a country with a warm climate where they could live for about $1,000 a month. They would stop working and live off their savings and interest.
They settled on Costa Rica.

The Pisanis put their home on the market and moved to the lush, verdant Central American country in 2007. (They were lucky; they sold everything just before the economy tanked.)
Pisani chronicles her adventures in the new book, "Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica & Living the Zero Hour Work Week."
She self-published the memoir after she noticed that her stories were attracting a growing audience on her blog.
Pisani and her husband now live near the beach in Tamarindo in a house that they rent for $150 a month. They have few possessions, but they spend much less to support themselves than they thought they would have to. They don't work but plan to find jobs eventually.
"It's paradise," Pisani said. "I wake up. I have a great cup of coffee. There are parrots outside my window. There are monkeys in the trees. It's such an exceptional way to live."
Pisani, 41, recently spoke with CNN about her adopted home. The following is an edited version of that interview.
CNN: Many people would love to do what you did. How long did you plan for this move?
Pisani: Just a year. It was very risky, and I wish I could tell people that there's a guarantee that, at the end, it's all going to work out.
But being in the health care industry, I realize there are two limiting factors in your life: health and age. And I realized you can't bank time.
If you look at life like that, then the risk doesn't seem so risky. It seemed like a good idea that when you're young and you want to do something, you say, "OK, it might not work out, but I believe in myself. And if I have to come back to the United States and start all over again, I know that I'll be able to do it."
CNN: You write that when you saw the film "Avatar," it reminded you a lot of Costa Rica. In what way?
Pisani: There was this beautiful animation in that movie of these sort of lit up fireflies, and it looked exactly like the landscape here. There are fireflies that are just like that (here).

Over 50 years of Tropical Real Estate Excellence

To love what you do and feel that it matters—how could anything be more fun?
-- Katherine Graham



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

Costa Rica has Become an Excellent Dental Tourism Paradise

Costa Rica has become lately a very favored medical tourism destination for patients from all over the world.
Besides being a country where there is high quality patient treatment possible, and where the doctors are highly skilled professionals, the country also offers several entertainment options for tourists.
Therefore, many choose to combine their medical needs with relaxation, and choose Costa Rica for this flexibility.
There are several tourism and retirement services available which help international travelers get the most advantageous quotes both for their vacationing packages and for their dental treatment needs. They basically find the most renowned dental professionals or cosmetic surgeons and then offer you a reasonable quote.
Patients are also redirected towards highly accredited and certified hospitals or clinics, so there is no danger of ending up under the hands of an unprofessional dentist.
Other services that are usually being offered by these medical tourism companies:

• Free treatment consultations
• They make arrangements ahead for lab testing for example
• They also help you with information regarding accommodations
• Transportation to-from the airports
• Help accommodate people that have special needs
• Take care of post-surgical appointments
• Follow up assistance

As you can notice, these services are extremely advantageous, since there is not much running for you. They take care of all the important part of your medical trip, and all you have to do is let yourself guided, have a nice vacation and get all the medical care that you need.
People choose Costa Rica as a main Medical and Dental Tourism destination mainly because:

• They are sick and tired already with the non responsive attitude of the insurance companies
• They are also tired to wait for extremely long periods in order to be able to get an appointment (wehich in case of an emergency is not quite that comfortable!)
• Increasing local costs for healthcare, especially in the fields of dentistry (such as cosmetic dentistry, which is not even covered by any standard insurance!)

In the not so distant future, there will be an even bigger rise in the number of patients who choose Costa Rica as their main Medical and dental tourism spot.


   Moran Real Estate Over 50 Yeras of Tropical Real Estate Excellence


Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught.
-- J. C. Watts



Moran Real Estate Costa Rica Sells Paradise

Heartly welcome to our travel blog Sunshine 24.com.

Sunshine24

Some Good Words From Sunshine Travel Blog

Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful places in the world. It is also one of the places where many people are buying properties as an investment or to establish a vacation home. One of the most popular real estate companies that render professional and honest real estate services is managed by Terry Moran. The company is known as Moran Real Estate Costa Rica. It focuses on giving investors, retirees and prospective homeowners the opportunity to own a home and inexpensive real estate properties in the Lake Arenal area of Costa Rica.
Moran Real Estate Costa Rica is comprised of many professional real estate agents that will guide you in buying your property in Lake Arenal area. They are very much familiar with all the excellent places in Lake Arenal where you can develop your business or build your home. Some of the places recommended by Moran Real Estate Costa Rica agents include Fortuna, Nuevo Arenal, Tilaran, Tierra Morenas, as well as Tronadora.
You may also ask these agents about the areas located within the mountains, over-looking the whole paradise of Costa Rica. Unlike other real estate agents, they don’t push you to buy this or that property just because of their commission. Moran Real Estate is there to assist you in finding your perfect home or spot even if it means they have to search the whole of Costa Rica.
These professional real estate services are owned and managed by Terry Moran and has been recognized as one of the leading names when it comes to real estate industry, especially when it comes to properties in and around the Caribbean. For more than fifty years it has been selling tropical paradise properties. The main office of the company is located in Virgin Islands. And because of the success made by Terry Moran and his agents, there are now a lot of branches scattered all over the Caribbean. It was only a few years that they focused their attention on the Lake Arenal area.
Because of the efforts of Moran Real Estate, many five star hotels as well as restaurants are now affiliated with this real estate company. If you are one of their clients, you may avail special discounts and VIP treatments from the finest establishments in the paradise. Aside from the discounts, you may gain access to the exclusive art galleries where the paintings, sculptures, and other masterpieces of famous local artists in Costa Rica are exhibited and for sale at the same time.
So if you are in the market for a piece of paradise in Costa Rica then you should consider contacting Moran Real Estate Costa Rica. They have a reputation for providing great real estate services and will help you find you own piece of paradise.
James Kesel, MS, is the publisher of the Inexpensive Costa Rica Vacation website at http://www.costa-rica-source.com, providing great information on vacations and travel in Costa Rica as well as information on buying a piece of paradise with Moran Real Estate Costa Rica.


Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil.