The Southern Pacific region is developing at its own rhythm, always respecting its great natural wealth. Casa Galeria presents an introduction to the real estate market of this dynamic area. Puntarenas is the most extensive province, covering 22 percent of the country. The Central Pacific region is perhaps the most popular among local and foreign tourist due to its proximity with the Central Valley. Nevertheless, the “construction wave” is already crashing lightly onto the beaches south of Quepos, such as Dominical, Ventanas, Piñuelas, Ballena, Hermosa and Bahía, and it’s extending with great force towards the Península of Osa.

LONESOME PARADISE
The Southern Pacific region has great potential for development since it is relatively close, at only 4 hour drive on well kept roads from San José and in addition, its natural beauty is simply overwhelming. It covers a diverse and unexplored area, with below what is being charged in the Northern and Central Pacific regions. The area can be accessed by vehicle, either by driving thru San Isidro del General or, in a more daring way, by driving from Quepos and going south on the coastal road; but be advised that in this way you will have to drive thru some areas where the road is in a very bad shape. If you prefer a shorter trip, there are two small local airports nearby, one in Palmar Sur and the other in Quepos. In Dominical Beach a number of important services such as hospitals, doctors, dentists, pharmacies and supermarkets are available. In regard to entertainment, throughout your trip you will find several restaurants, snack areas and bars. But, without a doubt, the main attraction of the area is its diversity in natural resources. Here you will find several national parks and private reserves that guarantee unparalleled natural beauty, as well as private reserves that guarantee unparalleled natural beauty, as well as kilometres of breathtaking beaches. Just a short distance away, you can access Marino Bahía Ballena and Corcovado National Parks. In addition you will be able to find lodging fit for all types of budgets, from the mythical “Lapa Ríos,” to modest loges or beautiful hotels such as “Cuna de Angel”. In all of them you will find up-to-date services to suit all needs, from Internet connections to a tourism bureau.

DOMINICAL´S ESSENCE
This beach has experience great development within the last decade, going from a small, fishermen’s town to a booming community where local inhabitants merge with a growing number of tourists. Gena Stockes, from the development company Punta Dominical S.A. thinks that this area has attracted a large number of foreign investors since it offers unique natural beauty as well as a pleasant local population. She considers that it is the ideal place for the people who enjoy outdoor activities such as surfing, sports fishing, snorkelling or “scuba diving”, horseback riding, enjoying the ocean on a kayak or simply relaxing under the sun.  In addition, the area does not yet present the security problems as do other places on the Pacific coast such as Quepos or Jacó. Another important fact is that there are still large properties available, both on the seafront as well as with great ocean views. As Ms. Stockes mentioned, their clients come mainly from Canada and the United States, especially from the states of Florida, California, Texas and Colorado.

CONSTRUCTION RHYTM
Punta Dominical S.A. is perhaps the most solid company in the development of several real estate projects in the area, such as the “Kiana Resort”, “Canto del Mar”, “Marisol Ridge” and “Las Olas”. Some of these are already completely sold, while others are available in only twenty percent. “Kiana Resort” is made up of exclusive seafront condominiums, equipped with all types of exclusive seafront condominiums, equipped with all types of amenities such as pools, clubhouse and an international cuisine restaurant, among others. Investors who acquire them can reserve them for other clients during the rest of the year. The first phase of the project will be completed by March 2007. Other clients prefer to buy beautiful two-level residences located in the “Canto del Mar” project. In which owners are allowed to live full time or in which they can make use of the residences for several months and rent them the rest of the time. As in the “Kiana Resort”, here clients will have all sorts of amenities such as pools and a clubhouse, among others. The residences, which are completely furnished, have impressive ocean and mountain views. The “Las Olas” project is made up by several home sites that are ready to be built on.

SMART INVESTMENT
For Mr. Francisco Barquero, Vice-president of the Costa Rican Chamber of Real-Estate Brokers, in the Southern Pacific region of the country, many well-qualified and relatively small projects are being developed, and these are very sought-after by American clients. The natural wealth is a magnet for a certain type of investor, one who enjoys the warm, humid climate of the area as well as its natural splendour. This is considered to be a good time to invest in the area because properties will have an even greater  value when the coastal road between Quepos and Dominical is concluded and the highways between Ciudad Colón and Orotina is opened, since both of these measures will significantly reduce the travel time to and from the area. Another important aspect is the increasing development of small- sized, world-class hotels, which are being built and managed in harmony with the environment. This area is in full growth and there are still many properties of several sizes available for the development of different types of real-estate projects.

POTENTIAL DANGERS
Due to the incipient development of the Southern Pacific region, there are several problems that have complicated the growth of other areas of the country and that have complicated the growth of other areas of the country and that can still be avoid. Perhaps the local government should take urgent measures to ensure better urban development planning that will safeguard the enormous natural wealth of the area.

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Casa Galería Magazine VOL 14-2006