I was surprised to learn that some beach area properties in Costa Rica have not lost their values in the world financial crisis! Many parts of Costa Rica real estate were over priced and the recent deflation of real estate world wide has certainly had an effect on areas of costa rica notably the overpriced popular tourist beaches like Tamarindo, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio.

Yesterday we had one of those gorgeous days where one knows that we are living in the most beautiful spot on planet earth - lake Arenal in Costa Rica. However today the rain has returned and we are waiting for the sun to reappear. Usually between the 15th and 20th of December, the rain stops and the sun shows suddenly it's summer heat upon us. Muddy boots are exchanged for thongs, hot tea for cold beer and sports cars make their appearance after three months of wetness.

The north zone of Guanacaste is a very warm region with a very dry climate. Many hotels and private homes adorn the hills and beaches. If you like it very hot this could be the Costa Rican beach area for you. An advantage of the Guanacaste region is the close proximity to the Liberia International airport.

Growth in Costa Rica — not enough planned.

Guanacaste, the tourist province of Costa Rica because of its beautiful landscape and beaches holds the title of the first region with the highest concentration in the housing sector that is in full swing. Residential tourism in this region has turned into one of the most important and growing sectors within Costa Rica real estate activities.

The period began by 1998 and 1999 and reached its peak in 2003 and especially in 2006, when the demand for apartments or residences in condos in Costa Rica turns out to become more appealing.

The Caribbean side of Costa Rica is where the sun rises every day.

To the north of Limon is the beauty of the Tortuguero canals and their wonderful wildlife and vegetation. In the central area is the port of Limon, skirted by wave lapping, charming Caribbean shores. The interesting area is down south, most sought after by tourists for its exotic tropical vegetation: Cahuita and Manzanillo, and near the mountains, where the well known Bribri Indian Community is located.

In interviewing half a dozen real estate agents over the past two weeks information on real estate sales has been provided me. First, at the beaches, there is an increase in desire for properties in the $100,000 to $200,000 range, usually including a house and enough land for a large organic garden and nearby to some kind of community. There are a few deals in the works for huge properties at the beach in the ten million dollar plus range - which is surprising to me but i guess there are still rich people out there!

I live year round on the northern edge of Lake Arenal in Costa Rica where we are in the middle of our normal rainy season. As i write this it is early in the morning, the sun is just now warming the wing tips of the toucans, yet i am engulfed in a cloud that has just finished dumping several inches of rain on my lovely green park like farm home. Probably because i spent a third of my life in the Pacific North West of the USA where it rained a lot, I find this climate to be of my liking.

The Nicoya Peninsula is an area of Costa Rica where you can not only find tropical, hidden beaches, but also interesting towns and villages, primary and secondary forested areas, waterfalls, springs and year round rivers. Southern Nicoya is also unique because of it's rich Costa Rican cultural mix, a lot of tourists in Costa Rica who fell in love with this region during their visit, people from more than 35 different countries came back to live here in paradise.

Now that the world is in an international economic depression many people will be seeking a safe haven to pass the time waiting for stability to return to the financial markets. Widespread fear of bread lines and homelessness grips Americans. To avoid the lines and get ahead of the crowds, why not move to Costa Rica and grow your own food in a climate that does not need to spend vital resources on heating or cooling your home? Come on down and buy property that will provide you safety and survivial in these troubling times.

Many of my friends and clients are asking me what i think the effects of the current financial meltdown will be on Costa Rica real estate and i have to answer that i have no idea. The fact is that we know really nothing about the true nature of this financial crisis. Some say this is a problem of credit, that banks are reluctant to loan money to people who cannot pay it back. But if this were the case, then why are western governments giving free money to banks?