The
Southern pacific Zone
This is one of Costa Rica's
least developed and remote regions. It extends all the way
to the Panamanian border on the Pacific Coast. The spectacular
Cocorvado National Park, Drake's Bay and Isla Caño are a
few of this areas salient features.
Matapalo, between Quepos
and Dominical, is a little town with a laid-back beach community
and virtually unspoiled beach. There is still a lot of beachfront
property found in this area.
All of the property between
Quepos and Dominical will increase in value when the last
unpaved stretch of the costal highway is finally paved by
2005.
Dominical, located 46
kilometers (30 miles) south of Quepos, is a tiny laid-back
resort town surrounded by some of the most breathtaking coastal
scenery Costa Rica has to offer. The beautiful Barú River winds
its way down from the surrounding mountains and empties into
the sea at the north end of town. Dominical marks the border
between the Central And Southern Pacific.
This area is reminiscent of
California's Big Sur because of its spectacular coastline
and towering mountains that meet the sea. Dominical is also
famous for its long beach, spectacular shoreline, mountain
backdrop, panoramic views and excellent surfing. One of the
area's claims to fame is that it was used as a backdrop to
shoot the 1996 Sport's Illustrated Swim Suite issue.
There are unlimited options
for adventure and sight-seeing in this pristine area of Costa
Rica. There are several spectacular jungle waterfalls in
this area. Poza Azul is a 30-foot waterfall close to the
villaige of Dominicalito. The Barú River Falls, also know
as Santo Cristo or Nauyaca Falls, is located in the mountains
above Dominical. This series of waterfalls is considered
of of the most picturesque in Costa Rica, if not all of Central
America. It cascades down into a huge natural pool that is
20 feet deep and perfect for swimming. The surrounding area
is verdant rainforests with many forms of wild life. The
mountains between Dominical and Ojochal are also filled dozens
of smaller waterfalls. Some properties in this area have
their own private waterfall.
Dominical is less developed
than the other beaches in the Central Pacific area, but this
is changing quickly. Land prices are lower than the Quepos-Manuel
Antonio area but are rising fast. There are a few restaurants
like the San Clemente bar and Grill and some limited entertainment.
Much like Montezuma, this town attracts those seeking an
alternative lifestyle. It is not unusual to see people practicing
the oriental art of tai chi or yoga on the beach. Dominical
is a charming little town with friendly people who say hello
and greet you with smiles.
There are large homes with views
that cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars dotting
the steep hills above the beach. Many expatriates have started
businesses or are buying land in the area.
Dominicalito Beach has
calm water for swimming. Incredible views of the coastline
may be seen from nearby Punta Dominical.
Just to the south of Dominical
is Punta Uvita. It is a smaller and slower-paced town
than Dominical with with good swimming beach. At low tide
you can walk out to the point. Many foreigners live in the
hills above Punta Uvita just as they do in Dominical. The
setting with mountains in the background is very similar
to Dominical. The highway was just paved from Dominical all
the way to Palmar Norte, making this once virgin part of
the coast very accessible. Prices are still affordable and
there are plenty of mountainside homes and lots with spectacular
views. We have a friend who just purchased a beautiful mountaintop
home overlooking the beach.
Just to the south of Uvita is the new South
Pacific Hospitality Center and South Pacific Real Estate
Services office. They are about 200 meters south of the
new shopping complex. The people there will answer any of
your questions about the area and give you a free orientation.
Some of the activities available
in the Uvita area are kayaking, snorkeling, horseback riding,
waterfall and jungle hikes, beachcombing and a lot more.
The Tortuga/Ojochal/Cinco
Ventanas area is also suited for living. Ojochal, about
20 miles south of Dominical, is a quaint country village
with a nice mixture of Ticos, French-Canadians and other
foreigners. The town is set off the highway and easy to
miss. The village has a surprising number of excellent
restaurants owned by locals from all over the world. Exotica
Restaurant, located virtually in the midddle of the jungle,
has some of the best cuisine I have ever tasted in all
of my travels. The owners are French Canadian and really
take pride in the gourmet food they prepare. There is also
a retaurant on a houseboat in this area which serves food
that is equally as good. The clients on my tours haave
eaten at both of these restaurants and say the food is
as good as you'll find in any first-class restaurant back
home.
Although this area is somewhat
off the beaten track, Direct TV and other forms of entertainment
are available. The members of this community are tight-knit
and share many joint activities together. Annie Drake, a
local tour expert and resident says, There is something happening
almost every night here. There is either a pot luck dinner,
party or 'get together' once or twice a week."
Steep costal mountains with
a tropical rainforest serve as a backdrop for this beautiful
part of the country. This area's popularity is growing as
the word spreads about all the natural wonders it has to
offer. The beach at Cinco Ventanas Beach got it's name because
of five spectacular 50 foot tunnel-like blow holes in the
rocks. This beach is truly a work of nature and has to be
seen to be believed. Playa Tortuga and Playa Ballena are
other spectacular beaches in the area. Activities in this
area include good fishing, snorkeling, boat and river tours,
birdwatching, horseback riding, kayaking and boat trips to
Caño Island and nearby Drake Bay. You can even watcch whaales
aand see turtles lay their eggs on the beach during the year.
Despite being small and laid
back, Puerto Jiménez is the largest town on the Osa
Peninsula. During the gold rush 1980s Puerto Jiménez resembled
a town out of the Wild West. Nowadays thing have calmed down
and the town has become popular with the backpacking set,
surfers and devotees of ecotourism. There are a few expats
living in and near this town. With the exception of a few
hotels bars and restaurants there is not much infrastructure
found here.
Some expatriates live around
the port of Golfito on the Golfo Dulce Bay.
The town itself is sort of drab and somewhat abandoned. However,
the surrounding scenery is beautiful. There are several restaurants
and gringo hangouts in town where you can strike up
a conversation with local expats. Sportfishing and surfing
attract many tourists to this area.
Golfito started out as a banana
port but was abandoned when United Fruit closed down its
operation. Over the years the government has made attempts
to help the local economy. In 1990 the government opened
the Depóstio Libre or Free Trade Zone. Many ticos make
the long journey to Golfito since appliances and other items
may be purchased for much less than in San José. Foreign
residents and tourists with a passport, can also purchase
an ample variety of goods at the duty free warehouses.
Plans for a new marine complex
and improved infrastructure promise to change the face of
this area. Local residents have a lot to be excited about.
Plans call for a world-class marina and condo complex to
be built in the next few years. The Costa Rican Board of
Tourism (ITC) and the Commission for Marinas approved the
installation of two marinas in the southern Pacific port
of Golfito. The Banana Bay Marina will have 16 slips and
the Golfito marina will have 217 slips. The ICT approval
is long awaited and is big boost for the economy for the
struggling port town of Golfito.
Due to this some people expect
the Golfito area and the town Puerto Jiménez to be
the sites of the next land boom in Costa Rica.
Playa Zancudo ("mosquito" in
Spanish) is a slow-paced beach community, about 20
kilometers south of Golfito, is the home to some foreigners.
However, you'll need about two-hours to make the drive over
an unpaved road. During the rainy season you will need a
four-wheel-drive-vehicle. Some only come for the winter months
and other s live in the area year round. Several bars and
open-air restaurants serve as gathering places for expats.
Zancudo's uncrowded beach has gentle surf and is very good
for swimming. Medium priced housing may be found here.
Jim, our friend from Baltimore
, makes this town his winter home. He has built a small house
and even has DirectTV. When he leaves to go back to work
to the States, he has a caretaker to oversee his home.
Pavones, 40 kilometers
south of Golfito, is a surfer's mecca and renowned for having
the longest left-hand breaking waves in the world.The surrounding
scenery is down-right spectacular. Surfers from all over
the world are attracted to this area. Everything including
the nightlife revolves around the surfing scene. Numerous
North Americans and foreigners own large fincas (ranches,
farms) in this area while others live in the more isolated
areas . Our Costa Rican dentist, sometimes surfer, has a
vacation home in Pavones. Beacause of the excellent surf
Ssome say that Pavones has the potential to become another
Jaco beach.
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