Guanacaste's luxury lifestyle

features exquisite dining, top-of-the-line shopping and the ultimate relaxation on the coast

Stepping off the plane at Costa Rica's newest international airport in Liberia, wide open pasturelands surround you as a historical reminder of Guancaste's traditional ranching heritage. But don't let your seemingly sparse surroundings fool you—today's Guanacaste is a far cry from the region's uninhabited past, as new development prospects have earned Guanacaste the title of fastest-growing coastal region in the country. Beyond baggage claim and less than an hour's drive west toward the horizon, find yourself in one of a dozen up-and-coming beach communities dotting Costa Rica's North Pacific Coast. From Tamarindo to the Papagayo Peninsula and all spots in between, Guanacaste's breathtaking beaches are experiencing unprecedented growth, catching the eye of visitors in the market for luxury parttime living or that perfect slice of paradise to call home-away-from-home.

Costa Rica's Wild West is embarking on a new era of growth and development, with a world of changes for long-time locals, first-time visitors, ex-pat residents and foreign investors—all intrigued by the proven potential of this booming coastal region. Investment and tourism continue to increase steadily, as more and more

foreigners envision the Guanacaste coast as a prime vacation destination with lucrative prospects for development. The climb in tourism parallels a 250% increase in construction since 2002, according to El Financiero statistics, as development responds to the ongoing tourist demand. Additionally, a March 2008 report by the Costa Rican Federal College of Engineers and Architects shows that construction in Guanacaste accounts for nearly 32% of all current construction projects throughout the country.

Guanacaste developers credit the Liberia International Airport as a major contributor to the ongoing increase in tourism and investment in the area, as foreign visitors can fly direct and arrive at their beachfront resort within an hour's drive from the airport. Annual passenger traffic increased nearly 16% in 2007, with 237,481 passengers up from just over 200,000 in 2006, according to Airport statistics. We can only expect this number to increase as the Costa Rican government is currently accepting bids to expand and remodel the airport, potentially out-sizing the country's principal Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose.

Development catering to the high-end luxury crowd abounds on Costa Rica's Gold Coast, with the near-completion of a handful of brand new luxury resorts, complete with their own celebrity-designed professional golf courses. In this category, the Four Seasons has set the standard on the Papagayo Peninsula, soon to be joined by the Marriott golf resort in Pinellas and the Ritz Carlton resort, golf course and 200-Slip marina project.



Global Financial Group's impressive Azulera Resort Village in Brasilito, slated for an early 2009 phase-one completion, promises to be one of the most grandiose endeavors in the country, with a "bio-sensitive" Greg Norman-design beach and mountain golf course, Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa and 64 ultraluxury condominiums in the first phase alone. The project includes plans for 1000 additional condos and a full medical complex and shopping plaza, operated entirely with a golf-cart only policy throughout the property. According to Roberta Murphy, Azulera Representative for Sotheby's International in Southern California, the project's influence on the area will be immediate and long-lasting, with "minimal impact on the environment, more employment for the people, the construction of a local gas station, and shopping--not just for the guests, but for local people as well."

The Tamarindo area continues to attract a range of investment with a variety of vacation lifestyle communities currently under construction. Hacienda Pinilla, with 4500 acres and three miles of Pacific Coastline, complete with four residential developments, vacation villas, world-class golf, tennis courts and horse stables is the self-proclaimed "largest and most exclusive real estate project in Guanacaste." A bit further north, the Reserva Conchal development celebrates the December 2007 opening of its community Beach Club, "the community's hub of activity," says CEO Ana Saborio, including a remarkable ocean-view swimming pavilion, state-of-theart fitness center, resort-quality spa, and acclaimed Catalinas Restaurant featuring French-Latin American fusion cuisine.

In breaking development news, the recently approved Bahia Potrero Marina in Flamingo is set for a 2010 completion with a winning bid of $91 million to be invested and constructed by Marinas Matapalo Developments. As the largest marina on the Guanacaste Coast, the project will include 420 Slips for boats and yachts of all sizes (plus 18 reserved for localfishermen), a hotel, full commercial shopping center and communal gathering area for local artists and street vendors—transforming the Flamingo area into a picturesque lifestyle scene for area natives and visiting tourists alike.

Once Costa Rica's isolated frontier, the Guanacaste Coast has become the benchmark for luxury vacation living, and the high-quality restaurants and services available in the area are proof of the region's lifestyle evolution. From upscale, high-end shopping centers in Liberia to the numerous four- and fivestar restaurants popping up along the coast, Guanacaste's vacation lifestyle is more South Beach than Central America, responding to the ever-increasing demand of high-income tourists and part-time residents.

For an enviable resort lifestyle, offering the ultimate in indulgent spa services, top-of-the-line shopping, exquisite area dining, chic lounge bars and all the vacation amenities you can imagine, look no further than Costa Rica's Guanacaste Coast--coastal vacation living with true luxury appeal.