News Paradise From Ojochal, PostCosta Rica and Beyond April 2019 Updates from the Osa Inside this issue: N June we will be exhibiting at the Updates from the Osa 1 IInternational Living “Fast Track event in San Jose, Costa Rica June Discovery Tour Dates 1 12 - 14. We’ll be offering tours both before developments. The plaza will also have 2 the event and after. (sign up below). a new grocery store as well as a new The Best Beaches in CR We are super excited about pharmacy. Lipstick Palm 3 our new ocean view lots in Vista Sin Fin. As always we’ll be running lots of Come see them before they are gone. The tours this summer for all those who want Artificial Thatch 4 Envision Fest just ended in Uvita, a holistic to come experience life in our wonderful gathering of both young and old interested International community. Birding in Costa Rica 4 in ways to improve both our lives and our We’ll also be offering a Costa influence on others and the planet we live Rica/Panama 10 day country and Property Welcome New Neighbors 5 on. Tickets are now on sale for next year’s tour July 5 - 15. At $1,800 per single (in 10 Day & CR Panama Tour 5 Envision Fest February 20 - 24. See the a single room) and $3,000 per couple, article on the festival for more information. most meals are included, as is all lodging, Biodiversity in Costa Rica 6 We are also thrilled to see the transportation and tours. We start in San new plaza recently opened in Ojochal Jose, CR and end in Panama City, Panama. Beach Front Lot for Sale 6 and new home to Citrus Restaurant. As one of the best restaurants in the entire Steve Linder Move In Ready Home 4 Sale 7 southern region, their new home is both [email protected] beautiful and conveniently located to our Discovery Property Tour Dates 4 day all inclusive $299 per person April 24 - 27 July 10 - 13 May 8 - 11 May 22 - 25 July 17 - 20 June 5 - 8 August 7 - 10 Citrus Restaurant and the New Plaza June 8 - 11 Aug 28 - Sept 2 June 15 - 18 (after the Intern- (Labor day weekend) ational Living Costa Rica conference) June 16 - 19 July 5 - 14 Ten Day Costa Rica & Panama Tour - Sign Up To sign up for the 4 Day Tour Click Here www.PacificLots.com The Best Beaches in Costa Rica Paradise Post

osta Rica is famous for beautiful surfing waves, laid back lifestyle and beauti- spots, warm clear water, rocks pools at low tide Cbeaches. With coastlines on the Pacific ful landscapes, Dominical captures the es- for the snorkelers. and Caribbean, it’s home to some of the sence of an old Costa Rican beach town and best PLAYAS in the world. Golden sand continues to captivate the many visitors that 10. Playa Samara - The ocean here is shaded by palm trees and powdery white come every year. Dominical is one of the shallow, and the waves are present enough to sand surrounded by offshore corals. You top surfing beaches in Costa Rica, attracting learn to surf but unforgiving enough to enjoy can enjoy sublime sunrises and Pacific people from all over the world looking for a a day splashing around in them. After a day in beaches that glow with fiery sunsets! laid-back beach town to catch waves. the waves, there are sunset beach lounges with mellow music, creative cocktails and interna- I am going to list my top 11 choices for 5. Playa Tamarindo - Picture a tional cuisine. The magical sunsets during our the BEST beaches in Costa Rica: tropical paradise and you’re likely thinking stay turned the sky various shades of purple of somewhere that resembles Tamarindo. and pink, causing a wall of bikini-clad amateur 1. Manuel Antonio Beach - Every- You will be busy soaking in the bright sun- paparazzi to form, trying to capture the stunning thing people love about Costa Rica with shine and splashing around in the stunning scenery. spectacular beaches, calm turquoise water, turquoise water. Those looking to dive in the lush rainforest and abundant wildlife. water can just head to the beach with a towel 11. Ostional Wild Life Refuge -Turtle $16 per person if you are not a local to and have a day filled with fun swimming. Hatching- One of the two most important areas enter, allowing you to see the wildlife and Those that are more adventurous can rent in the world for nesting of the Olive Ridley visit the 3-4 beaches in Manuel Antonio scuba gear and spend the day exploring what turtle. This is the place for nearly guaranteed National Park. The park beaches are much is underneath the surface of the pristine Costa Rica turtle watching. Every year, mil- more tranquil than the free beaches in the water. lions of sea turtles lumber onto the beaches of area because there are no vendors and Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. Every year, much less populated due to the entrance 6. Playa Teresa - With stunning white millions of sea turtles are born on the beaches fee. If you leave your bag unattended on sand beaches, reliable surfing waves and a of Ostional Wildlife Refuge. And every year, the beach and have food in it, the monkeys laid-back vibe you will love this beach. The thousands of lucky visitors come to these beach- will come out of the forest, look through it, sun-warmed clear water ranges from knee- es to witness this spectacular event! and steal your food from you :) deep to about chest-deep and is filled with all kinds of interesting sea creatures that get 2. Playa Ventanas - Playa Ventanas trapped when the tide goes out. You can (Windows Beach) gets it’s name from the find sea anemones, sea stars, crabs, mus- beautiful sea caves that line the north and sels, hermit crabs and lots of little brightly south ends of the beach. The two caves on colored fish. Rocks and volcanic reef create the north end extend from the beach out to the structure around the tide pool. Since the the ocean, which is a distance of about 50 water is shallow and it’s right off the beach, meters. Absolutely spectacular! this is a perfect swimming and snorkeling site for everyone.

3. Playa Ballena - Bahia Ballena is 7. Malpais - offers rocky coves, white located just 15 minutes south of the more sand beaches, waterfalls, rainforests, surfing, well-known surf town, Dominical, and is and relaxation near a remote fishing village a breath of fresh air for travelers looking and Cabo Blanco National Park. The prime to enjoy the natural beauty of the South- attraction is surfing at beaches. There is ern Pacific region, as well as the laid-back fishing, boating, snorkeling, diving, hiking, charm of a small, authentic Tico town. horseback riding, biking, and 4-wheel drive Bahia Ballena, which literally means “Whale touring. A 4-wheel drive vehicle comes in Bay”, has its name for two reasons: handy for navigating unpaved roads in this still mostly wild area, particularly during the A. At low tide the sandbar on the rainy season. north end of the Ballena Marine National Park beach forms into what from above 8. Playa Hermosa - Hermosa, which looks like a giant whale’s tail, aka the means “beautiful” in Spanish, is an aptly Whale’s Tail. named gray-sand beach that perches between B. It provides the perfect place for whales two mountains. It is a fabulous getaway for from both the north and south to give those seeking quality relaxation. birth; for this reason, there are actually whale watching seasons in this lucky town. 9. Playa Blanca- Playa Blanca has pris- tine white sand and alluring water. This is a 4. Playa Dominical - With its great welcome oasis. Plenty of trees for shade, free www.PacificLots.com loungers (if you’re early); picnic and BBQ Lipstick Palm of Costa Paradise Post ho hasn’t lusted after this tropical it’s much easier and faster to remove and Wbeauty, with its scarlet crownshaft and replant suckers from the side of an estab- petioles, red as sealing wax. Frustratingly, they lished tree. If you’re adventurous and want grow like weeds in South-East Asia and Costa to try your hand at growing lipstick palm Rica, yet are so rarely available elsewhere. The from seeds, remove dry seedheads from a small seeds germinate rapidly, and the subse- plant, then remove the seeds and plant them quent seedlings show color from quite a young in a planting media with excellent moisture age. These palms require tropical conditions, retention. Germination generally takes at such as in Costa Rica, but will also grow hap- least two to four months, and seeds may not pily in the greenhouse or conservatory. sprout for up to nine months.

Also known as red palm or red sealing wax palm, lipstick palm (Cyrtostachys renda) is ap- propriately named for its distinctive, bright red fronds and trunk. Lipstick palm is considered by many to be one of the world’s most beau- tiful and exotic palms. Lipstick palm grow- ing conditions includes partial shade while the plant is young. Otherwise, mature trees thrive in full sunlight. This warm climate tree prefers year round temperatures between 75 and 85 F. (24-29 C.). Red sealing wax palm doesn’t grow well in dry soil and isn’t tolerant of strong winds. It requires high humidity and even grows in swampy conditions or standing water, making this palm a useful pond plant. Although lipstick palm can be started by seed,

www.PacificLots.com Artificial Thatch Looks Great Paradise Post The largeest distributor of magine starting the day under your environmentally responsible. Most are Artificial Thatch in Costa Rica is Palmex Ishaded thatched tiki hut, while sipping made of polypropylene, which is one of Costa Rica, headquartered right in on a mimosa to begin your adventurous the most chemically neutral plastics in the Ojochal. Contact www.palmexcostarica. day! There’s a large demand for artificial world. This means that the simulated reed com and tell them Pacific Lots sent you. thatching products that are both realistic and palm panels are safe for use around Their product is guaranteed waterproof and economical. In the past synthetic sensitive water tables, landscaping, and when applied at slopes over 30 degrees thatch has been either one or the other. marine environments. And the water and is warranteed for 20 years. All that has changed with new and runoff from roofs thatched with these eco-friendly thatch work solution that products poses no risk to human health, replicates real reed and palm beautifully as well. while still being affordable and long- All of this addresses the demand lasting. for safe and sustainable synthetic Now you can have long lasting, thatching while also providing optimal recyclable, water resistance, fireproof and realism and durability. Synthetic thatch is great looking synthetic thatch. There are a great choice for homes. Artificial thatch attractive and affordable synthetic thatch products create a welcoming, natural- selections with high quality, thatching looking outdoor space where you can products to choose from and available relax and enjoy life. Artificial thatching is right in Ojochal an excellent choice that will deliver years Synthetic thatch is also as of worry-free performance. Where to Go Birding in Costa Rica here to go birding? It’s a perennial used to be a lot more birds, like millions and Cloud forest Wquestion for those of us who want to lay millions more. Monteverde area eyes on some avian life forms. Do we just keep The situation in Costa Rica would Tapanti National Park it simple and stare out the back window? Do we have been just as or even more birdy. A constant Cataratas del Toro bundle up and head to the nearest reservoir, or a flow of avian activity ebbing through mature favorite park? Maybe a wildlife refuge or nature tropical forests from the hot and humid High elevation forest preserve? Or, do we make that bleary eyed trip lowlands up into the cool, high mountains. Various sites on Cerro de la Muerte to a place where we stand in various lines and The logistics would have been tougher than Irazu pay for overpriced snacks so we can cover large a triathalon but the birds would have been Poas distances in a matter of hours? All that waiting everywhere because there was intact habitat and annoyance so we can see a big new suite of everywhere and therein lies the key to finding Foothill forest birds? birds no matter where you bring the bins. Roads Arenal area Plate-billed Mountain-Toucan. made things easier for birding but they also Tenorio area Resplendent Quetzal. Blue-and-gold Tanager. came with a hefty price. Braulio Carrillo area Just a few birds with justifiable fancy names and Cut a road through forest and it unless you live in Ecuador, Colombia, or Central becomes an avenue of invitation for logging, Caribbean lowland rainforest America, plane travel is more or less required hunting, and turning bastions of biodiversity Sarapiqui to meet them in their feathered persons. In my into hot cow pasture. Although protecting the Laguna del Lagarto opinion, oh it is definitely worth the long ride (!) lands along roads can prevent such destruction, Various sites near and south of Limon but even after exiting the airport in a brand new roadside preserves are much more the objection birdy country, we still need to know where we to the common rule. As with most places on South Pacific lowland rainforest need to go to see those and other species. the planet, in Costa Rica, roads followed that La Gamba Back in the days of fewer people and typical plan of deforestation leading to pasture Osa Dominical area more habitat, finding birds was probably as easy or ag. lands long before anyone gave a hoot - not as good for as pie. Can you imagine going birding in the about cutting down trees. Fortunately, before the south endemics as the other areas hardwood forests of the eastern United States the entire place was shorn of centenarian trees, mentioned but an overall excellent mix or Canada or Britain oh say 300 years ago? As protections were put into place to preserve of birds. long as the local people allowed birding on their watersheds and biodiversity and this is why, land, you wouldn’t need any information on in Costa Rica, we can still drive through cloud Dry forest where to find birds because they would have forest, take a road to mature lowland rainforest, been everywhere. An abundance of shorebirds and drive around and visit several distinct Palo Verde National Park in the wetlands, multitudes of wood-warblers, habitats with some fantastic roadside birding. vireos, and other songbirds doing their vocal Since there are so many good places to go Wetlands thing from the woodland mosaic. Prairies and birding, it really is hard to think of the must-visit Palo Verde National Park other naturally open habitats bubbling with sites, the places that host the most. However, if Cano Negro area longspurs, meadowlarks, and other species of I had to settle on three of the best sites for each the grass. By historical accounts and the much habitat and biogeographic region, this is what greater degree of intact habitat, we know there comes to mind: www.PacificLots.com Paradise Post Welcome to the Neighborhood Envision Fest Dates 2020 February 20 - 24 Wayne and Dianne Simpson rought to life in 2011, Envision is a ianne and I were both Air Btransformative festival dedicated to awakening human potential and positive Force “brats”. Both of our D energy. Located in Uvita, Costa Rica fathers’ last duty station was Eglin where lush, mountainous rainforests AFB in Northwest Florida. We meet the sparkling, sandy beaches of the met at Okaloosa-Walton Junior Pacific, Envision has blossomed from a College (now Northwest Florida backyard event into an internationally State Collage) in 1965. We were acclaimed community gathering. married in 1968 while I was serv- Thousands of festivalgoers experience ing in the US Navy. We have days bursting with art, spirituality, yoga, both retired from our traditional education, and sustainability and nights careers and are now traveling the committed to celebrating humanity through music, dance and performance. globe as photographers and pho- The inspiration for Envision revolves tojournalists. Our primary home around being radically self-reliant and in less than a mile from where living sustainable lives; collaborative we first met. Our plans for Costa projects and musical performances Rica are still developing. happen daily, along with sunset celebrations at the close of each day. 2019 Ten Day Country and Property Tours

Our NEW COSTA RICA & PANAMA TOUR We are running a new 10 day tour this year, a Costa Rica and Panama tourism and property tour. We are offering this higher end tourism tour July 5 - 14 that will start in San Jose, Costa Rica and end in Panama City, Panama. The tour is mostly about tourist locations and attractions have a few property tours involved in both Costa Rica and Panama. We’ve had prior tour clients ask us to offer a tour like this and have now put one together. We work hard on planning these tours to find great attractions and activities, great lodging choices, great restaurants and try to keep you amazed and entertained but not crazy busy. We now include all park entrance fees, activity fees and all meals except a few dinners in all tours. We visit national parks, beaches, take boat rides, see animals, see waterfalls, visit quaint towns, tour landmarks and points of interest including city tours. We travel in great vehicles and on the Costa Rica/Panama tour we’ll be visiting the Panama Canal as well as many other locations. The cost is $1800 per single or $3,000 per couple. Go to https://www.pacificlots.com/costa-rica-panama-tour for More INFO on the tour.

www.PacificLots.com Paradise Post Costa Rica is Noted for Amazing Biodiversity osta Rica is one of the most problem in the 20th century, but The Certificate for Sustainable biodiverse countries in the world C organizations in Costa Rica are Tourism (CST) is another step in the — you can find nearly 5 percent of committed to planting trees and a right direction. CST is a certification all known plants and animal species host of other efforts to offset carbon program that evaluates businesses in its national parks and wildlife footprints. Well maintained parks for sustainable practices. The CST refuges. ... Some of Costa Rica’s and knowledgeable guides make rates companies from 0 to 5 based national parks have bird species it easy to appreciate Costa Rica’s upon their degree of environmental, that you can see very few places wildlife. social and economic involvement. in the world. In fact Costa Rica Costa Rica channels Higher ratings are given to businesses has more species of birds than the funds from a fuel tax, car stamp that successfully balance the impact US and Canada combined. This is duty and energy fees to pay for of their activities. The program is because it is a migratory destination nature reserve management and voluntary but rigorous. Evidence is for both North American and South environmental services like clean presented on over 100 practices – America. air, fresh water and biodiversity involving community, the environment, Costa Rica’s biodiversity is protection. and labor – before a business is attributed to the dramatic shifts Landowners are paid to given a CST rating. These ratings help in terrain — this tiny country has preserve old-growth forests and to visitors to Costa Rica make educated wetlands, mountains, rivers, and plant new trees. As a result, forest purchasing decisions. arid plains. You can find many cover has risen from 24% in 1985 to different types of forests here, close to 46% today. including tropical dry forests, It has also established a national rainforests, and cloud forests. There commission on biodiversity, are mountain ranges, some of comprising scientists, civil servants which are studded with volcanoes. and indigenous representatives, While you’re here you’ll which proposes policies to the see evidence of Costa Rica’s government and promotes green D commitment to protectingA its B C education among the public. wildlife. Deforestation was a major Ocean Front Lot available in Puerto San Juanillo his .32 Acre Ocean Front lot is titled in the maritime zone and located north of Samara and just two minutes drive from the town of T Puerto San Juanillo. The lot is located in a private gated community with underground utilities in place and paved roads. The devel- opment was built about ten years ago and recently purchased by a large developer/builder who is now ready to build out the phase. The lot features a wonderful unobstructed ocean view and is just a few steps from the beach. Located just a minute’s walk from the beach, this lot is a rare find in Costa Rica. The lot offers enormous sunset views and the rare chance to own ocean front in Costa Rica. The mo- tivated seller is asking $249,000 but is open to offers. Interested? Call Steve at 305-295-0137 or email [email protected] and we can arrange a showing to cater to your schedule. This one will go FAST....

www.PacificLots.com You asked for it and here it is! We’ve built a brand new 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with in ground pool, landscape and even furnished (all but the appliances), This new home sits on lot 11-26 in Phase 11 and is almost ready to just move in. The home sits on a great mountain view 1.39 acre lot, providing ample outdoor living space and waiting for your finishing touch- es. The entire package is priced at $299,000 and available immediately. For those of you who don’t want to wait for a custom home to be built, here’s a great home ready for you to move right in or put in our rental pool to generate income until you are ready to move in or occupy seasonal. This won’t last long so if you want it, let me know at [email protected] More Photos of the Move In Ready Home!