Costa Rica Forum

PacificLots
Joined 2008
Posts: 209

12 years ago

Why all the buzz about the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica

12 years ago

It was just a few years ago when there was no good road to reach the southern Pacific region of the country. The coastal highway ended in Quepos/Manuel Antonio and the only real route was a road called the Cerro de la Muerte (mountain of death). In the past two years the new toll road from San Jose to the west coast (Autopista del Sol) cut the drive time from San Jose to Jaco by about an hour. The other big factor was the Costanera extension, connecting Quepos to Dominical. This 44 kilometer stretch took nearly 3 hours prior to the new highway, now the same stretch takes about 25 minutes. What folks have found who are now venturing south of Quepos is that the southern Pacific region is clearly the most bio diverse region of the country. Nearly 50% of the total land mass of the southern region is national park, preserve or protected land. There had been a fair amount of tourism infrastructure development down there even while it was difficult to get to. Our little village of Ojochal for example boasts 11 hotels and over 40 bars and restaurants. The region has lots to do, visit Cano island, visit Drake Bay, Golfito, the Corcovado national park, the Playa Ballena Marine national park or La Amistad international park (shared by both Costa Rica and Panama). There are lots of tour companies offering whale watching, kayaking, zip lines, horse back riding, scuba and snorkle trips, white water rafting, bird watching, nature hiking and even things like para gliding, ultralight rides and more. Skip the crowds in the northern or central Pacific regions and head south to see what Costa Rica was like years ago. The newest hospital in the country is located right where we are, the Hospital de Osa. There's also a new international airport slated for the region with construction set to start this year. So if you want to see something new, check out the southern Pacific region. It has the lowest crime rate and much of the region has a 3 story zoning restriction, so the big hotel chains that now dot the landscape in Guanacaste, Jaco and now even in Manuel Antonio won't be able to build any high rise towers. The southern Pacific region is also home to the largest expat development in the country, www.PacificLots.com. I only mention it for those considering retiring or living in Costa Rica but not interested in living in or around San Jose. Come see the southern Pacific region....

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Living in Costa Rica Guide

Our Living in Costa Rica Guide is a primer on everything about living in Costa Rica: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Costa Rica.

Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

If you're dreaming about living in Costa Rica, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica in 2023.

Healthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.

Cost of Living in Costa Rica

If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula.

Moving to Costa Rica Guide

Moving to Costa Rica has become more popular among expats. Making this choice requires a lot of research to ensure the expat experience you hope for will be realized.

Real Estate in Costa Rica

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Costa Rica.

Pros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Costa Rica.

Retiring in Costa Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica Visa & Residency Guide

Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Which type of residency is right for me? Do I need an attorney? Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? What is a cedula? This article answers these and many other questions.

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

If you've recently arrived in Costa Rica, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Costa Rica.

Additional Information:

Visit our Costa Rica Index for a Full List

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Allianz Care

Flexible solutions allow you to tailor your cover to meet your needs and budget. Use Promocode: LIFE10 and get 10% off your international health insurance for life!
Get Quote

Contribute
Help others in Costa Rica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.