Bright Future for Tamarindo

1^st Choice Realty's main office is in Tamarindo, a busy little beach town known as a hub for excellent surf destinations,  it has an affluent international community, lots of restaurants for dining out, many great boutiques for shopping and an exciting night life.  Tamarindo is a young and active town full of energy, but very afternoon the people of Tamarindo stop what they’re doing for a few minutes to quietly watch the amazing sunsets.  For all of us at 1^st Choice Realty, Tamarindo is the perfect balance between an active community and a peaceful retreat.

 Tamarindo is one of the most developed and populated beach towns on the Guanacaste coastline, and it is surrounded by National Park Land that is protected from development, and because of this, there is a limit to it's development.  In the last few years Tamarindo has experienced a major boom in development, and many real estate developers and agencies are rushing to get the most in this window of opportunity.  The real estate boom has had both good and bad effects on the community.   President Oscar Arias has made Tamarindo a top priority and has assigned a National Commission to address development issues here.  Tamarindo is to become the model community for the government to use as an example to help deal with uncontrolled development in all of Costa Rica.

We are excited to see new companies come to the area such as the new Auto Mercado super market that is being built right across the street from our main office, Banco Cuscatlan that just opened up next to our office, the new J.W. Marriott Hotel that is coming to the area, and all the new restaurants and shops we haven’t had time to try yet.  We believe that these companies have done enough market analysis and research to know that Tamarindo is a safe place to invest… that’s what we believe as well.  Because of Tamarindo’s bright future, it is a great place to invest right now.

Now Open in Tamarindo…            

Garden Boutique Plaza

(Part of Tamarindo Heights Luxury Ocean View Homes Located at the entrance to Tamarindo)

•  Auto Mercado -  High quality super market
•   Pops Ice Cream – Popular ice cream parlor, similar to Ben & Jerry’s
• Micro Support – Computer Store and technological support center
•   Piscinas Acquariun – Swimming pools and Jacuzzi supplier
•   L.A. Cano – Fin jewelry store
•   NASUA – National Association for State Units on Aging: a non profit organization to assist the elderly
• Extremo – Outdoor recreation equipment outlet
•   Altea Design – home furniture store
• Euro Style – Modern contemporary furniture store
• Videomania – Video rentals and sales, and home entertainment systems
•   Sushi Restaurant – Japanese seafood and other fine cuisine
•   Nuevo Alegre – Argentinean style restaurant
•   Chancay – Peruvian restaurant
•   Optica Visión – optical laboratory, Doctor’s office and glasses store
•   Mango Surf and Skate – Surfboard and skateboard equipment store
•   Wet – swim wear and bikini store
•   Farmacia Huacas – general pharmacy
•   Scotiabank – International Bank

Airlines and Airports Adjust to Increasing Demand

  People from all over the world have heard the news; Costa Rica is getting worldwide interest in tourism and investment.  According an article from The Associated Press by Frank D. Roylance, more than 30,000 expat Americans have made Costa Rica their home because of the favorable residency, tax laws, and low cost of living. Tamarindo, located in the region of Guanacaste on the north Pacific coast is attracting the world’s attention.  What used to be a small fishing village, has now developed into one of the most visited tourist towns in Costa Rica.  Hosting a variety of things to do and accommodations for everyone’s satisfaction, it has transitioned into a modern Oceanside community.  The transportation industry is rushing to keep up with the demand for this popular destination.

         There are two international airports in Costa Rica, one is in the capital city of San Jose, and the other is located in Liberia, Guanacaste (about 45 minutes from Tamarindo).  Liberia International Airport (LIR) was originally named after President Daniel Oduber who was a huge supporter of expansion and development within the area.  Delfinia Travel Group Inc. said “…it is quickly becoming a major international airport exclusively for tourists who want to enjoy Costa Rica’s gorgeous Pacific coastline.”  In March of 2005, 120,176 people landed at LIR, and one year prior only 54,019 people came; a 122% increase in arrivals in just one year.  All of the expansion and upgrading to the international airport has helped Guanacaste’s economy tremendously. 

         LIR opened up for international traffic in 1995.  Its first commercial flight arrived from Miami, FL.  The airport since the opening has undergone a lot of changes and renovations as the area became more popular for tourism.  During last year’s “High Season,” the airport received 35 flights from 10 carriers utilizing the airport daily . Liberia Airport has become a full service facility including; paramedical services, technical services, fueling services, a fire department, and luggage handling services.  The airport plans do a lot more to help keep up with the increasing tourism demand with its new expansion project currently underway.  The airport will be catering to even more international arrivals and departures. The expansion project was set into place to help the airport meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.  An instrument landing system is being installed to enable large commercial aircrafts to land.  The airport has also added more area to the airport ramp to be able to hold four planes, and they have constructed two new buildings to house more passengers.  Currently the airport hosts four airlines: American Airlines, Delta, Continental, and US Airways.  It has also seen some charter flights from Canada. 

         Tamarindo has its very own local airport which brings in regional flights from within Costa Rica located just 2 minutes outside of town.  Nature Air has four flights daily flying direct to San Jose with 76 seats and two flights daily to Liberia with 38 seats.  SANSA has five daily flights going only to San Jose accommodating 60 passengers.  The TamarindoAirport also has several private planes for charter use.

         Over the past few years Tamarindo has seen a lot of growth within in the community and the region is becoming more popular for people to visit and reside.  As the airports increase their flights and have more direct flights, this interest will become greater.  As more and more people enter the country the people of Tamarindo will see a better economy from all of the money coming in.  There has been so much traffic to and from the airports here in Costa Rica, and it is increasing everyday.  The area is becoming more and more developed, which will accommodate all of the people who travel here.  This is a hot spot for tourism, and it will only get hotter as time goes on.

Community Involvement

 1^st Choice Realty is a member of Associación Pro-Mejoras de Tamarindo, a non profit organization that works together with the National Commission to achieve sustainable development in Tamarindo.  Their mission is: To Preserve and improve Tamarindo’s location inside the national park through sustainable development and enforcement of law. Pro-Mejoras is responsible for the organization and implementation of such social services as; trash pick up for the entire town and hiring life guards for the beaches.    The association is currently working in direct partnership with the nation’s Minister of Tourism, Carlos Ricardo Benavides, and the National Commission to direct other sectors of town development such as: Law enforcement, town regulatory plan and sustainable development, beach cleanliness, black water treatment, infrastructure, roads and parking.  

1^st Choice Realty has been an active part of the community, and we see a bright future in store for Tamarindo.  We have seen many improvements to the roads and other aspects of the community, and we are excited to see what new improvements will come now that President Arias has made Tamarindo a top priority, and the government and private sectors are working together.  We know that things don’t happen over night, and Rome wasn’t built in a Day, so 1^st Choice Realty is committed to doing what we can to help the sustainable progress of the community by being involved with the various community planning and social organizations such as Pro-Mejoras de Tamarindo , CEPIA , and Surf Rider’s Foundation.