Living on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica – Don’t blink!

Living abroad is definitely not for everyone. Just the thought of leaving home is daunting but if you are seriously considering a new adventure – jump in the water! It’s fine.

Indeed, the water is fine in Costa Rica, you can even drink it. The Pacific coast is magnificent. Beaches are virtually empty except at prime surfing spots and during Semana Santa (Easter Week) and Christmas.

Can you walk or take a short drive to the beach and begin your day strolling the shore or end it watching the sunset? It’s still affordable here in Costa Rica to do just that. In fact, you can find housing steps from the beach now under construction in the laid back area of Dominical.

It’s that issue of leaving home. After all you live there because it’s the best place on earth – or so you’ve been led to believe. My intention is not to become political. If you’ve never moved from your hometown, leaving the country might be a huge transition. If you’ve traveled abroad, gone beyond all-inclusive settings and enjoyed the experience you may be ready to put your toe in the water – no wonder you’re reading this.

What to expect:

The roads are unpaved in many areas and you may need 4-wheel drive. Trading my 2-seater sports car that initially felt like a toy on the freeways of the U.S, for a SUV that was mandated by conditions, not by the ‘Jones’, was a real transition. In the main, people drive manual shift cars rather than automatics.

While planning our exploratory trip to Costa Rica I announced that I’d reserved a 4-wheel drive vehicle. My husband responded that he didn’t even want to see anything that required 4-wheel drive use.

I ignored him and followed the advice of those who admonished me to be sure I had 4-wheel drive. Before we could reach the mountains on the outskirts of San Jose we encountered an earth slide that closed the road. There were not two words of Spanish between us – addressing the policeman who was redirecting traffic was accomplished by pointing to the map to show our destination.

We were in 4-wheel drive minutes later following a trail that I’m sure the donkeys relinquished years before. By now my husband was recalling his grad school field trips as a geologist and having the time of his life. I was on the cliff side and tried not to look at the gorgeous scenery for fear he’d take his eyes from the road. The adventure was underway.

What to pack:

I always smile when someone asks what they should wear. Casual – real casual. Forget your Manolo’s. Sturdy sandals are advised for the uneven roadways. I keep imagining a friend who has still not come to visit though she’s promised. She will undoubtedly come dressed to kill. Shoes to match every outfit and the equivalent of the steamer trunks used on ships will be packed into the bags she wants the airlines to transport along with her. She’ll break her ankles and resort to buying t-shirts after relinquishing in her latest silk fashion.

The word is out and people are considering a second home or primary home along the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. This past weekend from my home I listened to the sounds of the waves while watching the monkeys move through the treetops. Now where else can you do that?

It’s not any further by plane than many people travel to see their children or grandchildren. The slower pace may well help you live longer. Explore now or the opportunity may pass you by as the steady creep of prices continues to exclude those who blinked.

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Written by Enaid Savage who is a professional Realtor working for Coldwell Banker Vesta Group in Costa Rica.

If you would like to arrange to see real estate for sale on the South Pacific, then please help us to help you by giving us your your email address and answer the three little questions in the form below:

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.