Osa Peninsula – Against the Trend Investment Ideas

For many, the Osa Peninsula is a still a mystery. Not much is published about real life and real investments there. There is a lot of publicity for Eco tourism and la Naturaleza, but the day to day life here gets little attention in the media.

The Southern Zone is still less populated and less developed than other areas of Costa Rica, so many are unfamiliar with the region and what it has to offer.

Puerto Jimenez used to be a sleepy little town with dirt streets and relatively few cars. And in many ways, it still is, and most of hope it always will be. Most people still walk or get around on bicycles or the few taxis that idle on Main Street.

Many of the locals have never ventured out of town further than a relatives’ finca or the rodeo corral, which is within walking distance of town. Puerto Jimenez is considered the main commercial of the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce region, even though Golfito and Cortez serve as the seats of local government.

Puerto Jimenez serves the majority of the Peninsula with an airport, clinic, schools, post office, gas station, bank, stores, small hotels and lodges, and a ferry across the Golfo Dulce to Golfito and the mainland. The major outlying communities are Mogos, Rincon, La Palma, Canaza, Agujas, Sandalo, Dos Brazos and Rio Nuevo to the North, and Tamales, Matapalo, Piro, Rio Oro, and Carate to the South and West.

Drake Bay at the Northwestern corner of the peninsula is accessed best by waterways from Palmar and Sierpe or through the mountains from Rincon. Four-wheel drive vehicles are most common as the only paved road in the Osa ends at Rincon, except for a few blocks of Main Street in Puerto Jimenez.

Osa has a growing International community, which serve about 10 percent of Costa Rica’s tourism, as well as a growing residential community, both of Costa Rican nationals and International immigrants and investors. Its entire population is only about 8,800, including rural beach and mountain communities off the grid.

Many residents have utilized the benefits of nature to provide comfort rather than sacrifice nature for comfort. Solar and hydroelectric power, cell phones, and homes utilizing bamboo and palm are common.

There is a sense among the pioneers and “settlers” in this frontier land that they are here for a reason: to not only enjoy, but to protect the environment and to create low impact or positive impact on the land and in the communities.

Hence many are buying pasture land and turning it back into tropical paradises with reforestation, permaculture, and by allowing it to go back to weeds, and eventually secondary forests, carving out only that part of the land that they need for comfortable dwellings and surroundings.

Palm plantations and melina farms have replaced the rice fields and the banana plantations as more economical and slightly more ecological ventures. Gold mining, cattle farming, and subsistence farming are still very much a part of the natural rhythm of the culture, but the growth of tourism in the area is changing the scene, and there are now more vehicles and local employment and economics begun to shift. More and more, young families are moving to town and working in some aspect of tourism.

For a community to grow in a balanced manner, all aspects of the community needs to grow, including affordable homes and new kinds of businesses that serve the community at larger, not just the seasonal tourist. In this way, I suggest going “against the trend” to build luxury housing developments and high end tourist facilities, and look to a different, more sustainable growth trend that better serves the Osa community.

The need for viable housing has become the newest “industry” in the area. Workers and long-term visitors look for inexpensive, but clean and comfortable houses and apartments in the area. I have been encouraging people who may not have their own vision yet, and are looking for viable long or short term investments to consider looking to housing and other commercial ventures which round out the community that supports the tourism industry.

While it is true that there is a higher return and possibly quicker return on luxury spec houses, or housing communities, or on tourism projects, the need to “round out” the community with housing for workers and businesses that serve the community. If one is choosing to relocate and build a life, you may want to consider what kind of contribution you can make to the community as much as how much returns you can get on your investment.

As such, I have several properties currently on the market which one may consider for such investments. While these are not the typical developer’s buy low and sell high kind of investments, they are businesses which provide one with a monthly income, and can serve the community fill the need for housing, or for new job opportunities.

Several of these businesses offer a place to live and a business in a package, which is very attractive to the kind of person who looks to make the move to Costa Rica, and specifically the Osa Peninsula, with all that it has to offer in the way of beauty, tranquility and small town charm.

1. Three unit apartment complex in nice neighborhood close to town services. These apartment units are 3 years old. They are 2 bedroom 1 bath units. There is a waiting list for rentals here. Rents average $300/month. This situation is perfect for someone who wanted to live in one unit and rent the other two, supplying a decent monthly income without having to do much as a landlord. $125,000
2. Three unit apartment complex, 3 br. house, and gymnasium (or could create other kind of business or remodel into apartment complex. $180,000
3. Building lots in residential area starting at $21,000. Commercial lots starting at $50,000.
4. Gift Gallery by the airport with great location and great clientele and exclusive artist roster. There is an apartment in the back for owner or employee. $275,000 Financing offered.
5. Auto Mechanic’s shop and house. $295,000
6. Six unit townhouse complex for residential, office or commercial use. $495,000
[custom_script adID=151]
7. Mexican Restaurant business. Popular bar and restaurant in town center. Business and equipment, property lease. Adjacent house included in contract. $70,000.
8. Main Street corner property with luxury apartment upstairs overlooking town, and 900 sq ft of open space street level for office, café, retail, or other type of business. $250,000.
9. Titled waterfront lot with fixer upper or tear town houses. Could be remodeled for short or long term housing, tourist project, or private beachfront home close to town center. $275,000

Drop me a line for information on any of these properties, or to discuss ideas for viable business investments in the Osa Peninsula.

[custom_script adID=97]

Written by Deborah (Tao) Cain Watts who is an environmentally concerned Costa Rica Realtor who has lived in and loved Costa Rica for 17 years. Tao believes that: “The best way to save the rain forest is to own it.” If you are seriously interested in speaking with her about buying real estate in the Osa Peninsula area and helping to protect the environment, then please help her to help you by using 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.