Costa Rica Coastal Properties
The Caribbean coast is constantly pounded by waves generated by the Trade Winds, producing some of the world's best surf. Beaches of brilliant white and improbably rich black sand reach in segments of 20-40 miles without a single seawall, groin, jetty, revetment, or condominium. The primary residents of parts of the Caribbean zone are sea turtles which lay their massive eggs on the beaches and the equally laid-back Rastafarians who derive a meager financial income from catching lobsters and fish but derive a rich psychic income from this beautiful environment.
At Cahuita, a national park, preserves what is reputed to be the only coral reef in Costa Rica. Fine beaches, lush forests, and spectacular marine life are the main attractions here. South of Cahuita, the coast is even less developed and beautiful beaches are common. The most popular beach community is at Puerto Viejo, about 8 miles south of Cahuita, where surfers from around the world congregate from November through April for the pounding surf served up by the relentless Trade Winds. Numerous cabinas are available for rent at very reasonable prices and open-air restaurants serve tasty seafood specialties and cold cerveza.
The Pacific coast is different from the Caribbean coast in nearly every respect. The length of the Pacific coastline is over twice that of the Atlantic coast due to the nature of Costa Rica's political boundaries and the presence of two large peninsulas, Nicoya and Osa.
The northern Pacific coast has a much drier climate than the Caribbean and this is reflected in the natural vegetation and in the agricultural landscape. Guanacaste, the northwestern province of Costa Rica, has been largely converted to cattle ranches. The cattle ranches are famous for the modern-day cowboys who ride the range in attire borrowed from their Texas heroes. Expansive haciendas are the most common farm type here, with most operations covering over 500 acres and some approaching 10,000 acres. This is in great contrast to the Central Valley, where small family farms are most common.
There are numerous developed and undeveloped beaches in Guanacaste, including the extensive remote littoral zone of Santa Rosa National Park and the developed beach resorts at Coco, Flamingo, and Tamarindo. Accommodations at these beaches range from less than $7 per night at the most rustic cabinas to over $150 at the most exclusive resorts such as Flamingo. Tamarindo can be reached by air from San Jose. SANSA flies into a small airstrip every day of the week during the dry season. Private air taxi service is available to many Pacific coast locations
Many of the Pacific beaches are relatively isolated, with little access by road. The tidal range here is up to 12 feet, as compared to only 1 to 2 feet on the Caribbean coast, and there are many places with excellent surf. One of the most visited beaches is at Quepos, where part of the coast has been preserved as Manuel Antonio National Park. Daily flights from San Jose provide easy access to this area for a moderate cost.
The Gulf of Nicoya is an ideal location for sea kayaking. Its protected waters are considerably calmer than those of the open Pacific and there are numerous islands, bays, and long stretches of undeveloped coastline to explore. Birdwatching is excellent here and the fishing is legendary. Multi-day boat supported kayak tours are offered in this area by Baja Expeditions and by Rios Tropicales. Another spectacular area for sea kayaking is Drake's Bay along the Osa Peninsula.
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