Investment opportunities in Costa Rica

Thursday, 7 May 2009 12:08 PM

Eco-tourism, low cost living and 'La Pura Vida' is attracting UK buyers to invest in holiday homes in Costa Rica.

The country, which is often deemed the USA's version of Spain, has the longest life expectancy in the western hemisphere, with the tourist industry growing rapidly over recent years.

Costa Rica Invest says the low cost of living and low property taxes have attracted retirees to the country, with 60 per cent of tourism arriving from the US. Invest says new opportunities to buy in the country could attract UK buyers looking for a second home.

The company is currently offering potential buyers the opportunity to harvest teak on the land, the profits of which can be used towards purchasing a home in the country or as an investment.

James Cahill, managing director of Costa Rica Invest, said: "Investors with a medium to long term investment view will see the benefits of an investment in development land with the added benefit of teak growing on it. Our premier project Finca Di Pacifico Dos offers a unique opportunity to invest in Costa Rica.

"The teak growing on your land will provide a good return but better than that as the world economy recovers and more baby boomers seek out their little piece of paradise the value of your land will increase rapidly giving you a spectacular return."

The country's slogan, La Pura Vida, meaning the pure life, is fitting given its current status as one of Dan Buettner's, 'Blue Zones'; with the country's Nicoya Peninsula deemed as one of the few places in the world where people live to a 100 in great numbers.

Invest have also discovered a US and Central America trade deal, the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) brought in at the beginning of the year, should help buyers by encouraging competition in Costa Rica.

Judy Ferguson, spokesperson for Costa Rica Invest added: "Some of our purchasers are planning to break ground on their development land this summer. Perhaps they already know about the health and longevity benefits of life in Costa Rica.

"As word spreads further about longevity in Costa Rica, demand for 'La Pura Vida' will further rise, benefiting our pure investors who plan to sell their land."

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