For many surfers, surfing’s more a lifestyle than a sport. Unlike softball, tennis, golf or any of those other sports, surfing is different from the get-go.

If you don’t surf, you probably don’t understand why it’s different.

“It’s actually two-in-one. You need to be an athlete, but you really need to live within close distance of the beach. You must be physically able and mentally prepared to catch waves. You need to be committed to surfing; drop whatever you’re doing to go surfing.”

In today’s world, this is a difficult task for anyone who is trying to maintain a reasonable schedule, hold down a job or raise a family.

This is one of the reasons surfers travel to affordable places where they can ride consistent, quality surf. For years, Florida’s surf crowd has been traveling to Costa Rica and Central America for this very reason.

Along with its tropical beauty, abundant wildlife and undeveloped beaches — the price is right!

In general, the people are kindhearted and helpful.

One example: Hitchhiking is still a popular method of transportation in Costa Rica (I personally stopped hitchhiking to surf at Florida’s beaches during the mid-1970s).

My partner on a recent trip to Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, hardcore surfer and Satellite Beach resident Scott Ashmore, has been traveling to this area for more than 20 years.

“I’ve traveled to surf in California, Hawaii and Mexico — they all have special qualities — but Costa Rica’s combination of affordability, consistent, fun surf and happy, good people makes it my favorite surfing destination.”

In Costa Rica, the saying goes, “Pura vida!” or pure life. If the “pura vida!” is surfing, fishing and hanging at beautiful beaches with stunning views, then Scott and I certainly had our share during our recent visit to Costa Rica.

Often awakened by the roar of howler monkeys, our typical day started before 5 a.m. with a quick energy snack of either oatmeal or a granola bar washed down with delicious Costa Rican coffee before we walked down a narrow path to the beach through thick jungle. After a few minutes of yoga, we waxed our boards and hit the surf until our bodies were drained of energy.

The early mornings this time of year (our summer is their rainy season) are very comfortable. Clear skies and westerly ground swells, punctuated by light offshore breezes, funneled down the mountainside overlooking the beaches during our two-week trip to Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.

Even though the locals and visitors both consider this area Costa Rica’s western frontier, it’s changing quickly.

Internet cafes are popping up in small coastal communities. English is spoken more often than not, and its cuisine slowly is becoming more Americanized.

The prices aren’t as reasonable as they once were a few years ago, but you still can have yourself a wonderful trip for under $1,000 (including airfare) if you’re a smart shopper.

But you don’t necessarily have to travel far and wide to catch good surf. And with a few exceptions, Florida is a perfect place for newcomers to learn.

Rick Hayes, Sebastian Inlet chapter chairman of the Surfrider Foundation covering Brevard and Indian River counties, is dedicated to passing on the joys of a surfer lifestyle to those willing to catch a wave.

“Take Florida’s east coast, with its 400 miles of sandy beaches, temperate climate, reasonable access and warm water nearing year-round; it’s perfect for anyone looking to start surfing.”

The Surfrider Foundation was instrumental in getting the Florida Open Beaches Act passed, which ensures no existing public access to our beaches is ever lost. Not just for surfers, but for the benefit of all people.

Surfing may not be for all people, but if you’re looking for a thrill and love the ocean, it’s worth trying.
Source: www.orlandosentinel.com

Full Description: Exclusive lots of 2, 8 Ha (7acres total) each. All lots have a stunning ocean view and consist of a spacious rancho villa in old Mexican style with guesthouse and private pool surrounded by virginal tropical forest.

The titled land of each, which is divided in 7000 M² (1 ¾ acre) of which 10% is allowed to build on and 21000M² (5 ¼ acres) of nature reserve. This 21000 M² of land is part of your private forest reserve, which will be held in The Association and therefore protected from any kind of construction or cutting of trees.

This unique concept ensures the conservation of the flora and fauna for the future. Take a look at the 25 ocean-view properties and the private forest reserve. You will experience the silence and sounds of nature. The beautiful entrance is secured 24 hours, 7 days per week. The 70 hectares or 175 acres located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste with a 6 minutes drive from Playa Samara or Playa Buena Vista and Playa Carrillo and Barrigona 10-15 minutes away by car it is in the centre of mother’s nature beauty.
More information about this beautiful Villa in www.costaricasalesrentals.com

Fresh property investment opportunities are being created across Costa Rica, as previously inaccessible areas are opened up.

The now reachable non-developed areas along with government investment could generate a property boom, according to the publication, Costa Rica - The Owners Manual.

A number of developments and infrastructure improvements have been earmarked for these areas and are scheduled to get underway shortly. This includes the largest full-service marina in Central America, new hospitals, an airport and roads.

An extract from the publication says: ‘The massive government approved projects underway will catapult this area on to the world stage with blistering speed. Massive, government infrastructure projects like this don’t come around often. The last time we saw something similar was 10 years ago, a few miles down the coast, when property prices exploded by over 800%.’

Costa Rica, located in Central America, has long been a retiree and holiday destination amongst Americans and to an extent Canadians. Unsurprisingly, tourism is a major source of revenue, along with the services and banking industries, contributing significantly towards Costa Rica’s economy, as well as the growth of the country’s property sector.
Source: www.homesoverseas.co.uk

Check out this properties in Costa Rica

Samara has a superb coral reef and its own picturesque wooded island in the bay ~ Isla Chora. It’s popular with swimmers and windsurfers, and it’s an ideal beach for your kids.
Samara is not only a charming beach resort, with a wide choice of friendly and attractive hotels, restaurants, bars and discos, but, unlike other Pacific Ocean resorts, it is also a thriving fishing and farming community.
There are cowboys and cattle drives, fishing boats returning at sunset, exotic fruit harvests, specialty and organic farming, tree nurseries and reforestation projects and many other authentic and vital Sámara activities.

There are unusual plant and animal species, ancient Indian sites, underwater caves and coastal and mountain nature trails. Guitar, Spanish, aerobic and dancing lessons and massages are available. And there is even a Sámara art gallery with its own resident artist.
Vacation Rentals Costa Rica

Located on the north side of San José’s bustling city center, Barrio Amón is a tranquil oasis of restored Victorian style mansions and intimate bed & breakfasts and boutiques featuring a rich blend of 19th and 20th century history and architecture. A walk through this pleasant section of San José will allow you to admire striking architectural elements as well as experience the grandiose charm of a bygone era.

At the end of the 19th century, the French coffee baron and businessman, Amon Fasileau Duplantier, arrived in Costa Rica as a representative of the respected Tournón company. On the north side of what is today barrio Amón, he set up a large productive coffee plantation which exported the “golden grain” to European markets. In 1892 the French coffee baron proposed to urbanize a piece of land on the northern border of the city. Mr. Fasileau met with San José’s municipal authorities and a contract was signed that stipulated that the city would not be obligated to pay for the construction of streets and sidewalks until houses were built. The neighborhood quickly attracted Costa Rica’s wealthiest residents who began building elegant homes in a variety of styles such as Victorian, neo classic and eclectic.
The creation of this new neighborhood, called Amón, was the beginning of a new process of social and architectural segregation in the suburbs of the city and consolidated this area as the first elite residential neighborhood in San José.

Real Estate in Costa Rica
Over the years, as the city’s residents began to move to the fringes of San José and eventually to the suburbs, many of the city’s residential districts fell into abandonment. At the beginning of the 1990’s many people and institutions began highlighting the importance of preserving the neighborhood’s architectural heritage. A number of the older houses were restored and turned into Bed & breakfasts, the Association for the Conservation and Development of Barrio Amón was founded and pressure was exerted on the city to divert to other areas, the large quantity of smoke ejecting buses that had traditionally passed through the neighborhood.

Live in Costa Rica
Today, the area has once again regained some of its old world elegance and is home to cozy hotels, restaurants, cafés, art galleries and antique shops - making Barrio Amón a very special spot in San José.

To get there, walk five blocks north of the Plaza de la Cultura (located next to the National Theater), or a block north of the towering Auriola Holiday Inn. Barrio Amón is bordered on the north by Avenida 13, to the south by Avenida 7, to the east by calle 9 and to the west by calle Central.

Costa Rica is the world’s most popular destination for rainforest tourism thanks to its spectacular biodiversity, relative ease-of-access and safety, and many natural attractions. In 2007 nearly 2 million tourists visited the country, generating almost 2 billion in revenue — more than the combined income from bananas and coffee.

Explore Costa Rica
While countless books are available for information this Central American jewel, a newly updated travel guide stands out for its comprehensiveness and ease-of-use.

Explore Costa Rica, written by Harry S. Pariser, provides an excellent introduction to Costa Rica, including coverage of dining, hotels and accommodations; outdoor activities; history and culture; and itinerary suggestions. The 668-page guide offers background on country’s natural attractions, with a special emphasis on tropical rainforests and wildlife, including interesting sidebars on topics ranging from permaculture (p 587) to shark finning (p 531) to selecting a rainforest lodge (p 131).

Real Estate Costa Rica
Particularly helpful is the way Explore Costa Rica is organized. Each section includes “Fast Find” to help readers quickly locate the information of interest, while “Pluses and Minuses” provide a frank lowdown on good and bad. Of special interest to socially-responsible travels is the guide’s highlighting of local eco-friendly cooperatives such as the Talamanca Association for Ecotourism and Conservation and the Köbö Agro-Ecotourism Farm. Explore Costa Rica also includes information for disabled access and special needs travelers as well as sights and attractions for children. Thirty eight maps and a number of color pictures help illustrate the guide.
Source: news.mongabay.com