Costa Rica Real Estate to Use Proprietary Technology to Protect Agents

As part of a plan to enhance their relationship with real estate professionals in 2011, Hacienda Matapalo – the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast – today announced they have partnered with Agent Shield, Inc. to provide Realtors with free tools to help them market, sell and receive credit for their efforts.

"This gives our referring parties an extra level of comfort," said Hacienda Matapalo Vice President of Sales and Investments Michael Starkey. "By having an extra level of tracking and protection for their clients, Realtors will be more comfortable sending leads directly to our Web site because they know they can track them."

Starkey said that while agents who may already work with Hacienda Matapalo know about their impeccable reputation, becoming part of the Agent Shield network was especially important for those agents who have not previously worked with them.

"For real estate agents, their most important assets are their customers," explained Agent Shield Vice President and co-founder Lu Doan. "The Agent Shield patented technology creates a better connection between real estate professionals and developers. Before Agent Shield was created real estate agents would not consider linking to a development's Web site for fear of losing leads; there was not an effective method of tracking the procuring source of the lead. Agent Shield is designed to protect Realtors while enabling developers to increase their outreach and ultimately sales."

Agent Shield, Inc., the creators of Agent Shield, has more than 7,000 Realtors in 25 countries in their network.

Now that Agent Shield is in place on the Hacienda Matapalo Web site, the company's new program for Realtors is taking shape. The company has scheduled a free Web-based seminar on January 18 at 6 p.m. ET (and any time on-demand) to discuss the new program. The online seminar will be hosted by Starkey and joined by Agent Shield's Doan, who will explain the benefits of his company’s application.

"We're looking forward to connecting with many new Realtors in the New Year," said Starkey. "With infrastructure construction fully underway, this is an exciting time for us and we believe once more real estate agents are onboard with us, it will be an exciting time for them too."

Realtors may register for the free eSeminar here.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at haciendamatapalo.com.

Infrastructure Construction Resumes for Costa Rica Real Estate Property

On Monday, December 13, bulldozers and other heavy equipment arrived at Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, to resume its infrastructure construction.

“This continues to be an exciting time for us,” said Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury about the development’s early stage of construction. “When the first of several large machines began to appear on the property to work on the infrastructure, we finally saw the realization of our planning come to fruition. But now that they can really start to make headway, well, it’s something special.”

And something special it will be.

Residents at the 665-acre Hacienda Matapalo will enjoy a resort-like lifestyle including a private beach club, equestrian center, community center and clubhouse featuring several winding and flowing infinity edge pools, tennis and basketball courts, multiple picnic and gathering areas and a fabulous playground. The natural wonders of this master planned development include abundant waterfalls, bustling streams, lush forests, majestic mountains, tranquil lakes and access to 26 miles of virgin beach that was recently named the second-most eco-friendly beach in the world by CNN Travel and Mother Nature News.

In addition to the extraordinary lifestyle, residents will also benefit from many conveniences including gated security, rental and management services, concierge and maid services and a small retail center to support the community’s grocery, restaurant, medical, and other basic necessities and conveniences.

The grand entrance is the doorway to Hacienda Matapalo and it’s only fitting that it includes lush landscaping and water features that reflect the feel of the community and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

“Developing in a sustainable and ‘Green’ minded manner is and has been at the forefront in the design, engineering and planning of Hacienda Matapalo,” said Albury. “Environmentally sensitive designs have been a consideration from the beginning and continue to improve as our team works closely with our architect, engineers and biologists.” Albury stressed that throughout the construction phase, the company remains committed to ensuring the ecological impact the community will have to the area will be minimal.

“The condos and homes have been designed to blend with nature and the use of native materials will enhance the Hacienda Matapalo experience,” Albury explained. The architecture is reflective of a Polynesian style and is designed by the renowned architect, Miguel Wong.

The community’s close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica’s prized sanctuaries, is just another reason why buyers have chosen Hacienda Matapalo. Owners will also enjoy some of the world’s best fishing, surfing, diving and zip-lining. The recent completion of the new Pacific Coast Highway and the Autopistas del Sol Pacific Highway have made the drive from the International Airport in San Jose to Hacienda Matapalo a short and pleasant commute.

As construction moves forward [see videos], the company plans to increase its presence with real estate professionals in 2011 and will be launching a new program for Realtors, details of which are to be announced before year’s end. In preparing to launch the new outreach program, the company has scheduled a free Web-based seminar on January 18 at 6 p.m. ET (and any time on-demand) to discuss the new program. The online seminar will be hosted by Hacienda Matapalo’s Vice President of Sales and Investments Michael Starkey. Realtors may register for the eSeminar here. There will also be an eSeminar on January 11 at 6 p.m. ET hosted by Albury titled “Why Costa Rica?” which will look at why there are more Americans living in Costa Rica per capita than any other country in the world outside of the United States. Those interested may register here.

To watch learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at haciendamatapalo.com.

All systems go as Costa Rica Real Estate project moves forward on construction

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, has everything in line to move forward with its project as it transitions from its pre-construction to construction phase.

When the master planned development announced in October it would resume its infrastructure construction as the rains subsided, it did so with the knowledge that all their documentation was in order.

“In addition to waiting for the seasonal rains to subside, we had to make sure all of our permits were in order,” explained Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury. “Now that the ground can support the weight of heavy equipment and our Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI) has been approved by the government, we can proceed as planned.”

Because of the strict environmental and ecological protections that are in place in Costa Rica, in order for any master planned development to begin construction, their ESI must be approved. Once approved, construction permits such as D-1s and D-2s are given. An ESI is a composite index that tracks 21 elements of environmental sustainability covering natural resource endowments, past and present pollution levels, environmental management efforts, contributions to protecting common environmental resources and a capacity to improve environmental performance over time.

For Hacienda Matapalo its D-1 and D-2 – environmental evaluations permits for individual construction projects inside a master plan – were approved after being submitted to SETENA (Secretaria Tecnica Nacional Ambiental) according to the procedures that are outlined in the Manual of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of Costa Rica.

“This is an exciting time for us,” Albury noted, as he reflected on the long and drawn out process to achieve government compliance on a project of this magnitude. “As the first of several large machines have already begun to appear on the property to work on the infrastructure, we can finally see the realization of our planning coming to fruition.”

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, which has been committed to ensuring the ecological impact it will have will be minimal, visit http://www.haciendamatapalo.com.

Environment Paramount to Costa Rica Property’s Development

With all the environmental issues that have been brought to the forefront in Costa Rica recently, at least one gated community there is committed to ensuring the ecological impact it will have will be minimal.

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, has remained in complete compliance with all of the environmental laws and regulations that are designed to protect the environment from any semblance of abuse.

"The recent news out of Costa Rica puts an exclamation mark on everything we have done from the very beginning," explained Hacienda Matapalo’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. "Our goal from day one was to support sustainable development that guarantees that the South and Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica remain pristine and free from any man-made harm."

In recent weeks news has been flowing out of Costa Rica concerning a variety of environmental issues. On November 9th the country's legislative assembly voted unanimously to ban all new open pit metal mining projects in the country. There has been a major crack down on illegal shark finning as the Ministry of Agriculture (MAG) and the Costa Rican Fisheries Institute closed private docks in Puntarenas on December 1st to foreign fishing vessels. And Randall Arauz, a key Costa Rican environmentalist, won Sweden’s prestigious Göteborg Award for 2010 for sustainable development.

"We needed to lead by example," Albury said, explaining how Hacienda Matapalo tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

"It was and IS our goal to utilize the latest 'green' technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners. We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live."

As the property ramps up to resume its infrastructure construction with key strategic partner Su Casa Desarrollos de Vivienda S.A., the leading company of the Tu Hogar S.A. Real Estate Group, the management team at Hacienda Matapalo has made every effort to illustrate their ongoing commitment to the planet from sponsoring sea turtle protection programs to leading beach cleanup efforts to helping to replant the all important Costa Rica rainforests.

"One of the factors that has helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a 'green,' low-impact development, is that our development is surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest," said Albury, adding, "not to mention a 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel."

The environmentally-conscious development will include an equestrian center, nature trails for hiking and horseback riding and even announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property's nature preserve.

Some of Hacienda Matapalo's ongoing efforts include:

• Minimized clearing of the present land (dense forest to remain throughout constructed areas)
  
• A percentage ratio of 70:30 natural land to developed land (based on a total area of 665 acres)
  
• For every tree that must be removed, up to three trees will be planted as replacement
  
• There will be an onsite nursery
  
• There will be an onsite wastewater treatment plant
  
• Landscaping will consist of native species (reducing the need for water and fertilizer)
  
• Subterranean power and electrical lines will be used where feasible and strict safeguards will be in place to ensure above ground lines pose no threat to wildlife
  
• Recycling receptacles will be in place throughout the property, including an intensive recycling program
  
• Energy saving air-conditioning systems will be used
  
• A water agreement has been put into place to supply the nearby town of Hatillo with fresh drinking water
  
• Onsite lakes will serve as recession ponds, natural habitats and home for many native fish
  
• A biologist/naturalist with extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna will be on staff
  
• There will be ongoing communication and involvement with the homeowners and community (i.e. community awareness and social responsibility)
  
• Exploratory use of cutting-edge “green” technology will constantly be considered throughout development and construction
  

Albury pointed out that Hacienda Matapalo will utilize environmentally friendly goods for many of its external building materials including: use of concrete which contains post-consumer materials, siding and external finishes that contain post-consumer materials, low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC) finishes/paints/adhesives, sustainable and locally farmed woods and materials, pervious or permeable pavers/materials for walkways and parking, recycled materials for roofing and materials that drain well and do not hold moisture or heat.

In a relatively short period of time, Hacienda Matapalo has become Costa Rica's premier planned gated community thanks to both the knowledge of its executive team and due diligence as performed by its strategic legal, engineering and ecological partners. Unlike their competition, this extraordinary attention to detail has enabled the Hacienda Matapalo team to protect both its investment and investors and rewrite the standards by which successful communities in Costa Rica are planned.

"Our CEO David Matluck chalks up a lot of our success to long-term planning, extensive due diligence and proper engineering," Albury said of an upcoming article Matluck wrote for the development’s latest community newsletter. "And when you have a commitment to the environment like we do, you can expect nothing less."

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at http://haciendamatapalo.com.

Expats on the move: Establishing residency in Costa Rica

While health care debates, social security reform and higher taxes take center stage in Washington, D.C., more and more Americans seem to be seeking residency elsewhere in the world and the number one destination appears to be Costa Rica.

“We’ve seen a lot of passive inquiries about moving to Costa Rica and establishing residency there since starting our project,” commented Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury (pictured), whose company is building a 665-acre master planned gated community on the country’s South Pacific Coast. “But lately we’ve seen a dramatic upswing in serious interest – more so than any other time during this phase of our development.”

According to Christopher Howard, an authoritarian on Costa Rica and author of the recently released book "The New Golden Door To Retirement and Living in Costa Rica," there are more Americans living in Costa Rica per capita than any other country in the world. In an article on the Web site Costa Rica Outdoors, Howard wrote that Americans tend to feel more at home in Costa Rica than other Latin American country citing several reasons including health care, business opportunities, high yielding investments, tax breaks, real estate costs and security concerns.

Because of the increased interest in establishing residence in the land of Pura Vida, on Tuesday, December 14th, Albury will host an in depth Web-based seminar on what it's actually like to live in Costa Rica and establish residency there. Scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET, but also available On-Demand, not only will Albury go over all the nuances of living in the Central American country from housing, transportation, communications and medical, but he will provide a real sense of what expats can expect when they choose to make the move there – something thousands of Americans and Canadians have already done.

“There is so much to know about establishing residency it can boggle the mind,” said Albury. “For example, just like in the U.S. where there are several types of residency statuses, the same holds true for Costa Rica and whether we’re talking about a pensionado (retiree), rentista (legal resident), inversionista (investor), vinculo (relation to citizen) or any other classification, each has its own set of criteria.”

To register for the December 14th eSeminar click here or visit http://haciendamatapalo.com for more details.

Hacienda Matapalo is Costa Rica’s most sought after project with more than $63 million in pre-construction sales. It is located between the cities of Quepos and Dominical and adjacent to the new Costanera Highway. In October they announced they had awarded their infrastructure construction contract as well as a strategic partnership with Su Casa Desarrollos de Vivienda S.A, the leading company of the Tu Hogar S.A. Real Estate Group.

Hacienda Matapalo introduces eSeminars On-Demand

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, recently launched a new technology that will give those interested in Costa Rica, access to information at their convenience.

The company recently introduced its new eSeminars On-Demand, which enables those who register for their monthly online seminars to watch them at any time.

“This will give users the flexibility of participating in our Web-based seminars when they are able to without the constraints of having to abide by a clock,” said Albury. “Whether they join us live or at four in the morning, the result is going to be the same – they will get the same useful information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.”

Those who register for the eSeminars will not only get an access link to the live presentation, but the next morning they will be emailed a special link that will enable them to view the presentation at any time.

“So far the technology is working perfectly,” Albury said, explaining that nearly 400 Costa Rica enthusiasts signed up to participate for the inaugural seminar that was presented in the on-demand format. “It really underscores that people want to participate in our seminars as long as they have the time available. Our new format allows them to decide when it’s feasible for them to do so.”

The next presentation will be on Tuesday, December 14th at 6 p.m. ET as Albury gives an in depth overview on what it's actually like to live in Costa Rica and establish residency there. Not only will he go over all the nuances from housing, transportation, communications and medical, but Albury will provide a real sense of what expats can expect should they choose to make the move there – something thousands of Americans and Canadians have already done.

To register for the December 14th eSeminar click here or visit http://haciendamatapalo.com for more details.

Hacienda Matapalo Announces Strategic Partnership with Top Real Estate Company

Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, recently announced that their strategic partner would be Su Casa Desarrollos de Vivienda S.A., the leading company of the Tu Hogar S.A. Real Estate Group. In addition, the builder for Hacienda Matapalo’s infrastructure will be Jimenez y Chacon Constructores S.A. of Cartago.

“When the announcement was made last week that we had awarded the contract to build our infrastructure, there was a lot of speculation on what company that was,” said David Matluck, chief executive officer of Pegasus Star Limitada, the company that is developing Hacienda Matapalo. “Well, the speculation can end. Those who have been following our growth and development know that our company does things in a diligent manner in order to do what’s best for our homeowners and investors. Today’s announcement about our builder and strategic partnership underscores that commitment to excellence. It sends out a signal that says we do not settle for second best.”

Su Casa’s reputation as a major real estate force in Costa Rica is both unquestioned and unrivaled. The company has more than 20 years of experience in building and selling real estate throughout Costa Rica, having built more than 15,000 residential homes. Among their developments is Los Pelicanos Ocean Club, Costa Rica’s first and only deep water ocean access community where owners can take their boats from their own private docks to some of the best fishing spots in the world.

As members of the Costa Rican Chamber of Construction (C.C.C.), Su Casa is registered in the Federated School of Engineers and Architects of Costa Rica.

Managed by a group of professionals with extensive high quality real estate development experience, the company provides integral elements of design, legal advice, sales, construction, financing and formalization of bank loans, which make acquiring homes a pleasurable experience. Their name literally translates to "Your Home."

While the impact of the strategic partnership is far reaching, the agreement calls for the completion of Hacienda Matapalo’s entrance and the continuation of the infrastructure which connects the forest, streams and mountains which are part of the 655-acre master planned, gated community immediately following the rainy season. The company began putting in gravel roads earlier in the year and stopped when the rainy season began.

Once the roads and utilities are in place, owners will be able to take formal ownership of their home sites and begin building.

“We’ve been saying from the very beginning that when people step foot on Hacienda Matapalo land they say ‘this is where I want to live – this is where I want my home’ or as they say in Spanish ‘mi casa’,” Matluck said. “So I suppose it was meant to be that ‘My Home’ would partner with ‘Your Home’. After all, ‘Mi Casa es Su Casa’.”

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at http://www.haciendamatapalo.com.

Costa Rica Real Estate Property Awards Infrastructure Contract

On Oct. 20th, Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, announced today they have awarded the contract for the infrastructure construction on their property.

"Today's announcement marks a significant milestone in our progress and moves us one step closer to fulfilling our vision of creating and delivering the absolute best residential community in Costa Rica," said Hacienda Matapalo Chief Executive Officer David Matluck.

The agreement – with one of Costa Rica’s largest and most respected builders – calls for the completion of Hacienda Matapalo’s grand entrance and the continuation of the infrastructure which connects the more than a square mile of forest, streams and mountains which are part of the 655 acre master planned, gated community.

Scheduled to recommence in November as the seasonal rains subside, the infrastructure construction phase will include: the entire water treatment facility, water delivery systems, electricity delivery systems, 11 kilometers of road and the lakes that add to the community’s beauty and serenity.

Once the roads and utilities are in place, owners will be able to take formal ownership of their home sites and begin building the home of their dreams.

"The pre-construction success we’ve experienced emphasizes people' desire to live and invest in a place of casual elegance surrounded by picturesque natural beauty," atluck explained. "Being able to offer ownership at pre-construction pricing has kept the project affordable and along with our location has made Hacienda Matapalo the most desired development in Costa Rica."

Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury, who has been at the forefront of the many architectural aspects of the project, said the breathtaking residential community boasts "an unrivaled collection of thoughtfully designed single-family homes and condominiums." The homes and condos are available with tropical / rainforest views, mountain views and "some of the most breathtaking ocean views in all of Costa Rica!"

"The comforting sounds of the breaking Pacific Ocean can be heard from even the first ridge of the property and all the way up and throughout the 665 acres," he said, trying to describe the experience. "The calls of exotic birds, decorated frogs and countless other incredible species that live in and around Hacienda Matapalo's 200-plus acres of private preserve and surrounding sanctuaries are also part of the intimate relationship with the natural environment."

Residents at Hacienda Matapalo will enjoy a resort-like lifestyle including a private beach club, equestrian center, community center and clubhouse featuring several winding and flowing infinity edge pools, tennis and basketball courts, multiple picnic and gathering areas and a fabulous playground. The natural wonders of Hacienda Matapalo include abundant waterfalls, bustling streams, lush forests, majestic mountains, tranquil lakes and access to 26 miles of virgin beach that was recently named the second-most eco-friendly beach in the world by CNN Travel and Mother Nature News.

In addition to the extraordinary lifestyle, residents will also benefit from many conveniences including gated security, rental and management services, concierge and maid services and a small retail center to support the community's grocery, restaurant, medical, and other basic necessities and conveniences.

The grand entrance is the doorway to Hacienda Matapalo and it's only fitting that it includes lush landscaping and water features that reflect the feel of the community and its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

"Developing in a sustainable and 'Green' minded manner is and has been at the forefront in the design, engineering and planning of Hacienda Matapalo," said Albury. "Environmentally sensitive designs have been a consideration from the beginning and continue to improve as our team works closely with our architect, engineers and biologists."

Albury explained that the condos and homes have been designed to "blend with nature" and the use of native materials will "enhance the Hacienda Matapalo experience." The architecture is reflective of a Polynesian style and is designed by the renowned architect, Miguel Wong.

The community's close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park, one of Costa Rica's prized sanctuaries, is just another reason why buyers have chosen Hacienda Matapalo. Owners will also enjoy some of the world's best fishing, surfing, diving and zip-lining. The recent completion of the new Pacific Coast Highway and the Autopistas del Sol Pacific Highway have made the drive from the International Airport in San Jose to Hacienda Matapalo a short and pleasant commute.

Additionally, the new full service Marina Pez Vela is now open and already home to an impressive fleet of vessels. And the new 80,000 square foot state-of-the-art Hospital de Osa is open, conveniently located just a short drive down the coast from Hacienda Matapalo.

With Hacienda Matapalo reaching its pre-construction sales goal in record time – which is quite a statement in today's real estate and finance environment – they will soon be releasing an updated pricing schedule that will coincide with the resumption of the infrastructure construction.

Pegasus Star Limitada, the Costa Rican developer with American partners, has systematically and strategically built a team of professionals from amongst the most elite the country has to offer. No doubt, Hacienda Matapalo will be a Costa Rican landmark known throughout the country and the world.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at http://www.haciendamatapalo.com.

Investment Confidence Sparks Renewed Interest in Costa Rica Property; Chinchilla interviewed by CNN

Following the recent announcements that indicated consumer confidence in Costa Rica as an investment option has strengthened, Hacienda Matapalo, the most sought after property on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, has seen a dramatic increase in inquiries.

Last month, when Moody’s Investors Service announced that Costa Rica’s credit rating had been upgraded from speculative to stable, Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla said the country would take advantage of the investment-grade credit rating to sell bonds, citing economic growth as companies make investments in the country.

However, Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury said that news of the upgrade has had a near immediate impact on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, as investors who had previously been skeptical about buying into the market are no longer hesitating to make the commitment.

“We’ve seen an unusual jump in the number of investment inquiries about our property,” said Albury. “And that has resulted in additional sales.” But the big surprise is, according to Albury, that in addition to the traditional inquiries about buying for the purpose of owning a primary home, secondary home, or home after retirement, a lot of people are asking about availabilities from an investment perspective.

“We’ve always had people wanting to invest,” he said, “but lately it seems that the vast majority of those interested in buying a home or a condo want to go the non-traditional route, meaning they want to purchase the property as an investment in their future.”

Hacienda Matapalo, which is still in its pre-construction phase, has surpassed more than $60 million in sales and had previously been selected by the popular Web site Top Ten Real Estate Deals as one of the best real estate deals on the market.

“While we’d like to take all the credit for this newfound excitement, we can’t,” said Albury. “But part of the allure to invest with us in addition to our property’s configuration and unique architectural designs and our amenities, is how Costa Rica compares to its neighbors.”

On Wednesday, October 13, Albury will present a no-holds-barred look at Costa Rica, comparing it to neighbors Nicaragua, Guatemala, Panama, Mexico and other locations in order to see if it is really the best place for purchasing and investing in real estate.

The Web-based seminar, which is free and open to the public, will examine various locations throughout Latin America on a variety of topics ranging from political and financial structures to the quality of life and the people who live there.

Albury said the goal of the eSeminar will be to correct the misconceptions about the region and to provide people with information on the various countries that is both accurate and unbiased. “People need the correct information so they can make intelligent decisions that are in their own best interests,” he explained.

The free eSeminar is scheduled for a 6 p.m. Eastern Time start and may be registered for here.

To learn more about Costa Rica and Hacienda Matapalo, visit haciendamatapalo.com

Meanwhile, Costa Rica President Laura Chinchilla recently spoke with CNN's Rick Sanchez about the democratic and economic challenges facing her country. You can view the video here.

Costa Rica Real Estate Project’s Beach Club Location Named One of the World’s Best Eco-Friendly Beaches

Despite the huge number of people around the world who head to the beach each summer to escape the cities in which they live, not every sandy landscape they visit is beautiful and pristine. In fact, irrespective of the number of beachgoers, many shorelines on the planet are littered with garbage and suffer from polluted waters. Sad but true.

However, there are some beaches that are so magnificent, they not only offer true refuge for travelers, but provide a sanctuary for wildlife as well. Recently CNN Travel and the Mother Nature Network identified the most spectacular, eco-friendly shorelines after searching the planet and, to no surprise, most of their top choices were on protected land or nearly impossible to reach.

One of those beaches, Playa Matapalo, Costa Rica, happens to be the location of where Hacienda Matapalo’s beach club will be located.

“I fell in love with Playa Matapalo the minute I saw it,” said Hacienda Matapalo’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. “When we chose our location, we knew how special it was. Now the rest of the world knows too.”

Playa Matapalo was named as the number two eco-friendly beach in the world, behind only Whitehaven Beach in Whitsunday Islands, Australia. Some of the beaches it ranked in front of include: Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, Oahu, Hawaii; Koh Libong, Trang Province, Thailand; Las Islas Cies, Galicia, Spain; and Sancho Bay, Fernando de Noronha, Brazil.

Although their cartography was a little off, as the article referenced the Osa Peninsula which is actually about an hour and a half south of Playa Matapalo Beach by car, it did collectively describe the two areas beautifully.

“Known as the lungs of the Earth,” the article stated, “the Osa Peninsula is blessed with a dense forest and a conservation-minded government. Half of the 500,000 species of flora and fauna located in Costa Rica can be found here. The area is also home to beautiful Playa Matapalo, a gray-sand beach popular with surfers that leads into the Portalon National Wildlife Refuge complete with a marine turtle protection project.”

“We knew that Playa Matapalo was one of the best beaches on the planet,” Albury said. “It has been a recipient of the prestigious Blue Flag more than once.”

Modeled after the Blue Flag program developed in Europe to identify the world's best beaches based upon ecological quality and visitor conveniences, Costa Rica has created its own Blue Flag program with strict objective rating standards involving water and beach qualities of cleanliness. Only those beaches obtaining a water and beach quality score of 90 or more (out of 100) are certified as Blue Flag.

The Blue Flag designation is a badge of honor and distinction.

The program's overall goal is environmental excellence, not just getting by. The environmental excellence bar is intentionally set high through the establishment of objective criteria. It involves the communities, from businesses to schools to local governments. There is an economic incentive to attain Blue Flag status, community pride at stake and an increasing awareness of how sensitive the oceans are.

“That was one of the reasons we specifically chose Playa Matapalo as the location for Hacienda Matapalo’s beach club,” Albury beamed. “It really doesn’t get any better than this.”

To learn more about Playa Matapalo and the Hacienda Matapalo Beach Club, visit HaciendaMatapalo.com.

Costa Rica Real Estate Project Recognized as a Top Ten Best Home Deal

Hacienda Matapalo, the best selling property in Costa Rica with more than $60 million in pre-construction sales, recently had another accolade added to its growing number of compliments: it was selected by the popular Web site Top Ten Real Estate Deals as one of the best real estate deals on the market.

Ranked seventh, Hacienda Matapalo was selected as the only non-U.S.-based property for the week of June 21, 2010 and was only the second property chosen from Costa Rica since the site launched in 2009.

"This is a big honor for us," said David Matluck, chief executive officer of Pegasus Star Limitada, the developer of Hacienda Matapalo. "It illustrates that the industry is recognizing what we have believed all along – that we are offering consumers a quality, environmentally-responsible development, at an affordable price. This selection is an affirmation of the fact that all of our efforts have gone into delivering the best possible investment value for our future homeowners."

The Top Ten Real Estate Deals Web site has been featured on a number of media outlets including CNBC, Yahoo!, Aol Home and a variety of local news outlets including such markets as San Francisco and Denver.

Each week the editors select The Top Ten Real Estate Deals by researching thousands of properties both in the United States and internationally and weighing various criteria in order to identify and showcase the very best deals available.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site at haciendamatapalo.com.

In other news, Hacienda Matapalo recently announced it will be adding a new holistic wellness center to its development and it will be located within the confines of its gated community.

Because Costa Rica has become a primary destination for the world's growing medical tourism industry and considering out-of-pocket expenses for health care in Costa Rica are as much as 50% less than what they are in the U.S., the option for both traditional and holistic care in Costa Rica is not only viable but desirable.

On Thursday, July 15 from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Hacienda Matapalo's Executive Vice President Brian Albury will be joined by renowned holistic medical expert Dr. Rashmi Gulati, the medical director of New York City's Patients Medical, as she will be talking about the benefits of holistic medicine including wellness programs, anti-aging and hormonal therapy that can add years to one's life.

Interested parties can register here.

Costa Rica Real Estate Project Takes a Holistic Approach to Health Care

Pegasus Star Limitada, the developers of Hacienda Matapalo – a gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast – has announced it will partner with the New York based Patients Medical, PC to establish a holistic wellness center that will be dedicated to helping its residents discover health and rediscover vitality.

"Because Costa Rica has long been identified as a place where people and nature reconnect, we recognized that some of our residents may want to take a holistic approach to health care above and beyond traditional medical care," said Pegasus Star CEO David Matluck of the announcement. "So, unlike the traditional medical clinic that we have planned for our commercial center, the new holistic wellness center will actually be part of our gated community."

"We are excited about this opportunity," added Patients Medical's Medical Director Dr. Rashmi Gulati (pictured above). "Our physicians will bring their multidisciplinary perspective of health and healing to Costa Rica, which has a rich history of this kind of approach. Educated in conventional medicine, our doctors discovered the power of holistic medicine and now balance the two approaches to improve a patient’s quality of life.”

With U.S. medical costs continuing to rise while the health care debate between politicians rages on, many Americans have begun looking toward Costa Rica as a viable health care alternative. And considering Costa Rica's out-of-pocket costs for health care are as much as 50% less than what they are in the U.S., the option is not only viable but desirable. Because of this, in addition to already being seen as an environmentally conscious nation, Costa Rica has become a primary destination for the world’s growing medical tourism industry for both traditional and holistic care. According to Health-Tourism.com, close to 150,000 foreign patients annually seek health care in Costa Rica. In a July 2009 Tico Times article about medical tourism in Costa Rica, estimates put as many as 15-20% of those who vacation in the country being there for medical tourism.

Even Deepak Chopra, the world-renowned authority in the field of mind-body healing, best-selling author and founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing in Carlsbad, Calif., has been looking at Costa Rica as a potential location for a future facility.

Established in 1974, Patients Medical focuses on the root causes of secondary medical conditions, integrating modern medicine, holistic practices and natural supplements to spark healing and prevent disease. Recently they invested more than $1 million and will continue to invest in their state-of-the-art treatment and testing equipment. Their treatment protocols have been developed, tested and proven effective, many for more than 35 years. Their exclusive protocols include treatments for heart disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, autism, Lyme disease, thyroid conditions, menopause and many other secondary medical conditions.

Dr. Gulati has been noted and featured in three books penned by actress and author Suzanne Sommers, including a personal recommendation in the book Ageless: the Naked Truth about Bioidentical Hormones.

On Thursday, July 15, from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern Time, Dr. Gulati will join Hacienda Matapalo Executive Vice President Brian Albury for a complimentary eSeminar, as she will talk about the benefits of holistic medicine including wellness programs, anti-aging and hormonal therapy that can add years to one's life. Interested parties may register here.

To learn more about Dr. Gulati and Patients Medical, visit their Web site.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo, visit their Web site.

Lowest priced Ocean Views at Hacienda Matapalo

Lowest priced Ocean-View Residence at Hacienda Matapalo. Freestanding Villa-Condo. Only one unit per floor. Four story building. $360,000. $5,000 secures the unit and locks in current pricing.

Lowest priced Ocean-View Homesite at Hacienda Matapalo. Direct ocean views from this exceptional parcel. General topography located near the heart of Hacienda Matapalo. $300,000. $5,000 secures the parcel and locks in current pricing.

Hacienda Matapalo offers 1.25-plus acre home sites, single-family homes, villas and condominiums, all equipped with state-of-the-art connectivity including satellite, Internet, telephone and 24-hour security.

Father's Day Special

Reservations must be made between June 9th and June 20th. Don't miss out! Get your $5,000 Father's Day travel credit.

Speak to a Hacienda Matapalo Property Specialist Today.

Check out the rest of this week's specials.

Learn more about Hacienda Matapalo at haciendamatapalo.com.

Costa Rica Real Estate Project Bridges the Gap Between Man and Nature

Hacienda Matapalo, a gated community on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast, recently announced it will add a 500-plus foot treetop suspension bridge to its development that will stretch across a ravine along the property’s 125-acre nature preserve.

"One of the most appealing features of Hacienda Matapalo is being surrounded by a natural, lush rainforest," said the project’s Executive Vice President Brian Albury. "The development’s 125-plus acre dedicated nature preserve and 90 acre nature conservancy parcel have helped drive our efforts from the beginning to be a 'green,' low-impact development."

The suspension bridge is the latest feature to be added to the environmentally-minded development that will include an equestrian center and nature trails ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Because the majority of the area’s wildlife lives within the rainforest canopy, the hanging suspension bridge will close the gap between man and nature, allowing homeowners and visitors alike to have an up close and personal experience at the preserve.

Hacienda Matapalo Costa Rica Real Estate has tasked key members of its development team with the sole purpose of implementing and maintaining extensive environmental stewardship before, during and after construction.

“It is our goal to utilize the latest ‘green’ technology wherever possible without jeopardizing our commitment to deliver the highest standards to our homeowners,” Albury said. “We believe that a balance and harmony with nature and our immediate environment will make Hacienda Matapalo a truly unique place to live.”

Some of Hacienda Matapalo’s ongoing efforts include:

• Minimized clearing of the present land (dense forest to remain throughout constructed areas)
  
  
• A percentage ratio of 70:30 natural land to developed land (based on a total area of 665 acres)
  
  
• For every tree that must be removed, up to three trees will be planted as replacement
  
  
• There will be an onsite nursery
  
  
• There will be an onsite wastewater treatment plant
  
  
• Landscaping will consist of native species (reducing the need for water and fertilizer)
  
  
• Subterranean power and electrical lines will be used where feasible and strict safeguards will be in place to ensure above ground lines pose no threat to wildlife
  
  
• Recycling receptacles will be in place throughout the property, including an intensive recycling program
  
  
• Energy saving air-conditioning systems will be used
  
  
• A water agreement has been put into place to supply the nearby town of Hatillo with fresh drinking water
  
  
• Onsite lakes will serve as recession ponds, natural habitats and home for many native fish
  
  
• A biologist/naturalist with extensive knowledge of local flora and fauna will be on staff
  
  
• There will be ongoing communication and involvement with the homeowners and community (i.e. community awareness and social responsibility)
  
  
• Exploratory use of cutting-edge “green” technology will constantly be considered throughout development and construction

Albury pointed out that Hacienda Matapalo will also utilize environmentally friendly goods for many of its external building materials including: use of concrete which contains post-consumer materials, siding and external finishes that contain post-consumer materials, low or no volatile organic compounds (VOC) finishes/paints/adhesives, sustainable and locally farmed woods and materials, pervious or permeable pavers/materials for walkways and parking, recycled materials for roofing and materials that drain well and do not hold moisture or heat.

To learn more about Hacienda Matapalo and their Green Project, visit their Web site.

Costa Rica Real Estate Pre-Construction Sales Surpass $60 Million at Hacienda Matapalo

The best selling Costa Rica property, Hacienda Matapalo, has once again reached new heights by surpassing the $60 million mark in pre-construction sales.

“People have caught on,” said Dave Matluck, chief executive officer of Pegasus Star Limitada, the developer of Hacienda Matapalo. “Luxurious. Adventurous. Relaxing. Environmentally friendly . . . these are the words we hear every day about Hacienda Matapalo from the people who visit our location and decide to buy. From lakefront condominium-villas to single family estates, the home of your dreams is waiting for you at our 24-hour secured gated community.”

Matluck painted a typical day at Hacienda Matapalo.

“Imagine waking up to the sounds of the ocean and sipping a cup of world-renowned Costa Rican coffee from a veranda that overlooks the shimmering Pacific? After a swim in an infinity edge pool, you might take the property shuttle to one of Hacienda Matapalo's pristine, private beaches. If you are feeling ambitious, perhaps you will take a horseback ride to view one of several waterfalls located on our 665 private acres. Then after a visit to the clubhouse for a gourmet dining experience, you can treat yourself to a dip in the Jacuzzi to finish out the day.”

“Sound like paradise?” asked Matluck. “That's because it is.”

When asked the secret of “why Hacienda Matapalo has become the best selling Costa Rica Real Estate development?” compared to other properties in the region, Matluck replied: “It will be revealed in our next eSeminar.”

Each month the leaders of Hacienda Matapalo host a complimentary online seminar on a variety of topics. The next eSeminar will be on Thursday, June 17 and is open to the general public. Interested parties may register here.

In 2009 an independent British research company rated Costa Rica as the “happiest place on earth,” focusing on building a new economy "centered on people and the environment." Hacienda Matapalo embraces this concept with a strong commitment to residents and the environment. Because the property is lushly forested, no trees will be removed beyond the ones required for construction of the infrastructure and house pads. However, for every tree that is removed, one to three new trees will be planted as a replacement. Landscaping will consist of native species and only energy efficient air conditioning systems will be utilized. Hacienda Matapalo's commitment to the community and the environment is ongoing, with on staff naturalists committed to ensuring the best practices and highest standards of environmental preservation.

But being an environmentally conscious country isn’t the only lure of Costa Rica. In recent months there have been major focus shifts throughout North America and Europe on health care, spurring an entire health care tourism industry. And on the heels of the rising costs there, comes word from the National Inflation Association that food prices are spiraling out of control in the United States and accelerating at their fastest rate since records began being kept in the United Kingdom. In Costa Rica, the cost of food went down last year and trends show it is on target to go down again for 2010.

Transportation has also become an important topic on Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. Upgrades in transportation have made it easy to access Hacienda Matapalo's Costa Rican property. The Costanera Sur, the major Pacific Coast Highway, is now fully paved and runs directly in front of the property while area airports are receiving facelifts with longer runways and refurbished structures. In addition, the new Osa International Airport in the Southern Zone, scheduled to be completed in 2012, will provide new travel options for residents and alternatives for visiting guests.

There is no better time to invest in Costa Rica real estate than right now and everyone realizes it. With the global economy continuing to recover and as history shows us, real estate prices in Costa Rica poised to appreciate dramatically, this makes purchasing at Hacienda Matapalo during the pre-construction phase a smart investment.

Nothwithstanding, retirees can live like royalty with all the luxuries of an upscale development at a substantially lower cost of living than they would in the U.S., Canada or U.K.

“Many of the buyers at Hacienda Matapalo have used their IRA or 401k plans to fund their purchase,” explained Michael Starkey, Hacienda Matapalo’s vice president of sales. Starkey has presented several free seminars on the subject of investing in Costa Rica real estate and has made those presentations available on the Hacienda Matapalo Web site.

Learn more about Hacienda Matapalo

Commercial Center to Cater to Costa Rica's South Pacific Coast

As the interest in Costa Rica real estate continues to thrive on the South Pacific coast, the planning of a new retail and consumer hub for the region is starting to draw a lot of attention - introducing the new Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center.

Located at the north end of the Hacienda Matapalo gated community and adjacent to the newly paved Costanera Highway, the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center will feature at least two 10,000 square foot structures built on half of a six acre parcel. The commercial space - designed to blend in with its natural surroundings and be environmentally responsible - will consist of a variety of businesses ranging from retail storefronts to professional offices.

"Clearly there is a tremendous need for commercial space in the region," said Marcy Seay, Director of Operations for the project. "This commercial center will not only serve the 400-plus homeowners at Hacienda Matapalo, but it will provide much needed goods and services to other communities that are being developed in the area."

Intended to be completed in three phases, the Phase One commercial building will include multiple storefronts and a restaurant that overlooks one of the man-made lakes that is planned for the Hacienda Matapalo gated community.

"There are several types of establishments that would be perfect for Phase One of the project," Seay explained, listing potential leaseholders. "A pharmacy, a grocery store and a tour company are all good choices," she said, adding that "a bank with an ATM, a real estate office, a clothing store, a hardware store and executive offices" would be ideal tenants.

Seay said that the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is, without question, the most anticipated non-residential project in the entire region. "Even prior to our official announcement, word of the commercial center had begun to spread," she admitted, "and now there are several people who are eager to lease space for their businesses."

Seay also pointed out that with the growing interest of health care in the region and the booming health care tourism industry, the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is a great location for various medical services.

"We are looking forward to having a medical clinic at the commercial center," said Seay. "We've already had inquiries from a multitude of specialists who can provide services from pediatrics to emergency medicine." A medical clinic would give the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center the finest health care facility in the region next to Hospital de Osa in Cortes.

While Seay could not disclose specific names of those who have already signed up to be included in the commercial center citing confidentiality agreements and individual timelines, she said several notable brands and identities have committed to the project.

The nearly $6 million USD Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center is being funded by a limited partnership that was created where investment "units" are offered through a private placement memorandum to accredited investors. Construction is expected to begin with the advent of construction at the Hacienda Matapalo gated community, which is currently in the final stages of its pre-construction.

For more information on the Hacienda Matapalo Commercial Center or to inquire about retail space, interested parties may visit the Hacienda Matapalo Web site or contact Marcy Seay directly at 954-548-3000.

Learn more about Hacienda Matapalo

Retire Happy in Costa Rica

Would you like to know what types of retirement accounts can be Self-Directed? That's easy; Traditional IRA's, SEP IRA's, Roth IRA's, 401K's, 403B's, Coverdell Education Savings, profitsharing plans, money purchase plans, Keoghs, and government eligible deferred compensation plans to name a few. In other words, any and every retirement account.

You can even Self-Direct your HSA account! Once you have opened your Self-Directed retirement account you are free to use those funds to purchase raw land, improved real estate or a variety of investments previously unavailable to you now with your traditional retirement accounts. Click here to find out more.


Free eSeminar: Why Choose Costa Rica Over Nicaragua, Panama or Belize?

On Wednesday night, May 19 at 6 p.m. ET, learn how CostaRica compares to these and other countries with such diverse people, landscapes, political structure and economies. Discover why Costa Rica rises above them all.

Here are some of the topics that will be addressed: Government and Politics; Quality of Life; Real Estate Opportunities; Biodiversity and more!

Register now!

Ocean View Homes

Last Remaining Ocean View Tupana and Mehetia Condos

Escape to your own piece of paradise and discover Costa Rica the Hacienda Matapalo way. Right from your home, enjoy the tropical breezes and breathtaking sunsets all from the tranquil Eden we call Hacienda Matapalo.

Experience a new standard of living

Our Last Remaining Ocean View Tupana Sub-Penthouse
2-Bedroom, 1-bathroom, $ 350,000 Closeout price

The Tupana condominiums offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean from all four floors. This site is the only area where our 1 or 2 Bedroom convertible floorplan can be purchased with Ocean Views.

Click here to view floorplans
Read more

Our Last Remaining Ocean View Mehetia 3rd Floor
2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, $ 395,000 Closeout price

The Meheita features our Polynesian Style of design. The very popular 2-bedroom,
2 bathroom model has a fantastic panoramic view balcony. With only one unit per floor, and no common walls with your neighbors, privacy is yours.

Click here to view floorplans
Read more

For more information contact a Hacienda Matapalo Property Specialist.

Paradise for boaters and fishermen . . . and a place to call home

On March 17 Pegasus Star Limitada CEO Dave Matluck announced that Los Pelicanos Ocean Club was the newest property to receive the Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties branding. This week Dave issued an open letter to Hacienda Matapalo's community about the unique opportunity Los Pelicanos provided.

The letter appears below:

Friends,

Thanks to a series of circumstances, we are now proudly able to offer you an unbelievable opportunity. How would you like to own deep water, ocean access property in Costa Rica?

If you've never heard of Los Pelicanos Ocean Club (aka Los Pelicanos Resort) before this email, don't worry, you will, because Costa Rica's best kept hidden treasure is about to be revealed to the fishing and boating community worldwide!

Los Pelicanos is the very first and only titled deep water community in all of Costa Rica. For boating and fishing enthusiasts, this is a place they can call home. Imagine leaving the dock from your own backyard and within minutes passing through the Damas Island mangroves, coming face-to-face with Manuel Antonio National Park and heading out to the Pacific where the best fishing spots on the planet are located.

Sound like a fantasy? It's not. And sometimes coincidences aren't coincidences either. Sometimes things happen for a reason because they are meant to be and when that takes place, magic occurs.

When Su Casa Desarollos de Vivienda S.A., one of the largest and most respected real estate developers in all of Central America with more than 15,000 homes and condos to their credit, was getting ready to market Los Pelicanos, they acknowledged we had a great marketing team in place and asked if we would help them.

Since Su Casa is helping us with the infrastructure build out at Hacienda Matapalo, we agreed without hesitation because we recognized there was a great deal of synergy in place for us to work together. Because of this, Su Casa has graciously allowed us to make Los Pelicanos available for the first time anywhere to our families and friends at extremely discounted prices, before they are offered to the general public at prices that will be 20% higher than they are today.

The three-bedroom homes start in the low $300,000's, with two-bedroom condos available from the low-$200,000's. The development's entrance, a model home and the clubhouse with a large pool are already built and the canals leading out to the waterway have already been created. But possibly the best part about this opportunity is that not only is the developer offering financing, but the timeframe from contract to move-in is only four to six months and you can build now!

So, I'll ask you again, how would you like to own deep water, ocean access property in Costa Rica?

Located just off the Costanera Highway north of Quepos, Los Pelicanos is only a 15 minute boat ride to the newly constructed Marina Pez Vela, which is the only full service marina in the entire country.

As an avid boater and fisherman myself, I can tell you that Costa Rica is considered by many to be a fisherman's paradise for record-breaking sailfish, marlin, dorado, snapper, yellow fin tuna, roosterfish, tarpon, wahoo and snook. For those of you familiar with Florida, try to picture the Florida Keys before all the boats and fishermen got there. Are you starting to get the picture?

If you're as much a boating or fishing enthusiast as I am, then I encourage you to visit the Los Pelicanos Web site at http://lospelicanosoceanclub.com for further details, or if you'd like to schedule a trip to Costa Rica to see Los Pelicanos, in addition to seeing our flagship property, Hacienda Matapalo, feel free to drop me a line directly or contact our office and ask to speak with one of our property specialists.





Pura Vida,
David Matluck
CEO Pegasus Star Ltda.
Developer of Hacienda Matapalo
david@costaricaforme.com

Los Pelicanos Ocean Club eSeminar

On Thursday, March 25, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, learn all about the Los Pelicanos Ocean Club and what it has to offer. Join Pegasus Star Ltda. CEO Dave Matluck and Hacienda Matapalo Vice President of Sales and Design Brian Albury as they give an overview of the first Titled Deep Water Ocean Access Community in Costa Rica. Los Pelicanos Ocean Club is located just six miles north of Puerto Quepos / Manuel Antonio with its many fine restaurants, hotels and night life, and just 15 minutes by boat to the Pacific where you will be looking at Manuel Antonio, the Pez Vela Marina, and one of the richest sport fishing places in the world!

[Click here to Register for the eSeminar]


This week on Hacienda Matapalo Radio

Brief News Update with Howard Brody. Howard gives a update on Hacienda Matapalo, Los Pelicanos Ocean Club, the next eSeminar, and fishing off the Costa Rican Pacific Coast.

[Listen Now]

For more information on Hacienda Matapalo, visit us at haciendamatapalo.com.

Hacienda Matapalo Breaking News & Weekly Specials

All sorts of news from Hacienda Matapalo and Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties this week!

More than 400 truckloads (160,000 cubic feet) of roadrock and earth were delivered to the Hacienda Matapalo construction site and used to create the foundation of the entrance.

Read more on page 4 of the February Issue of the Hacienda Matapalo Community Newsletter.


Introducing Los Pelicanos Ocean Club

Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties introduces the finest boating community in
all of Costa Rica: Los Pelicanos Ocean Club.

Los Pelicanos Ocean Club puts you just 15 minutes from your own backyard dock to the best sport fishing spot on the Pacific Coast and the only Full Service Marina in all of Costa Rica!

The newest property to receive the Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties brand also happens to be the finest boating community in the entire country.

Imagine if all of the Florida Keys had only one ocean-access canal . . . How valuable would property there be? Now there is Los Pelicanos Ocean Club.

Condos and Homes priced from $215,000*

*Pre-Construction Pricing - Limited Availability

• Entrance: Already Built
  
• Model Home: Already Built
  
• Clubhouse with Large Pool: Already Built
  
• Canals: Already Created
  
• Contract to Move In: Four Months
  
• Build Now!
  
• Developer Financing Available
  

[Learn more]


Hacienda Matapalo Radio

This week Pegasus Star Limitada Chief Executive Officer David Matluck joins host Howard Brody on the show as they discuss Dave's recent trip to Costa Rica. This week's show is somewhat unique because not only does it appeal to those interested in Costa Rica from an investment and/or retirement perspective, but specifically from a boating and fishing enthusiasts viewpoint.

[Listen Now]


You too can have the luck of the Irish

Find the Happy Leprechaun on the Hacienda Matapalo Web site, follow the Instructions, and you can get one of the following: A $5,000 Hacienda Matapalo Travel Credit; a free bag of Costa Rican coffee; or, for the first time, we will plant a tree at Hacienda Matapalo in your name.

[Find the Happy Leprechaun]


Hacienda Matapalo Condominiums Still Available

At Hacienda Matapalo, variety is the slice of life! Lakeside Villa-Condominiums, Detached Villa-Condominiums available with both Ocean Views and Rain Forest Views.

Los Lagos Village: These beautiful Lakeside Villa-Condominiums are located around a graceful lake with picturesque views of the Mountains and all with direct views of the lake. Los Lagos offers villa-condos most with only one unit per floor Starting from the mid $200,000s.

Tetira Detached Villa-Condominiums: Located on one of the highest and most beautiful terraces in Phase I, this site has extremely dramatic Ocean Views. These well designed, 2 bedroom 2 bathroom Villa-Condos have large, open balconies.

The Polynesian Village: Detached Villa-Condominiums: These unique, 2 and 3 bedroom Villa-Condos have no common walls with their neighbors and feature panoramic-view balconies.

Moorea: Ocean View Detached Condominiums: These 2 and 3 bedroom Villa-Condominiums, beautifully positioned on some of the property's most spectacular terraces, are planned with great emphasis on the lush, natural surroundings.

Manuel Antonio Village Tahiti and Tupai Condominiums: The Tahiti and the Tupai are the most exclusive Condominiums yet to be released at Hacienda Matapalo. Located 600 to 700 feet above sea level. The Tahiti offers absolutely stunning views of the Pacific Ocean with only two residences per floor and no common walls with neighboring units. This elevator equipped building boasts near 360° views from every floor. The Tuapi offers dramatic, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean and so much more. The Coastline, rain-forest and sloping mountains can all be experienced from these residences. Floor to ceiling glass windows accentuate the connection with nature bringing the outside in.

[Learn More About the Condos]

For more information on Hacienda Matapalo, visit us at haciendamatapalo.com

Hacienda Matapalo is Serving up Free Costa Rican Coffee

Hacienda Matapalo is continuing with our Spring Break Costa Rica Style theme this week and adding a little March Madness to the mix by offering up a free pound of coffee.

How? By browsing our beautiful homes and lots from the comfort of your home or office...

Learn about all of our developments and see which one is the perfect one for you.

Complete your virtual tour and survey and we will send you a free bag of delicious Costa Rican Coffee as our way of saying thank you!

[Click here to schedule your virtual tour]

[Read more about Costa Rican Coffee]

Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties

Learn all about our collection of the finest "Buy with Confidence Certified" properties. The Pura Verde brand , includes breathtaking properties such as Hacienda Matapalo, The Private Residence Club at Hacienda Matapalo, Tierra Verde Uvita, Red Frog Farm (Finca de la Rana Roja) and Casa Big Sur.

Hacienda Matapalo

The Houses of Hacienda Matapalo are Pre-Construction with Standard Features. All Residences and Home Sites will offer various Tropical, Mountain and/or Ocean Views, dependent upon their location and topography. [Read more]

Los Lagos Village

These beautiful Lakeside Villa-Condominiums are located around expansive lakes with varying views of the Mountains and all with direct views of the lakes. Los Lagos offers villa-condos most with only one unit per floor Starting from the mid $200,000 range. [Read more]

Tierra Verde Uvita

Tierra Verde Uvita s a Costa Rica Green Community just south of Dominical. This magical stretch of Costa Rica's Southwest Coast boast some of the best views found anywhere in the world. Developer Financing avilable BUILD NOW! [Read more]

Casa Big Sur

• 5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms (2 master suites with ocean view balconies)
• Tastefully and fully furnished with central A/C
• Exercise and games room
• Infinity pool, spa, spacious patio with all amenities
• Detached garage and workshop
• Lush landscaped gardens in a tropical setting
[Learn more]

Red Frog Farm (Finca de la Rana Roja)

This development features stunning views of the ocean, the Savegre River, & Manuel Antonio National Park.

Stream View-from $88,000, Ocean View Estate Lots (2.5 acre) from $260,000, Developer Financing-20% Down.

Building Pad, Electric and Water in place and ready to build. Several houses already built!

[Read more]

Hacienda Matapalo Radio

Have you heard? Hacienda Matapalo Radio is On the Air! Join Howard Brody each week for the latest news and information from Hacienda Matapalo.

This week’s guest is VP of Sales and Design Brian Albury as they discuss Brian's recent trip to Costa Rica!

[Listen Now!]

Hacienda Matapalo offers a $5,000 travel credit; New Radio Show launches

Spring Break : Costa Rica Style!

Get a Hacienda Matapalo $5,000 Travel Credit when you make a Reservation between February 24th and April 4th.

Before you know it Spring Break will be upon us and Costa Rica is an excellent spring destination with its hotels, restaurants, clubs and bars all offering some great activities. Get lost on a long stretch of beach that promises days of sunshine. Catch a wave at Dominical, one of the most famous surfing spots in the world. Work on your tan or see the beauty of Manuel Antonio Park.

Visiting Costa Rica can ensure a perfect spring break and a lifetime of memories. Don't miss out on receiving your $5,000 travel credit today!

Reserve your travel credit with a property specialist now!


Pura Verde Properties has Lots of Lots

Hacienda Matapalo has Pre-Construction Executive Homesites available from $75,000

Hacienda Matapalo has a diverse collection of Homesites, all delivered with water, electricity and total connectivity packages. These parcels will range in size, with most measuring approximately 1.25 acres. Homesites will be available with Tropical Views, Mountain Views and some of the most breathtaking Ocean Views in all of Costa Rica. Limited Availability. Prices range from $125,000 to $500,000. Home/Homesite Packages Available.

See the houses available at Hacienda Matapalo.


Amenities

Ownership in Hacienda Matapalo entitles you and your guests complete access to all of our community Amenities. The choices are many starting with our one of a kind Community Center and Clubhouse. You’ll find an amazing freeform infinity edge pool, swim-up pool bar, media and event rooms, fitness center, tennis courts, picnic cabanas, and relaxing spa area.

At Hacienda Matapalo, you can choose your personal escape without ever leaving the property.

Read more about the amenities.


Tierra Verde - Gated Green Community

Developer Financing is available with 10% down! From $90,000 to $225,000.

BUILD NOW!

Home & Homesite Packages Available

Tierra Verde in Uvita is a Costa Rica Green Community just south of Dominical. This magical stretch of Costa Rica’s Southwest Coast boasts some of the best views found anywhere in the world. We let nature dictate how we should develop our properties, and we are cognizant of protecting the large wildlife corridors found throughout the area.

Read more about Tierra Verde.


Red Frog Farm (Finca De La Rana Roja)

Developer Financing is available with 20% down!

BUILD NOW!

A growing development on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Executive Lots: Stream View from $88,000
Ocean View Estate Lots: (2.5 acre) from $260,000

Each homesite includes a building pad with water and electric in place for immediate construction. Several houses already built!

Read more about Red Frog Farms.


Have you heard? Hacienda Matapalo Radio is On the Air!

Join Howard Brody each week for the latest and greatest news from Hacienda Matapalo.

This week’s guest is Hacienda Matapalo's Vice President of Sales Mike Starkey.

Listen Now!


For more information on Hacienda Matapalo, visit us at haciendamatapalo.com

Learn About Pura Verde including Finca De La Rana Roja (Red Frog Farm)

Due to environmental fragility and ecological sensitivity, development along the South and Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica will be very limited. Because the area will remain relatively undeveloped, it becomes an ideal setting for those individuals who seek homeownership in a more rural area.

To meet that need, allow us to introduce you to
Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties^TM.

Hacienda Matapalo Phase 1
Completely surrounded by lush forest, cascading waterfalls and breath-taking views of the Pacific Ocean. With 665 private acres, Hacienda Matapalo offers a world of natural beauty and adventure. Homesites range from $125,000 to $500,000; Condos range from $255,000 to $960,000; Single Family Homes and Estates range from $399,000 to $940,000[Learn More]

Hacienda Matapalo Phase 2
Manuel Antonio Village, these are the most exclusive Condominiums yet to be released at Hacienda Matapalo. Located 600 to 700 feet above sea level, these units offer stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Condos range from $495,000 to $1,275,000 [Learn More]

Private Resident Club (Pre-Construction)
The Private Residence Club has been designed to provide more quality, conveniences, services and VIP treatment than a time share. This type of Fractional ownership combines virtually all of the benefits of whole ownership with services of a fine resort. Fractional Ownership ranges from $13,900 to $44,550 (two weeks or half month) [Learn More]

Red Frog Farm (Finca De La Rana Roja)
Set in lush tropical surroundings, Red Frog Farm features stunning, unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean, Savegre River, Osa peninsula, Cano Island, Manuel Antonio National Park and captivating sunsets. Only minutes from Quepos, where amenities, goods and services are plenty, Red Frog Farm is an ideal investment opportunity. Homesites range from $88,000 to $585,000 [Learn More]

Casa Big Sur
Casa Big Sur is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece nestled in the lush tropical rainforest, located in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica where the lush verdant mountains meet the Pacific Ocean. Fractional Ownership is $250,000 for one month. [Learn More]

Tierra Verde Uvita
Tierra Verde Uvita is a Costa Rica Green Community just south of Dominical. This magical stretch of Costa Rica's Southwest Coast boasts some of the best views found anywhere in the world. Homesites range from $90,000 to $290,000 [Learn More]

For more information on any or on all of the properties listed above, contact a Pura Verde Property Specialist.

Complimentary eSeminar about Pura Verde

Brian Albury, VP of Sales and Design for Hacienda Matapalo will take an in depth look at Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties: Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties means living a healthy lifestyle in an eco-friendly environment where you can purchase with full confidence knowing that all properties are certified.

• What due diligence was performed that enables people to "Buy with Confidence Certified"?
  
• What does it mean when a property is branded as a Pura Verde property?
  
• What environmental studies were done pror to the implementation of Pura Verde?
  
• What financial, legal, title, insurance and ecological experts were engaged in the Pura Verde branding?
  
• What are the advantages of living in a Pura Verde branded community?
  
• Which developers fall under the Pura Verde umbrella?
  
• What are the short and long term goals of Pura Verde Properties?
  
• Why is Pura Verde Costa Rica Properties being looked at as the future of living on the Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica?
  

[Register for the eSeminar Here]


For more information on Hacienda Matapalo, visit us at haciendamatapalo.com