Costa Rica is the Happiest Country on the Planet - it's official!

On Saturday the 4th of July the second global compilation of the Happy Planet Index, will be launched. The report, The Happy Planet Index 2.0: Why good lives don’t have to cost the earth, contains the results of updated data for 143 countries around the world, representing 99 per cent of the world’s population.

It also includes new analysis which examines changes in HPI scores for major nations over time.

The report is an innovative measure that shows the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered around the world. It is the first ever index to combine environmental impact with well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which country by country, people live long and happy lives.

And the Happiest Country in the World is..................Costa Rica!

Costa Ricans report the highest life satisfaction in the world, have the second-highest average life expectancy and have a small ecological footprint

Visit the webite www.happyplanetindex.org to sign up to a new happy planet charter, calculate your own HPI score, and explore the HPI data. Download the full report here.

And of course if you want to learn more about the Happiest Country in the world look through our blog www.costarica-invest.blogspot.com and have a look at our website www.costaricainvest.ie, to see coverage of this story on CNN click here .

If you want to live the dream in Costa Rica - have a look at Finca Di Pacifico Dos, our premier project.

Land Banking

What is land banking? - Land banking is the acquisition of land in advance of expanding urbanization. The price of an open space parcel not yet subject to urban development pressures will probably be more closely based on current rather than speculative land uses.

What are the benefits and upsides of land banking?

• Land has the potential to experience tremendous appreciation if bought in the way of growth, or if a higher and better use can be achieved.


• Owner financing can often be obtained through the seller at below-market rates.


• Subdividing can create added value and provide for immediate returns.


• Bricks and mortar depreciate, well selected land increases in value.


• Land is in limited supply “they just aint making any more of it”
  

What are the potential downsides?

• Negative cash flow; usually the land does not generate any income while you pay the principle, interest, taxes and costs of development.


• Tax advantages are scanty as land cannot be depreciated.


• Generally, raw land is considered a long-term ill-liquid investment that often takes time before gains can be realized.


• Risk of loss on resale can occur if you choose poorly, fail to evaluate and negotiate properly, the economy slips or various other unforeseen events occur.


• It is difficult to obtain traditional financing on or borrow against accrued equity.
  

When buying land for land banking what should you look out for?

• The worst you can buy is swamp or marshland.


• Most often flat land is the least expensive to develop and the most desired for building purposes.


• Land with barren rock will increase costs and virtually eliminate a basement just the same as a high water table.


• Plots with trees, a view, rectangular in shape, a gentle slope or none and a good location are most preferred.


• Streams can boost values by 100% in some cases.


• Many people are literally being driven to the hills. Granted the views can be spectacular but roads, utilities, water, sewer, and foundations, such as pilings, can add to building costs
  

How does Finca Di Pacifico Dos stand out?

• Teak growing on your plot offsets the negative cash flow – providing a positive cashflow at harvest, prior to onward sale or development of your plot.


• All plots come with permission to build one residence


• Services - water and electricity are on site.


• Many have river views and sea views


• Tourist development is quickly encroaching on Finca Di Pacifico Dos with a new marina under development, the opening of a new port and docking facility in Puntarenas and many new hotels in Puntarenas and surrounding areas.


• As the baby boomer generation begins to retire your teak will have matured and be ready for harvest as demand for land continues to rise.


• There are multiple exit strategies
  

Finca Di Pacifico Dos may be “the perfect investment”, the teak providing a secure return whilst the land has the potential for spectacular increases in value.

So you can invest right now and have a rich future!

Press Release Listing

Below are a listing of recent Press Releases from Costa Rica Invest. To see the press release just click on the link:



Arenal Volcano and National Park

Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the treasures of any visit to Costa Rica and a must visit destination



Buried Treasure on Cocos Island Costa Rica.

Cocos Island Costa Rica, boasts an incredible diversity of plant and animal life, the best diving in the world and buried pirate treasure!



IMF predicts Costa Rica and Latin America will be first to recover from the global economic crises

Positive predictions from IMF representatives about Costa Rica are great news for investors in Costa Rica.


30 Rare Endangered Scarlet Macaws Released on the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Los Delfines Golf and Country Club set an ambitions target in 1996 - to develop a successful breeding program for the endangered scarlet macaw, and repopulate the Nicoya Peninsula with these beautiful colourful birds.


What sets Costa Rica Apart?

A truly integrated holistic approach to the environment and the country’s economic development is what sets Costa Rica, the principal emerging economy in Central America, apart from every other country worldwide.



Timber the Best Performing Asset of the last 100 years!

Timber has outperformed inflation by 3.3% since 1910 and offers a secure high yield investment despite the global downturn, reduction in construction and reduced consumer demand for timber products.


7th Most Politically Stable Country World Wide Located in Central America

A recent report by The Economist Intelligence Unit lists Costa Rica as the 7th most politically stable country worldwide. Further it is the 7th least likely to encounter social unrest as a result of current global economic conditions.


Price Increase In Finca Di Pacifico Dos Early Investors See the Value of Investments Rise by 142%

Prices in Finca Di Pacifico Dos our premier project have increased further with immediate effect. Early investors have now seen the value of their investment rise by 142% over the past 24 months.


Investors and Businesses in Costa Rica to Benefit from New Tax

Costa Rica has introduced new taxation to benefit business and encourage continuing investment into Costa Rica.


Costa Rica and France Work Together in the Battle Against Climate Change

Costa Rica and France have agreed to cooperate closely in the battle against climate change.



Prospects for Costa Rica Remain Attractive for Investors

Costa Rica has been affected by the global economic downturn, but it has not been as badly affected as many other countries and the prospects remain attractive.


Great News for the Environment, Costa Rica Continues on its Eco Friendly Path

Costa Rica aspires to be the world’s first carbon neutral nation by 2021 and it is right on track.


Is Costa Rica Paradise on Earth? “La Pura Vida” is Good for You and Helps You Live Longer.

Costa Rica has the longest life expectancy in the Western Hemisphere and building your dream home in Costa Rica may actually be good for your health and help you live longer.


Costa Rica chosen as the headquarters of the US Food and Drug Administration in Latin America.

The USA has chosen Costa Rica to locate the headquarters for the Food and Drug Administration in Latin America, because of its strategic location and also because of the excellent relations that already exist between the two countries.


Purchasers in Di Pacifico Dos, Costa Rica, to see the value of their investment rise by 112%

Di Pacifico Dos is a unique opportunity to invest in land and teak in Costa Rica. The land registration process is on track and today price increases for the remaining land are announced.


Good News - Green Investments are the only way forward?

The UN recommends, Deutsche Bank agrees and HSBC’s figures show that green investments will help avoid a severe recession. So you can make a green investment, make a great return and help the global economy.


Recession, What Recession?

3000 new jobs were created in Costa Rica in 2008, with 30 new companies established and US$428.6 million invested. 2009 will present its challenges but the early signs for economic growth in Costa Rica during the forthcoming year are encouraging.


Costa Rica Invest Launches New Website

Costa Rica Invest launched their new website today. The reformatted and redesigned website is designed to be a major information source on teak, development land and Costa Rica.


Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

Costa Rica Invest’s latest project has sold all of its smaller plots but there are still opportunities available. In particular the re-release to the market of a group of sea view plots represents a “not to be missed” investment opportunity.


Costa Rica is the Second Most Globalized Country in Central and Southern America.

The Latin Globalization index ranks Costa Rica as the second most globalized nation in Central and Southern America. Foreign inward investment will increase due to their increasing trade and tourism combined with a highly educated workforce



More Great News About Trees

We know trees are good for the environment, removing carbon from the atmosphere and reducing global warming. A recent discovery shows that a chemical released by trees helps to cool the planet further by thickening cloud cover over forests.


Costa Rica’s Carbon Neutrality Will Affect Land Prices

Costa Rica aims to be carbon neutral as a nation by 2021. A series incentives have been introduced to achieve this goal. As more land is reforested and preserved, development land will become scarcer and will increase in price


7 More Reasons to Invest In Costa Rica

Costa Rica, has been described by CNBC as “the hottest real estate market on the face of the planet” and Costa Rica Invest lists 15 reasons for investors to consider investing in Costa Rica.


8 Good Reasons to Invest In Costa Rica

Costa Rica, has been described by CNBC as “the hottest real estate market on the face of the planet” and Costa Rica Invest lists 15 reasons for investors to consider investing in Costa Rica.


Early Investors Receive An Unexpected "windfall"

Early investors in a unique teak and development land project received an unexpected “windfall”. The first the thinning of the teak on Finca Di Pacifico Dos has generated a greater than expected return of $86,684


Costa Rica Invest announces that the land registration process is on track to commence in March 2009

Costa Rica Invest announces that the process of preparing for Cadastral registration of the land plots in Finca Di Pacifico Dos is on time to commence registration of the individual land plots in March 2009.


73.6% of Finca Di Pacifico Dos, a unique investment in teak and development land, is now sold

Costa Rica Invest announces that 73.6% of Finca Di Pacifico Dos is now sold. This is an absolutely unique opportunity to invest in development land in Costa Rica with the added advantage and security of teak.


Second Funding Round for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd.

After a fully subscribed first round, Costa Rica Invest announces a second round of fundraising for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd. which is structured for self administered pension fund investments in Ireland.


Costa Rica Invest announces alliance partnership with Peter Quealy, IFG Mortgages Dungarvan, Ireland

Costa Rica Invest today announced a successful launch of their alliance partnership with Peter Quealy of IFG Mortgages Dungarvan. Together they held a successful presentation to Peter’s clients on Thursday the 6th of November.


The Trees are Growing – The Time is Now: 14 year old teak plots sold out already

Diversify. Diversify. Diversify. Smart investors saw the opportunity. They invested in Di Pacifico Dos in Costa Rica at an early stage and have bought all the plots with the oldest teak trees. They are now watching their investment grow. The race is on!

See new video of Finca Di Pacifico Dos

Below you can see a new documentary about the unique opportunity in Finca Di Pacifico Dos.

Prepared by our Polish Office this documentary was broadcast on Polish National television.

It includes interviews with the Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica, Government Officials in Costa Rica, Financial Analysts, Bankers, Real Estate Agents, the teak maintenance company, and Jos Van Veen the developer.






Of course if you would like to talk to one of our consultant about this opportunity, get up to date availability listings or need any further details just contact our office - Ireland +353 1 272 4184, USA +1 210 775 6318, info@costaricainvest.ie or talk to our consultants live on line here

April May 09 Newsletter

Our April-May 09 Newsletter has just been released.

The highlights are:

• transfer of 87 ha to purchasers
• some larger plots have been subdivided to smaller plots to cater for demand
• progress of land registration process (on track for transfer of title to purchasers in August September)
• further price increase at the end of June
• Eco-credentials of the project
• Inspection trips
• Building of two guest eco-lodges
  
  
  
  To downlowad your copy just go the the download section of the website by clicking here

If you would like a printed copy of the newsletter, just give us a call (+353 1 272 4184) or send us an e mail to info@costaricainvest.ie with your address details and we'll get a copy to you by return.

And of course if you have any questions about Finca Di Pacifico Dos please just contact us, we would be delighted to hear from you and discuss the project with you.

Coverage in the Sunday Times 23rd April 2009

‘Land-banking’ in Costa Rica lets you invest in a tree plantation to fund the building of a house there by Siobhan Maquire

Mention Costa Rica right now and many of us will probably think of Mel Gibson’s alleged beachfront frolics there with several women, including the singer Britney Spears. The Australian actor and director owns a 391-acre estate on Barrigona Beach in Guanacaste province on the Central American country’s northern Pacific coast, 300km west of the capital San Jose.

Apart from the Hollywood connection, Costa Rica has an unfortunate reputation as a sex-tourism hot spot and a seedy playground for wealthy Americans. These days, an alternative side to Costa Rica is being marketed to Irish investors — an opportunity to buy land on a teak tree plantation near the Gulf of Nicoya.

A Co Wicklow company, Costa Rica Invest, is selling plots to Irish plantation, between the town of Liberia and San Jose, as a long-term investment. Irish buyers can own a piece of Central America from as little as ¤12.60 “Our first investors bought riverview plots 18 to 24 months ago at ¤5.20 per sq m, but [now] those plots are selling for ¤12.60 per sq m, an increase of 142.3%,” says James Cahill, of Cost Rica Invest.

“Our land is the best of both worlds. It is not only a teak plantation with 12- to 14-year-old teak trees, which will provide a good return, but also the land is increasing in price.”

There is a catch: the minimum that can be bought is a 1,000-sq-m plot, which costs from ¤8,620, while the maximum investment is in a 30,000-sq-m piece of land, from ¤230,400. An acre of land on this teak plantation at Chomes, Puntarenas province, will set you back about ¤40,000.

The company is already selling to Dutch and French investors, many of whom hope to build properties on their plots. The owner of the land, a Dutch developer, Jos Van Veen, has plans to develop 19 holiday homes on one section, with a view to selling them on from August of this year. It may seem as though any teak plots bought by investors will go towards bankrolling this residential scheme, but Cahill says that landowners will able to do the same with their own plots. “Purchasing teak tree plots will go towards the development of these homes, but there is nothing to stop Irish investors from building homes themselves,” he says. “The teak plantation is zoned residential, so the trees can be cleared and planning permission applied for, which can take up to three months for approval.

“Investors are buying with a view to letting the trees mature over a six- to 10-year period, then selling on the timber and replanting the land, selling up, or earmarking it for residential use.” The company claims that the combination of teak and land values can turn ¤10,000 into ¤47,000 in just eight years, with a projected return on investment
of 30% per annum on teak and land investments over a six- to eight-year period.

Between 10% and 14% of this is from timber alone, while local land prices make up the remainder of the projection. Land values in the area increased by 40% in 2007. As with the rest of the world, however, Costa Rica, which can be reached in about 16 hours from Dublin airport including stop-overs, has been hit by a slump in prices in the past six months, and has a sluggish domestic property market. Selling in a recession is one thing, but selling land to wary buyers is even more difficult. Land banking, to give it its official title, though relatively new in the overseas market, should be approached with caution.

In Britain, there have been controversial cases that have exposed the uglier side of the practice. In one example, people spent ¤31,000 for an eighth-of-an-acre plot of field on green-belt land in the West Midlands for which planning permission would never be given. Cahill says that Costa Rica’s land laws allow no room for bogus land deals or cheats. “I understand that the idea of buying plots of land is something people are cautious of, and there have been bad examples in the past,” he says. “Our land transactions are completely upfront. What you buy is yours. Another person will not own that land or be able to buy it. The beauty of Costa Rica’s land registry means that once the deeds have been signed into your name on its online facility, then you own the land. “Even better is that constitutionally, you, as a non-Costa Rican, have the same ownership rights, so the land you buy rightfully belongs to you.”

http://www.costaricainvest.ie/; 01 272 4184

See more press coverage of us on About Property , just click here.

See more press coverage of us on Property Wire, just click here.

See more press coverage on the Costa Rica Expat Blog, just click here.

See more press coverage on Inside Costa Rica, just click here.

Puntarenas

Puntarenas, which means "Sandy Point" in Spanish, is the capital and largest city in the province of Puntarenas, Costa Rica with a population of aproximately 100,000 in the city and and close towns.

Finca Di Pacifico Dos is located 15 minutes by car from the outskirts of Puntarenas or 25 minutes from Puntarenas port.The port, Caldera, is one of the main ports in the country and it is also a stopover for huge cruisliners which dock at the port weekly.

Ferries travel regularly from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula across the Gulf of Nicoya, a very pleasant 90 minute journey. Shifting sandbanks in the Gulf of Nicoya mean that navigation out of Puntarenas port is a job for expert Captains only wwith the route out changing daily.

First known as Villa Bruselas in colonial times, Puntarenas was discovered by Hernan Ponce De Leon in 1519. Despite the use of the Gulf of Nicoya as an entryway to Costa Rica's inland territory, the port of Puntarenas was not developed until 1840 when coffee production in the highlands reached exportable volumes.

In 1845 the Congress of the Republic declared Puntarenas a duty free port port (with the exception of Cognac and hard liquor).

With the railroad connection to the Central Valley, the Pacific port's activities continued to be a major part of the region's economy throughout the 20th century. The railroad is no longer in use but can be seen running through the centre of Puntarenas.

However, due to the aging and deterioration of the port facilities and the need to accommodate the much larger vessels of modern shipping fleets, a new port was constructed in the 1980s to the south of Puntarenas. The site chosen was Caldera, where ships had anchored during colonial times.

Why is timber a great investment?

Timber is extensively promoted as an economic crises "friendly" investment.

But why, who wants to buy timber right now - sales from furniture shops have fallen, construction has fallen and neither of these are likely to rise any time soon.

But of course investing in timber is not about the price of timber today.

Forestry analyst George Nichols, in a recent study has shown that the price of timber itself only accounts for a third of the return an investor makes on it.

The most important aspect of timber investing is the growth of the trees themselves.

Nichols points out that steady long-term biological growth accounts for 61% of the returns an investor makes on timber. Meanwhile, the quality of the land a forest covers accounts for just 6% of the return – it only really matters to the extent that it allows the trees to thrive (unless that land is development land as in our unique investment opportunity Finca Di Pacifico Dos)

In other words, if the forestry investors are not satisfied with the prevailing timber prices at the time of the proposed harvest, they can of course choose to allow their timber to continue to grow. And the longer they grow, the more valuable they become.

Trees do not know about banking crises, and global economic conditions, they just continue to grow on regardless.

Timber also has a great long-term track record between 1910 and 2000, timber prices rose at an annual rate of 3.3% above the rate of inflation. So if you’re prepared to wait, timber will be a very rewarding investment.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that world consumption of wood products will rise by 60% over the next 25 years. China alone has increased its appetite for wood 16-fold in the last 12 years.

China’s building boom may be tapering off for now. But building homes, and panelling public offices for an urban population that is forecast to swell from 530 million to 875 million by 2030, will still put pressure on the world’s supply of timber. China’s growth has already contributed to deforestation that has seen one tenth of global forests disappear in the last 25 years.

Burning wood for biofuel will also tax timber resources. Burning wood pellets or chips has proved a useful source of renewable energy, creating little in the way of polluting waste.

So the outlook for timber as an asset class is excellent.

The outlook for teak within that timber asset class is even better. Currently less than 5% of the world's teak production comes from plantation sources. The balance comes from natural jungle sources. World opinion has moved against the logging of our natural jungle reserves creating a shortage of teak.

Combining an existing teak investment with development land in a fantastic location in Costa Rica may just be "the perfect" investment and Finca Di Pacifico Dos, our premier project offers the best of both investments - development land and teak.

NEWS FLASH

NEWS FLASH

FURTHER PRICE INCREASE

Because of the huge demand for Finca Di Pacifico Dos, the prices of similar land in our area, and the progress towards land registration, the price of Seaview and Riverview lots has been increased with immediate effect to €12.60 per square metre, today the 3rd of April 2009.

Those investors who invested early in Finca Di Pacifico Dos have now seen the value of their investment rise by 142% over the past 18 months.

But there are still opportunities to invest and in consultation with the surveyors, planning authorities and project managers a number of the larger plots have now been subdivided into smaller plots.

Please contact your sales advisor for up to date availability lists and pricing.

Alternately you can speak live with our sales advisors by clicking here

Guanacaste Tree - The National Tree of Costa Rica

The unusual Guanacaste Seed Pod

The Guanacaste Tree is the National Tree of Costa Rica. It is an evergreen (or briefly deciduous tree), known especially for its superlative proportions. Becuase of its immense size and the shade it provides from the sun it is one of the best known trees in Costa Rica.

In Finca Di Pacifico Dos, our teak plantation, with land for future development, 60 ha will remain as natural park or forest reserve. Within these preserved areas are a number of these immense Guanacaste trees, including one giant specimen of over 200 years of age.
The Guanacase tree also has unusually shaped seed pods, resembling mushroom caps filled with seeds which rattle when the seed pods are shaken.

The Guanacaste trees typically flowers from February through to May and the flowers have an intense and beautiful aroma.


Humberto Camareno, the manager of Matenimiento Forestales our recommended foresty maintenance company poses beside our largest Guanacaste tree - over 200 years of age and a magnificent specimen








One of our beautiful 200 year old jungle giants

New round of funding for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd. launched

A new round of funding for Di Pacifico Dos Ltd. has been launched.

Di Pacifico Dos Ltd. is a vehicle set up specifically for self administered pension fund holders to invest in Finca Di Pacifico in Costa Rica. The minimum investment is €25,000 and thereafter multiples thereof. The term of the investment is 8 years and the projected return on Investment (ROI) is 23% per annum (CAR).

The investment is in development land in Costa Rica which comes with the added value and security of teak growing on the land.

Click here to read the recent press release.