14 year old teak plots sold out

All of our plots with 14 year old teak are now sold out, but the great news is that we still have plots with both 12 and 10 year old teak. (We also have one plot remaining with the rare and expensive tropical hardwood pochote).

The even better news is that in these uncertain times, you can be certain that if you invest in teak on your development land that your wealth like your teak continues to grow.

If you would like to see more about our development Di Pacifico Dos just log on to our website www.costaricainvest.ie or why not drop us an e mail and we'ld be delighted to give you more information on Di Pacifico Dos.

"Teak on development land, the perfect investment"

What is my carbon count number?

Where can I find my carbon count number?

Change.ie an Irish Government run website has an excellent carbon count calculator which quickly and easily shows your carbon count number.

Your carbon count number is an estimate of the number of tonnes of carbon you and your lifestyle emit into the atmosphere per year.

You can then compare yourself to the EU average over a number of areas, home, travel, air travel and it also makes suggestions as to how you might change your lifesatyle and reduce your carbon count number.

Are you aware that 1ha will take in about 3.5 tonnes of carbon per annum.

An investment in Di Pacifico Dos will:

1. Help reduce your carbon footprint
2. Help reduce jungle logging of tropical hardwoods
3. Give you a great return

If you would like more information about Di Pacifico Dos - "teak on your development land, the perfect investment" - just drop us an e mail, apply for a brochure or give us a call on +353 1 272 4184

What are the risks?

Of course with any investment there are risks.

What are the risks to an investment in Di Pacifico Dos?

Well there are two aspects to the investment the teak and the land.

1. The teak: Anything which affects either the teak yield or the price of teak will have an impact on the return on your investment.

Listed below are some of the factors which could affect your teak yield:

a. Hurricane - no hurricane has been recorded on the pacific coast of Costa Rica

b. Forest Fire - teak trees of more than 8 years of age are resistant to forest fire, careful management of the teak plantation, fire breaks, removing debris all help to minimise the risk of fire damage.

c. Disease - again careful management, disease prevention and early removal of any diseased trees reduce the risk of disease.

d. Adverse weather conditions - teak does not grow well in either very wet or cold conditions and a significant change in climate could afffect the teak yield.

Teak is a traded commodity world wide and some of the factors which would affect the price of teak are listed below:

a. Oversupply of teak - currently less than 5% of the world's teak comes from plantation sources. The rest comes from jungle sources. As world opinion and international laws move to restrict the logging of this natural resource the supply demands will fall to teak plantations.

b. Reduced demand - currently demand for teak is increasing year on year largely driven by huge demand from India and China. The likelihood is that demand will continue to increase.


2. The land: a reduction in land prices in Costa Rica will also affect the return on your investment

Some of the factors which might affect land prices are as follows:

1. Reduced demand: A reduction in demand from North American and Canadian holiday makers will reduce land prices and whilst the world economy is at a low at the moment, remember that this is a 6-10 year investment. Ask yourself this question - "do I really believe North American economy will be as bad or worse than it is now in 6-8 years"?

2. Political Instability: Political instability would certainly affect tourism to Costa Rica, however Costa Rica is the oldest democracy in central and Southern America, with more teachers than policemen, no army and huge foregein inward investment by mulitnationals.


If you are intrested in an investment in Di Pacifico Dos but are worried about the risks to your investment ask us to prepare an investment return showing a 0% land price increase, a 0% increase in teak prices and a poor teak yield.

The return still beats the bank! Just drop us an e mail or give us a call on +353 1 272 4184.

More input from our sales consultatants

As per some earlier posts we have asked our Sales Consultants to contribute to our blog. Here is a contribution from our Judy Ferguson. If you would like to cvontact Judy just e mail her at judy@costaricainvest.ie or give her a call on +353 1 272 4184.

Why join our investment club?

Over half of the latest development ‘Di Pacifico Dos’ has already been sold to our club members. Why?

• Access to future developments 3 months before they are launched on the open market
• Plots sold at a discounted price before any price increases are integrated
• An established rapport with a trusted developer
• Very strong products
• A structure set up to serve investors through the ‘Association of Owners’, set up to maintain the public areas of your domaine, with the advantage of potentially collaborating together on future projects

What’s different about Costa Rica Invest?

We are loyal to our members and care about your investment going forth. We keep you informed on anything that’s happening within your development, and stipulate contractually that you must maintain your teak (to protect all our investors). We can facilitate the setting up of a company in your name in Costa Rica (for tax-efficient purposes), and the resale of your land if you so wish. The maintenance company sends newsletter updates to keep you posted and advises you on when to benefit from harvesting the teak to reap the biggest profits.

The key to our success is our personal investment in these developments, we don’t take on too many projects simultaneously and are very particular with whom we work. We have a tight-knit quality structure set up internally and pride ourselves on our company ethics. That is actually what led me to come on board, it’s very satisfying to work in such a sound company that you wholeheartedly believe in.

If you would lilke to contact Judy, just drop her an e mail judy@costaricainvest.ie or give her a call on +353 1 272 4184

Rare frog filmed for the first time in Costa Rica.

The Red Eyed Stream frog (Duellmanohyla uranochroa) is critically endangered worldwide. This vividly coloured frog has been flimed for the first time by a team from the University of Manchester whilst on a field trip in Costa Rica.

This inceredibly rare find was captured on film by a BBC news crew which was following the work of the team.

You can see footage of the find here.

Costa Rica is one of the world's most environmentally friendly nations. Containing 5% of the world's biodiviresity Costa Rica has made a committment to becoming carbon neutral as a nation by 2021.

With more teachers than police and the highest life expectancy in the Western hemisphere Costa Rica is a true paradise on earth. If you would like to invest in "paradise" and have the added benefit of teak trees growing on your land have a look at our website http://www.costaricainvest.co.uk/ or give us a call on +353 1 272 4184.

Costa Rica Invest - growing your wealth naturally

Longevity in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has one the longest life expectancy of the Western Hemisphere and in Costa Rica the Nicoya Peninsula has the longest life expectancy. Why is this, could it be:

• The pace of life
• Dietary factors
• The climate which NASA describes as the best on the planet
• Low stress

Whatever the reasons the facts speak for themselves. Forbes Magazine published a recent article with some suggestions which you can see here.

If you would like to invest in Costa Rica and try out some longevity yourself have a look at our website http://www.costaricainvest.co.uk/

Have a look at Di Pacifico Dos, located on the gulf of Nicoya, then relax knowing that your investment is creating wealth naturally.

If I invest in Di Pacifoc Dos, what are my exit strategies

One of the most frequent questions we are asked is "What are my exit strategies from and investment in Di Pacifico Dos?".

The great news is that you have a number of clearly defined exit strategies.

Harvest the trees and sell the land
For the majority of our investors they plan to wait untill the trees are mature enough to harvest and once harvested they plan to sell the land. We are available to sell the land should the clients wish but of course the clients can also sell the land through a local estate agent. The land is registered in the clients own name or in the clients own company (an SA) which comes with many tax advantages. Once a purchaser has been located and a price agreed the transfer of land by notary should take about 6-8 weeks.

Harvest the trees and replant
A number of our investors plan to replant trees on their land after harvest. Whilst they can certainly replant teak again, Melina is another option. The advantage of Melina is that it is considerably quicker growing than teak. Although the price is lower the plant to harvest cycle is 10 years. With teak the plant to harvest cycle is 20 years.

Harvest the trees and build a holiday villa for personal use
Approximately 5-10% of our investors plan to build a holiday villa on their land. Given that Costa Rica has the "best climate on the planet" according to NASA, what a great place to have your holiday villa.

Where is the major market for my land if I harvest the trees and plan to sell the land?
Costa Rica has become an extremely attractive holiday destination for Amercians and Canadians. It is just a few hours flight, stable and safe with a fantastic climate and magnificent beaches. No wonder so many American Celebrities have already invested there - Oprah Winfrey, David Hasselhof, Bruce Willis, Mel Gibson to name just a few. The 5th Annual Readers Choice Awards of Travel Weekly named Costa Rica the best destination in Central and South America. Right now land in Costa Rica is cheap and foregin land ownership is allowed and land title is clear. But the land won't be cheap for long! If you would like to invest in Costa Rica for just €6.45 per square metre and have the added advntage of teak growing on your land why not have a look at our website http://www.costaricainvest.co.uk/, this is our 10th development in Costa Rica and we like to refer to it as the jewel in the crown because it has it all:

• Great location
• Up and coming tourist area
• Pre cadastral prices
• Cadastral registration expected to be complete in 6-8 months
• 12-14 year old teak trees growing on your land

Information and Location of ‘Di Pacifico Dos’

Originally a cattle farm, this finca was planted with teak trees 12 - 14 years ago. The finca is 400 ha with 2/3 of the plots already sold. There were originally 1100 trees per hectare (10000 sqm), however during the trees’ growth cycle, the thinning process may cut up to 66% of the trees, to enable the stronger trees to have more space. The stronger the heartwood the more valuable the teak, so it’s more cost efficient to remove some of the smaller trees to give more potential to the stronger ones, leaving appx 400 trees per ha after thinning.

Further information:

• Located just off the Pan-American Highway, the main highway from Alaska to South America



• 94km from Liberia International airport to the North



• 110km from the capital and international airport of San Jose to the South



• 8km from the village of Chomes with it’s local shops, cafes, and natural beach



• 30km from Playa Dona Ana, a tourist beach with facilities, cafes, restaurants, a swimming pool and the lovely new Hilton Doubletree resort hotel located there



• 40km from Puntarenas, a dutyfree port attracting tourists to its waterfront seafood restaurants and bars, as well as being the starting point for many excusion tours and ferries including excursions to the world famous Tortuga island, 10 mins from Puntarenas. This is one of the main ports of call for major cruise liners and a new marina is planned for the city.



• 80km from Jaco Beach, the 1st Central American Blue Flag beach and booming town of Jaco, with it’s new marina and 2000 beachfront condos – the developers of which have actually created the new Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce. There’s a new freeway currently under construction connecting San Jose to Jaco to cut drive times in half to the capital, and a new $3 million promenade planned along the beach.
  

Land price growth in the Vicinity

Puntarenas province North of Puntarenas experienced 31% growth in land prices in 2007.

If you would like to see more about how you can benenfit from a land investment in the hottest real estate market on the face of the planet (CNBC) and benefit from the added security of teak growing on your land, why not have a look on our website http://www.costaricainvest.co.uk/ or send us an e mail or give us a call on + 353 1 272 4184

Why are teak prices rising?

Teak prices are rising because of increased demand (largely from the emerging economies of India and China) and decreased supply (only 3% of the worlds teak production comes from plantation sources with the rest from natural forests and world opinion is thankfully against the continued logging of natural forests.

Mr. H. S. Anantha Padmanabha, produced a very interesting International Teak Market Rerport for a proposed Australian teak plantation in which he mentions:

"India
In India, teak harvesting in natural forests was banned in 1982 and in 1997 the
Supreme Court of India ordered further restrictions on the felling of timber of any kind
in the natural forests of India.

In the early 1980’s the total size of the teak market in India was 7.5 million m3 per
year. All teak logs now consumed in India are now imported. Total teak log imports
into India in the past 12 months were approximately 2.5 million m3, with 60% of total
teak imports coming from countries in West Africa.

Even though India has established significant areas of teak plantations, as a
consequence of native teak logging bans in Asia, the Indian teak market was forced to
find alternative teak supplies. For the past 15 years the Indian teak market has
imported teak logs from plantations grown in African countries, including Nigeria,
Benin, Togo, Ivory Coast and Ghana. It is now widely recognized within the teak
industry that the supply of teak logs from Africa will be totally exhausted in the next 5
years. As a response, the Indian teak market is now importing young plantation teak
logs (ranging in age from 6 to 15 years old) from Central and South America, including
Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia and Brazil.

Thailand
Thailand banned teak harvesting in natural forests in 1989.

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma)
Myanmar is the only country in the world now supplying teak from natural forests.

Indonesia
Even though Indonesia has large teak plantations, there is a total ban on exporting
teak logs. Teak logs in Indonesia are entirely supplied to domestic industries, such as
furniture manufacturers and is then exported as finished furniture products.


NEW PLANTATIONS
Due to the dramatic decrease in teak supply from natural forests and the increasing
demand for teak timber, the future of teak production can only come from new teak
plantations."


"Over the last 30 years, teak log prices have increased at an average rate of
8.3% per annum compounded. The basis for the sharp increase is due to
rapidly declining supply and rising demand. Teak log prices in the past 12
months have risen 15% in the premium log categories."


"CONCLUSION
In India and elsewhere, the natural forests of teak alone will not be able to meet the
current and future demand for teak.

Demand for teak in the past 10 years has risen. Supply in the past 10 years has
rapidly declined and is forecasted to decline at an even more rapid rate. It is widely
believed that the supply of teak into India from West Africa (from which 60% of India’s
current imports originate will be completely at an end in 5 years time). In other words,
the supply from West Africa of 1.5 million m3 per annum of teak (60% of 2.5 million
m3 per annum of Indian imports of teak each year) will cease fully in only 5 years time.
Teak prices in the past 15 years have risen at more than 7% per annum compounded.
Teak prices in the past 12 months have risen 15% in the premium log categories.

Illegal felling of teak in West Africa and Indonesia and other countries is on the rise, a
clear indication of rapidly rising prices and rapidly falling supply.

Only 22 years ago (1982), the domestic Indian market consumed more than 7.5
million m3 of teak per annum (3 times more than it does today).

Due to chronic over harvesting around the world, illegal felling and only a small
sustainable teak plantation industry (ie. That occurring in Australia, Brazil and Costa
Rica), that Indian domestic consumption figure has fallen to only 2.5 million m3 per
annum."

To download the full report just click here.

Then have a look at our website www.costaricainvest.ie and have a look at our teak backed development land opportunities.

More information on timber investments

Nuwire Investor published an interesting article on investing in timber and although primarily focussed on USA timber investment it does provide some very relevant information. YOu can see the article here

Once you have had a look at number 3. on their list why not have a look at our website www.costaricainvest.ie and contact us by e mail, through the website or just give us a call on +353 1 272 4184.

Our investment in Costa Rica combines the security of teak with upside of the development land.

Welcome

Welcome to the Costa Rica Invest blog.

We specialise in environmentaly friendly, ethically responsible, high yield investments and our largest current project is Di Pacifico Dos. A teak plantation in Costa Rica which is zoned for future development.

Our blog is designed to keep our clients, friends and other interested parties up to date on relevant information on Costa Rica and di Pacifico Dos.

About Di Pacifico Dos:

Di Pacifico Dos is located close to the Gulf of Nicoya about 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean, on the Pan American highway. The planation is planted with Teak, Pochote and Melina trees. The teak and Melina will be ready for harvesting in 6-8 years and the Pochote will be ready for harvestnig in 4 years. The 400ha planatation has been divided into 710 lots ranging in size from 1000m2 upwards. Each plot is accessible by road and a central water and electricity source is being installed. Zoned for development our investors have a whole range of plans for their land - the majority plan to harvest the teak and then sell the land onwards, some have plans to develop villas on their plots and sell the villas on, some plan to build a villa for their personal use and one has plans for a major "eco-hotel".

About Teak

Teak is a tropical hardwood and is traded as a commodity worldwide. Currently less than 3% of the world's teak comes from plantation sources with the balance coming from jungles. Teak has increased in price at an average of 8.5% per year over the past 10 years and world demand for teak is increasing largely driven by demand from India and China. So supply of teak is falling driven largely by world opinion in regard to our natural jungles whilst demand is increasing and of course this leads to further price increases.

About Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the oldest democracy in central and South America. The army was constitutionally abolished 50 years ago and it is an American protectorate. 5% of the world's biodivirsity lives in Costa Rica and NASA describes it as having the best climate in the world. It is politically stable with a growing ecomony. With one of the highest literacy rates in the world it has attracted significant inward investment from many of the world's largest mulitnational companies (Intel, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, Proctor and Gambel). Because of the safety and stability of the country combined with its incredible biodiversity, beautiul beaches and accessibility from the USA, large numbers of US and Canadian citizens are purchasing holiday homes in Costa Rica. Property prices in the area of Di Pacifico Dos increased by 40% last year alone.

To see more about what we do just log on to our website www.costaricainvest.ie or to www.costaricainvest.co.uk