Buying Property in Costa Rica
Most properties in Costa Rica are registered in a computer system called "Folio Real". This system is centralized at the offices of the Public Registry in San José. Before buying land (or even before seriously considering an offer to buy land) a title search in Folio Real should be performed.
Such a title search will show all data on the property, including area, ownership, boundaries, location, mortgages and other liens.
A few properties have not been incorporated to the "Folio Real" system yet. They are still registered in special books kept in the Public Register. Such properties may also be accurately title searched in the Public Registry.
When considering buying land, the first question to be asked is if you are being offered ownership rights (derecho de propiedad) or occupation rights (“derechos de ocupación”). In the case of occupation, you would be dealing with land that has not been registered, cannot be title-searched and must go through a long process in order to be registered. Ownership rights, in the contrary, are registered and are equal to the concept of owning land in the United States or Canada.
Another situation one may encounter regarding land, especially in beaches, is the concession. In this case, the government gives a private party the right to use the land for a specific period of time. In general terms, the concession may be considered as a lease. The concessions registration system is different than the one for regular land, and has particular requirements regarding zoning, terms, occupation, etc.
In conclusion, before buying, before offering or even before seriously considering a piece of land, enquire about its status and perform a title search: these simple steps could save you a lot of money and effort, and will definitely make your Costa Rican investment worthwhile.
When purchasing property in Costa Rica, proper registration of the property, and not the deed itself, is of the utmost importance (Carballo, 1995). Simply because an individual may have a seemingly "legal" title to a property in his/her name, does not necessarily mean that he/she is the legal owner. Like anywhere else in the world, there are scam artists who attempt (sometimes successfully) to sell the same property numerous times. It is therefore necessary to conduct a thorough investigation of a prospective piece of property as outlined below.
Costa Rica has a Civil Law system rather than a Common Law system. The practical differentiation between the two systems is that Civil Law is much more rigid than Common Law, making the procedure frequently more important than the substance. Such a distinction is of utmost concem when purchasing property, for the letter of the law must be followed precisely when registering property in order to obtain the full legal title (Carballo, 1993). All property is registered at a central depository called the Registro Puiblico, and it is there that one should begin the title search for a parcel of land. The title must be checked for any liens or encumbrances, of which there are often scores. Alvaro Carballo, a Costa Rican real estate attorney, has compiled a comprehensive check list of items that should be verified before a purchase. This list is published in his book, Purchasing Real Estate in Costa Rica: A Guidebook (Carballo, 1993). If the initial background check is flawed and a problem later arises, one could unwittingly lose possession of property thought to be legally owned. Title guaranty services are now available through Stewart Title Guaranty Company, based in San Jose. Stewart Title advertises escrow and title guaranty services to protect the consumer throughout the process of acquiring land, and to indemnify him/her for losses that may be incurred. Stewart Title is a 105-year-old U.S. company based in Houston, Texas, with over 3,500 offices in the U.S. and abroad.
The trick to buying property in Costa Rica is to reconcile the actual property with the two documents that legally define a property. The first is the escritura, which is the title document that describes how the property is recorded in the Registro in words; the second is the catastro map, which is the plat map of the property that is on file. The problem with defining a property arises from the fact that the escrititra may not correspond with either the catastro or a physical survey of the property. Such a discrepancy is due to the fact that when a transfer of property takes place, the transaction may not have been recorded on the catastro, since a change in one does not automatically require a change in the other (McMerty, 1995). It should also not be assumed that the catastro map accurately depicts the property itself. It is therefore necessary that an independent topographical study be conducted in order to verify the property boundaries. Any discrepancies within the two legal documents and the land itself must be resolved before purchasing. Such investigations may be a bit daunting, not to mention confusing, for the foreign investor. Due to the intricacies of resolving such issues, retired Brigadier General McMerty and Alvaro Carballo founded PropData, a companv that offers property title investigations, legal support and financial information. PropData is to date the only known company of its kind of Costa Rica (McMerty, 1995).
A reputable, diligent attorney should take care of the technical procedures involved with a title transfer, but such attentiveness must not be taken for granted. Prospective buyers should beware. They must monitor and understand what is being done, as well as what is not being done. It is therefore worth mentioning the documentation needed for the closing:
- A copy of the tax receipt (impuesto territorial) proving that all taxes and registration fees are paid as of the date of purchase (Puleo, 1995)
- A certificate (constancia municipal) issued by the municipal authority of the Municipality where the property is located (Carballo, 1993)
- Sufficient funds to pay all necessary taxes and registration fees, including notary fees. Usually one half is paid by the seller and one half is paid by the purchaser (Carballo, 1993)
- Evidence that all prior mortgages, liens and judgments have been lifted (Puleo, 1995)
A notary must be present at the closing. In Costa Rica, notaries are attomeys accepted by the Supreme Court.
Many single-home investors will be faced with the choice of whether to buy a preexisting structure or a plot of land on which to build a house. While there are a myriad of minor impediments that must be scrupulously attended to, most of which are outside the scope of this paper, a few points are worth mentioning as they may alter a buyer's decision. The law requires that all applications for construction permits be presented by an architect licensed by the Costa Rican Association of Engineers and Architects. Utilizing a certified architect can be extremely costly as well as cumbersome (Puleo, 1995). Furthermore, construction companies in Costa Rica are not bonded, thereby greatly increasing an investor's risk. Before building a house one would be well advised to speak to numerous individuals who have previously built in order to gain an understanding of the reality of the construction process, such as constant delays, necessary personal supervision, and cost overruns.
Travel Costa Rica by plane
Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) is located close to the cities Alajuela, Heredia and the capital San José.
The dimly lit but otherwise pleasant airport features the normal assortment of duty-free shops but an inadequate selection of overpriced restaurants (Church's Chicken, Burger King and a fast-food pizza joint). SJO is serviced daily by American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Iberia, Thomas Cook, Martinair ,Spirit Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways, Air Canada as well as Taca and Copa Airlines. Connecting the airport with cities such as: Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, Charlotte, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Chicago, Newark, Toronto, Montreal, Madrid, Frankfurt, Bogota, Caracas, Lima, Guayaquil, Quito, and all Central America. Frontier Airlines is slated to begin non-stop service from Denver on November 30th, 2007 and will fly to SJO 5 days a week.
There is a US $26 exit fee at the Juan Santamaría Airport. This must be paid in cash, or by Visa (in which case it will be processed as a cash advance). The fee can also be paid in advance at some hotels. One of my favorite hotels is Lizard King Hotel in the beautiful Reggae Beach Town in Puerto Viejo: A nice Puerto Viejo hotel
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is near Liberia in the Guanacaste province. This airport is closest to the Pacific Northwest coast. Liberia receives flights from Delta, American, United, Continental, Air Canada, Sky Service (charter), and First Choice (charter). Connecting the airport with cities like: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Houston, Dallas, Newark, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, London, etc.
Travel Costa Rica by car
The Interamericana (Panamerican Highway) runs through Costa Rica and is the main entry point by car. The border post in the north (to Nicaragua) is called Peñas Blancas and in the south (to Panamá) Paso Canoas. Virtually all travel out of the capital (except to the Caribbean side) will involve travelling this road. There are many speed traps along this major artery, as well as some random police checks for seat belts and, especially near the borders, for valid travel documents. The highway speed is 80km/h, but since the Interamericana (a.k.a. Highway #1) passes through innumerable small towns the speed frequently drops to 50 or even 30 km/h as you suddenly find yourself in a school zone. Most of the highway is not divided. A common indicator that a police checkpoint is ahead is that oncoming cars flick their lights at you. Drivers also appear to flick their lights sometimes when someone has overtaken them. A speeding ticket is at the most 20,000 Colones (US $40), and although the police are generally congenial, foreign drivers are occasionally illegally offered an "on the spot" fine that is half that or less.
Many Costa Rican roads are in terrible shape, and short distances can take a very long time. To get a feeling for distances and driving times this map with the major roads of Costa Rica can be helpful. Even the only road in and out of popular tourist destinations are riddled with major potholes. To avoid potholes, drivers will often snake through the left and right lanes, usually returning to the right when oncoming traffic approaches. While this may seem erratic to North American drivers, one becomes quickly accustomed to it. Driving at night is highly inadvisable due to the unpredictability of road conditions and lack of safety features such as guard rails on the many hairpin turns in the hills.
Many roads are unpaved, and even the paved roads have lots of unpaved sections and washed out or unfinished bridges. Bridges are often only wide enough for one vehicle; one direction usually has priority. Do not expect to get anywhere quickly, supposed 3 hour journeys can turn into 5 or more hours easily: there are always slow cars/buses/trucks on the road. This causes a lot of crazy driving, which you begin to emulate if you are in-country for more than a day. The government does not seem to be fixing the infrastructure well (or at all!) 50km/hr is good over unpaved roads; you hit a resonance frequency where the damping factor of the suspension matches the undulations of the road and you have a smooth ride. Some hotels, in the mountains, require a four wheel drive to reach the destination. Call ahead. This is more for the ground clearance then the quality of the road. Four wheel drive vehicles are widely at the car rentals near the air port, but call ahead.
Navigation can prove challenging. Road signs are relatively few, and those that do exist can be inaccurate. It is recommended that you have a good road map with the small towns listed, since road signs will often only indicate the next town, not the direction of the next major city. Towns generally do not have town-limit signs; you are best to look at the names on the roadside food stores and restaurants to determine the place you are passing. Stop and ask, practice your Spanish. The center of town is usually a public park with a Catholic Church across from it.
There are no formal street addresses in Costa Rica, but two informal systems exist. The first (often used in tourist information) indicates the road on which the establishment is located (e.g. "6th Avenue") together with the crossroad interval (e.g. "between 21st and 23rd Streets"). In practice, street signs are virtually non-existent, and locals do not even know the name of the street they are on. The second system, which is much more reliable and understood by locals, is known as the "Tico address", usually involving an oriented distance (e.g. "100 meters south, 50 meters east") from a landmark (e.g. "the cathedral").
It is worth noting the particular road naming system in San Jose. Avenues run east-west and streets run north-south. The numbering is less straighforward. Starting at Central Avenue going South are 2nd, 4th, 6th Avenue, etc. while going North are 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc. Streets use even numbers going west, and odd numbers going east. This means that if you are at 7th Avenue and 4th Street, and looking for 6th Avenue and 5th Street, you are on the wrong side of town.
Gas stations are full service and the guys there are very cool about taking dollars or Colón(es). The interesting thing is that Costa Rica is small so you do not burn a lot of gas getting places even though it seems like forever. Costa Rica is also land of the traffic circles so people from Europe should have no problem but North Americans should make sure they know how they work. The gas stations really are full service, without asking I have had my oil checked, and water in my raditor filled, and tire pressure topped off. The state owns a gasoline company and the private companies raise their prices to the level of the state set price. It is recommendable to always use super gas and not regular, the regular is soiled. If not you will have to change the gas filter and clean the injectors after 5000 miles.
Travel Costa Rica by bus
There are bus services from the neighboring countries of Panamá, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. Check out www.ticabus.com or www.transnica.com for more information.
There is an extensive network of bus routes within the country with reasonable fares. Departures are very punctual, though routes often take longer than expected. Stop by the Tourist Office downtown (underneath the Gold Museum in the Plaza--ask anyone and they'll be able to help you out) and get a detailed schedule. The bus system is a safe and even fun way to see a lot of the country cheaply and not have to worry about car rentals. It is highly recommended! If using the bus routes within the country, some ability to speak and understand Spanish may be necessary, although most are friendly enough to be able to help you out.
Travel Costa Rica by boat
There are some boat transfers available into Costa Rica from Bocas del Toro in Panamá.
There is twice daily boat service from Los Chiles (in NE Costa Rica), former home of the Contras, to San Carlos, Nicaragua. The cost is about $5, plus a $1 fee. The boats usually only run in the mornings.
Costa Rica Geography
Costa Rica is located on the Central American isthmus, 10° North of the equator and 84° West of the Prime Meridian. It borders both the Caribbean Sea (to the east) and the North Pacific Ocean (to the west), with a total of 1,290 kilometers (802 mi) of coastline (212 km / 132 mi on the Caribbean coast and 1,016 km / 631 mi on the Pacific). It is about the size of West Virginia and shares that state's reputation for excellent whitewater kayaking/rafting opportunities. Two of the country's most renowned rivers in that regard are the Rio Pacuare and the Rio Reventazon located near the city of Turrialba about two hours east of San Jose. Other notable whitewater areas are the Sarapiqui Valley area, several Pacific coast rivers near Quepos, and the southern Pacific drainage area around San Isidro de General.
Costa Rica also borders Nicaragua to the north (309 km / 192 mi of border) and Panama to the south-southeast (639 km / 397 mi of border). In total, Costa Rica comprises 51,100 square kilometers (19,730 sq. mi) plus 589.000 square kilometers of territorial waters.
The highest point in the country is Cerro Chirripó, at 3,820 metres (12,500 ft), and is the fifth highest peak in Central America. The highest volcano in the country is the Irazú Volcano (3,431 m / 11,257 ft). The largest lake in Costa Rica is Lake Arenal.
Costa Rica also comprises several islands. Cocos Island stands out because of its distance from continental landmass (24 km² / 9.25 sq mi, 500 km or 300 mi from Puntarenas coast), but Calero Island is the biggest island of the country (151.6 km² / 58.5 sq mi).Costa Rica protects 23% of its national territory within the Protected Areas system. It also possesses the greatest density of species in the world.[7]
Native Trees of Costa Rica A-Z
Aceituno
Not to be confused with aceituna (olive), it is a medium-sized tree with smooth bark. They were once exported to the USA to produce molds, but have since been replaced by white pine.Almendro (Almond)
A popular shade and ornamental tree. The wood is unusually hard and the fruit and seeds are edible. The young saplings are a favorite to ants. We spray ours with Basadin (available at local garden stores).Balsa
Also known as balso, it's a medium sized, straight tree. The wood has been used due to its strength and lightness. It's been used for model airplanes, floats and dental molds. The Indigenous use it to craft their masks. It was even used for British bombers in the Second World War.Bálsamo
Also known as sandalo, this large tree has been used for shade for coffee and pharmaceuticals. In Costa Rica, its use is more common for floors due to its strength and color.Casco de venado
Translated as "Deer hooves", the name comes from the leaves which partially split into two look like hooves. There are several different varieties. It's a small to medium sized tree good for shade. The ants like this one too.Caña fistula
A small to medium sized tree with beautiful yellow flowers. Originally from Asia, these are now quite common in Costa Rica and like drier climates. Also known as "Cassia llunia de oro" (Golden shower cassia), it is considered one of the more beautiful flowering trees in the world.Cedro amargo - (Cedar)
A large tree which produces valuable wood. The pleasant odor makes it naturally highly resistant to insects.Cedro dulce
Also a large tree, this species is softer and more difficult to work with. It is not insect resistant, at least not as a sapling.Cocobolo
A small to medium sized tree with beautiful dark-green leaves. The beautiful wood is so beautiful and popular among artisans that it quite valuable and very scarce. It needs to be protected.Cortez Amarillo (Yellow bark)
Grows to medium size. It is one of the more common and popular flowering trees. The wood is dark, heavy, durable and resistant.Cristóbal
This tree is in danger of extinction! It grows very slowly. The wood is attractive for furniture and in high demand. It's a favorite for marimba keys due to the resonant sound.Gallinazo
These grow fast and tall, and have noticeable purple-blue flowers. They are commonly found in secondary forests and do best in low, humid climates. Its wood was at one time exported to the US.Guanacaste
This is Costa Rica’s national tree and grows to an enormous size (up to 2.5 meters in diameter!). There are various varieties and uses vary from food and shade trees for cattle to wood for building.Guarumo
These can also grow quite tall. Their large leaves have been used in building materials, table ornaments and for a variety of medicinal purposes including weight loss. Some varieties have seeds that attract birds. Others are popular habitats for ants. (Just cut off a branch and watch them fall out!)Ciprés (Cipress)
These have been introduced primarily in high altitude areas as ornamental trees and for wind protection. The wood is good for construction and furniture, but the tree is most popularly known for its use as Christmas trees.Elequeme (Poró)
There are several varieties of Poro with slender, orange flowers. The bean-like seeds have a strong red color. Commonly used as live fence (cerca viva).Espavel
The fruit is like a small marañon and sweet and delicious. The bark is used to intoxicate fish for consumption. The tree is very tall and commonly found by rivers in low, hot climates.Eucalipto (Eucalyptus)
There are different varieties but they are not native to the Americas. The delicious smelling leaves are used for ornaments and infusions.Fruta de pan (Bread Fruit)
Found in low climates, they do well in both dry and wet areas. The large, elliptical fruits are great for slicing up and frying!Güititi (pronounced Witite)
Another common tree, the güitite has a corky, spongy bark which makes it ideal for your orquides and other epiphytes. It can be propagated with branch cuttings. The yellow fruits attract birds.Higo (Fig)
This bush-sized tree is not native to Costa Rica but has been planted in gardens for its leaves and fruit. Sweet, dried figs can sometimes be found in markets. The leaves are sometimes used to make “chiverre”, giving it pleasing taste and aroma.Indio Denudo (Naked Indian)
This is one of the easiest trees to identify with its reddish, peeling bark. It is commonly used for live fences. In Mexico, its wood has been used to make matches, in Costa Rica for weight loss.Itabo
Used to as an ornamental plant/tree to prevent erosion. Its flower is edible and considered by some as a delicacy in salads or with tuna. Be careful to only cook the flower petals. Other parts will make the food very bitter.Jacaranda
(Remember, J´s in Spanish are pronounced like H´s) - It’s actually native to Argentina but now commonly found in Costa Rica as an ornamental tree. A row of Jacarandas can be seen lining the road on the south end of La Sabana Park in San Jose.Jicaro
A good shade tree, these do well in dry climates. The large, green, hard-shelled fruits serve for many purposes from food and juice to containers, bowls and spoons, as well as artistic ornaments.Jobo
The young leaves are edible and if you happen to have a nearby monkey population, the small fruits a favorite.Jocote
Commonly used for live fences due to their fast growth, their fruits are popular and are sold in the markets. The fruit can be used to make a marmalade called “Jocotada”.Lagarto and Largartillo
These come in a variety of species, some medium and some tall. Some have thorns and some do not. Some have thorns only when the tree is young. We have not yet been able to identify our young tree, but it does provide small fruits which attract lots of birds.Laurel de la India
This is one of the more common trees and certainly one of the easiest to identify. The leaves are dark and green all year round and are commonly seen trimmed into various shapes. Be careful when planting these near any construction such as a road or a pool because the roots are known lift up the cement. It is a great shade tree.Laurel Negro (Laurel del campo)
The wood from this tree is very resistant to insects. It has been commonly used for shade trees on coffee plantations and for reforestation. The tree often has growths on its branches which house ants.Limon acido (Limon agrio)
There are different species of limon acido but only one of the limon dulce. Limon dulce is commonly eaten like an orange. But it is the limon acido varieties that are used for juices, fish, party beverages, cooking, etc. It is actually native to Indonesia. Ants love citrus tree leaves so you should take some preventative measures.Llama del bosque
This a hardy tree which does well in dry and wet climates as well as high and low altitudes. Its beautiful red-orange flowers make it a favorite! Although it grows fast, it is supposed to have a relatively short life and it's a bit weak so shouldn't be planted by buildings.Lorito
There are several species of Lorito. One is easy to recognize because it is the only native species in rainy, middle altitudes that has bipinnate leaves. But it is small and has no economic value. The tall species of Lorito (also known as Ardillo) has an excellent quality wood used for floors, doors and furniture. In the Osa Peninsula, you can find then up to 2m in diameter. The third species is medium in height and its wood is light, hard and used for furniture and building details.MaderonNegro
It is commonly used for live fences, coffee plantation shade trees, and bases for small constructions. The wood is very hard and resistant to rotting.Madroño
This is Nicaragua´s national tree. It produces a fine wood, its bark is used to treat stomach ulcers, and its flowers are used to make a tea to treat for diahrrea.Malinche
This tree is native to Madagascar but is now popular in Costa Rica for its red-orange flowers. Its light brown seeds have been used for making necklaces and bracelets.Mamon
Native to northern South America, the mamon has been planted in Costa Rica for its shade and fruit. Green mamon stays green even in relatively dry climates. Mamon Chino is commonly found in local market and is grown in low, humid climates. Both have small sweet fruits to suck on. The name comes from the word "mamar" which means to suck. Supposedly, the seed can also be toasted and eaten.Mango
This fruit tree is originally from SE Asia but has become part of the traditional food culture of Costa Rica. It has been produced principally in the Pacific zones for export and local consumption. There are many varieties including manga, el criollo, and el anis.Manzana de agua
Known for its juicy, red, spongy fruits, which are commonly found at local farmers´ markets and roadside stands. Our trees produce flowers and fruits biannually.Manzana rosa
The fruits of this tree are appreciated or their delicate taste and aroma. This tree grows in almost any soil and can be planted from seeds or cuttings. The leaf is used for eye infections, fever and rheumatism. The roots have been used for epilepsy.Marañon
The single seed (cashew) from each fruit is toasted. But locally, the fruit is eaten or the juice sucked out and the seed thrown away. Beware because the juice leaves permanent stains.Naranja agria (sour oranges)
It is used for everything from making juice and marmalade to cleaning chickens. It is also used as the base for grafting sweet lemons (limon dulce).Naranja or Naranja dulce (sweet orange)
The fruit is similar to the naranja agria but more yellow, with a solid center and a sweet pulp. A variety of this, the Washington, is from Brazil and has no seeds.Nispero
The wild Níspero has smaller fruits than the commercial variety which has larger, very sweet fruits. Its wood is used in docks due to its resistance to marine organisms.Nogal
Originally from the Old World, these trees grow very large and produce edible, but hard to crack nuts.Papaya
This tree is exceptionally valuable in the tropics for its nutritional value and continuous production. You can buy them at any local market and plant the seeds. Be choosy and wait until you find one that is to your liking before planting. There is an insect which injects its eggs into the fruit. The larva later causes it to rot inside. We use the insecticide, Basudin, every few weeks (more frequently in the rainy season) with good results.Peine de Mico (Comb of the Monkey)
The edible fruits resemble a comb. The seeds contain oil which can be used to treat rheumatism. The bark fiber has been used to make rope.Pejibaye (peach palm)
The fruits are boiled, pealed and eaten with mayonnaise. The trees are quite tall and the bark is covered with nasty sharp thorns.Pino aguja (Needle Pine)
These have been introduced primarily in high altitude areas as ornamental trees and for wind protection. The wood is good for construction and furniture, but the tree is most popularly known for its use as Christmas trees.Poro Poro
This tree has noting in common with the Poró. It is a small to medium height tree with beautiful yellow flowers. It is found in medium and low altitudes and does well in both dry and humid climate. The wood is soft and not particularly useful although it has been said that the bark is used for making rope and "chicha".Roble de sabana
This is the national tree of El Salvador and is appreciated for its explosive flowering in the dry season. It sheds its leaves and its crown fills with white and pink flowers. The wood is clear and its appearance is similar to that of the Quercus Roble, hence, that is where it gets its name.Ron-ron
This is an endangered tree! Its wood is highly value due to its heaviness, resistance to rotting, and beautiful coloring. Found in both dry and humid climates. It is easily identifiable due to its pleasant smelling, reddish leaves.Saragundi
It is identifiable by it oblong leaves in 2 to 12 pairs and 10cm long. They are most commonly found in low, humid climates. They are often used for temporary shade for young trees and nurseries. The leaves close at night. The leaves are used as a popular medicine for arthritis.Tamarindo
The tree grows to a large size. The leaves come with 10 to 18 pairs of leaflets. The pulp is used to make a poplar fruit drink and easy to conserve and also available in most stores all year. Found in low elevations of both dry and humid climates.Tempisque
This is another scarce and threatened species and found mostly in northeast Guanacaste and Puntarenas. It can also be found in Santa Ana and Ciudad Colon, but with less frequency. The wood is hard and resistant to decay. It has been used for fence posts, construction and wood crafting. The fruit is edible.Vainillo
These are perhaps the most common and hardy of the dry climate trees. They seem to be able to grow anywhere and in the dry season, there is an abundance of beautiful yellow flowers. You won't likely have to buy these…they are found everywhere. They have been used for firewood, live fences and shade trees for coffee.
Trees planted for Lumber
Hacienda Barú's forests have been protected for 20 years. Recently, their conservation efforts were rewarded by being formally declared a National Wildlife Refuge by the President of Costa Rica. That means that they have a management plan based on an environmental impact study and regulated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MINAE). At present, their ecological restoration efforts involve connecting most of the parcels of lowland forest by allowing approximately 100 acres of pasture to regenerate into a forest corridor.
Visit the riches of Hacienda Barú and you will understand the need to conserve forests. Hacienda Barú consists of: primary and secondary very humid tropical rainforest, mangroves, river and beach habitats. Sharing the natural riches with guests allows them to conserve what they have and promote conservation with their neighbors.
Vacienda Barú is also working to connect its forests to an ecological corridor that will traverse the coastal mountain range in our region. This project is being run by ASANA, a local conservation association, whose offices are located in the old ranch house. Donations are welcome!
They welcome scientific researchers dedicated to field studies within the scope of the Hacienda
Text and pictures by Angela and Jörn Malek. The team of FlamingoLink, S.A. wishes you the best of times in our little paradise called Costa Rica.
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