World’s best eco-friendly beaches

(Mother Nature Network) —
Some beaches suffer from pollution, but there are many gorgeous, pristine escapes that offer a sanctuary to wildlife and travelers alike. We scoured the planet to find the most spectacular shorelines — and, no surprise, most of our top choices are on protected land or are nearly impossible to reach.

Playa Matapalo, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

Known as the lungs of the Earth, 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.

By Christopher Howard M.A.*, www.liveincostarica.com

(1) Year-round spring-like weather in the Central Valley. One of the most ideal climates in the world. No heating or A/C needed in this area, so you will always feel comfortable

(2) An unblemished international image and reputation. How often doe you hear bad news about Costa Rica? Only good news! As the say here, “Solo bueno,” which means “only good.”

(3) Latin America’s oldest democracy

(4) NO army or terrorism. Costa Rica has NO enemies.

(5) Excellent health care at a fraction of the price you would pay at home. Dentists are cheap, too. Many doctors and dentists are trained abroad. Costa Ricans who reach the age of eighty have the longest longevity rate in the world beyond that age. This is mostly due to the country’s lifestyle. Many a foreigner who has moved here claims that “they have added years to their lives and life to their years.

(6) Good real estate investments if you do your due diligence and buy at the right price. In 2006 Costa Rica was considered one of the world’s best emerging real estate markets. Many properties are in locations with breathtaking panoramic views. You would pay millions of dollars for these views in some parts of the U.S. Costa Rica is a prime warm-weather destination like Hawaii and retirement haven which will drive the real estate market in future years.
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Feel Younger, Live Longer: The World’s Healthiest Places to Live in 2010

Original Posted on May 31, 2010 by IL. By the Staff of International Living

The first ever health issue of International Living has just been released. In the June issue, we tell you the best places to go to lower your blood pressure…live longer…save thousands of dollars on orthopedic surgery…and lots more.

We investigate an area of Costa Rica where a surprising number of people live to be 100. In fact, scientists drawn to this northwest coastal region have declared it a “Blue Zone”—one of a small number of special regions around the world renowned to be hotspots of longevity.

The World’s Healthiest Places to Live

Optimism and purpose, a low stress level, a natural diet and an active lifestyle…experts say those factors are three times as important as your genetic makeup when it comes to enjoying a long and healthy life. Luckily, it’s easy to embrace those elements when you’re living in a place where they come naturally. And they do in our top picks for the world’s healthiest places to live.

In these enclaves, people tend to put great value on personal interaction and friendship—and that involvement keeps you engaged every day. A slower pace—often coupled with a much lower cost of living—relieves the pressure and anxiety that so often takes grip at home. In the U. S., the “locavore” movement—which advocates eating foods grown near where you live—is just gaining momentum. But in the places profiled here, the foods you find at the markets are always fresh, local and organic. In these destinations, the air is clean and the sun shines—so you tend to be outside more and therefore more active.

As American Lee Carper reported after a few months, “I haven’t felt this good in so long I can’t remember. I used to take pain medication, but here I rarely take an aspirin. I don’t pick up a phone or get on the computer. I used to be glued to all that at home.”

If you’re ready to escape to a place where you’ll feel better, look younger and live longer, here’s your list:

Centenarians in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula

“Blue Zones” have been determined by scientists as places where the world’s longest-living people reside. One of these is Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula on the country’s northwest coast. Researchers spent nine months there in 2007 to determine why so many people live well into their 90s and 100s—longer than anywhere else in Costa Rica…or the world, for that matter.

The scientists studying the centenarians of the Nicoya Peninsula found eight key reasons for this longevity:

Diet. The people here are heavily influenced by the indigenous diet of the Chorotega, consisting of high-fortified corn and beans—healthy and high in fiber.

Water. With loads of calcium, the hard water encourages strong bones and fewer hip fractures.

Family focus. The Nicoya centenarians tend to live as couples or with children and/or other family members from whom they get support.

Eating lightly. They eat a light dinner early in the evening. (Eating fewer calories is proven to add years to your life.)

Dry climate. Nicoya is the driest part of Costa Rica, and in dry climates food doesn’t spoil as quickly, the sun is more intense, and people get fewer respiratory diseases and more Vitamin D.

Social networks. The centenarians here get frequent visitors and they know how to listen, laugh and appreciate what they have.

Work. They’ve enjoyed physical work all their lives and find joy in everyday chores.

Purpose. They feel needed and want to contribute to a greater good.

Look and Feel Young Overseas

If you dream of moving to this destination that International Living writes about, you probably look forward to a low-stress, affordable lifestyle. It’s likely to be a healthier lifestyle, too. Here are some reasons why:
Warm climate: Most of us dream of retiring someplace warm. Snow and cold are things we gladly leave behind with our old 9-to-5 lives. And when the weather is warm and sunny, it’s easy to spend more time outside in the fresh air. Before you know it, you may ease into an active lifestyle with lots of exercise…which health experts agree is key to keeping us looking and feeling young.

Some expats actually choose an overseas destination because they can practice a favorite sport there, such as golf, hiking or fishing. Others take up a new activity once they move. If you’re near the sea, for instance, swimming or strolling the beach may become part of your new routine. If you live in a city, you may soon be walking to shops and markets, or just exploring your new home town on foot. When adventure or fresh discoveries lie around every corner, long walks don’t feel like exercise.

Social life: Fresh air and sunshine can also help you make friends. (Health experts say that social networking helps us live longer, too.) Ever stayed home from a social event because you couldn’t face a cold, wet night out? In your new warm-weather home, you’re more likely to ask, “Where’s the party?” and enjoy the evening stroll there and back.

Healthy eats: With a warm climate comes a long growing season for fruits and vegetables. Expats often praise the quality and freshness of the produce they can buy locally. You can choose to eat junk food if you want. But fresh, exotic produce can tempt you to eat more healthily. If you do, your health—not to mention your taste buds—will thank you.

Of course, in warm weather it’s also tempting to lie by the pool and just do nothing. That’s okay, too—it lowers all that unhealthy stress.

By Daveed Hollander of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group Dominical

The dream of owning property in Costa Rica is alive and well. Excellent values abound for both raw land and built product. Buyers from many countries continue to find what they are looking for and to make good lives for themselves here.

I’ve seen thousands of people come and go in Costa Rica. Some have smoother experiences finding their ideal places than others do.

What makes the difference between heartache and satisfaction in the property-buying process? Taking your time to gather information is a key to success. Tempting though it may be, don’t rush into any purchases without all the information.

Here are a few tips, distilled from my 13 years’ experience as a real estate broker in Costa Rica:

Work with a reputable Realtor. This point cannot be over-emphasized. Naïve buyers who listen to sales pitches from taxi drivers, casual acquaintances and amateurs are in for trouble. Everybody knows of property for sale, yet few are qualified to help the buyer successfully complete a real estate transaction, except for reputable Realtors. Many U.S. real estate companies have offices in Costa Rica. And there are many independent real estate companies with long track records. When you find the area where you want to buy, ask around for recommendations for the top Realtors. Don’t work with amateurs or inexperienced operators.

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By Nikita Mohammed of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group Jaco Beach

In January of 2010, the new Caldera highway linking San Jose to the Central Pacific Coast was officially opened, changing the outlook for real estate in Jaco Beach and the surrounding areas. The new highway makes the drive from Jaco to Escazu, the popular upscale suburb of San Jose just about one hour , a journey that was previously almost 2 hours. While Jaco was already the closest beach town to San Jose, an easy one hour drive now makes it very convenient to travel from the city to the beach for a quick day trip. Jaco is also experiencing significant increases in rental revenues specifically with the local market from San Jose on the weekends due to the ease of access.

For the Costa Ricans and expats who can afford it, purchasing real estate in the Jaco area has quickly become not merely an investment option but truly a second or even retirement home, one that they can use and enjoy conveniently on a regular basis. All of this has led to a surge of real estate transactions in the Jaco area.
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By John Wieland of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group Dominical

When I first moved to Costa Rica in 2004, my wife and I would walk the beach nearly everyday. One morning I had a feeling of being transported back to that 70’s tv show, Gilligan’s Island when I found myself watching a man climb up a palm tree, knock down a few coconuts, cut the top and then drink the liquid inside. It seemed so alien yet exotic and it brought a bit of childhood nostalgia back. It reminded me of those countless episodes when Gilligan would be lounging on the beach and coconuts would be falling on his head waking him out of his languishing dreamy state.
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It is no secret that Costa Ricans are some of the happiest people on earth. And no wonder they are so happy, they live in paradise! With a gorgeous climate, beautiful scenery, fresh fruits and vegetables all year long, and lots of fun places to explore, who wouldn’t be!

This is the country of peace, and more biodiversity than almost anywhere else on the planet. You can wake up and see the sunrise in Limon on the Caribbean side of the country, and drive to the Pacific for the sunset!

So for those of you who plan to buy real estate in Costa Rica, or are thinking of relocating to this tropical treasure, I’m sure you are wondering how you can tap into this Pura Vida feeling. I think there are four important aspects to being happy here. The first and most important is to try to communicate with the Ticos. Even if you are not fluent in Spanish, if you try, it will be appreciated. Once you can start talking to the Ticos, you get in on all the secrets of this beautiful country.

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Purchasing land for sale in Costa Rica is a good investment: prices are reasonable, the laws are clear and many areas have great potential for growth in the near future. However, as with purchasing any land for sale, you should know what the law in Costa Rica is and how to protect yourself. The most basic protection you can have is to work with a reputable realtor. He or she will help you avoid an inappropriate purchase, help you negotiate a fair bargain, and help you find a property suitable to your needs, lifestyle and budget. Your American-European broker will guide you through the process described below.
Costa Rica Land: the title transfer process of land for sale

In Costa Rica, the seller transfers land to the buyer by executing a transfer deed (escritura) before a notary public. Unlike common law countries, such as the United States and Canada, in Costa Rica the notary public has extensive powers. The notary public must be an attorney and may draft and interpret legal documents, as well as authenticate or certify the authenticity of documents.

In order to close on the property, the buyer and seller must select a notary/attorney who will draft the transfer deed and register the sale in the Public Registry (Registro Nacional). Locally it is customary for the buyer to select the notary/attorney who will draft the transfer deed if paying cash for the property.

If the purchase price is financed, there are 3 options for selecting the notary/attorney:

* If the seller is financing a large percentage of the purchase price and a mortgage needs to be drafted to guarantee payment, then the seller may request that her or his notary/attorney draft the transfer deed.
* If a property is purchased 50 percent cash and 50 percent financed, it is common for the buyer’s attorney and seller’s attorney to jointly draft the transfer deed and mortgage in a single document.
* Finally, the buyer may insist that his or her notary/attorney draft the transfer deed and let the seller’s notary/attorney draft a separate mortgage instrument. In this case, because the mortgage is being drafted separately, it carries a higher registration fee.

It is no secret that Costa Ricans are some of the happiest people on earth. And no wonder they are so happy, they live in paradise! With a gorgeous climate, beautiful scenery, fresh fruits and vegetables all year long, and lots of fun places to explore, who wouldn’t be!

This is the country of peace, and more biodiversity than almost anywhere else on the planet. You can wake up and see the sunrise in Limon on the Caribbean side of the country, and drive to the Pacific for the sunset!

So for those of you who plan to buy real estate, or are thinking of relocating to this tropical treasure, I’m sure you are wondering how you can tap into this Pura Vida feeling. I think there are four important aspects to being happy here. The first and most important is to try to communicate with the Ticos. Even if you are not fluent in Spanish, if you try, it will be appreciated. Once you can start talking to the Ticos, you get in on all the secrets of this beautiful country.

Don’t be shy, or afraid. Anyone who has struggled to learn a foreign language knows how scary and uncomfortable it is to go into a store, or to ask directions with no idea how to speak the language, hang in there, it will be worth it.

Part of adjusting to living in another country is also to learn something about the culture. Costa Ricans are a very friendly generous culture, but they are also private, and you may not get the full effect of your Costa Rican friends months, or even years after you meet. The more you know about the culture, the less likely you are to offend someone.

Most Ticos are fairly understanding of gringo ways, but mostly in the Central Valley where the people are more educated. Bottom line, try not to offend, it is rude to walk into someone’s house and start bossing them around, telling them what to do, it is also rude to do that in someone else’s country!

Third on our list is to be smart. While in general Ticos are Pura Vida, there are some bad ones out there, and they are looking to take advantage. When you are buying real estate, use a realtor you trust, and a lawyer who has been recommended by someone you trust. Every day properties are bought and sold without proper registration, taxes paid, and even without the possibility of ever building on the land.

Trust your real estate professional to not let that happen to you. Same thing goes for repairs and general work. If you pay your gardener to paint your house, don’t be surprised if he does a poor job.

The last is something that you will probably never get used to, waiting. Nothing happens quickly here; accept that, the sooner you do, the happier you will be. You will wait in line at the electric company, you will wait for a phone, and you will wait for just about everything. But that is one thing that most of us were trying to escape, the hustle and bustle, so relax, study your Spanish dictionary, enjoy the great weather, and remember don’t fight it, or you will not be happy!

You can’t change Costa Rica, you have to learn to slide into its rhythm. Once you do, you will feel more relaxed, and you will be able to tap into that Pura Vida feeling!

By Brooke Bishop. Naranjo & Grecia of GoDutch Realty