The road system has dramatically improved in Costa Rica during the last 15 years. Living in Costa Rica in my mid twenties, I was constantly traveling around the country. I had my car fall through a bridge, driven through numerous rivers, and over thousands of miles of dirt roads. Now, when I drive with my children to Costa Rica’s famous beaches and rainforests, the travel time is considerably shorter, and often down paved highways.
There are a number of roads that have recently been paved in Guanacaste including the road from Surfside to Playa Danta. When the pavement was completed, we saw a dramatic increase in real estate demand for the properties along the new highway. In the past, the price of properties in these beach communities was discounted because of the access. You can still purchase a building lot for US$40,000 to US$70,000 a short walk to the beach, or a cute three-bedroom home as low as US$199,000. These are fantastic opportunities for people looking to purchase in an up-and-coming area.
The road to Veintiseite de Abril and Hacienda Pinilla is in the process of being repaired, and pavement is scheduled to be finished in 2014. This will open the access to the beaches south of Tamarindo, including Playa Junquillal, and reduce the travel time from San Jose and Santa Cruz for locals and visitors.
Courtney Borquet has been a permanent resident of Costa Rica for over fourteen years, and is the Manager and Associate Broker of RE/MAX Ocean Surf in Playa Tamarindo.