Worldwide tourism will grow 4 percent this year to

Costa Rica continues to be a country very visited by tourists from around the world

For the first time globally, international tourist arrivals reached 1 billion (1,035 million) during the year 2012, according to an initial advance of the World Tourism Barometer, exhibited by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) in the framework of the international tourism fair (Fitur).

The World Tourism Organization expects for the 2013 world tourism growth between 3% and 4%, figures that match the predictions made by the Organization to obtain an average of annual growth of 3.8% in the decade from 2010 to 2020.

Data indicate that the fastest-growing tourist region was the Pacific and Asia, who won a 7% increase in arrivals of tourists compared to the 2011. Southeast Asia is the sub-region with better results (9% increases) due to regional tourism promotion policies.

The following region with greatest increase in tourism demand is Africa (6%) with a record of 52 millions of

data from the sub-region of Middle East international tourist arrivals were the only ones in the world that remained in red, however, improved by 2%, after having reached a growth of - 7% during 2011.

Meanwhile, Europe remains the most visited region of the world with 535 million arrivals of tourists (51% of the world). The Mainland had a total increase of 3%, where France and Italy recorded a decline in tourism (- 7% to - 2% correspondingly).

America recorded a total of 162 million tourists, an increase of 6 million (4%) compared with 2011. The most visited sub-region is Central America (4%), while South America dropped 9% that maintained the 2011 to a 4%

For Costa Rica, the data are encouraging, since according to the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism depending on the country received to September of 2012 around 1,800,000 tourists, being the number of the last registered quarter arrivals (513.513) higher from the same period in 2011 (485.067).

Posted by Costa Developers

Costa Rica becomes a country of high luxury for visitors

Years ago the small country of Central America was known as a little explored natural destination and with limited possibilities to find accommodation and services of high luxury, found in the Caribbean and other countries. However that has changed and today it has become a tourist destination paradise and desired by many.

San Jose, the capital city has grown enormously and is capable of accommodating hundreds of businessmen and tourists looking for luxurious, comfortable and good price places to attend activities of world order, business congresses and other meetings; a focal point in new investments of the Ministry of tourism of the country.

With an input of about two million tourists a year, the country has made efforts to offer visitors everything you require when visiting the country.

If you are traveling to Costa Rica seeking a high luxury vacation, can be found. Currently there are marinas, golf courses, luxurious restaurants and hotels. Near projects of Costa Developers, where you can enjoy an unforgettable vacation, the luxurious Central Pacific Resort: Los Sueños, a place where it has access to a true oasis of tranquility and comfort.

Despite having taken a direction towards the buildings and most luxurious services and that they meet high standards, Costa Rica continues to be recognized worldwide for sustainability and conservation of the environment in urban residential and tourist complexes.

These centers for visitors have been catalogued as part of the stream of eco-tourism, which make up the eco-lodges, eco-resorts: centers of placement for tourists possessing high luxury and comfort without forgetting the flag for the conservation of nature and resources, something that much attention from the visitors.

Areas such as Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Herradura, Jacó, tourist complexes in Manuel Antonio, Central Pacific and Gulf of Papagayo in the North Pacific. Definitely Costa Rica has become a paradise for those looking for both comfort and harmony with nature.

Posted by Costa Developers

What do “baby boomers” wished to have when going on vacation?

There’s no question that comfort and price are two important elements when going on vacation, and people between ages of 48-69, that have been called the baby boomer generation, become more demanding bout what they look for when traveling for leisure and pleasure.

A recent survey conducted by WatchBoom.com an online magazine with 7000 subscribers, revealed interesting suggestions to resort and vacation centers on the world.

One of the most important things, of course is the price, but curiously 60% of people who responded to the survey said they’d be willing to pay a few extra dollars if they’re promised to have a time to remember, even if that is on high season.

Travelers also prefer all-inclusive hotels, giving them the choice to not pay anything extra for food or drinks. “Knowing that your tab for food and drink is covered takes a lot of unknowns out of budgeting for a vacation, especially for (Boomers) who foot the bill for family reunions and the like.”

More than 50% of respondents say they would prefer a “garden view” room at beach resorts because of pricey “ocean view” rooms at some resorts, and one of the subscribers said that “you can’t always get a front-on view of the ocean” from an ocean view room.

Boomers were also asked which the top five foreign destinations to vacation were; the results of those places are 1.Mexico, 2.Hawaii and the Caribbean, 3.Spain, 4.Costa Rica and 5.Canada.

The most important reference to choose a place is the experiences of others; the best way to find out how good or bad is a place is from the previous travel of relatives or friends. But online reviews are also very important, some say they’d rather see some good and bad reference instead of only wonderful things, “When I see a whole string of reports saying a hotel is really wonderful, and nothing ever goes wrong there, I get a feeling that the reviews have been ‘planted’ by the hotel.”

On the other hand some do rely on what others have said about the places on the web, “I rely on reviews by people who’ve actually stayed at hotels to steer me away from noisy, dirty and otherwise awful places…things I’d never have known from pictures of hotels on the websites.”

All inclusive hotels have a challenge of pleasing baby boomers’ visitors around the world, Costa Rica is no exception of it is surely a place where you will find everything you’re looking for to have a great time.

Posted by Costa Developers

6.9% more tourists came to Costa Rica on the third trimester of 2012

According to statistics of the Central Bank of Costa Rica (BCCR) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) between January and September 2012 the income of tourists to the country, rose at a 6.9% leaving as the balance $ 1.7 billion to the State.

These figures show that in the first nine months of the previous year (2012), a total of 1.635.348 people entered the country by airway, while in the previous year (2011) the same figure was 1.593.999 which reflects growth of 2.5%. The authorities even scanned the last quarter of 2012.

In addition to the income by air, is added the entry of tourists who arrived in the country by land, which were 1.799.000.

According to the corresponding authorities, since 2008 the number of tourists entering the country is maintained between 2,000,000 and 2.100.000 per year, which shows a clear change in the figures that were presented between 2004 and 2007.

The Minister of tourism, Allan Flores indicated that data are still needed "I have information that the airport Juan Santa María closed in a significant way, as well as the International Airport Daniel Oduber." You have to wait to have the data for the fourth quarter of 2012 ".

The country has made strong efforts to issue of marketing and exposure of the benefits and attractions to visit the country, which is expected to translate into the increase in the number of tourists entering the country. Tourism is one of the main economic activities of the country. Costa Rica plans to invest 17 million dollars for the promotion of tourism in 2013.

As the Minister of tourism, the overall expectation for the year 2012 correspond to an income of more than two million tourists, is however too early to make approximations. However, if indicated that most of the recorded tourists come from the United States and Canada.

"What I can tell you is that we are increasing the budget in promotion and marketing and our participation in international fairs; "also hope to have completed the National Convention Center, which will attract another form of tourism this year", said Flores.

Posted by Costa Developers

Where are the “best buys” in Costa Rica?

Year after year we’ve seen that the more than 2 million tourists that show up to explore this country keep falling in love with it and become interested in purchasing property in Costa Rica; with such promising panoramas within the next years in the Real Estate business and with a lovely destination, how come you doubt?

International Living magazine recently shared information about where are the hot spots to purchase property in Costa Rica, not surprisingly the Central-Southern Pacific stills in top 1, not only because it’s proven to be the best area to live and vacation but because of all benefits of it.

Think about a place which is located very close to Costa Developers projects, Manuel Antonio National Park, the most visited place in the country by tourists, not only because it is very close to the Central Valley but because of its immense natural beauty. The park is so visited; there are restrictions to get it, 600 people during the week and 800 on the weekends.

If you happen to be on that area, moving a little to the south you’ll find Corcovado National Park, for those who are truly down for a completely natural outdoors adventure, this is the place to be; a pristine reserve full of wild life, without roads, stores or hotels, huge tall trees and all kinds of birds to watch and enjoy.

Not only Manuel Antonio and Corcovado are located around the Central-Southern Pacific area, but a lot of places to enjoy as well, and numerous, countless activities to have lots of fun.

The following spots where to the northern are of Alajuela (city approximately 10 miles from San Jose) San Carlos, where you will find beautiful landscape and a lot of activities to enjoy, such as delicious hot springs, horseback riding tours and many more. On the third place, International Living chose the Caribbean region of the country, which despite all its current social problematic situations also holds a beautiful landscape.

No doubt, the Central-Southern Pacific stills your first top choice in case you’re looking for a great place to vacation and enjoy retirement, family travel. Take a look at our website so you can see yourself vacationing at this paradise.

Posted By Costa Developers

Approximately 30% of tourists arrive to Costa Rica for bird watching purposes

Large numbers of tourists arrive daily to Costa to get deep into the forest to observe animals which they’re most passionate about: birds. The sighting of these colorful singers is one of the most famous activities among those visiting the country.

A survey by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) indicates that last year 29.5 % of the tourists who entered the country claimed to have made birds observation, this is equivalent to 430,000 people, this data was obtained by surveys of the non-resident individuals who entered and exited our country air in 2011, whose goal was a recreational visit.

Paul Elizondo, a researcher at INBio (National Biodiversity Institute), explains that Costa Rica is very famous in the world by the number of birds. The country has approximately 880 species of resident and migratory birds, 56 of them are endemic.

Among the species that are most commonly seen are the kettle black (Chamaepetes unicolor), the burrowing serranera or estucuru (Megascops brachyuran), the cuyeo (Caprimulgus saturatus), the colibri throat of fire (Panterpe insignis) and the hummingbird volcano or chispita volcanera (Selasphorus flammula). They also stress the goldfinch (Myadestes melanops), the volcano junco (Junco mexicana vulcani) and rualdo (Chlorophonia callophrys).

There are sites for bird watching in the entire country, being some of the most highly visited of Los Santos in the Cerro de la Muerte, the Palo Verde National Park in Guanacaste; Monteverde, Puntarenas; Tortuguero on the Caribbean and Corcovado in the Osa Peninsula. Also the Carara National Park, which borders with our housing development: Costa Montana.

The number of observed species varies constantly since, especially the migratory are in the need to change their habitats to adapt to climatic variations that you are experiencing today. The phenomenon of birds migration occurs in October in southern direction, explains Elizondo.

However, depending on the species, the migratory populations are kept until the end of March and early April. “The Caribbean and the coastal areas of the Central Pacific are excellent areas for migratory bird watching,” he added.

Although from the data of counts and the knowledge of scientists on each ecosystem lists the birds easier to see, every visitor has its own goal. The tour guide expert in bird-watching Marino Chacón adds that this is a recreational activity that brings a great passion with it.

“There are people who wait years to see a bird, that they have studied, seen in photographs and heard her singing in recordings, and for them it is something very important and find it satisfactory in live and in living color,” he explains. “I remember finally cried when I saw that hummingbird. It was my dream,” said the Canadian Sara Tellman.

To receive these passionate visitors, the country has developed an important tourist industry, which offers a convenient infrastructure and high standards of security to enter forest and observation sites”, match the ICT and Chacón.

“The person who wants to observe birds comes with that as a number one goal; then is concerned about hotel or the transport. Clear that helps you to know that tourists come to an environment of political stability and security,” adds the expert.

All these factors, as well as the increase in international visitors interested in the bird watching, both for recreation and scientific research, have increased the offer.

Costa Rica Real Estate | Costa Developers

Costa Rica is the best place on the region to have and raise children

Costa Rica has the lowest infant mortality in Central America and one of the most reduced one in Latin America. The country is also the best place in the region to raise children say a compound of reports.

The infant mortality rate (IMR) is an indicator of child deaths per thousand live births recorded in the first year of life, which reflects the living conditions of the population and to measure the development of a country.

The isthmus is the only nation that holds the infant mortality rate in single digits, which is a huge achievement.

The data is from the non-governmental organization in Washington, US Population Reference Bureau, report released in 2011: “We’re an example throughout Latin America to take mortality into a single figure. The idea is to maintain or reduce it further”, said Ileana Balmaceda, chief executive of the CCSS (Social Security System in Costa Rica)

An adequate prenatal care, care for high risk pregnancies, timely care to the newborn, care for 97 percent of deliveries in health centers and immunization programs and to promote breastfeeding have led to a sustained reduction in child mortality.

This is supported by more and better specialists and high-tech equipment to help keep a steady decline throughout history in the deaths of children less than one year. For Maria Luisa Avila, former Minister of Health, the advantage has been the social investment that the country has made, starting with access to drinking water, sewers, nutrition, access to health services and literacy.

According to the Statistics and Census Institute (INEC), last year there were 666 deaths (five less than in 2010) and there were 73,459 births, 2,537 more than 2010.

Thus, the mortality rate showed a slight decrease in passing of 9.46 deaths per thousand births in the first year in 2010 to 9.07 deaths in 2011.

In addition to this information, Save the Children’s “State of the World’s Mothers” report ranked Costa Rica 13th on list of less-developed countries.

The study released by this NGO was based on conditions for raising children. Following Costa Rica in the region is Panama (24th), El Salvador (37th), Belize (42th), Nicaragua (49th), Honduras (60th) and Guatemala (68th).

Country’s medical center and high quality social security are among the most significant attractions for people thinking about living in Costa Rica. A low infant mortality and a good rate on the following report represents the huge improvement Costa Rica has made to become a high developed country and best of the region in many areas.

Costa Rica Real Estate | Costa Developers

Costa Rica as best destination for markets accessibility and competitiveness

The great contribution which means foreign trade for Costa Rica to their social and economic development is the product of its policies of openness and its simple pricing model.

Thus specifies the last report Global Facilitation of the 2012 trade of the World Economic Forum, published on 23 May and placed Costa Rica in the first place in Central America and ranked 43 worldwide.

The index is published every two years since 2008 and this had a record of 132 economies coverage. Figures express each Central American country’s place in the global list.

The World Economic Forum report says the country has successfully taken advantage of its inclusion into global value chains and improved trade facilitation procedures have significantly contributed to this outcome. Customs revenues have grown manifold; the employment situation has also improved, both in quantity and quality, as have exports.

In the report as well the author closes by saying that the example of Costa Rica presents a very strong, practical argument for further multilateral trade facilitation measures, such as those discussed under the aegis of the WTO.

This case study also shows, however, that even in the presence of strong and well-executed policies, setbacks can occur and facilitating trade is a process that requires constant improvement and continuous policy attention.

Foreign direct investment in Costa Rica will grow 7 percent this year, according to projections by the CINDE (Coalition’s Initiatives for Development).

Of growth, reach the goal established by the Central Bank of $2.25 billion Costa Rica.

In 2011, foreign investment reached $2.1 billion for the dynamic way in area export processing zones and tourism.

Costa Rican president, Laura Chinchilla is currently on a European tour, urging businessman and governments to invest in the country and promote alliances between governments. During his visit to Paris, Chinchilla reaffirmed that the country she rules shared the values of OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) and wants to be member of it.

“Costa Rica has always valued and offered his friendship to this organization.” We also are prepared to offer our work and commitment to move towards this forum where major decisions are taken”, said Chinchilla at the annual meeting of the OECD.

“We are the oldest democracy in Latin America,” she emphasized, and the OECD has provided guidance, analysis, reflection and inspiration to Costa Rica for more than half a century.

More medical centers moving to the most visited beach towns

Posted on May 29, 2012 by admin

The private hospital CIMA is getting ready to open its doors in a few weeks in what will be its second hospital in Costa Rica. The new hospital is situated in Liberia, joining the main one in Escazú, which has been operating for the last 12 years.

The opening date has yet to be announced. According to Gustavo Lee, operations manager of the medical centre, the date will be announced soon. Lee calls the new centre the “best medical option in the North Pacific”. The new hospital is generating some 70 jobs, which most of the hiring will be from the local areas. Although the initial capacity if of six hospital beds, it can quickly be extended to triple that or 18 beds.

The new medical centre will also have a laboratory, pharmacy, radiology department, an emergency room and operating rooms. The medical centre will serve the 270.00 permanent residents of the area and some 500.000 tourists on holiday or who are temporary residents in Guanacaste. The opening of the Hospital CIMA in Guanacaste will allow health specialists to offer their services at a first class hospital and with cutting-edge medical apparatus.

But not only the northern region of the Pacific Coast will have this kind of centers, as well the Central Pacific keeps improving its medical centers due to the great demand of tourists, retired foreigners and the increased number of people moving to the area.

Marjorie Arroyo from Clínica Bíblica said that currently the Medical Center is working with a General Doctor, who’s able to attend minor procedures and exams. If there are major complications that cannot be treated at the Clinic en Herradura, Los Sueños, patients will be submitted to the Hospital in San José.

Currently there is also a monthly visit from a dermatologist, being one of the most common health issues on a tropical region.

Approximately in one or two months the branch will have its own pharmacy, “We have the space and all the permits to open in approximately one month our own drug store” Arroyo said.

In the near future there will be more specialized doctors coming frequently. Arroyo also said that both foreigners and national citizens come to the clinic with different consultations with the permanent doctor, Dr. Erisel Sanabria Coto.

“We’re a small branch, so we decided to currently work with a dermatologist only, but we’ll start implementing more specialists in the course of the year”, commented Arroyo.

Clinica Bíblica has been very excited about their Los Sueños branch, as they bring with them the backing of hundreds of doctors and specialists, a complete state-of-the-art private hospital in San Jose, pharmaceutical department, and more along with over 80 years experience in the medical health industry in Costa Rica.