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The 150-mile Caribbean coast extends from the border
with Nicaragua in the north to the border with Panama
in the south.
Puerto Limón is one of Costa Rica's two important
ports. It is the cradle of the country's Afro-Caribbean
culture and its Creole language. Few Americans live
in this city.
The Caribbean coast below Puerto Limón has
many places to live. This area particularly appeals
to young people who like beautiful tropical settings,
surfing, reggae music and the Afro-Caribbean culture.
A large colony of foreigners from Europe and the United
States live here.
The village of Cahuita, about 25 miles south of the
city of Limón, is one of the most popular spots
on the Atlantic coast. It lies next to Cahuita National
Park and has one of the best beaches in the country.
Despite a rising crime rate, it is still considered
one of the most laidback places anywhere in Costa Rica.
Many Europeans own or operate hotels in and around
Cahuita.
Puerto Viejo, about 12 miles south of Cahuita, is a funky
town with a Jamaican-like ambience. It is a great place for
lovers of the Caribbean lifestyle and ocean activities such
as snorkeling and surfing. There are some lovely swimming
beaches in this area with good waves and crystal- clear water.
A large number of Europeans and a few Americans live here.
Land prices start at about $100 per square meter and
are rising in value. Nice homes can be found for $150,000.
There are no condo projects in this area.
A few kilometers south are Punta Uva, with a gorgeous
beach for swimming, and the fishing village of Manzanillo.
The surrounding landscape is lushly tropical, and
wildlife such as howler monkeys and iguanas abound.
This area is spectacular and undeveloped but not
for long.
The Caribbean coast sounds very enticing; however,
the abundant year-round rainfall and humidity make
most North Americans, Canadians and other foreigners
choose to live on the drier west coast.
If you live in a beach or rural area, life is generally
less expensive and more tranquil than in San
José. People living on a small budget might consider
this factor before choosing a permanent place to settle.
In this section we have tried to give an idea of the
more desirable places to live in Costa Rica. Since
there are so many other great areas from which to choose it
is impossible to describe all of them here we
suggest you read some of the guide books listed in
the back of this book to get a better picture of what
Costa Rica has to offer. Then you should plan to visit
the places where you think you may want to live. The
best guidebook of the bunch is Moon Publication's
Costa Rica Handbook by the award-winning travel
writer Christopher Baker. We highly recommend this
great book. |
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