Why we picked the Southern Pacific Region for our Casa to share. 
 
The Northern Pacific fourth of the country has a very dry season, that includes annual forest fires and not good for growing things. During the rainy season (April to November) many of the roads are IMPASSIBLE. People complain of it taking an entire day to get less than 100 miles. The northern half also has the most amount of active volcanoes and is the area where most of the earthquakes take place. 
 
The Central Valley has the proximity of the big city of San Jose, it is not advisable to live in or near a big city. A rural area, where nearly everyone is independent and growing some of their own food, is more safe and more ideal. Nearly three-quarters of Costa Rica’s population lives in and around San Jose and the Central Valley.
 
The Central Pacific Area (western part of the Central Valley) 
If you read any of the expat blogs, articles, and publication on where to retire in Costa Rica, you certainly are going to come away with the thought that the northern central valley is where EVERYONE is going. Granted, there are thousands of expats living in the Central Valley. Expat hotspots of Grecia, Alajuela, Escazu, and Santa Ana, are close to San Jose. And that is probably the reason that American expats are moving to these cities, but again (for us) too close the big city.
 
The Caribbean side or what is called the Limon Province (anywhere in the country where you are 35 miles or less from the Caribbean Sea) is fraught with problems. Mosquitoes and humidity, the Caribbean culture, volcanoes. There are far less expats and English speaking people, fewer business opportunities and businesses period.
 
The South Pacific Coast Area The entire stretch of Pacific Coast in Costa Rica is called Puntarenas. The southern half of Puntarenas is really beautiful, has less population, contains real wildlife (monkeys, sloths, toucans, scarlet macaws, butterflys, hummingbirds…) and the most jaw dropping waterfalls.

​So why did we pick the mountains and not on the beach? It would be ill-advised to invest in property near the ocean, considering a Tsunami possibility, rising seas, as well as humidity, and population density. Only in the Southern Pacific area of Costa Rica do the mountain ranges drop right into the sea. Since the mountains extend down to the coast, it is just a quick drive from the beach up into the mountains where it is less humid and much cooler, and has fewer people in a more rural and safe community. 
 
So why the town of Platanillo? The area is known for its self-sufficient living, farming, and horticulture. It is a small local community with little outsiders passing through. This area is very lush and green, a wild fire is absolutely unimaginable! A short 30 minute drive east gets you into San Isidro, the second largest city in Costa Rica. Casa Corazon del Rio is positioned between nine waterfalls, two of which are each, one of the most spectacular waterfalls in all of Costa Rica. Just a short 10-15 drive to surfing in the beach town of Dominical. Another 20 minutes south along the coast to Uvita where there is close to year-round whale watching. 30 minutes north of Dominical is the jaw dropping Manual Antonio State Park. Location, location, location!!!

More on the Southern Pacific & Costa Ballena Areas:

The country’s Southern Zone is a stretch of coast that starts roughly at the former fishing village turned surfer haven, Dominical, to the Panama border along the Pacific coast and the Talamanca Mountain range which runs right along the coast, giving it a dramatic appearance of jungle-clad hills running right to the beach. The area’s unique jungle climate makes it one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world, home to toucans, various species of monkeys, sloths, hummingbirds, butterflies and much more. It’s also a relatively sparsely-populated area, with only a few sizable towns. Though tourists are coming here in increasing numbers, there are no major resorts and no large hotels. The region retains its off-the-beaten path, “hidden” feel. 

The main activities include beach enjoyment and marine resources, such as whale and dolphin observation, as well as mangrove exploration, sport fishing, surfing, National Park trails, professional diving, hiking to the Chirripo’s summit, botanical gardens, impressive waterfalls. Ecotourism features as the main product, especially the one that is carried out among the Humedal Sierpe-Térraba; the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, the Ballena Marine National Park, the Isla del Caño Biological Preserve and the Corcovado National Park.

The beach’s tourism possesses a wide potential in the coastal sector of Dominical-Piñuela; Platanares Beach; Zancudo and Pavones. The mountain’s product identifies itself in the Cordillera de Talamanca’s Mountain subunit, where San Gerardo de Rivas and San Vito of Coto Brus stand out as access centers to Chirripó National Park and the Friendship World Patrimony site. Additionally, there is a high potential in the rural tourism development, in country settlements distributed along the region. Two important protected areas are located in this zone, one is the Corcovado National Park, which National Geographic Magazine defines as “the planet’s biologically richest place” and the Humanity Biosphere Preserve, declared as Humanity Patrimony and part of the Amistad International Park.