Is It Time to Bail Out of America?

Another year has come to an end and I don’t know about you, but short of 2001, I can’t remember a more tumultuous 365 days than 2008. No need to rehash the gory details. If you don’t mind I’d like to think positive thoughts and start the New Year on a high note.

I know it’s hard to believe, but there are plenty of good things to look forward to in the New Year, especially on the investment front, provided you know where to look. I know what you’re thinking.
Optimism?
Investment?
In this economy?

Yes, even in this economy.

If you have money to invest, you can’t just leave it lying around collecting dust, earning paltry returns off the interest of savings accounts just because we’re “officially” in a recession. Getting the most from your hard earned money means making smart
investments--whether you’re a new investor just starting out or a seasoned investor with an impressive portfolio and the requisite millions stashed away in some tropical offshore account. And even in times like these, the key to making smart long term investments is a matter of recognizing great opportunities and seizing them. Especially investments offering savvy investors a low cost of living, excellent, inexpensive healthcare and a safe, secure place to live and call home.

Such opportunities still exist in a truly magical place that serves as a haven for weary, over stressed vacationers, paradise found for surfers looking to stave off hibernation during the winter months in water that stays warm all year long and the ideal addition to any portfolio for those seeking sound, long term financial gains.
In fact, savvy investors have been flocking to this wondrous locale for decades now.

Of course I could only be talking about Costa Rica--and to be more precise, the Limon region. Located on the Southern Caribbean cost, Puerto Limon has become Costa Rica’s premiere port town in recent years.

Stretching for some 125 miles between the borders of Panama and Nicaragua, this breathtakingly beautiful province was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1502.
Frankly, investing anywhere in Costa Rica is great idea, but I’m especially excited about Puerto Viejo. What makes Limon in particular so special? There’s a new development taking shape here called the Los Cielos Estates that is just too good to pass up. Located just 40 minutes south of Puerto Limon, just outside Puerto Viejo, the Los Cielos Estates development is beautifully designed, well thought out, ground has been broken and construction is well under way.

This exclusive, private, gated community boasts scenic woods and sprawling creeks, surrounded by stunning views of majestic mountains. A private pathway leads from the property to a secluded private beach just a few hundred yards away. Los Cielos offers private horse stables on the property, so you can saddle up and explore it to your heart’s content. And with hundreds of species of birds, sloths, monkeys, reptiles and countless additional exotic species right outside your door, there’s plenty to see. Lot sizes start at one and a half acres, so no matter how much property you buy, you’ll have plenty of room to stretch out. Stewart Title Insurance guarantees a clean property title. And when you're ready to make your dreams of owning a home in Costa Rica a reality, Los Cielos Estates is ready and willing to help with all of the details. They’ll even assist you with selecting a builder, work with you on the design, and provide construction oversight if you need it.
For added convenience, Los Cielos works with a California based architectural company that offers several tropical home plans to choose from.
The best part?
It costs a lot less than you think to gain a foothold in this Costa Rican dream. Amazingly, prices at Los Cielos Estates start at only $50,000. I don’t have to tell you, that prices like that are unheard of these days in Costa Rica. Obviously, such low prices are due to the “early bird” nature of the market on the Caribbean side of the country. (And you know what they say about the early bird.)

A word to the wise: You can expect to pay four times that amount for similar properties on the Pacific side. So, it goes without saying that at Los Cielos, time is of the essence. Interest is running high as the word gets out and more and more investors are discovering the incredible values on this side of Costa Rica.

John Wessman and his wife Joanna recently purchased property in Los Cielos and they couldn’t be happier. “My love and I have for many years said we where going to buy a piece of paradise in Hawaii, well we let too much time get by and got priced out of Hawaii. But when we felt Los Cielos we knew one of the reasons why we waited, it is pure, and it is the real PEACE in PARADISE. You know it is the place when you have that cold Imperial Beer, with your feet in the sand, listening and feeling the peace that the ocean brings in paradise. That is Pura Vida!!”

So, long story short, if you’re considering moving here or investing in Costa Rica, this is a must see project. Truth be told, the only thing I enjoy waking up to more than the sounds of all the many exotic birds and the ocean right outside my door, is waking up to the realization that investing in land in Costa Rica was one of the best decisions I ever made. Who says you can’t mix business with pleasure?

Escape the Rat Race and Retire Young

A friend of mine retired to Costa Rica from northern California at the age of 40. He lives in his debt-free small hotel, which is run by his hotel manager and enjoys a healthy life eating his fill of fresh fruit and seafood daily. He was able to retire early because he moved to Southern Caribbean part of Costa Rica, which is one of the world's best retirement destinations.

Four years ago, he sold his Northern California home at a tidy profit. He took the money he made on the sale of his home and bought a piece of land in Costa Rica and built small hotel consisting of main house and lobby where he resides and five cabanas which he rents. He bought it free and clear because he likes the fact that he is not indebted to anyone.

He sold many of his belongings and the rest he packed in his two cars and with the help of his friends they drove it to Costa Rica. From the border at Nogales, it was one in the lifetime eleven day drive. They drove through Mexico, Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and to Costa Rica.

He's settled into life quite nicely here. He owns a beautiful tropical hotel built out of exotic wood with gorgeous swim-up bar an in-ground swimming pool, and outside gourmet kitchen. He lives frugally but well off income he gets from hotel rents, the interest he earns on his savings and investments.

His typical day goes like this: He wakes at about 6 a.m., enjoys freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee and a little papaya or mango for breakfast, and checks e-mail and the news from home. Then he welcomes Jorge (the guy who runs his hotel) and takes the dog for a walk on the beach, which is about 200 yards from his place.

Other days he may go to the local tienda (local grocery store) where he'll stock up on fresh fruit or buy the ingredients for seafood chiopino. On the way back he'll buy freshly caught tuna or barracuda and the crab for about $1 per pound.

After the hour long walk or jog along secluded white sand beach and swim in 85 degree crystal clear ocean water it's time to start thinking about lunch. But only after a quick dip in the pool. For lunch he might go to a favorite restaurant that has the freshest and most delicious local foods, and a beverage for $6. Some days he'll drive 30 minutes to border town with Panama where he can buy duty free products and more-than-he-can-eat best free range rotisserie chicken for $5. Washed down with a $1 beer, of course.

Then it's back home for a siesta. But first he has to pay his maid $10 for a full day's work. After another late-afternoon swim, my friend will usually sit down with hotel guests and listen to their rat race stories. Or grab a book and hit the hammock. After another stroll on the beach, he's ready for dinner. Since he had a big lunch, he'll most often head for one of the towns food establishments that offers free live music. (In Puerto Viejo, you can find free entertainment somewhere in town every night of the week.) He might pay a couple of bucks for huge slice of local gourmet pizzas maybe another buck for a fresh watermelon, pineapple, or orange juice.

Some night’s he'll opt for a nightcap at one of the many local bars along the beach. Finally, he'll head for home and a good night's sleep so he can do it all over again the next day.

If this sounds like a good life, I can assure you it is. This economy has taught us that there is NOTHING wrong with living debt free and enjoying the simple things in life.

"If I were still in the States I'd still be working and watching my 401K going down. Hoping that when I turn 67 I can retire and be able to take my dog to the local city park for walk and share my worries about economy, government bailout plans and my health coverage with others"- he says. Instead, he's happy, stress-free, and retired at 45...in the world's best retirement destination.

“I do not want to spend my whole life working to retire at the age of 67 and STILL pray that I do not outlive my savings. What kind of lifestyle is that? I’m enjoying the best years of my life!”