Where the True Nature Lies...
Playa Azul , or "blue beach" (named because of its shimmering blue coral sands) is different than nearly all other central pacific beach areas. It is in close proximity to the best known birding area in the entire country, Carara National Park... and it is also close to the famous "jungle cruise" which is probably the most popular in the country. The area is literally in the middle of the best wildlife areas in the country... birds, the majestic and nearly extinct scarlet macaws, monkeys of several varieties, pizotes, iguanas, and much much more... not to mention that some of the best fishing in the area takes place in the bay just in front of Playa Azul.
We have chosen to call our development Pueblo Escondido, or "hidden village" , because it is set in the midst of expensive developments (Nativa, Los Sueños, Villas Caletas, Punta Leona and more) and yet is almost unknown in the area. With the advent of the new highway (now open) the central pacific coast of Costa Rica will surely become even more well known... and almost as much a certainty is the fact that Pueblo Escondido at Playa Azul will not remain unknown for much longer either.
CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Tropical dry forest, typical of Costa Rica´s North Pacific region, meets the very moist forest of the South Pacific. Because of this, we encounter species from both ecosystems. Carara means "River of Alligators" in indigenous language. Is is the last remnant of this type of transition forest.
Early morning, or around sunset is often the best time to see the wealth of birds living in the park. Other wildlife you are likely to see include white-face capuchin monkeys and scarlet macaws, which migrate daily from the interior of the dense forest canopy to the mangroves near the mouth of the Tarcoles where they tend to perch. If the colorful streaks in the sky left by the macaws aren´t enough, birders will enjoy toucans, parrots, aracaris, kingfishers and herons, which flourish in the coastal mangroves. Other animals found inside the park and around includes peccaries, anteaters and poision-arrow frogs that hop tentatively around the moist forest floor.
Neighborhood
TARCOLES RIVER
HERRADURA BEACH
JACO BEACH
Playa Azul is one of the last remaining Tico or Costa Rican beach towns left in Costa Rica. It has become a mixture of "gringo" homes interspersed with Tico homes that have been there for decades...a sort of combination of an architectural "good, bad and ugly."
But the area is truly the "real Costa Rica"... a combination of the friendly people that inhabit the village and surrounding area and all of the wildlife that Costa Rica is so famous for.
The river's upper reaches form the northern border of the Carara National Park. It is a habitat for American Crocodiles, while the marshes located at the river's mouth have many waterfowl and wading birds. Boat tours are available to see the crocodiles, many of which grow to be several meters in length! At the mouth of the Tarcoles, the mangrove plays a vital role for the survival of many species of wildlife. Among the many herons and egrets are the Boatbill and Bare-throated Tiger Heron, and other birds found here include Double-striped Thick-knee, Mangrove Warbler and American Pygmy Kingfisher.
Reptiles, such as the American Crocodile, Cayman, Common Basilisk and large iguanas, are also easily seen.
Jaco Beach Costa Rica is the most popular beach destination in Costa Rica. At the heart of Costa Rica's central Pacific coast, Jaco Beach is the closest resort to the capital city of San Jose and draws a variety of national and international tourists with its year-round surf, prolific rainforests, world-famous sport fishing and happening nightlife.
Nothing beats Jaco's central location, and the region's ongoing prosperity has delivered a variety of celebrated restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, health spas and entertainment venues.
Activities include surfing, swimming, deep sea fishing, ATV tours, bicycle rentals, horseback excursions, boat and kayak excursions, white-water rafting, canopy tours.
A quiet beach, ten years ago mostly frequented by “Ticos” and campers, Playa Herradura was an unknown paradise. A dark grey sand beach with aqua green waters and a palm tree lined shoreline; Playa Herradura is today a tourist hotspot on the Northern Puntarenas coast. Ideal for those who want to get away from the hustle of Jaco, this beach has bloomed into becoming a much traveled vacation destination.
To get to Playa Herradura take the turnoff on Costanera Sur, north of Jaco and drive approximately 2 miles down the road west to the beach. Home to Los Sueños Marriott a fantastic luxury hotel with plenty of features and amenities, La Iguana Championship Golf Course & Los Sueños Resort & Marina; this beach area is rapidly becoming one of the biggest tourism developments in Costa Rica. Nevertheless, Playa Herradura's tranquil waters still draw in a number of locals who want a quiet getaway.
Besides the huge amounts of wildlife and nearly secluded beaches that Playa Azul offers, here are just a few more samples of why a purchase in Pueblo Escondido makes sense as an investment.
Punta Leona… only 5 miles away, this development has become one of Costa Rica’s best known, with a recent new phase of nearly 15 units selling out in less than 2 hours!…and at an average cost of just under $500,000!
Los Suenos … less than 15 minutes away, this development is arguably the best known and most expensive development and resort on the Pacific coast with an average cost of nearly $1,000,000. It has a deep-water marina and Championship golf course.
Nativa... is overlooking the beaches and area of Playa Azul but with no access. This community’s latest phase begins at around $500,000.
Carara Bay... just minutes away is a new development that will boast over 500 deepwater yacht slips, 500 residences starting at over $400,000, a 5-star hotel and village.
