Homes for sale and homes for rent in Santa Ana, San José, Costa Rica | Newsletters

» NOTES

When I started Residencias Los Jardines, I started writing a weekly news letter —determined to tell all the good, bad, and the ugly. I knew some readers would be interested in the construction process. I expected others might be interested in the lifestyle of two people who had decided to live outside the box. For others, the adventures of lita, the parrot and the cat took on an entertainment saga all its own.

Residencias Los Jardines is finished. We periodically have resales and rental availability. Some readers may be interested in this information.

More and more, the content will be dominated by events of our new project, "El Dorado" for short. While the future is always uncertain, I again aim to tell it like it happens —the good, the bad, and the ugly, and that is what follows.

In an effort to make the format more interesting and visually appealing and to field inquiries re. El Dorado, the news letter is now being distributed by Jan Kozak, Marketing Manager, Hacienda El Dorado. I will remain the author.

» MARKETING, WEBSITE & SALES

Few actual presentations resulted from the many phone calls Jan received from his modified ad. We just haven't been successful at getting Ticos to the table. We continue to give about 5-8 presentations a week.

» CONSTRUCTION LOG

Gaviones: The city wants us to deposit $3,000 with them as a bond that we will not destroy the road. While this is not an unusual requirement, I wonder how they will know whether any deterioration in the road will have been caused by our trucks or normal usuage or normal deterioration due to poor maintenance. While I never expect to know the answer to this question, I'd like to ask it even though the answer is immaterial.

Office Building: We wait for the permit. This isn't important since we don't plan on building it right away.

Use of the Well Water: On Friday afternoon I received the following information:

As per what I was told the D1 will be ready in exactly two weeks.

As for the MINAE concession, we are looking at about 4-6 weeks, instead of an average of 6 months.

If this comes to pass, it is the best news I've heard in a long time. However, we must remember that this is CR and construction so while I am cautiously optimistic, I'm not yet dancing in the street.

Quebrada Extension: The two additional sections of culvert were not delivered as promised. Thursday was a holiday to the workers and many companies and the government effectively shut down a day before and usually the Friday for a longer holiday. That's what we think happened with our culverts.

» RESIDENCIAS LOS JARDINES

Website Upgrade / Marketing: Photos of Residencias Los Jardines, the Santa Ana area and some of the houses are now available on line at https://picasaweb.google.com/gardenresidencesresort. The upgrade work is very near completion; it should be uploaded and fully operational this week. We will still be missing some info. But on houses which are neither available for sale or lease.

Unit #103 - For Sale/Leased
Total Area (Sq Ft): 1000
Total area (Sq M): 93
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This 1,000 sq ft., (plus parking for one car) detached, single story fully furnished home, which features two bedrooms, two bathrooms (one is en-suite), living room, dining and kitchen area and a private backyard terrace. The vaulted, insulated ceilings in the living room and master bedroom offer fresh air and cool temperatures all the time.

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Unit #109 - Available for Rent

Total Area (Sq Ft): 1506
Total area (Sq M): 140
Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Floor(s): 1 Story
Type: Detached
Furnished: Yes

This single story home (1506 sf. + parking for one car) is detached, has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, home office, living room wall / entertainment center along with a built in office and a semi-private terrace. In addition, it has a vaulted ceiling in the "great" room and two skylights. The covered entrance way is suitable for two chairs located next to a covered garden area. Once through the impressive front door, you enter the "great room" which houses the kitchen, dining room, office and living room. Upon entering, there is a built in wooden hutch surfaced with granite—it matches all the built-in furniture in the great room. There is a laundry / storage room off the 2nd bedroom. It is suitable for a side by side washer / dryer set or it may be used for storage.

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Unit #107 - For Sale
Total Area (Sq Ft):1716
Total area (Sq M):158
Bedrooms:2
Bathrooms:2.5
Floor(s):2 Story
Type:Detached
Furnished:Yes

This 1,716 sf. (plus parking for one car) two story, detached house, with three terraces, two bedrooms (one on each floor) and upstairs master suite is a beautiful home. This home consists of two VERY large bedrooms (one on each floor) with en-suite bathrooms and a powder room, each with large closets with extensive built-ins for personal organization. The vaulted living room and ground floor bedroom ceilings as well as the master bedroom on the 2nd floor, provide a feeling of grandeur while allowing the warmer air to rise and exit through the ceiling ventilating system. There are three TVs (one in each bedroom and one in the living room.) This is a beautiful home. There is a rough-in for a dishwasher in the kitchen area.

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Unit #120 - Available for Rent
Total Area (Sq Ft):1312
Total area (Sq M):122
Bedrooms:2
Bathrooms:2
Floor(s):1 Story
Type:Semi-Detached
Furnished:Yes

This 1,312 sf single floor home includes a 300 sf front terrace plus parking for one car. It is an end unit and therefore attached on only one side providing ample lighting and views. The 6 inch cement demising (common) wall prevents sound transfer. This is a very nicely furnished and accented home.

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»EXPLORING SANTA ANA

BACCHUS

As a result of an extensive renovation process of the former House Quitirrisí "which dates from 1870 and today is recognized as National Architectural Heritage Site, the Restaurant Bacchus was born. Located in the heart of Santa Ana, Bacchus has been characterized as an innovative space, which combines the arts with the cuisine in a holistic manner.

Perfect location, excellent atmosphere, fine dining and a highly personalized service, are the main ingredients of success of this business and gastronomic proposition.

The menu, which is constantly renewed, has 50 carefully crafted dishes, including pastas, pizzas and desserts. True to the philosophy of quality and excellent service, wine cellar is inhabited by a variety of international references, which manifest themselves in a wide and exclusive wine list.

Note: Bacchus has been our restaurant of choice particularly for special occasions. This is thanks to a consistently high level of quality and professionalism of their service, excellent (and consistent) quality of food combined with reasonable prices. You might end up eating out elsewhere paying a lot more for a lot less.

Take a Peruvian chef trained in France and a Italian owner and you get Bacchus, a welcome addition to the local dining scene. The cuisine is a mix of French and Italian dishes such as duck breast in a port sauce, baked mushroom-and-polenta ragout, and a variety of pizzas. Modern art decorates the simple but elegant interior, and outdoor seating is available. An extensive wine list and reasonable prices make it a great pick for dinner. -- Fodor's

For reservations, call 2282-5441.

»MEET THE DREAMMAKERS

Although his name sounds Arabic, Emir is yet another long-standing loyal crew member from Nicaragua who has worked with Brian and Paul for over four years now. He has been living in Pozos de Santa Ana, Costa Rica for 8 years with his Costa Rican girlfriend Carolina.

He tries to keep in touch with his family in Nicaragua, his mother, three sisters and one brother. His eldest sister works as a public accountant, the other one is currently completing her university degree in civil engineering and the third is in her second year of university studying business administration. His brother is also in school studying to become a car mechanic.

In the little spare time he has, he loves being with his family. However, what really seemed to spark an interest in our conversation was when I asked him whether he considered himself a "saprissista" or "ligista" -- referring to the names of fans of two of the major football clubs in Costa Rica.

Upon finding out that Jan, who did the interview with him, was from the Czech Republic, a huge smile appeared on his fan saying this was the first time in his life he met a guy from the country of his favorite favorite football team. To prove his statement, he went on by listing the names of every single member of the Czech football team. He also said he considered Czech women beautiful from what he had seen in magazines and because one Italian goalkeeper has a Czech girlfriend.

» NEWS FROM COSTA RICA

If your browser does not support the hyperlinks below, you can view the COSTA RICA NEWS section on our website from the following URL:

» https://www.eldoradocostarica.com/English/News/index.php

There are also new articles posted in Spanish on the following URL:

» https://www.eldoradocostarica.com/Spanish/News/index.php

May 05, 2008
Chinese Vice Premier Due in Costa Rica
SAN JOSE (AFP) — Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu is scheduled to arrive in Costa Rica Tuesday for a three-day visit that includes a meeting with President Oscar Arias, who broke ties with Taiwan to recognize China last year, Arias' office said.
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May 03, 2008
President Arias More Popular in Costa Rica
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Comparing to last year, more people in Costa Rica are satisfied with the government of Óscar Arias, according to a poll by Demoscopia published in Al Día. 44 per cent of respondents think the president has done a good or very good job in leading the country, up 5.4 points since July 2007.
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May 01, 2008
Costa Rica to Stimulate Local Food Production
(The Tico Times) Acknowledging that Costa Rica's dependence on imports is partly to blame for rising prices here, Agricultural Minister Javier Flores said the government would substantially increase local production of rice, beans and white corn by offering credit, insurance and technical assistance to Tico farmers.
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April 30, 2008
Costa Rica Bill Proposes to Remove Energy Caps
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly is sitting on a bill that would eliminate caps on electricity production by regional producers, a move President Oscar Arias' administration hopes will help the country's power supply keep pace with growing demand.
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April 30, 2008
New Costa Rica Police Force to Hit Inner-City Beat
(The Tico Times) San José is slated to see its own police force next week after Costa Rica's public security minister, Janina del Vecchio, announced the creation of the Metropolitan Police.
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April 30, 2008
Banco Elca Chief Alvarado Is Convicted of Fraud
(AM COSTA RICA) A three-judge judicial panel found the former chief of Banco Elca guilty on four counts and sentenced him to a total of 23 years in prison Wednesday.
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April 29, 2008
Mainer Confirmed As Ambassador to Costa Rica
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) The U.S. Senate has confirmed President Bush's nomination of businessman Peter Cianchette of South Portland as ambassador to Costa Rica.
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April 28, 2008
U.S. detention of top Costa Rica Prosecutor Ruffles Diplomatic Feathers
(The Tico Times) Costa Rica suspended legal cooperation with the United States and sent a protest note to the U.S. Embassy after Chief Prosecutor Francisco Dall'Anese was held at Miami International Airport on Wednesday in what U.S. authorities called a “routine security check.”
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» OUR LIVES

Weather: Not much rain and not much wind. Quite warm. The rainy season did not arrive this week either.

Lita is off to a women's retreat at Playa Flamingo with a friend and 150 other women. I hope she has a good time and meets others. I'm sure there will be a week's worth of stories on her return. Hugo and the parrots will do what they always do. I'll just try to figure out what's going on while laying in the hammock—undisturbed!

Brian, Lita, Hugo, irreverent Vicka, the pigeon toed parrot, and the newbies —Chico and Chica.