With its dramatically beautiful - and vastly contrasting - Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, stable political and economic status, high achieving eco-credentials and ‘pura vida’ lifestyle, Costa Rica has long been a magnet for yacht owners, tourists, surfers and adrenaline junkies alike.

And with the recent redevelopment of one of its deepest marinas now firmly underway at IGY’s Marina Bahia Golfito, it’s only a matter of time before this under-the-radar destination reaches an even greater audience.

An initial high end real estate offering of 51 units, comprising 40 condominiums and 11 waterfront villas, will be constructed on the marina site, which currently houses a boutique 10-room hotel and restaurant.

“Marina Bahia Golfito is one of IGY’s 23 marinas around the world”, explains Blueprint Global’s David Harries, who is marketing the Enjoy Group development. “There are already many yachts and sport fishing boats which come here and the vision is to grow the marina and the destination in parallel with this real estate project.

Competing to become one of the world’s most desirable destinations

Boasting an enviable track record of 330 luxury projects, from Canada, Europe, Central America and Asia, Blueprint Global is a world leading real estate sales and marketing consultancy seeking to maximise sales velocity and revenue for global real estate developers.

They believe Marina Bahia Golfito has what it takes to compete with the very best marina real estate developments worldwide. But to understand its appeal, you need to look first at exactly what Costa Rica has to offer.

“It is very safe and very stable economically compared to other Central American countries,” says David. “Belize is another unspoilt and under-developed area in the region but it is harder to get to than Costa Rica, which is very simple from a transport point of view.

“When you fly into San Jose, you have a five minute walk to the domestic terminal and a 45 minute scheduled flight, which lands at an airport just 10 minutes from the property. You can leave Miami at 6am and with the two hour time change, you can be at Golfito by 11am. People sometimes perceive it as being remote but in some ways it’s much more accessible than the better-known Nicoya Peninsula.

“The people are so friendly too. There is a 98 per cent literacy rate in the country and everybody speaks English so for someone who isn’t Costa Rican or Tico, it’s a very enjoyable and relaxing place to be.”

Where is Costa Rica?

Costa Rica is divided into four regions - Guanacaste, the Nicoya Peninsula, the Central Coast and the Southern Coast - and Marina Bahia Golfito is situated in the south, in a gulf within a gulf framed by the lush mangroves of Corcovado and Piedras Blancas National Parks.

David describes it as “an unpolished gem” which is home to some of the world’s richest biodiversity and as such, it attracts big-game anglers, eco-adventurers, yachties, surfers and nature-lovers looking for an authentic experience off the beaten track.

“The Papagayo region in the north is quite gentrified,” he adds. “There’s a Four Seasons and an Andaz Hotel, and the Ritz Carlton, Waldorf Astoria, One and Only and Six Senses resorts are all currently under construction. However, they are isolated, and once you check in, you’ll likely eat at the same restaurants. It’s also very expensive.

“Then you have the Nicoya Peninsula, which is not as developed - it’s typically dirt roads and a couple of nice hotels and restaurants. Little surf towns like Nosara, Tamarindo, and Santa Teresa are very attractive for visitors and surfers but it’s expensive to buy real estate there.

“In the south where Golfito is situated, it’s not so gentrified, although there are a couple of little surfing towns between San Jose and Golfito, like Jaco and Dominical, where there are very expensive homes up on the mountain with great views of the ocean. Golfito is still quite under-developed, and our waterfront second homes will sell for much less per square foot in our current Launch 1 release.”