There are
big things happening in Golfito, Costa Rica, namely a complete overhaul of the town and
marina. The first
part of the project is a state-of-the-art marina, which will cater to yachts of
all sizes and has been designed to support the hosting of future fishing
tournaments. Golfito’s strategic location, easy access to the Pacific Ocean and
Panama Canal, will help to make the town an exciting new location for yachters
specifically and tourists in general.
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Plus, the
marina is only the beginning. Noam Schwartz has a plan to revitalize the small
town of Golfito in more ways than one. He plans to build a resort hotel,
residences, shopping stores, restaurants and entertainment locations. He’s working with his team, local
authorities, architects, and developers to renovate and improve access, appeal,
and draw of the town itself.
Golfito is
currently a small town that looks out over a protected deep water bay of the
same name nestled within the Golfo Dulce on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa
Rica. It was historically a small fishing village and then a company town when
United Fruit rolled in and made bananas big business in the region during the
1930s. For generations, Golfiteños worked in support of the industry, lived in
company constructed homes, attended company built schools and went to a company
built hospital. Then, in 1985 the Company left and the town suffered greatly.
The Costa
Rican government worked to revitalize the economy by dubbing Golfito a
duty-free zone, allowing Ticos and expats to purchase duty free goods including
big ticket items twice yearly (up to $1,000 every 6 months)
without having to pay the import tax. However, when you drive through the town
there appears to be only a handful of shops and/or restaurants along the main
road.
The change
in store for the town is a stunning multiphase project that will involve the
following:
·
Golfito Marina Village and Resort. This is the first phase and it is
supposed to break ground in July 2014. It will be Costa Rica’s newest super
yacht and tourist destination and will pave the ground for the following
phases.
·
Easy access to local airport. The construction of a well-designed
road will connect the town with the Golfito Airport, further connecting the
town with easy jaunts to other parts of the country and to the major
international airport in San Jose (currently a 3+ hour drive).
·
A central plaza. What cute little tourist town does
not have a central plaza? Golfito’s central plaza will provide a picturesque
area for visitors to walk around and do their shopping (in the only duty-free
zone in Costa Rica). The plaza will also help to create a hub of business and a
sense of community for the town.
·
A history museum. Golfito has a rich history from even
before it was a company town. Visitors to the area will appreciate being able
to learn about the local history and the special culture of the area.
·
A tourist information center. There is so much to do in the area
from deep water fishing to hiking through national parks, or having a picnic on
a beach and enjoying the warm tropical waters of the protected bay. There are
islands to explore in Golfito Bay and can only be accessed via boat. There’s a
ferry that will take passengers across the bay to Puerto Jimenez on the Osa
Peninsula, which opens up a lot of other activities and adventures. With a
tourist information center, Golfito will be in the position to be a guiding
force in the ecotourism industry of the region.
·
A local artists and crafts village. This will enable the local art and
craft scene to flourish and share their culture and vision. Visitors looking to
take something home, which is authentically Costa Rican, will undoubtedly find
the perfect treasure in this village.
·
A new boardwalk. In addition to the central plaza,
the boardwalk will involve eateries featuring local cuisine, souvenir shops,
coffee shops, bicycle trails and rentals, and water taxis to neighboring
beaches and attractions.
·
A community recreational park. Towns should allow for green areas
and parks. These parks create spaces of beauty where families and communities
can get together for picnics, sports, and community events. It’s the icing on
the cake.
As Golfito goes
under a bit of a facelift, all this hustle and bustle will generate hundreds of
jobs in the construction, service, and hospitality industries. These jobs, in
turn, will generate demand for local real estate and amenities. This demand
will increase the economy and local real estate values. It will then ripple
across the bay to Puerto Jimenez and around to the surrounding areas.
For more
information regarding my experiences and other tips and insights about living
as an expat in Costa Rica please check out my blog at http://ackermanrealtyinternational.com/category/costa-rica/. If you are interested in
subscribing to my blog or simply to keep up to date on my listings (including
the ones located in and around Golfito), please sign up at http://ackermanrealtyinternational.com/subscribe-today/.
Summary: A multiphase renovation of Golfito,
Costa Rica will revitalize all aspects of the economy in the region.
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