Samarillo is a high quality, secure residential community bordering a river in a tropical forest less than five minutes from two of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in Guanacaste; Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo. These two crescent bays are reef protected and calm, ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Swaying palm trees line their miles of sandy pristine beaches. This is quintessential Costa Rica, and as the name implies, “Samarillo” is smack-dab in the heart of it.

Playa Samara

Although you can fly directly in, the drive to Sámara from the provincial capitol Nicoya (32 km) may be one of the most scenic in Costa Rica, and it is now one of the most comfortable, thanks to paving that extends all the way to Playa Carrillo. Sámara's clean, white sweep of beach is framed by two forest-covered hills jutting out on either side. This giant protected cove is ideal for swimming, and a coral reef 1½ km from the shore is the site of many diving and snorkeling excursions. Long a favorite with Ticos, many of whom built summer houses on the beach, Sámara is flourishing and attracting a lot of improvement. The town itself is small, but there are many nifty seaside restaurants, boutique hotels, pharmacy, supermarkets, post office, a medical clinic and all the other amenities of an established town. Sámara has a distinctively Tico spirit with a school, soccer field, and church right in the center of town. The hospitality and friendliness extended by Samarans will make you feel safe, welcomed and right at home. Samara is a choice location to live, play and invest in.

Samara isn’t an eclectic surfer-based hang-out – it’s an established town. Good surf is nearby, but this genuine Costa Rican town is appealing more toward retired executives, entrepreneurs, artists and business people of many backgrounds for both part time and full time residency.

Playa Carrillo

With its long, reef-protected beach backed by an elegant line of fluttering palms and sheltering cliffs, Playa Carrillo is a candidate for the most picturesque beach in Costa Rica. Totally unmarred by even a single building, it's ideal for swimming, snorkeling, walking, and lounging - just remember not to sit under a loaded coconut palm. Playa Carrillo is two minutes south of Samarillo on the paved coastal road.

Access

Samara is easily accessible from well maintained paved roads connecting it to most parts of the country, including the central valleys, the entire Pacific coast and the international airports at Liberia and San Jose. There’s also a domestic airstrip at Playa Carrillo served daily by Nature Air and Sansa to take you quickly anywhere in the country. Nicoya, with all the medical and professional services expected of a provincial capital, is in the hillsides only 32 km north.

Weather

At 9 degrees latitude N the weather is enjoyable year round with average daily temperature ranges in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s. The rainy season is mild with around 80 inches per year, primarily in the afternoons from May through October. The beaches are calm and soothing with a backdrop of hillsides splashed with tropical colors in a surround sound of exotic birds, frogs and monkeys.

Activities

Activities extend far beyond surfing, snorkeling, kayaking, terrific in-shore fishing, horseback riding or just lolling on the beach. The verdant hills are filled with wonderful hiking, waterfalls, birding, canopy tours, ancient tribal caving and much more; and the gorgeous countryside goes on and on in all directions for discovery of thrilling break points, breathtaking scenery and untouched coastline.

The Property

Samarillo has been thoughtfully designed by acclaimed Costa Rican architects with a tropical Balinesian architecture. This exotic combination provides a living environment that is functional, beautiful and intimate. A mixture of single family and condominium homes share common grounds of walkways, gardens and river gazebos that capture the essence of tropical living. Each single family property has private courtyards, swimming pools, private gated parking and lush landscaping. A full time caretaker resides on the property to provide maintenance and security provided by the Samarillo Homeowners Association’s protective covenants to assure your peaceful enjoyment at all times.

The property has immediate access to the coastal road and is bordered by roughly 156 meters of river that spills into the ocean just down stream. Topography is flat and open with many beautiful tropical trees that naturally define the environment. To the southwest is a large, environmentally protected property connecting to the sea front. A few modest Tico homes dot the road directly north and south. Across the road and inland is a steep hillside with thick tree growth.


Though direct ocean views are blocked by dense growth to the west crashing waves are clearly heard, and at sundown the river bed comes alive with the tropical sounds of birds and frogs.

Investing in Growth…

If a peaceful, gorgeous, adventure-filled vacation spot on the edge of sandy palm-lined beaches in Costa Rica isn’t enough for you, then how about coupling that with a dynamite investment opportunity?

Samara is one of those currently secret “hot spots” you usually don’t hear about until the crowds have. Now, here’s your chance. Samara has all the elements of an explosive early-stage growth market, and the smart money is entering now.

Buying in the right location of early-stage growth markets almost guarantees magnified investment returns as development builds around you. That’s why an investment in tropical living at Samarillo, right now, makes so much sense. Samarillo’s quality and location are ideal: tasteful residences only 300 meters from the beach, 4 minutes from Samara town center, and 2 minutes from Playa Carrillo on paved road.

Approximately 500 people live here, made up of 75% Tico’s and 25% ex-pats from U.S., Canada and Europe. These demographics are changing as more and more foreigners are discovering the quaint beauty and rich environment of the area. This coastal gem is undeveloped much like Tamarindo to the north and Jaco to the south were only 4 or 5 years ago. Demand for real estate here has been rapidly increasing as word of this secret place spreads. The time is ripe for investing in high quality value, and a property in Samarillo is the perfect choice.

Think of the early days in other Costa Rican vacation spots like Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, Jaco and others. As access was improved and popularity increased their property values rose substantially. Right now, these are the early days in Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo. With an investment in Samarillo you now have an opportunity to enter on the ground floor. Keep in mind, close-in properties like Samarillo have always provided the greatest enjoyment and the highest return on investment.

Invest With Confidence

Samarillo will be released in phases and contracted for on a first-come basis. All purchase reservations must be submitted on a Samarillo Purchase Contract. Pricing and terms are subject to change until a Purchase Contract has been accepted in writing.

Taking Ownership

In Costa Rica, the most standard practice for foreigners is to take ownership through a Costa Rican corporation. As owner of the corporation, you own and control the shares and all assets held by it. It’s advised that you have a competent Costa Rican lawyer represent you in any real estate transaction and to prepare all legal documentation for establishing a corporation. These are some of the advantages to owning property through a corporation.

1. Protection from liabilities. Civil liabilities are independent from shareholders or company officers. All assets which belong to a corporation are separate from those physical persons who are shareholders or directors.

2. Ease of operation. For owners who do not live in Costa Rica, it is simple and wise to appoint your lawyer as a non-shareholding officer with limited powers of attorney to represent you and your ownership rights. By appointing limited powers, your representative will not be able to encumber or sell assets, but would be able to immediately assist you in any other matters that may need attention in your absence.

3. Avoiding “mortuary”. In Costa Rica, the equivalent to probate is known as “Mortuary”. In the event of death, Mortuary procedures will need to be initiated in a Costa Rican Court. The advantage of having a corporation in this instance is that owners may appoint spouses or relatives on the Board with the sole legal representation with full powers of attorney, so he or she can transfer or sell the corporation’s assets with little difficulty, avoiding the mortuary procedures altogether.

4. Ease of Banking. With a Costa Rican corporation, a checking account can be opened with a referral letter, something that can otherwise not happen if you do not have residency.

Terms of Purchase

All terms and conditions of purchase are enunciated in the Samarillo Purchase Contract. Contact us for a copy of this agreement. The standard provisions require an initial refundable reservation deposit at time of acceptance, and subsequent hard deposits when construction commences and progresses. Final payment is due at final closing after completion of your property.

Title Guaranty

In Costa Rica, lawyers act as Public Notary to the transaction. As Public Notary, lawyers have the responsibility of assuring that the property being transferred is free and clear of all encumbrances, encroachments, disputes or claims of any description. This is done preliminarily at the time of contract and again on the same day as closing. At the buyer’s option and expense, the services provided by Security Title of Costa Rica may be used to guarantee and insure free and clear transfer of title as well as receiving and escrowing of funds.

Closing & Registration of Ownership

Prior to closing, buyers will be issued a final settlement statement outlining what credits have been paid and what balances remain to be paid to conclude the transaction. Once final closing has occurred, possession is granted and a transfer deed will be filed at the National Registry. The National Registry then processes the transfer and micro films the documents into the public records.

Taxes & Fees

There are no capital gains taxes in Costa Rica. There are very low annual property taxes and a minimal corporation tax destined for education is assessed annually. One-time transfer taxes are 2.56% of the real property value. Legal fees when a property is transferred will range from 1.25% to 1.5% of the real property value.

Establishing a new corporation will cost $500 to $1,000 or more depending on the complexity desired by the owners. Buyers at Samarillo are free to use any lawyer they wish, but we suggest using the Law firm who established the legal presence and documentation for the entire development. They can facilitate a swift and seamless transaction.

For more information about the promising opportunity of owning a place at Samarillo, please contact us.

Private residences in Playa Samara

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