At La Vista restaurant at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica, Executive Chef Jose Prendas pulls a rabbit—or pig—out of his hat with his signature dish. By Lisa Rogak

Pork may not seem like the most Caribbean dish out there (unless it’s barbecued), but at Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Executive Chef Jose Prendas is making his Pork Illusion entrée a natural fit for the fresh flavors and ingredients of the region.

Typically, Prendas revels in using fresh seafood and local fruits and vegetables, but because the resort’s clients are from all over the world, he also aims for international appeal. “It’s a fine balance,” he says.

Pork Illusion: serves 4

1-1/2 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 4 portions
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 bottle ale
2 tbsp. butter
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 onion, peeled and diced
2 slices uncooked bacon, coarsely chopped
3 tbsp. all-purpose flour
12 oz. beef stock, divided Bouquet garni (bundle of fresh herbs like bay leaf, thyme, and parsley)
2 tbsp.tomato paste
2 c. cooked long-grain rice
1/4 c. sweet chili sauce
1 large zucchini, very thinly sliced and lightly grilled
6 oz. fig demiglace, or substitute 3 oz. fig jam mixed with 2 oz. water
1 red bell pepper
4 sprigs cilantro
4 cherry tomatoes
1 fig, sliced into 4 wedges
2 cloves garlic, minced

Preheat oven to 325°F. Season pork with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large ovenproof skillet and sear marinated pork in pan on both sides until lightly browned. Add ale to pan and heat until liquid boils. Remove from stove and set in preheated oven for 10 minutes.

In the meantime, prepare béchamel sauce:
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Add carrot, onion, and bacon and cook for 10 minutes or until tender. Add flour, stirring until lightly browned. Slowly pour in 1 cup of the stock, stirring constantly until mixture thickens slightly. Add bouquet garni, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add remaining stock and tomato paste and cook for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Strain sauce through a sieve, skim off fat, and adjust seasoning.

Warm the demiglace over low heat. Stir the béchamel sauce and sweet chili sauce into the rice. Line 4 half-cup square molds with the grilled zucchini strips, and pack the rice into the molds, making sure that the zucchini covers the rice. Heat one tablespoon of butter in a small saucepan and sauté the cherry tomatoes and figs until tender. Season with salt and pepper.

To serve, slice each tenderloin into six pieces. Place two tablespoons of demiglace onto a plate and arrange pork slices on top. Unmold the rice and zucchini, and arrange bell pepper and cilantro sprig on top. Spoon one tablespoon of demiglace onto the place and set tomato and fig on top.

St. Kitts: Christophe Harbour

Upon its “official” launch in 2012, Christophe Harbour is positioned to propel St. Kitts to the forefront of high-end tourism in the Caribbean, highlighted by a 300-acre mega-yacht harbor and marina with full concierge and hospitality services. The 300-slip marina will be a designated port of entry with streamlined Customs and Immigration Services, featuring a private yacht club component and harbourside village that encompasses a collection of luxury shops and restaurants. The Beach Club is scheduled for an April 2011 opening, and the Beach House is one fine dining restaurant already open alongside four beachfront one-bedroom villas with private gazebos, decks, and plunge pools available for nightly rentals. South Carolina-based Kiawah Development, whose namesake Kiawah Island is a renowned destination, is currently dredging the harbor for mega-yacht depth and actually using that soil to build three golf holes that will play along the harbor.  Many of the remaining golf holes, designed by esteemed golf course architect Tom Fazio, will play on a plateau 500 feet above sea level when it is scheduled to open in 2013. $600,000 to $2.7 million, christopheharbour.com

Willemstad, Curacao: Santa Barbara Plantation

With the opening of the Hyatt Regency Curacao Resort and Spa and legendary golf designer Pete Dye’s Old Quarry” Golf Course, this historic island has now reached the level of other world-class destination resorts. And these impressive amenities don’t even include the deepwater Seru Boca Marina, the Tennis Center run by Peter Burwash International, or the powdery white sand beaches, colorful shallow reefs and turquoise waters offshore. The setting for all this is the 1,500-acre Santa Barbara Plantation, a $700 million master-planned resort community 10 miles from Curaçao’s capital city of Willemstad. Besides the golf course, there is also a new 120-slip marina located near the hotel that can accommodate up to five megayachts up to 120 feet in length, dive boats, charter boats, and catamarans for evening dinner cruises. The community also features a private beach club for residents and their guests, business center, outdoor swimming pools, and boutique retail shops and miles of walking, jogging, and bicycling trails. $650,000 to $8 million, santabarbaraplantation.com

Key Largo, Florida: Ocean Reef Club

Ocean Reef Club comprises two championship 18-hole layouts, a rarity in the Florida Keys. The Club’s courses, designed by Bob Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin in 1969, are in excellent condition. Ten years ago, the Dolphin Course underwent a $3 million redesign and renovation under the direction of golf course architect Chip Powell. Golf course homes are nestled in tropical hardwood hammocks with fairway and sometimes lake views and offer close proximity to the club marina and other major points within Ocean Reef. Ocean Reef became a private club in 1993, and the community-owned club now has close to 4,000 members and approximately 1,700 waterfront estates, private golf-course homes, condominiums, and boat slips. Waterfront properties offer water views, breeze exposure, and deep-water access for boats and larger yachts. $1 million to $20-plus million, 800-319-7686, oceanreef.com

Bocas Del Toro, Panama: Red Frog Beach Rainforest Resort & Marina

Panama’s Red Frog Beach Rainforest Resort & Marina is positioned to capitalize on the eco-tourism trend. Situated on Isla Bastimentos, approximately 30 miles from the border of Costa Rica, this island is renowned for its beaches and rainforest and is home to Panama’s national marine park. Activities at the resort community include fishing, snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, hiking, bird watching, and cave tours. The resort offers spectacular Caribbean views, white-sand beaches, stunning architecture and landscaping, and a protected private marina—all next to a national wildlife preserve. The island is a 10-minute boat ride from Bocas Town, which has an eclectic Caribbean vibe with nightlife, restaurants, and an airport. Currently the villa residences are being rented to vacationers, and several villas are occupied by owners. Construction is ongoing at the resort and approximately 25 homes have been completed along with a jungle lodge called Bocas Bound. $400,000 to high $700,000, redfrogbeach.com

Kauai, Hawaii: Kukui’ula

The island of Kauai is no longer in the shadows of its fellow Hawaiian islands when it comes to world-class oceanfront living thanks to the opening of Kukui’ula on the island’s southern coast. A private $100 million clubhouse serves as the centerpiece of the community, while residents also have use of a spa, the Kukui‘ula Golf Club, a Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course, and an array of swimming pools. The club also includes a community farm and 20-acre fishing lake. The 20,000-square-foot Plantation House, which overlooks Kukui‘ula Bay, is a showcase of classic Hawaii style. A great room, with coffered ceilings and wood beams and an eclectic mix of furnishings collected from around the world, opens to a wraparound lanai with numerous seating areas offering all-day views of the Pacific, Spouting Horn, ocean sunsets and the finishing shots of golfers on the 9th and 18th holes. $1 million to $3.6 million, kukuiula.com

Herradura Bay, Costa Rica: Los Suenos Resort and Marina

Based on its breathtaking Herradura Bay setting on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Los Sueños Resort and Marina is a perfect escape for those looking to buy a vacation home in increasingly popular Central America. Of course, one of the main highlights at Los Suenos is the 200-slip marina, the first government-sanctioned, full-service international marina. Over the years, Los Sueños has proven to be one of the most successful resort developments in Central America with record-breaking home sales, fueled by the marvelous marina that is considered the best in Latin America for its world-class facilities and renowned bill fishery. (Having the highly acclaimed 201-room Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort nearby certainly helped.) Other top amenities in place are the Beach Club and 18-hole La Iguana golf course. The next eight years will see the completion of the remaining phases of the 1,100-acre Los Sueños, including the final phase of Marina Village, several hundred additional luxury residences, and the construction of an eco-lodge in the private 600-acre rainforest reserve. $589,000 to $749,000, lsrm.com

Great Abaco, Bahamas: Abaco Club on Winding Bay

When it opened more than five years ago, this $250-million development was billed as the Caribbean’s first true links-style golf course and one of the great new courses in the world. The 7,183-yard championship course’s first 14 holes traverse wind-blown dunes next to Winding Bay. The final four holes conclude with a downhill 204-yard par-3 No. 17 that seems like you’re hitting into the Caribbean and an elevated 572-yard par-5 No. 18 that runs along the ocean as crashing waves climb the seaside cliffs. Three years ago, an affiliate of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company acquired the property and subsequently introduced fractional real estate ownership options as part of the Ritz-Carlton Club. Additionally, there are estate lots ranging from $520,000 to $4 million; turn-key oceanfront/bayfront cottages starting from $1.2 million; and 16 new Ritz-Carlton Destination Club residences with prices starting in the low $110,000s per fractional interest. $1.2 to $4 million, ritzcarltondestinationclub.com

Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii: Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay

Situated along one of Maui’s most breathtaking beaches, arguably no other place on Maui is more captivating than Kapalua’s spectacular 24-acre oceanfront setting overlooking Kapalua Bay. Beginning at the shoreline and terraced up a gentle slope, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua Bay comprise just 84 elegantly appointed three- and four-bedroom fee simple whole-ownership condominiums, fashioned into just four intimate low-rise structures. Ranging from approximately 3,002 to 4,271 square feet, including approximately 600-1,150 square feet of lanai space, these residences provide a Hawaiian sense of place and seclusion complemented by dramatic views of the ocean, mountains, and neighboring islands Lana‘i and Moloka‘i. Another new option at Kapalua is The Ritz-Carlton Club, Kapalua Bay, Hawaii’s first fractional offering in a resort setting. $300,000 fractional interests; $3.9 million wholly owned, kapaluabay.com

Kona-Kohala Coast, Hawaii: Four Seasons Resort Hualalai

Ke’olu, the Tom Weiskopf-designed members-only golf course at the luxurious Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, is named for the “gentle breeze” that brings a sense of calm and coolness to the Hualalai Club’s “mauka” or mountaintop setting. The name is fitting because Hualalai’s private residential community has been more than a breath of fresh air for Hawaii’s upscale real estate market. At a time when many upscale private and resort-style communities struggled against recessionary headwinds, Hualalai Realty had another banner year at the prestigious 865-acre community located just 10 minutes from the Kona International Airport. Situated along the renowned Kona-Kohala Coast where exquisite resort communities and multi-million dollar home sites dot a 40-mile stretch of pristine oceanfront landscape, Hualalai is home to just 500 families and the perennially ranked AAA/Five Diamond Four Seasons Resort. The resort’s gated residential enclaves, home to billionaires and celebrities alike, make Hualalai one of the world’s most distinguished addresses. $2 million to $30 million-plus, 800-983-3880; www.hualalairealty.com

Kiawah Island, South Carolina: Cottages at Cypress Point

Kiawah Island Just 21 miles from Charleston, one of the newest residential enclaves at Kiawah Island is the Cottages at Cypress Point. In keeping with the developer’s commitment to preserving the island’s natural beauty, the residences will nurture and enhance a low-density environment while blending indoor and outdoor living. The Cottages at Cypress Point are a custom-designed collection of 23 built-for-sale homesites ranging from approximately 2,200 to 2,500 square feet. Priced from $1.1 million to $1.7 million, The Cottages are available in nine floor plans, each of which is designed to complement the area’s centuries-old, natural wooded setting. All Cypress Point cottages will be made of natural stucco, copper roofs, and impact-resistant windows.  Each home will feature a front and rear courtyard and a covered outdoor living area. $1.1 to $1.7 million, kiawah.com

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Situated at the doorstep of the dynamic $650-million Ritz-Carlton Resort, the DeckHouses at the Ritz-Carlton, Dragon Bay is redefining the meaning of marina living. Stretching sea to sea from the acclaimed Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, Dragon Bay and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman resort have set a lavish new standard of living on what is arguably the Caribbean’s most prosperous, cosmopolitan, and safe island—Grand Cayman. The 360-acre Dragon Bay development, comprising the Residences at the Ritz, the DeckHouses and Secret Harbour, is distinguished by an unparalleled lifestyle experience enhanced with the unique Endless Service program, which includes interior designed turn-key furnishings, a fleet of luxury automobiles, and 36-foot Intrepid motor yachts available for use when in residence. Owners also have access to the legendary service and amenities of the adjacent Ritz-Carlton resort hotel. $4.4 to $6.5 million, dragonbaycayman.com

La Paz, Mexico: CostaBaja Resort & Spa

CostaBaja Resort & Spa opened last September in Mexico, and Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player unveiled his signature golf course two months later. CostaBaja Resort & Spa is the centerpiece of the 550-acre master-planned Costa Baja development and the area’s first five-star resort. Just 10 minutes from downtown La Paz, CostaBaja overlooks the Sea of Cortez and offers 115 rooms with panoramic ocean, mountain, golf course, and marina views. Its challenging golf course is highlighted by 14 dramatic holes overlooking the Bay of La Paz. For potential owners, smaller hillside and golf-front townhomes are being sold in the Las Colinas neighborhood for $580,900 to $800,000, while similar-sized oceanfront condos in the VistaMar enclave are going for $843,000 to $1 million. Larger oceanview villas range from $1.1 million to $1.6 million. $580,900 to $18.4 million, costabaja.com

New Providence, Bahamas: Albany

Created by the partnership composed of the Tavistock Group and golf stars Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, Albany is nestled among 580 oceanfront acres just seven minutes from Nassau’s international airport and two private airfields. Albany’s name is inspired by the historic beachside mansion in the heart of the development that now houses a fine dining restaurant and oceanside lounge. Originally owned by French filmmaker and Inspector Gadget-creator Jean Chalopin, Albany House made history as the site of two movies, most notably the James Bond film “Casino Royale.” Among the superb multi-generational amenities to be found are a mega-yacht marina, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Els, a full-service spa and fitness center, casual and fine dining restaurants, seaside bars, a family water park, kids’ clubhouse, and an adult pool and lounge. $1.5 to $4 million, albanybahamas.com

Punta Mita, Mexico

An exclusive resort-style oasis situated along 9.5 miles of the Pacific Coast. Two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses. Home to a Four Seasons Resort, and now a new St. Regis Resort. Need we say more? The visionary behind this spear-shaped picturesque peninsula along western Mexico’s rapidly developing Riviera Nayarit is the Mexico’s premier real estate developer, DINE. Located 28 miles north of the romantic town of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is surrounded on three sides by gorgeous white-sand beaches and dramatic coves thanks to Banderas Bay, Mexico’s largest natural bay and second largest in the world. Punta Mita will offer approximately 1,000 residences at full buildout. Currently, a range of properties suiting the different tastes and needs of buyers is available, from traditional Mexican-style villas with terracotta tile roofs and palapasto condos with chic urban décors. $700,000 up to $14 million, puntamita.com

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin  Islands: Oil Nut Bay

On the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda and accessible only by helicopter or boat, Oil Nut Bay is a 300-acre community offering freehold whole ownership for only 88 families. Oil Nut Bay is a low-density property committed to integrating environmentally sensitive practices, such as maintaining 50 percent open space, incorporating groundbreaking carbon-neutral elements and the use of electric cars. Currently in the first sales phase, debt-free Oil Nut offers a variety of lot and home options, including 27 estate lots ranging in size from 1.5 to 10 acres and in price from $1.95 million to $5 million. Oil Nut Bay is committed to environmental excellence and eco-progressive policies and foundations. A prime example is local regulations allowed up to 300 units on the 300-acre property, but Michigan-based Victor International will only build 88 units, maintaining its commitment and history of low-density developments and environmental integrity. Other eco-friendly initiatives include wind and solar power and an on-site desalination plant. $1.95 to $9.95 million, oilnutbay.com

Montego Bay, Jamaica: Palmyra Resort & Spa at Rose Hall

Palmyra Resort & Spa stretches along 16 acres of Caribbean coastline within the world-class Rose Hall golf course resort community. Residents can relax at two seafront swimming pavilions, enjoy sparkling waters at a protected cove, or get pampered at the 30,000-square-foot Palmyra ESPA. Montego Bay’s most prestigious enclave is recognized as one of the leading golf destinations in the world, highlighted by three stunning championship courses—White Witch, Cinnamon Hill, and Half Moon—designed by renowned architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Robert von Hagge, and Rick Baril. Simply put, Jamaica’s white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and towering palms provide a breathtaking backdrop for a round of golf. Palmyra encompasses a private village built in the grand tradition of British Colonial architecture, from large villa homes to luxurious condominium buildings. $450,000-$3,550,000, thepalmyra.com

Anacortes , Washington: San Juan Passage

With its breathtaking views of islands and ferry-dotted waters, San Juan Passage pairs the intimacy of 19th-century seaside communities with the 21st-century design principles of traditional, walkable neighborhood design and sustainable green building practices. The 100 cedar-shingled homes are built with gabled roofs and deep covered porches and streets and park paths wind to the water, perfect for enjoying shoreline trails and sunsets. As for the water, 24-acre San Juan Passage offers six nearby marinas that provide quick access to the San Juan and Gulf islands. Anacortes, about 90 miles north of Seattle, is recognized as one of the major boating centers in the country, boasting the second-largest bare boat fleet in the world. Buyers at the 100-unit San Juan Passage have a variety of home styles inspired by historic coastal design, including cottage-style retreats to Harborside Series homes featuring dramatic water views from custom luxury homes. $395,000 to $989,000, sanjuanpassage.com

Galveston,  Texas: Diamond Beach

A lazy river, world-class spa and fitness center, concierge service, and private beach are just a few of the compelling amenities of Diamond Beach, a five-star resort-style development on Galveston’s prestigious West Beach. Diamond Beach is the island’s only mid-rise condo community located behind the protective Galveston Seawall, a 10-mile stretch of 17-foot-thick concrete built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Just a year old, the pale-pink ultra-modern mid-rise is the inspiration of Houston developer Randall Davis. Situated on 8.5 acres on the Seawall’s western edge, Diamond Beach is just steps from a private beach and views of the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the 750-foot lazy river,  a state-of-the-art fitness center with Gulf views, a private theater, and an indoor pool are among the $4.2 million worth of amenities already built for its 120 homeowners. But the rarest amenity of all is its location: it’s the only such development on the Texas Coast with both seawall protection and direct beach access, according to Davis. $400,000-plus, diamondbeachgalveston.com

Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras: Keyhole Bay

Featuring the world’s second-largest barrier reef, this is a boater’s heaven. One new place to enjoy in this growing Western Caribbean destination is Keyhole Bay. On the romantic island of Roatan, Keyhole Bay is nestled between rolling hills and Roatan’s southwestern shore. Gentle tradewinds highlight breathtaking views of the Hog Islands and mainland Honduras in an idyllic setting that is only minutes from Roatan’s lively beachfront village of West End and the famous West Bay Beach. For pure privacy, Keyhole Bay residents can enjoy waterfalls cascading into an infinity-edge pool just steps from a private beach. Keyhole Bay’s master plan features 23 presold single-family estate lots, 45 luxurious condos, residential apartments, a clubhouse, retail shops, commercial offices, and a centerpiece pool and restaurant. The community was designed by EDSA, creators of Atlantis Paradise Island (Bahamas). $364,000-plus, keyholebay.com

Narragansett, Rhode Island, Surfside Narragansett

Picture panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Canonchet within an intimate, eco-friendly, and maintenance-free condominium community, and you have the essence of Surfside Narragansett. This luxurious waterfront development is the perfect getaway situated directly across from Narragansett Town Beach. Beyond its beauty, Surfside is considered a leading “green community,” having been honored as a finalist for the National Association of Home Builders “National Green Building” awards in 2009. Developed by Providence’s Gilbane Development Company, Surfside Narragansett was nominated in the “Project of the Year—Remodel” category for the compelling transformation of existing 1970s apartments into luxury condominiums. The redevelopment of Surfside created a quaint seaside community within the Narragansett Pier Village while utilizing “smart redevelopment,” where nine of the 10 buildings remodeled were pre-existing structures. The condominiums have earned the “ENERGY STAR Five-Star Verified Condition” label, with homes that feature high-performance, renewable resource products such as the Icynene Insulation System, Kultur wood flooring, and appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR label. $400,000-$850,000-plus, liveatsurfside.com

Located at Herradura Bay on the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Los Sueños Resort and Marina is a 1,100-acre master-planned destination community. It currently features a private 600-acre rainforest reserve, the 201-room five-star Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, a 200-slip international marina, exclusive Beach Club for residents, and the 18-hole La Iguana championship golf course.

With over 500 luxury single-family homes, lots, condominiums, and villas already sold, Los Sueños began construction on Altavista Los Sueños in December 2010. Potential owners can choose from two unit types: Unit Type 1 has three bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms and offers just over 1,750 square feet of living space for $589,000, while Unit Type 2 features three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and over 2,100 square feet, priced at $749,000.

The buildings are low density with only six units per building. The finishes are characteristic of the Los Sueños communities, with imported Italian ceramic tiles, eight-foot Costa Rican hardwood doors and cupboards, 10-foot ceilings, crown moldings throughout, dual-paned windows, and energy efficient air conditioning systems.

Altavista Los Sueños will join the development’s portfolio of luxury resort residences that range from one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums to single-family homes. Other Los Sueños communities include Riviera and Malibu at Altamira, Marbella Condominiums at Altamira, Montebello Residences at Altamira, Colina Condominiums, Del Mar Condominiums, and Bay Residences at Del Mar.

The next eight years will see the completion of the remaining phases of Los Sueños, including the final phase of Marina Village, several hundred additional luxury residences, and the construction of an eco-lodge in the rainforest reserve. lossuenosresort.com

Hidden Gem

Two Oceans Property Consultants broke ground in November 2010 on Emerald Bay in Panama. The $50 million dollar eco-friendly development lies on Panama’s unspoiled Caribbean coast in the town of La Guaira, just 90 minutes from Panama City. The beachfront condominium and resort community will offer villas, apartments, and duplexes for sale. An approximately 100-room hotel and beach club is also planned for the development. La Guaira’s northern curve of coastline is protected from inland development by the huge rainforest of Chagres National Park that encloses it. The national preserve teems with exotic birds and wildlife and shelters a pristine coastline terrain. Occupancy of finished properties is expected in approximately two years, with pricing starting at $377,000. emerald-bay-panama.com.

Thai Style

Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will be the newest luxury villa property on the popular Thai island. Comprising a total of 80 villas, the Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will be located on a secluded hill, overlooking Aow Thai Beach at the Southwest tip of the island. Spread over 25 acres, the luxurious Conrad Koh Samui Resort and Spa will offer panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand, outlying islands and the surrounding landscape of lush coconut plantations. It’s also a perfect western-facing vantage point where guests will take in the stunning Koh Samui sunsets. Each villa will have a minimum of 656 square feet of space, complete with private plunge pools and generous outdoor deck areas. There will be a variety of all-day and fine-dining restaurants, bars, and lounges. The spa will combine international treatments with a uniquely Thai spa philosophy and design accents. The property is slated to open in May 2011. conradhotels.com.

The listing agent Sandra Miller of Engel & Volkers noted that “He [Mel] bought it for a getaway. Now he goes there and paparazzi follow him.”

The property is known as Hacienda Dorada and features a seven-bedroom main house and a pair of two-bedroom homes, each with a private pool, and fronts a beach on the country’s Nicoya peninsula. The estate includes hundreds of acres of jungle, and is staffed full-time.

*Credit: Hollywood Reporter

Few luxury villas capture the breeze of the sea and the warmth of the sun quite like Villa Perezoso, located amid the natural beauty of Manuel Antonio National Park along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Villa Perezoso is situated on a tropical hillside, just minutes from breathtaking beaches and the vibrant town of Quepos.

The Balinese-inspired villa sleeps 10 to 12 guests and is complete with a private staff and resort-like amenities. “[Villa Perezoso offers] a brilliant combination of the luxury, amenities, and service of a high-end resort, and the intimacy and personal touch of what feels for your stay like your very own villa in the tropics,” says one guest of a recent stay.

Villa Perezoso comprises five master suites; a fully equipped entertainment room; six full baths; a meditation room; two gourmet kitchens; a plunge pool and a Jacuzzi; an open-air living room; multiple private decks; and a wraparound terrace. Bedrooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, wireless Internet, and ocean views.

One special feature of Villa Perezoso lies atop a circular staircase, a loft surrounded by windows that give way to beautiful views. The loft opens to a sunny terrace, the perfect place to relax in the sun or enjoy cocktails with friends. Once here, it’s easy to see why one visit to Villa Perezoso isn’t enough. Daily, weekly, and holiday rates available. 866-460-2591, villaperezoso.com.

All residents enjoy the services at the Marriott, which features six restaurants and the recently renovated Sibö Rainforest Spa & Retreat. With its international marina, spectacular views, and 18-hole eco-golf course, Los Sueños is not to be overlooked.

$550,000 to over $5 million, 866-865-9759, lossuenosresort.com.

Caspi International, Inc. has begun presales for a new 14-story oceanfront condominium tower in Costa Rica. The $120 million property, Genesis Puntarenas, will be Costa Rica’s first all-glass, multifamily residential building.Its floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls and expansive, private, all-glass terraces will allow homeowners to incorporate the country’s lush landscape into their living space. The development of Genesis Puntarenas is timed to coincide with a surge of development activity on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast that has pushed the country up the list of favored travel and retirement destinations for Americans.

Michael Caspi, the president of Caspi International Inc. says that Genesis Puntarenas offers investors the chance to capitalize on one of the hottest real estate markets in the world today and the overall surge in ecotourism.

The building, which is scheduled for completion in mid-2011, will feature 47 living units ranging in price from $473,000 to $3.3 million. Each of these units will showcase top-of-the line treatments including marble floors, quartz countertops, and brand-name stainless steel appliances, as well as floor-to-ceiling retractable glass doors that allow for unobstructed oceanfront and mountainside views.

The property’s other amenities include a bi-level fitness center and an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, as well as an onsite restaurant, lounge, wine cellar, cigar parlor, and business center. Genesis Puntarenas will also feature a 68,459-square-foot luxury penthouse, the world’s largest. This sprawling 10-bedroom, 14-bathroom space features three stories of living space and includes a private helipad, a private swimming pool, and tennis court. Genesis Puntarenas will be located in the Pacific Coast city of Puntarenas, about a half-hour drive from the capital city of San Jose via the region’s new six-lane toll road. 888-812-2277, caspi.com. –Melissa Gillespie

Jade Condo Resort Residences & Beach Club is a one-of-a-kind, personalized ownership and resort lifestyle experience. With the stunning backdrop of the Manuel Antonio National Park to one side and pristine beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the other, Jade is the only upscale property of its kind underway on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast. The property will feature 240 designer residences and a lifestyle that promises a personalized resort experience with world-class hospitality and amenities.

Among plans for the development are a private beach club featuring an oceanfront café and bar with lagoon pool, cabanas, and a lazy river (the only one in Costa Rica); a luxurious resort pool with cabanas, poolside services, and 180-degree Pacific Ocean views; a 2,000-square-foot health, fitness, and aerobics center; an upscale Latin fusion restaurant; a wellness spa; and a 6,000-square-foot meeting facility. Area activities include golf, whitewater rafting, kayaking, treetop zip-lining, mountain biking, horseback riding, water sports, and other beachside recreation.

Jade is a Wyndham property and is affiliated with The Registry Collection, the world’s largest luxury residence exchange program.  The property is currently under construction with an anticipated opening of winter 2010. Pricing starts at $250,000 to $1.5 million. 800-697-1603, jademanuelantonio.com.

Make it a tripto remember with Mead Brown.

If you’re planning an escape to Costa Rica this year, be sure to check in with Mark Mead and Michael Brown of the eponymous Mead Brown, a full-service, vacation rental marketing and property management company specializing in the country’s Central Pacific Coast. The company is widely regarded as one of—if not the—best for travel to Costa Rica, a hard-earned distinction for its two founders. After all, Mead and Brown gave up fast-paced careers in the United States to set up shop in Costa Rica, where they drew on their own experience as tourists to create one-of-a-kind vacations for a market that had, in their eyes, gone uncatered to, or at least insufficiently so.

“After rewarding careers in the US, we knew we wanted adventure and to live abroad,” says Brown. “Several visits as tourists to Costa Rica illustrated the need—and business opportunity—for a professionally managed vacation rental company that could deliver to the expectations of North Americans. After a year of research and planning and the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into the best systems, we opened for business.”

The result was Mead Brown, which now boasts a diverse collection of privately owned beachfront villas, houses, condos, and fincas in the Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and Los Sueños areas. Mead Brown has also become the preferred vacation rental provider for the Los Sueños Resort & Marina, where clients enjoy lavish condominium accommodations and leisure, sporting, and spa privileges.

Mead Brown also offers complete concierge services, meaning clients can craft the ultimate vacation package. Spa services, championship golf, world-class sport fishing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, and flora-and fauna tours are among the wishes and whims the outfit’s dedicated guest services staff can fulfill. There’s also the placement of private chefs, as well as air- and watercraft charters, housekeeping, and transportation.

“Service is what sets us apart from most of the vacation rental companies in Central America,” Brown says. Even when the most hedonistic at heart come calling, Brown, like a seasoned hotelier, has the answer: “We will do virtually anything to meet our guests’ needs, expectations, and wishes,” he says. “This is a promise not easily fulfilled in a developing country, but we give it our very best and we typically deliver.”

So how are these American expats adjusting to life in this business? “It’s been really gratifying and rewarding for us,” Brown says. “When [guests] leave, they tell us that they’ve never been so well taken care of. It seems a bit odd to us . . . it’s not as though we are peeling their grapes.” Maybe so, but we have a feeling that this hospitable pair would be happily willing to do just that.—Lindsay Lambert

Mead Brown’s accommodations range from fully equipped three-bedroom condos from $300 per night to seven-bedroom villas at $7,500 per night; all properties include daily housekeeping. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.meadbrown.com or call 866-567-1516.

Classy Colina is a peaceful and serene ground-floor, two-bedroom, two-bathroom condominium in the Colina community of the Los Sueños Resort & Marina. Beautifully decorated and fully equipped, this light-filled end unit resort residence has a marvelous, up-close view of the golf course’s 7th hole! The setting affords much privacy and peacefulness. The large terrace is the perfect place to begin your day with coffee and to end it with cocktails.The master bedroom has a king-sized bed, television, private en suite bathroom and a sliding door to the terrace, which has a hammock for your siesta! The second bedroom features a two double beds and a hallway bathroom.

The residence includes wireless Internet, telephone, satellite television, full-sized washer and dryer, and a dining table that seats six.

Rates
High Season (January 5-April 30, 2009): $440 per night
Green Season (May-November 2009): $295 per night

Casa Mono Loco is within the Los Sueños Resort & Marina, yet it offers secluded splendor. With dramatic, spectacular vistas of Bahia Herradura, the resort and the surrounding rain forest and nature preserve, Casa Mono Loco also affords maximum privacy. Recently upgraded, redecorated and refurbished by the new owners who pay homage to the architectural integrity and beauty of the original. The open and clever design of Casa Mono Loco allows one to experience the monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, other sights and the sounds of the surrounding lush, tropical rain forest from the comfort of your private Shangri La. Satellite TV and VOIP with free telephone calls to the U.S. and Canada.

Three air-conditioned bedrooms with private en suite bathrooms. The master with king-sized bed is a detached pavilion, providing maxium privacy. The Dome Room bedroom has two full beds and a domed ceiling. The Coral Room bedroom also has two full beds. Every room has a spectacular ocean view. The living area is an open air rancho beyond which is the pool with an infinity edge that melds into the blues of Herradura Bay.

Casa Mono Loco is the only house on the very quiet road; you’ll have no human neighbors! If you seek tranquility and to be at one with nature but desire comforts that are more than civilized, this is the home for you. Yet you’ll have access to all the amenities of the Los Suenos Resort, including the spa, marina, shops, restaurants, golf course, room service from the Marriott Hotel, casino and more just two minutes away by car.

Rates
High Season: $1,200 per night
Green Season: $1,000 per night
Holiday Season: $3,000 per night

Very private pool with swim-up tiki bar, Jacuzzi and sun deck. Perfect for celebrating family events, corporate reward travel, or a fishing week with the buddies! Attention has been paid to every detail. This home is the choice of celebrities and those who know and expect the best. Every bedroom is equipped with a 32″ flat screen television and a private attached bathroom.

Two 60″ flat screen televisions (one in the great room the other by the pool); wireless high speed Internet. Golf course and rainforest views. Very quiet area with quick and easy access to all of the Los Sueños Resort and Marina’s amenities.

This villa cannot be booked online, so call us now at 1-888-744-6599 or email rentals@meadbrown.com to reserve your dates. Don’t miss out!

Three bedrooms each with a private en suite bathroom. Marvelous views of Herradura Bay. Wireless Internet access, satellite televisions, fully equipped chef’s kitchen, dining table that seats eight, the most comfortable beds and linens imaginable.

Master has king-sized bed and king-sized view of the Pacific from the bedroom and from the jetted tub and separate shower. Second bedroom also has a king-sized bed, private terrace on one side and door to the bay-view terrace on the other. Third bedroom has a queen-sized bed plus a day bed that is a bit larger than a twin plus a twin-sized trundle bed.

Rates
High Season (January 5-April 30, 2009): $850 per night
Green Season (May 1-November 30, 2009): $750 per night

Rates
High Season (December-April, excluding mid-December through early January): $850 per night
Green Season (May-November): $650 per night

This beautifully and comfortably decorated residence has three suites, each with its own private en suite bathroom. Master bedroom with king-sized bed, private oceanfront terrace, spa-like bathroom with shower, jetted bathtub, double sinks, separate room for the toilet and bidet, walk-in closet. First guest suite with queen-sized bed, private terrace and door to the oceanfront wrap-around terrace, private en suite bathroom and walk-in closet. Second guest suite the flat screen satellite television and two day beds, each with a trundle bed (perfect room for adolescents and children), plus an en suite bathroom. Fully-equipped, newly remodeled gourmet kitchen (where meals and memories are made!), dining table for six. Perfect for entertaining friends and family. This house-sized condominium includes laundry facilities and a powder room, both off the hall.

This residence, known as “Bella Vista at the Beach Club,” is just steps from two Bella Vista swimming pools, one of which has a waterfall, and overlooks the private Beach Club. Mead Brown guests are privileged with complimentary access to the Beach Club, which is also merely steps away from this residence. Room service is available 24/7 from the Marriott Ocean Resort.

Rates
Green Season (May-November): $650 per night
High Season (December 1-14): $850 per night
Holiday Season (December 15, 2008-January 4, 2009): $1,100 per night
High Season (January 5-April 30, 2009): $850 per night
Green Season (May-November, 2009): $650 per night

Located in the prestigious Altamira Community of Los Sueños Resort & Marina, Altamira Villa features the best water view of any villa available for rent within the Los Sueños Resort.

The villa has a private, infinity-edge swimming pool and Jacuzzi, lush landscaping and spectacular views of Herradura Bay out to the Pacific Ocean. This private 6,000 square foot villa has three large bedroom suites plus a private, detached guest cottage.

Amenities include a chef’s kitchen, full laundry facilities, wine cellar and terraces. The guest cottage and all bedrooms have plasma televisions. Additionally, the guest cottage–perfect for a nanny or the grandparents–is equipped with a refrigerator and coffee station.

Bedroom suite 1: King-sized bed, plasma television, en suite bathroom
Bedroom suite 2: Two queen-sized beds, plasma television, en suite bathroom
Bedroom suite 3: King-sized bed, plasma television, en suite bathroom
Guest cottage: King-sized bed, kitchenette, plasma television, en suite bathroom

Mead Brown guests are privileged with complimentary access to the private Los Sueños Beach Club.

Rates
High Season (January 5-April 30, 2009): $2500 per night
Green Season (May-November): $1800 per night

The Bay Residences are an exclusive enclave of 30 waterfront condominiums located within the Del Mar community of Los Sueños Resort & Marina. These west-facing units afford spectacular views of the marina, Herradura Bay and the signature sunsets of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast. This ground floor 2,000 square foot home is beautifully appointed with Italian ceramic tile flooring and countertops, as well as Costa Rican hardwood cabinetry, baseboards and crown molding, quiet central air conditioning, ceiling fans, satellite televisions, high speed wireless Internet, and telephones. The resort residence is fully furnished and features three bedrooms, two baths, utility room with full-sized washer and dryer, spacious great room and designer kitchen with stainless steel appliances. The wrap-around terrace and private lawn provide the perfect vantage points from which to enjoy the peaceful landscape and the soothing sound of waves gently rolling onto the beach.

The large terrace is a terrific place to start your day with morning coffee or wind down with cocktails at sunset. The Bay Residences are mere steps to one of three large swimming pools. Guests have access to the resort’s amenities, including room service 24-hours every day from the four-star Marriott Hotel. The Bay Residences Del Mar gym is available at no additional charge. Guests have full and free access to the private, oceanfront Los Sueños Beach Club. Tennis, golf and other activities are available as well.

Rates
High Season (January 5-April 30, 2009): $575 per night
Green Season (May-November 2009): $420 per night

The hotel-branded residence trend is hardly new, as hotels have been managing properties bearing their moniker in big cities for years. Now, however, the trend has spread across the world, with hotel-managed residences popping up everywhere from Tahiti to Thailand, Mauritius to the Philippines.

And of course, the biggest benefit comes in the form of having access to all of the hotel’s or resort’s facilities, wherever it may be in the world. Resort services and amenities enjoyed by homeowners on hotel grounds include, but are not limited to, daily maid service, a full-time concierge, room service, 24-hour valet, access to a spa/fitness center, resort dining privileges, child care and personal chefs, plus use of a business center, private beach club, pool cabanas, tennis, water sports and, in some cases, private docks or a full-fledged marina.

Today, hotel-branded private residences come in many styles and sizes. From luxury apartments in Miami to the private estate homes currently under construction at Jumby Bay in Antigua, on a private motu in Bora Bora and in the middle of the Indian Ocean, there is no escaping the reality that luxury hotel-branded residences are here to stay.

“Hotel-branded real estate is a good investment for those who enjoy the luxury hotel lifestyle and the five-star amenities expected at a top luxury hotel,” says Jim Butler, chairman of the Los Angeles-based Global Hospitality Group. However, he says, such amenities and the five-star lifestyle do not come cheap. “When a real estate project is attached to the brand of a five-star hotel, one can expect to pay a premium to be able to say that they live at a Four Seasons [or a Ritz-Carlton or a Rosewood for that matter].”

Says Robert Falor, owner of The Falor Group, which developed The Tides and The Mayfair in Miami: “When you think about hotels, they emulate the lifestyle of their target consumer. We live and sleep in our homes, but when we travel, we find ourselves in a ‘temporary’ home. Whenever possible, we would like this temporary home to emulate our lifestyle— or the one we aspire to have. This is what hotel-branded real estate is all about and why it’s in such high demand.”

Below are details on some of the hottest new projects offering wholly owned, hotel-branded private residences.

Many hotel-managed properties also offer “fractional units” or membership/ownership in a hotel-branded Residence Club, enabling buyers to use their “home” for a pre-determined number of days annually while often putting it into a hotel rental pool for the balance of the year. In other words, this is the modern-day version of the timeshare concept, which works well for those not quite seeking a permanent hotelbranded residence. But for those who are, here are some ideas on where to buy your next five-star property:

Four Seasons Private Residences Bora Bora

Bora Bora, Tahiti
Fully managed and serviced by Four Seasons, the 15 Private Residences on Bora Bora represent one of the most exclusive residential opportunities in the world. Providing either lagoon or Pacific Ocean frontage, the home sites range from a half-acre to 1.25 acres. Buyers may choose from a portfolio of existing designs ranging from 4,000 square feet to 11,500 square feet or create their own personal vision of paradise. The private residences are located far enough away from the hotel’s 100 over-water guest bungalows to be discreetly located in their own dedicated section of the resort. Owners have á la carte access to resort facilities and services, including snorkeling, scuba diving, tennis and lagoon tours. Families will enjoy the youth program (for youngsters and teens), and all residents have access to the waterview fitness center, Zen-inspired spa and two on-site restaurants. www.fourseasons.com/borabora

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

Anahita, Mauritius

Often referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius sits in the southern hemisphere, at the crossroads of European, African and Asian culture. The Four Seasons Private Residences, located within the Resort at Anahita—a secluded sanctuary on the island’s east coast—will comprise 46 two-to-six-bedroom private homes upon completion. The architectural design of each villa blends traditional Mauritian and modern minimalist styles, while the interior design is a delicate blend of the traditional and the modern, creating an atmosphere of absolute serenity. Natural hues adorn the walls, windows and furnishings, appointed occasionally with a splash of color. “We worked obsessively to form a closer, more organic bond between architecture and nature, breaking down barriers between ‘outside’ and ‘inside’,” says Fiona Thompson, a designer with Richmond International Design. On-site, residents will enjoy a choice of four restaurants, an Ayurvedic-inspired spa and three beaches adjacent to the lagoon. www.fourseasons.com/privateresidences

Raffles Estates Praslin

Praslin Island, Seychelles
Located on the second-biggest island in the 115 island archipelago knows as the Seychelles, in the middle of the Indian Ocean off the east coast of Africa, Raffles is building 23 fullyfurnished villas adjacent to its soon-to-be constructed Raffles Seychelles Resort. Villa owners will enjoy stunning views of the Indian Ocean, VIP greeting at the airport and golf-cart transportation within the resort, including to its Raffles AmritaSpa and private beach club. Residences are priced from $3.15 million to $6.3 million. The Praslin project is one of three being developed by Raffles in partnership with Kingdom Hotel Investments, one of the world’s leading hotel and resort developers. The project team also has its sights set on Raffles-branded residential projects in China Beach, Vietnam and Manila, Phillipines. www.rafflesrealestate.com

Soneva Kiri

Koh Kood, Thailand
Located on Koh Kood, Thailand’s fourth-largest island, Six Senses Resorts & Spas (the luxury developer behind the world-renowned Soneva Gili and Soneva Fushi resorts) is developing its latest project, Soneva Kiri. The new resort features a residential component in the form of 36 spacious pool villas. Each of the four- to six-bedroom homes sits on up to two acres to ensure privacy, and ranges in size up to 8,300 square feet. Each is located either beachfront or on a hillside, and comes with a personal butler and access to all resort amenities. Properties range from $4.5 million to $7.5 million. www.sixsenses.com/privateresidences

Amanpulo Villas

Pamalican, The Philippines
Even Aman Resorts, known for its ultra-luxury properties across Asia and beyond, is getting into the residential game with Amanpulo Villas, adjacent to the Amanpulo (translated as “peaceful island”) Resort. Located on a private island called Pamalican in the Philippines, Amanpulo is known for its powder-white beaches, clear turquoise-azure-indigo seas, and a multi-colored coral reef only 1,000 feet from the shore. Construction is underway on the first seven of 12 villas, designed in the same architectural style of the stunning resort. Owners do have the opportunity to work with the architect to shape a home that best suits their individual styles. Boasting an average size of 16,000 square feet spread over nine freestanding pavilions with 165 feet of beach frontage, each villa is priced from $3 million to $7 million. www.amanresorts.com/amanvillas.aspx

Rosewood Residences at Costa Carmel

Costa Carmel, Costa Rica
Set for completion in 2010, the Rosewood Residences at Costa Carmel will be as inspirational as the landscape. Elegant, refined and unobtrusive, the property’s “village-by-the-sea”overlooking the beach and the forested Zapotal Valley.style will utilize native materials that integrate naturally into the environment. Homeowners will be able to choose from a variety of Luxury Villas, Casitas and Casonas that feature spacious verandahs, walled garden courtyards, exotic water features and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, 1.5 acre Estate Lots will be offered along the hillside Homeowners will enjoy exciting opportunities to explore the eco-system through the guided sight seeing tours and outdoor activities. From hiking through lush forests and kayaking winding rivers to snorkeling, bicycling and rock-climbing, these activities and more can be planned through the resort’s dedicated Adventure Center. Additionally, the property will feature a 12,500-square-foot spa with 15 treatment rooms. www.costacarmel.cr

The Ritz-Carlton Residences

Locations worldwide
As with many of the luxury hotel companies that offer branded residences, Ritz-Carlton offers a number of opportunities in unique destinations worldwide (Los Cabos, Mexico; Cap Cana, Dominican Republic; and Molasses Reef, Turks and Caicos are all under development at presstime). At The Abaco Club on Winding Bay—just 170 miles east of Florida on Great Abaco Island—custom home sites offering 200-plus feet of beach, ocean or golf course frontage are now available, as are privately owned villas that are appointed with private verandahs, outdoor furniture and grills, bamboo floors and vaulted ceilings. All homeowners enjoy membership privileges at The Abaco Golf Club, access to the spa/fitness center, an equestrian center, and full-service beach club. If Hawaii is more your style, check out The Ritz- Carlton Residences at Kapalua Bay, a collection of upscale, island-influenced, three- and four-bedroom homes with panoramic ocean and Maui sunset views. The homes range in size from 3,000 to 4,200 square feet and feature media rooms, private lanais, gourmet kitchens, designer baths and high-tech entertainment systems. Owners enjoy membership in the Kapalua Club (including tee time privileges at the resort’s famed Plantation and Bay Golf Courses), priority access to the 25,000-square-foot Kapalua Spa, and membership to the Kapalua Beach Club with its Oceanside bar and watersports. www.ritzcarltonclub.com

While Costa Rica has a longstanding reputation as an ecotourism and surfing destination, in the last several years the country has gone mainstream, with numerous high-end real estate developments popping up all over the country’s popular Pacific zones. Second-home buyers are attracted to the country’s temperate tropical climes, peaceful high-quality lifestyle and protected, pristine environments. Another bonus: Prices for oceanfront property in this lush tropical paradise are surprisingly low in comparison to other destinations.

Following is a look at the most impressive projects throughout Costa Rica, with purchase opportunities available now:

Hacienda Pinilla

On the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, within one of the most beautiful natural areas in the canton of Santa Cruz—Guanacaste Province—lies the hidden Hacienda Pinilla. This 4,500-acre beach resort and residential community has been developed in sustainable harmony with the natural resources characteristic of this area.

Hacienda Pinilla Beach Resort and Residential Community boasts varied landscapes, including valleys, lowlands and mountains; six beaches; and lakes and rivers of rich tropical beauty. Options are available for purchasing houses or villas, including half-acre-plus gated homesites overlooking an 18-hole championship golf course and gorgeous views of the Pacific. Hacienda Pinilla lot prices range from $70,000 to $600,000.

|| For more information, call Carolina Ramirez at 011.506.680.3000, or visit www.haciendapinilla.com.

Punta Dominical/Kiana Resorts at Playa Dominical

After developing more than 300 hotels over a 30-year span, Hal Wright decided it was time to leave the United States and try something new. So 10 years ago, he found his way to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica and discovered some 2,000 acres of pristine property that serves as the gateway to the Osa Peninsula, an area National Geographic calls the “most bio-diverse place on Earth.”

Today this prime property is home to Punta Dominical, encompassing four luxurious eco-sensitive oceanfront communities that will not exceed 500 residential units by the time they are built out. Wright and his partners are so committed to preserving Costa Rica’s precious ecosystems that an estimated 80 percent of the Punta Dominical landholdings will remain wild and untamed rainforest and jungle.

Wright, 64, likens the beauty of Costa Rica’s southern Pacific region, or “Green Coast,” to the Na Pali Coast on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. Yet the prices at Punta Dominical are relative bargains compared to the sky-high prices in Hawaii or other popular oceanfront venues in the U.S. and the Caribbean. For example, a 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath, fully furnished home with great ocean views can be purchased in Punta Dominical for $350,000 to $450,000.

“America has a love affair with the beach,” says Wright, whose land is located just 35 minutes from the capital city of San Jose. “But there’s no place to go unless you are willing to write a seven-figure check. Florida and the Caribbean have been priced out. On the West Coast, they’re going to Baja, and even that’s getting pricey. So you figure out where to go next, and it’s a short list. Costa Rica is a great country with beautiful scenery. The people are friendly with no attitude. It’s no more than two time zones from anywhere in the U.S. So all the stars are lined up here.”

That’s exactly how Manuel Torres feels about the country. Torres, a former executive with Intel, has lived in seven countries, traveled to almost 50 and run businesses in more than 25. But no place appeals to him more than his maiden real estate development project, Kiana Resorts at Playa Dominical.

One of the four oceanfront communities within the Punta Dominical master plan, Kiana Resorts consists of 26 exquisite 1,500-square-foot beachfront villas grouped into four village clusters. Scheduled for a soft opening by mid-2007, the world-class boutique resort community features a full-service spa, oceanfront gourmet restaurant, four pools and a fitness center, all surrounded by a nature preserve filled with chattering monkeys and other exotic wildlife.

Torres says Kiana Resorts’ style will be “barefoot elegance,” incorporating “surfer-cool, contemporary tropical design and escapism.

|| For more information, call Tina Wallace, director of sales, 800.503.5374, email tina@puntadominical.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , or visit www.puntadominical.com and www.kiana-dominical.com.

Bahia Escondida

A trip to Costa Rica wouldn’t be complete without visiting Golfe Dolce Bay along the extreme southern Pacific coast, where developers recently broke ground on a master-planned residential, resort and marina destination called Bahia Escondida. Phase one of the $350 million project, in the famed resort town of Golfito, features an estimated 75 condominium units, a state-of-the-art marina, and a charming bayside village complete with boutique shops, bayside restaurants, yacht club, spa, pools and more.

The initial phase of the marina, which broke ground last October, will include 86 slips that are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2008. The condominium units and village are slated for a late 2008-early 2009 completion.

Priced from $380,000 to more than $800,000, Bahia Escondida offers one-, two- and three-bedroom waterfront residences surrounded by picturesque views of Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park, a place National Geographic Traveler dubbed “the crown jewel of rainforests.” Marina slips ranging in size from 50 feet to 120 feet are priced from the low $200,000s, and will include a golf cart concierge service and a high-speed fuel dock. Upon completion, Bahia Escondida will feature 217 marina slips and approximately 400 hotel and condominium units, including a 100-room hotel scheduled to break ground by late 2008 or early 2009.

Since its introduction in 2006, Bahia Escondida’s sales have been so strong that developers Jim Lynskey and Great American Capital redesigned phase one to incorporate additional residences. The development achieved more than $7 million in sales at the four-day San Diego Boat Show in January, and that was on the heels of securing $5 million in sales at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show.

“Owning a slip in Golfito makes a lot of sense for Southern California boaters,” says Richard Cipriano, vice president of Digital Capital Group, Bahia Escondida’s exclusive sales partner. “Traditionally, yachters and sports fishermen from this area will spend about a third of the year at home in Southern California, a third of the year taking advantage of the fishing season in Cabo, and then a good three or four months in Costa Rica. Golfito has always been one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems, as well as one of the most bio-diverse areas on the planet, and this development allows buyers to make it their own.”

Cipriano says phase-two sales of Bahia Escondida, comprising high-end, three-story townhomes, is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of this year.

|| For more details, call 866.50.BAHIA, or visit www.bahiaescondidacostarica.com.

St. Regis Resort, Costa Rica

Lionstone Development—the Miami-based developer of the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach—is partnering with Genesis, a leading developer in Costa Rica, and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide to develop the St. Regis Resort, Costa Rica, scheduled to open in 2008. Lionstone will manage the development, which is in the central Pacific region.

The St. Regis is situated in Playa Coyol, a lush tropical area home to abundant flora and fauna, dramatic views of the Pacific and stunning private beaches. This project will be the only internationally branded hotel surrounded by a National Wildlife Reserve—the Ara Macao Wildlife Reserve.

Located 65 miles from the San Jose International Airport, the 250-acre resort community is on a secluded bay close to the well-known Los Sueños Resort and Marina property. Martin Elortegui, Lionstone’s senior vice president, says one of the best features of the St. Regis project is the eco-conscious nature of the property and country.

“We support all the green initiatives,” says Elortegui. “Costa Rica is a beautiful country that is very stable and safe. Most of the country is under some kind of preservation. It’s a great place for an investment.”

The St. Regis Resort, Costa Rica is being designed by Zurcher Architects, a leading Costa Rican architectural firm. It will feature 131 luxurious accommodations, including 75 traditional hotel rooms and 56 condo-hotel units (units are one to three bedrooms and average 1,700 square feet), priced from $800,000. The project was more than 65 percent sold out as of late April.

In addition to the main resort, an additional 105 wholly owned St. Regis Residences are being planned, including three estate home sites. Rollout for these properties is scheduled for late this summer, and prices are expected to start at $1 million. Residence owners will enjoy full access to the resort’s services and amenities, including its St. Regis Butler Service, the exclusive Remède Spa and fine dining restaurants.

“As we grow the St. Regis brand we continue to seek only the world’s most exclusive addresses, and there are few resort destinations in the world that embody the raw natural beauty of Costa Rica,” says St. Regis President Kerry Hatch.

|| For more information, call 305.672.5466, or visit www.stregisresidences.com/costarica or www.lionstone.net.

Tamarindo Heights

Tamarindo is a noted bustling beach community in Costa Rica’s northwest province of Guanacaste. Featuring a stunning one-and-a-half-mile crescent beach, Tamarindo is home to a dynamic international community of artists, writers, photographers, travelers and surfers. It’s also a vibrant beach community, with restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, shops, yoga retreats, galleries, spas and a full assortment of recreational opportunities.

Situated on 125 acres, Tamarindo Heights offers gorgeous views of Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande and Playa Langosta. It is being developed by the Kapeta Group, a privately held, multimillion-dollar real estate development company. Tamarindo Heights comprises 135 finished custom homes in a gated community, with underground utilities, paved concrete roads, communal landscaping and architectural lighting.

The development will include the exclusive Garden Boutique Plaza, built in a Pacific-Balinese style and incorporating Japanese water features. Designed to appeal to the most discerning residents, it will feature a high-end supermarket, pharmacy, bank, fully equipped fitness facility, several superb restaurants and boutique shops. Another component of the project will be the Tamarindo Heights Spa & Resort, a mountaintop boutique hotel. This five-star facility will feature 51 private oceanview suites, restaurants and a world-class spa.

|| For more information, call Shon Kapeta at 011.506.653.1448, or visit www.tamarindoheights.com.

Coco Bay Estates

Tucked within walking distance between Playas del Coco and Playa Ocotal, Coco Bay Estates is a premiere ocean view residential resort development in the heart of Costa Rica’s most exclusive Pacific Coast location. A master planned community on 139 lush, tropical ocean view acres, no other development offers the amenities of Coco Bay. Prize individual residential lots and gracious condominium options are available in the Coco Bay community.

|| For more information, call Gina Correll at 011(506)886-9079, or visit www.cocobayestates.com.

Pacifico

Defying the sluggish U.S. real estate market, the Fort Myers, Fla.-based Jack Parker Corp. is reporting positive news at Pacifico, the company’s new 175-acre mixed-use project in Playas del Coco. According to Kerry Trowbridge, senior vice president of Jack Parker, the company has released 170 multi-family residences and home sites since January, of which 22 condominiums and townhomes and 53 home sites have been sold. Closings are scheduled to begin in June.

The first phase of construction started last October, comprising 46 condominiums and 10 townhomes. Completion of the first 29 residences was scheduled for June, and the next 27 residences will be completed in August.

“We are incredibly excited at buyer demand and the rapid sales pace at Pacifico,” says Trowbridge. “Unlike the U.S. real estate market, Latin America shows no signs of slowing and has proven to be a successful second-home market for buyers around the world.”

At completion, Pacifico will include 350 condominiums, townhomes and villas; 20 village apartments; and 150 single-family home sites built to U.S. standards, offering custom cabinetry, Kohler fixtures and Whirlpool appliances, and pre-wired for phone, cable and Internet access. Floor plans are available with one to four bedrooms, and prices start in the upper $100s. Home sites, most with Pacific Ocean views, range from $125,000 to $400,000. The Pacifico Beach Club, a members-only club featuring resort pools with cabanas, restaurant and bar, was scheduled to open in June. Additional amenities at Pacifico will include resort pools, separate toddler pool, splash fountain, sunset bar and waterfall pavilion. Ownership at Pacifico also includes membership to the Members Club and the Health Club & Spa with tennis facilities.

|| For more information, call 877.444.1222 or 011.506.670.2212, or visit www.pacifico-costarica.com.

Canto Ballena

Canto Ballena Secluded Ocean Residences are nestled in the heart of Costa Rica’s Ballena Coast, an exquisite stretch of unspoiled beaches and lush rainforest-covered mountains that extends south from Dominical toward the Osa Peninsula. Because of its historical remoteness, this area remained virtually untouched by successive waves of development that spread throughout other regions of Costa Rica over the past few decades. Only with the recent opening of the beautiful Costanera highway has the outside world gained access to what can be described as a veritable natural treasure trove of flora and fauna.

Without a doubt, the most honored residents in this rich biological garden come from the cold northern and southern climes: whales, the ballenas for which this coast was named, including orcas, pilot whales and the noble humpbacks. The whales venture thousands of miles to mate and birth within sight of shore along the Ballena Coast. As they assemble at journey’s end, the warm waters resonate with the haunting, mystical songs by which they speak. In a thrilling serendipity, Nature has marked the site with a perfect sand-and-coral spit in the shape of a whale’s tail that emerges from the tide as if to remind all who may observe it that this haven must be preserved.

It is a covenant that those at Canto Ballena take very seriously. Canto Ballena’s design reflects its founders’ profound sense of responsibility in protecting this vital ecological zone. Canto Ballena’s quality and commitment to the environment combined with the long-standing integrity of Coldwell Banker ensures buyer satisfaction. As John Wieland, executive vice president of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group points out, “Our clients are looking for investments that satisfy their lifestyle and their values, which is why Canto Ballena is perfect for them.”

|| For more information, call 877.309.9238, or visit www.cb-cantoballena.com

Costa Rica Contacts

Scott Cutter
2 Costa Rica Real Estate
|| 011.506.777.3270 || www.2costaricarealestate.com

SEAN McGRAW
Coldwell Banker Vesta Group
|| 011.506.288.2268 || www.cb-costarica.com