Where are we located?

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disney-like cast of creatures — ranging from howler monkeys to toucans — are prolific and relatively easy to spot. The beaches and waves are exquisite, and the beauty is absolutely breathtaking.   Costa Rica means "rich coast" in Spanish, and as the name implies Costa Rica is definitely an ideal tropical paradise.

Gaia Vista is located in the Central-South Pacific portion of Costa Rica; an area which is the most ideal part of the country for exploring mountains, rivers, beaches and tropical rainforests.

The Northern Pacific part of Costa Rica, an area where most of the package tourists go, is mostly composed of dry temperate forests and almost desert like conditions. 

The South Pacific on the other hand is more wild, lush and tropical, and is the preferred destination for eco tourists in the know.

Virgin Rainforest Paradise

Gaia Vista is located at the gateway to a several thousand acre primary rainforest valley that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

Our property itself has 3 steams, a river and over a dozen waterfalls and swimming holes. People presently come from miles around to explore our property as it is the best place in the area to hike and explore the pristine primary rainforest.

We are located in the only area in all of Central America where the rainforest filled mountains jut up to the Pacific coast. The splendor of the rainforest and the magnificence of the Pacific ocean in this area are hard to describe.

Unspoiled Beaches

Costa Rica has a maritime law that states that you can not build directly on the beach, and as a result there are no hotels directly on the beach near our property and the beaches therefore still retain their natural pristine beauty and wildness.

Mangrove Forest

Just below our property is the start of the largest Pacific Coast Mangrove Forest in all of Central America. Most people think of mangroves as swamps, but the term mangrove refers to an intertidal wetland ecosystem, and they are quite beautiful to explore. The mangroves offer a wide variety of wildlife including many species of water birds such as: the Northern Jacanas, Boat-billed Herons, Purple Gallinules, Black-bellied Tree Ducks, and Roseate Spoonbills, and white Ibis and many more.

Plus this area of Costa Rica has the highest density of scarlet macaws in all of Central America. Taking a boat trip through the mangroves and then relaxing on the pristine beach next to it is an experience that you don't want to miss.

Wildlife Galore

National Geographic called the area near our property "the most biologically intense place on earth." What makes it so biologically intense is that there are a mix of plants and animals from both north and South America, and evolution has created many creatures that are unique only to this area - there are also lots of new species yet to be discovered.

Costa Rica itself is home to over 9000 identified species of vascular plants, including over 900 different species of trees, and more are being described each year!. Plus, over 850 species of birds, Over 200 mammal species have been recorded in Costa Rica, and there are also roughly 150 species of amphibians, some of which are extremely colorful and exotic.

As you can see Gaia Vista is located in one of the most perfect places on the planet to create a fully sustainable eco resort / retreat center / organic farm / environmental education center

Super Green Governmental Machine

Costa Rica is the #1 eco tourism destination in the world and is a leader on green issues. Protected areas like national parks and biological reserves cover more than a quarter of its territory.

The country generates 78 percent of its energy with hydroelectric power and another 18 percent by wind or geothermal. Costa Rica now plans to cut emissions from transport, farming and industry, and is the first country in the world to pledge to eliminate its carbon footprint within 20 years.

Costa Rica with a little support from organizations like ours will most likely be the first nation in the world to go carbon neutral. We can not think of a better place to create what we are creating, and when combined with the magical piece of land that we have stewardship over, the combination is like no other place in the world.

Local Amenities

We are located in Costa Rica’s last frontier. Up until 2 years ago there was no phone service near our land, and cell phones did not work because the shape of the mountain blocked all existing cell phone signals. Seven years ago this area was the only part of the entire Pan-American Highway that was still a dirt road. A new highway was recently completed that connects Palmar Norte with Dominical. Even though it is the Pan-American Highway, it is quite remote and most of the time you are the only person on the road.

With the new road came the boom of Western development, and lots of foreigners are creating there homes in this part of the country. One of the good aspects of the development is that almost all of the homes are being built on what used to be farmland, so the rainforest is not getting cut down in the process. One of the many missions of Gaia Vista is to try and educate local land owners and developers about green building techniques and organic farming/ permaculture techniques.

Local Restaurants and Hotels

There are lots of small local hotels and restaurants in the area. Most are small establishments created by foreigners wanting to create a new life for themselves. The restaurants are mostly small and quaint in nature, and there are several French restaurants in the area; as well as pizza restaurants, Thai food, Italian food, seafood restaurants, local tico run restaurants etc. There is also a small French bakery, which is attached to the bakers home, and unless you know where to go, you would never even know it exists. The area also boasts a local Tico organic farmer which drives his organic produce truck right to your house two times a week. This area definitely has its unique charm.

Gaia Rainforest Reserve

The beauty of our property is that we are in an area that is developing, and we therefore have the privilege and responsibility of becoming the gatekeepers to protecting an entire virgin rainforest valley that starts at our front door, and goes back for a couple of miles, and to the the top of the mountain. We are the gateway to literally 1000's of acres of virgin rainforest which is mostly governmental land. There are also 2 parcels of private land that we are trying to purchase in order to create the Gaia Rainforest Reserve. If you know of any people or organizations that would like to help create this Gaia rainforest reserve let us know.

Other amenities recently completed - or in the process of construction

A new International Airport is being constructed less than 30 minutes from our property. Their is also a brand new ultra-modern Hospital that just opened in May 2008, and is only 20 minutes from us. An 18 hole golf course was also just completed, and a marina is also being built nearby. This area is definitely just starting to boom. CNBC called Costa Rica "the hottest real estate market on the planet."

Weather and Seasons

We are located at approximately nine degrees latitude north of the equator, the weather is tropical. Temperatures do not vary much from month to month (70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit year round). As in other countries in the tropics, there are only two predominant seasons. June through November is the winter (green) season. During the green season the mornings and early afternoons are usually sunny, with rain showers occurring in the late afternoons and evenings. Temperatures are generally in the cooler range during the winter months, and as you increase in altitude it gets much colder. While rains may be heavy, hurricanes are very rare on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. December through May is considered the summer (dry) season. Rain may occur from time to time, but the weather is generally dry and warm.

Other eco adventures in the area

• Scuba Diving at cano island
• Mangrove Boat Adventures
• Canopy Tours at Gaia Vista
• Surfing
• Deep Sea Fishing
• River Rafting
• Baruca Indian Reservation
• Horse Back Riding
• Whale and Turtle watching
• Birdwatching & Animal watching
• Rainforest Adventures and Volunteer Opportunities
• Lots of nice private beaches and much more....

We invite you to become a part of Gaia Vista.
We are presently divining for: owners, partners, full time and part time eco-village members and volunteers to help fully materialize the Gaia Vista Vision.