Costa Rica What do I Want To Do Today?
It is a clear January morning and I am sitting on my balcony at sun-up watching two Toucans sitting in a Mango tree. The Pacific Ocean is showed in front of me in full panorama but I am mesmerized by the rainforest with all its swaying majesty. Breakfast is Guanabana juice from the tree in my yard and an omelet with veggies I had never even heard of before moving to Costa Rica. I am pleased to say that I do not know what day of the week it is.
The voice from the living room questions “What do you want to do today?” The mind boggles with the choices that immediately fill my mind. Talk about a kid in a candy store!!
This issue of your community newsletter will try to draw as complete a picture as possible of the choices you have that fine day in an attempt to draw a picture of life at Hacienda Matapalo. Many of you have had fantastic visits to Costa Rica and a lot of fun “poking around.” Now it is time to tell the whole tale and perhaps you will see something in this issue that you will want to do or see on your next visit to Costa Rica. Our staff is always ready to help you make things happen when you are in Costa Rica.
We always tell potential clients to see as much as they can of other parts of Costa Rica and other developments as well before they visit Hacienda Matapalo for the first time. We know they will find the South Central Pacific Coast to be the most dramatically gorgeous part of Costa Rica and we also know that they will find Hacienda Matapalo to be unique. For many it is exactly where and how they want to live in Costa Rica and when they see the entire picture of life at Hacienda Matapalo they know that “They are home.” You know this because this newsletter is written to all the residents of Hacienda Matapalo who have been through the process and made their choice.
I have seen a large part of Costa Rica and I can tell you there are some fantastic spots to see and I hope all of you will find the time to visit many of them. I reckon you will find that there is a difference between where you want to visit and where you want to live. We reckon the South Central Pacific Coast is the place to live to fully delight in everything that Costa Rica has to offer. In this issue we will tell you about several of the fantastic places to visit that make fantastic day trips or weekend excursions from Hacienda Matapalo.
So read and learn how vast the choices are when you live at Hacienda Matapalo and question yourself “What do I want to do today?”
Section I - Hacienda Matapalo’s Amenities and What You Can DO
El Corazon Clubhouse- Everything one could desire in a Resort-Style Clubhouse.
Hacienda Matapalo Nature Preserve- Delight in hiking 125 acres of lush primary forest.
Equstrian Center and Horseback Riding – 665 acres are yours to explore.
Hacienda Matapalo Beach Club- Exclusively for Residents & Guests.
Retail Center and Shopping
Section II – Adventure and Activities to Fill Your Days.
Whitewater Rafting Expeditions
Canopy Zipline Tours
Diving and Snorkeling
Surfing
Whale Watching
Beaches
Mountain Biking & Cycling
Sunset Cruises
Butterfly Farms
Mangrove Boat Tours
Spice Plantation Tour
Birdwatching Tours
Ocean Kayaking
ATV Tours
Waterfall Rappelling
Ultralight Aircraft Tours
Golfing
Section III – Nearby National Parks and Wildlife Refuges
Manuel Antonio National Park
Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge
Ballena National Park
Corcavado National Park
Chirripo National Park
Section IV- Overnight and Weekend Excursions
Monteverde Cloudforest
Mt. Arenal & La Fortuna Hot Springs
Cave Exploration
Section V – Fishing in Costa Rica
The Fish-Where to find them and their Seasons
Marina Pez Vela, Quepos
Section VI – Restaurants & Nightlife in the Area
Pedro Rivera’s guide to the best restaurants, hang-outs, and places to be seen.
Section VII – Getting Around Costa Rica
Regional Flights daily to exciting destinations, Ground Transporation, & Car Rentals
Section VIII – Points of Interest and Regional Events to Visit
Dominical, San Isidro, Quepos Farmers Market, San Jose & Central Valley,
Lankester Botanical Gardens, Costa Rican Rodeo
Section IX – What We Did Today!
Hacienda Matapalo’s Amenities
El Corazon Clubhouse
Chances are that you’ll want to just spend the day here and hang out with some of your new friends and neighbors. There’s plenty do to and plenty of fantastic spots to do-nothing.
El Corazon is at the heart of Hacienda Matapalo, located right at the center of the residences at Hacienda Matapalo, where the mountains and rainforest meet fabulous ocean views.
Designed as the hub of community activities, El Corazon will be a central gathering place for socializing, relaxing, and entertaining, as well as revitalizing the body and spirit through other activites. This 25,000 square foot facility has everything one could desire… including a Fitness Center, Spa, Meeting Rooms, Snack Bar, Restaurant, Lounge and more.
Wrapped around the Clubhouse, overlooking the Pacific, you’ll find more than 22,000 square feet of Freeform Infinity-Edge Pools, Beach Pools, a Lap Pool, Jacuzzis, Swim-Up Pool Bars, Tanning Areas and more. Outdoor sports & athletic amenities are also abundant featuring 12,000 square feet of Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, and a fantastic playground for the children. For your special events our Meeting and Event Rooms can be reserved and the Library and Media Room are always open for your enjoyment to enhance your day at El Corazon.
The concept of a resort-style clubhouse offering a myriad of activities and venues was a key element in the plotting of Hacienda Matapalo. There is an intangible, yet inherent value in being able to provide people with the types of social activities that will keep them smiling, the satisfaction of a job well done. Of course, for property owners at Hacienda Matapalo, results like substantial increases in their property value and a steady stream of customers for the resort rental program will be the tangible values.
The structure’s unique design draws on the elements of Polynesian South Seas architecture to produce an open and contemporary space that is perfect for Costa Rica’s balmy climate. Renowned architect Miguel Wong has spent a lifetime designing communities and homes in Costa Rica and Hacienda Matapalo’s plotting allows his expertise and talent to shine.
Lets explore the various areas of the El Corazon Clubhouse over the next few pages …
El Corazon- Pool Areas
Surrounded by lush rainforest and overlooking the Pacific far below, El Corazon is destined to stand apart from any other resort clubhouse in Costa Rica with over 22,000 square feet dedicated to swimming pools, waterfalls, and lagoons.
Imagine a magnificent free-form pool with an infinity edge that fades into nearly endless views of the Pacific… Picture yourself sitting at the swimup pool bar enjoying a tasty beverage as you watch the sun dip into the horizon at days end, knowing that you can start tomorrow with an invigorating routine in the lap pool before basking in the warm sun for a tan that will make your friends back north envious.
Maybe you will want to bring the children (or grandchildren) down to the beach pool with its shallow walk-in entry. There will even be a childrens pool for young swimmers.
If you’ve spent the day hiking up into Hacienda Matapalo’s Nature Preserve, chances are you’ll appreciate a soothing time in the Jacuzzi Pool.
Does a Water Aerobics class sound like what you need? Just contact the Clubhouse Service desk for a list of activities.
El Corazon- Spa and Fitness Center
El Corazon Spa invites you to revel in a 3,500 sq. ft. haven of luxury and relaxation where you can rejuvenate both body and soul with a variety of personal services.
You’ve worked hard to reach Hacienda Matapalo and now it’s time to indulge in the luxury of a full Spa experience and give yourself over to the many soothing relaxation treatments that will be available. Services are set to include: massage therapy, manicure and pedicure, body wraps, cleansing and restorative facials, aroma therapy, and more..
Your Spa experience is just a call away.
El Corazon Fitness Center
is a 2,000 sq.ft. facility offering the latest in muscle toning and cardiovascular equipment, freeweights, and a variety of activities to invigorate you.
Start you day with a brisk walk up a mountain trail and then hit the gym. Maybe you’ll want to sign up for a Pilates or Yoga class, try a tai-chi session, or work up a sweat with an aerobics or zumba class.
You can delight in personalized instruction and a comfortable location surrounded by the rainforest.
El Corazon- The Heart of Hacienda Matapalo
For residents and guest alike, El Corazon will be a community destination, offering something for everyone at Hacienda Matapalo.
Start your day at the fitness center with an invigorating workout…
Work on your tan around one of the many swimming pools…
Meet friends for a game of tennis…
Get a pedicure or massage at the Spa…
Sign up for a Bridge Game…
Have a light lunch at the Snack Bar…
Sunset cocktails with friends…
Shoot some hoops…
Reserve a court for Tennis…
Check out a new bestseller in the Library…
Hang out and make some new friends…
Schedule an Adventure Tour or weekend excursion through Concierge Services…
Check your e-mail via Wi-Fi internet…
Join a Volleyball game…
Get a group together for a painting class…
Turn the kids loose on the playground…
Sign up for an Orchid potting seminar…
Try Yoga classes for a week…
Group trips to fascinating destinations across Costa Rica…
Texas Hold’em Poker Nights…
Book one of the community rooms for a birthday party or special event…
Sign up for a horseback tour…
Come down for Movie Night…
Catch a shuttle to the Beach Club…
Your possibilities are wide open!
Hacienda Matapalo Nature Preserve
Experience the REAL Costa Rica in Hacienda Matapalo’s 125 Acre Rainforest Preserve and explore ancient primary forests by hiking or horseback riding trails.
Hacienda Matapalo Equestrian Center
Dust off your cowboy hat and place on the boots, it’s time to go round up some fun.
Hacienda Matapalo’s Equestrian Center can provide residents and guests alike with horses for riding on the miles of trails that cross our 665 acres. Head up into the 125-acre Nature Preserve or down to the beach for a gallop through the surf on your way to the Hacienda Matapalo Beach Club.
Don’t worry if you haven’t had much saddle time, our cowboys with be pleased to teach you or your children how to handle a horse, or guide you through the Hacienda Matapalo trail network. Your comfort and safety are paramount.
For the horsemen in our community, our stables will be available for boarding should you wish to own your own horse.
Daily organized rides and weekly trailrides with beachside barbeques will be available for guests and residents. Simply contact your concierge service to reserve your saddle.
Hacienda Matapalo Beach Club
26 miles of unspoiled shoreline beckons…
NO highrise condominiums.
NO t-shirt or souvenier shops.
NO thumping car stereos.
Nothing but the sounds of the waves rolling to shore and a tropical breeze in your face. It’s just you and an nearly endless stretch of beach that is yours to delight in.
Welcome to Playa Matapalo, location of Hacienda Matapalo’s Private Beach Club. A secure and convenient oasis exclusively for the use of Hacienda Matapalo residents and guests.
Take a complimentary shuttle bus from the El Corazon Clubhouse and the beauty and serenity of the tropical coastline is yours to delight in.
The Beach Club will offer full amenites that one would expect of a premium shore club:
- Beachfront Cabanas, Umbrellas & Chairs.
- Restaurant and Bar with waveside service
- Women’s & Men’s Locker Facilities
- Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi
- Hammocks for spending a bone idle afternoon
- Helpful Attendants
- Horseback riding on the beach
Come down to the shore and take a stroll to collect some fascinating shells or driftwood…
Take a surfing lession, or go for a run along the beach…
What do you want to do today?
Join HM’s Retail Center
As the building of the infrastructure for Hacienda Matapalo moves closer, Pegasus Star Limitada, the developer, will be developing the first regional shopping plaza in the South Central Pacific Coast area.
This Plaza will include two commercial buildings with stores, shops, offices, a restaurant and a bar. It will be located on a 6-acre parcel directly on the Costanera Highway, in front of Hacienda Matapalo. One of the high priorities of the developer has been to have goods and services located nearby, convenient for the owners of Hacienda Matapalo, and something that will make living there very “user friendly.”
The future residents of Hacienda Matapalo, and residents of other developments plotted for the area, will be clamoring for everything from a place to buy a cold drink to a pharmacy, or a place to buy a bathing suit. The drive-by traffic on the Costanera Highway will be enormous once the road paving is complete (by the end of 2009 according to a recent update from the government).
The developer sees this commercial plaza, with its restaurant and shops, as an “amenity” that will enhance the life of Hacienda Matapalo owners, as well as add value to their investment.
Many of the future property owners at Hacienda Matapalo have fallen in like with Costa Rica and plot to live at Hacienda Matapalo on a permanent basis. A number of them have expressed an interest in establishing their businesses there, and in leasing space in this commercial plaza for either an office or a shop. The developer will be giving such owners first choice, when pre-leasing starts.
The developer has prepared a private placement offering to finance the buy of the land and the construction of the plaza. The developer of Hacienda Matapalo will oversee and manage this project, but ownership shares will be offered to those who see the long term value of this commercial venture. Hacienda Matapalo owners and their friends and family are offered these shares before they are made available to other qualified investors
Shopping (like who cares…)
If Dolce & Gabana, Brooks Brothers, and Armani are your regular haunts, then the concrete jungle wins out over the rainforest as far as shopping is concerned.
Yes, you can go shopping in Costa Rica. The best selection of high quality goods and fashions in Costa Rica can be found in Escazu, a suburb of San Jose that has been dubbed “the Beverly Hills of Costa Rica.”
Here you can find large American-style malls, cinemas, restaurants (TGIF Friday’s, Bobby Rubino’s, Hooters, McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, & Burger King), high-end home furnishings, custom tailoring, shoes-to-die-for, and more. There’s even a Ferrari dealer (why? we just don’t know…)
Sticking a bit closer to home, Hacienda Matapalo’s Commercial Center will be offering a grocery store, pharmacy, banking, restaurant & bar, a bakery, liquors, plus additional businesses for… interior design and home furnishings, real estate services, resort rentals & tour services, surf shop, and more.
Keep checking Hacienda Matapalo’s website for project updates and announcements for upcoming web seminars designed to keep you informed about living in Costa Rica!
Mountain Biking and Cycling
Cycling is HUGE in Costa Rica.
With miles and miles of roads winding through foothills and flat coastal plains to challenging mountain roads, Costa Rica is a cyclist’s dream. Cycling Clubs can be found across the country and it’s not uncommon to see groups of 40 or more riders heading over to Quepos from San Jose.
Whether you like to burn up miles of roadway or go off-roading down single-track mountain paths, you’ll hit your stride surrounded by lush beauty and moderate temperatures.
Join other cyclistas from Hacienda Matapalo and take your bicicleta on an early morning ride down the Costanera Highway south to Uvita, or maybe a dash to Quepos and back before lunch. Blaze new mountain trails and splash across streams as you seek out spectacular ocean views. It’s all fun, and a fantastic way to stay in shape.
through Costa Rican natural history -and it’s flora and fauna- is highly recommended for any naturalist, young or ancient, who wants to experience firsthand the pulse of the mangrove ecosystem.
Travel comfortably and peacefully in modern, ultra-silent estuary boats as the wildlife comes to you. Experience curious families of monkeys as they migrate across the mangroves in search of food and adventure – and don’t be surprised if they try to hitch a ride with you!
Highly trained, bilingual guides will provide an informative and entertaining tour that is sure to be the highlight of your day. Bring a camera because incredible photos are guaranteed!
vice.
Bird Watching Day Tours
With over 850 species of birds living in a relatively tight geographic area, Costa Rica offers Birders some of the most spectacular viewing opportunites on the planet with six distinct ornotologic regions and varied habitats ranging from coastal areas to cloud-covered mountain highlands.
Residents and Guests at Hacienda Matapalo can walk out onto their balcony or into the backyard to see the many Toucans, Parrots, and Hummingbirds that inhabit the property, but many top birding locations are close by and make wonderful daytrips. Head up into the Talamanca Mountains near San Isisdro to spot gorgeous Quetzals and hummingbirds that inhabit the cloud forests.
Just minutes from Hacienda Matapalo is the Baru National Wildlife Refuge which offers birding tours.
Experience the wonders found at Ballena National Park or Corcavado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.
Remember to bring you binoculars and a camera!
EXCITING Day tours
Ocean Kayaking
Kayaking off the beaches and through the mangroves is a well loved activity along Costa Rica’s lengthy coastline. It’s a fantastic way to get in touch with nature and it can be a excellent upper body workout too.
Get a group together, bring along a picnic lunch and some snorkeling gear and make a day of it. It’s a fantastic activity for the kids and is sure to keep them smiling.
Mangrove kayaking will give you the opportunity to see wildlife up close. You’ll be gliding silently through the waters, accompanied by birdsong and the shouts of passing monkeys.
Details on kayaking locations will be available through Hacienda Matapalo’s Concierge Services.
ATV Cross-Country Adventures
Get you motor running on an exciting ATV tour cris-crossing scenic mountaintops with incredible ocean views and scenic beaches!
Your journey starts out at the foot of the mountains where you will travel past quaint villages, palm and teak plantations, roaring mountain streams and primary rain forests with all the biodiversity imaginable. Then you will arrive at magnificent waterfalls where you can chill out and swim in crystal clear waters to delight in nature at its finest. End your journey with a tasty Tico-style meal.
Experienced, bi-lingual guides are there to ensure your safety and a memorable time for all. There are a number of different tour routes available and most are half-day adventures. Hacienda Matapalo’s Concierge Services can even arrange ATV tours for other well loved areas in Costa Rica. Just let us know!
REALLY, REALLY Exciting Day Tours!
Waterfall Rappelling & Canyoning
If you’re looking for a sedate afternoon tour, go back to the Butterfly page. But if you’re looking for some extreme thrills, step right up…
Waterfall Rappelling and Canyoning is one of the most memorable and challenging experiences you can have in the rainforest! This is your opportunity to see Costa Rica like the native wildlife.
Strap on a rock-climbing harness and use the latest in climbing equipment and glide across canopy ziplines, traverse hanging rope bridges, and rappell down the face of waterfalls and canyons under the watchful eye of experienced canyoning guides.
Guaranteed to be more fun that a barrel of monkeys, and a heck of lot safer than wrestling a crocodile or jaguar.
Ultralight Tours
Get a birds-eye view of the rainforest or skim above the wavetops along the coastline from the seat of an ultralight aircraft. These flights are an absolute blast!
You can find ultralight flights leaving from the Quepos airport and Dominical. The major difference is that the Dominical flights are on an ultralight equipped with pontoons.
Flights generally run about 30 minutes. The operators have a excellent safety record and you are guaranteed to come back with some fantastic photos.
Not recommended for the faint of heart. Adreneline junkies should call the Concierge Service to setup a flight.
Golfing in Costa Rica
Yes, you can golf in Costa Rica.
Courses in proximity to Hacienda Matapalo are:
Los Suenos: 18-hole course outside of Jaco in Los Suenos Resort, about an hour north of
Quepos. Completed and open to public.
Ramada Hotel Herradura Golf Resort: San Jose. Located between San Jose Airport and downtown.
Cariari Country Club: San Jose. 6,590 yards, designed by George Fazio. Long considered to be the best gold course in Central America.
Hacienda Pinilla: Ocean view 7,300 yard, par 72 course designed by Mike Young. Located way up in Guanacaste.
Currently there are not a lot of golf courses in the Central-Southern Pacific region, simply because there has been no previous demand for golf. Now that the area is opening to residential development the demand is coming and there are several golf courses under development in the region. Expect to see new courses at:
Cabo Caletas: 18-hole course 35 minutes north of Quepos in the town of Esterillos. Golf course expected to open in 2010.
Del Pacifico: 18-hole plotted course in Esterillos. should be opening in 3-4 years.
San Buenas: 18-hole course a small over 30km south of Dominical, expected to be opened for 9-hole golf mid 2010, with the entire 18 holes open in 2011.
Quepos: Rumored new course that should be a hit with the yachting crowd at the new Marina Pez Vela.
Matapalo: Okay, there’s no golf course in Matapalo, yet. Just head to the beach at low tide and you’ll get to use a 26-mile long driving range for free.
National Parks near Hacienda Matapalo
What do you want to do today? Consider taking a day trip or weekend excursion to one of the many National Parks and Nature Preserves located within simple travel distance of Hacienda Matapalo. Whether traveling as a group or going solo, your ticket to the wonders of Costa Rica are just a phone call or e-mail away with the help of Hacienda Matapalo’s Concierge Services. We can provide recommendations on attractions and make the arrangements to get you there and back hassle-free.
What is there to see and do? Start with Costa Rica’s National Parks. The National Conservation Areas System protects more than 186 areas, including 32 national parks, 8 biological reserves, 13 forest reserves, and 51 wildlife refuges. Costa Rica has managed to protect a larger proportion of its land than any other country in the world. How much of Costa Rica has been set aside for conservation? Roughly 25% of the country, that’s over 3.2 million acres.
Four of Costa Rica top ecological parks are just a few minutes drive from Hacienda Matapalo:
Manuel Antonio National Park
With 1,680 acres, Manuel Antonio National Park is small compared to other national parks, but it epitomizes everything tourists flock to Costa Rica to see: stunning beaches, a magnificent setting with islands offshore (bird sanctuaries for marine species), lush rainforest laced with a network of welcoming trails, wildlife galore, and all within a few minutes of Hacienda Matapalo. You are guaranteed close-up encounters with monkeys, sloths, coatis, and macaws. Three secluded beaches inside the park provide placid waters for the kids to swim in and there are always plenty of hermit crabs and sunning iguanas to photograph.
The park is open 6 days a week, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tours can be scheduled by Hacienda Matapalo Concierge Services.
Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge
Located just a few kilometers south of Hacienda Matapalo, this unique preserve stretches from pristine beaches to mountain ridges to the east. Hacienda Barú`s 330 hectares (815 acres) was declared a National Wildlife Refuge in 1995 by the then president of Costa Rica, Jose Figuires. Until the mid-80′s much of the land was used for farming, but new owners started replanting the cleared areas with trees and allowed the forests to grow back.
Now part of the “Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor”, Hacienda Baru’s wild expanses serve a greater purpose as a natural habitat for Costa Rica’s wildlife. Animals that had long abandoned the area have now returned and are flourishing. Monkeys now roam freely across the property and sloths have finally returned to lowland areas after nearly 40 years of absense.
Since Baru is a national wildlife refuge and not a national park, you will find more tourist oriented activities here such as canopy zipline tours, overnight camping expeditions, and birdwatching tours.
Ballena National Marine Park
A fantastic spot for diving and snorkeling is only 20 minutes south of Hacienda Matapalo. Ballena National Marine Park is named for the humpback whales that can be seen offshore here during their annual migration each year. Made in 1989, it was the first national marine park in Costa Rica and covers 270 acres on land and another 13,000 acres of maritime area. The location is notable for a scenic spit of land called the “whales tail” that juts into the Pacific, plus it boasts the largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast of Central America.
Along with seasonal visits by whales you can frequently see dolphins and sea turtles, plus marine iguanas can be spotted sunning themselves on the beaches and rocks.
Not familiar with diving? Get your feet wet with SCUBA training from PADI certified instructors. Dive courses will be just one of of the many activities available for residents and guests.
Corcavado National Park
Without a doubt, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s National Parks. Located on the Southern Pacific Coast amid the sprawling Osa Peninsula, Parque Nacional Corcovado–the Amazon of Costa Rica–is the largest stronghold of primary forest on the Pacific from Mexico to South America. Its 103,000+ acres encompass eight habitats, from mangrove swamp and jolillo palm grove to montane forest. The park protects more than 400 species of birds (20 are endemic), 116 of amphibians and reptiles, and 139 of mammals. Its healthy population of scarlet macaws (about 1,200 birds) is the largest concentration in Central America. National Geographic has gone so far as to call this area the most bio-diverse place on the planet.
Corcavado’s size and multitude of habitats makes it an ideal location for weekend trips. Explore another world and stay at one of the eco-lodges in the area. Hacienda Matapalo Concierge Services will be there to make arrangements for you.
Chirripo National Park
Take an inland tour and visit the cool mountain highlands near the gorgeous town of San Isidro. Mt. Chirripo is the highest point in Central America at just over 12,400 ft., and Chirripó Parque Nacional protects the 123,000 acres of high-elevation terrain surrounding it. The park is contiguous with La Amistad International Peace Park to the south; together they form the Amistad-Talamanca Regional Conservation Unit.
Cloud forest, above 8,100 feet, covers nearly half the park. Mt. Chirripó lures the intrepid who seek the satisfaction of reaching the summit. Many Ticos choose to hike the mountain during the week preceding Easter, when the weather is usually dry. The full hike to the top requires an overnight stay on the mountain (lodging is available), but technical expertise isn’t required and the trails are well marked.
Concierge Services can arrange your tour, providing guides, accomodations, and transportation
