Can I Make Money Renting My Property in Costa Rica?
One of the great things about Cartagena is its location.
In almost every property development in Costa Rica, the breakdown of ownership is about the same. One-third of all the owners live here full-time; they are expats who have made paradise their permanent residence. One-third of them are your typical snowbirds; they spend three to six months a year here, when the weather turns in North America, and then spend the summer months back home. Some of them rent their properties when they go back north, but many of them just lock the door and leave. They don't need the money and don't want anyone “sleeping in their bed.”
The last third don't live here at all. They either have a three-to-five-year plan to become one of the first two, or they have no intention of ever living here at all, they just own the property as an investment. They come down as often as they can, depending on their lifestyles and their incomes, and they rent the property the rest of the time.
So, can I make money renting my property in Costa Rica?
For this analogy, pick up a pencil. Hold it in the middle. This is your investment spectrum.
On one side of the pencil — the pointed side— is the money side, the ROI side. How can I make the most return on my money? I don't care where it is, or what it is, as long as I can get the most bang for my buck. It could be stocks, real estate, commodities, businesses, etc. As long as I am making a 10% return, I am happy.
The problem with this end of the spectrum is it is just money. There is no enjoyment, no satisfaction, just ROI. You look at your portfolio, smile briefly, and go back to figuring out how to make more money. Most of our clients have been doing this their entire life.
The other side of the pencil is the eraser, the soft side. We will call this the enjoyment side. This side of the spectrum makes you no money at all, but is a ton of fun. We spend our money on vacations, cars, clothes, watches, boats, restaurants and entertainment. But we get no return on our investment and usually lose money in the process.
Most of our clients are in the middle. They want to make “some” return, but also enjoy life as much as possible. We call this middle place “lifestyle.” That is Costa Rica. If you are looking to maximize your return and make as much money as possible, Costa Rica is not the place. Keep your money in the stock market or buy more gold or Bitcoin.
You will make a decent return, and your portfolio will grow, but you will also have the opportunity to enjoy an amazing vacation when you come to your place. Mud baths, hot springs, whitewater rafting, ocean, sun, rainforest and massages on the beach — all while making a small ROI on your original investment.
We tell everyone that this is a lifestyle Investment.
It’s as simple as that.
The coastal city of Cartagena in Northern Colombia has long been a popular tourist destination. Its famous walled colonial city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it offers everything from great ocean activities to delicious food and amazing architecture.
If you're thinking about traveling to Cartagena, check out these top five things to do there.
1. Explore the islands
One of the great things about Cartagena is its location. It is close enough to the ocean that you can easily take a boat to explore some of the nearby islands for the day. Of these, the best-known are the Rosario Islands, where you can go scuba diving, swimming, and exploring.
2. Enjoy the historic and colorful architecture
The Walled City of Cartagena is a sight to behold, which you can enjoy on foot or in an old-fashioned horsedrawn buggy. You'll love the colorful, old-fashioned apartments and street food.
If you enjoy historic locations, you should see the Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas, a large structure which stands on San Lazaro Hill and once guarded the city from enemy attack. You can tour this magnificent old structure and see the cannons and a great beach view below.
The Barrio Getsemani is a colorful neighborhood full of artwork, cobblestone streets and historic statues. You'll also find plenty of small places to eat.
3. Enjoy the ocean and beach
You'd be remiss not to enjoy the advantage of the warm ocean water nearby. The Isla Grande beach has many fun activities to choose from, including snorkeling and kayaking.
If you're looking for a great beach experience but not sure if you want to get in the water, you can check out the Bomba Beach Club, a 10-minute boat ride from Cartagena.
There, you'll get a kiosko with a hammock and tanning chairs, and be treated to delicious food like fried plantains, ceviche, and margaritas all day. They also have a pool to swim in if you prefer that to the salt water.
4. Shop at La Serrezuela
This old shopping center has been updated and brings a beautiful modern flair to the area, with elegant architecture and fountains.
It is full of great restaurants, plays host to musical performances and has many shops to explore. In 2021, it was given a Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice award.
5. Visit local museums
The Choco Museo is a free chocolate museum where you can learn about chocolate in Colombia and even help to make some. Of course, you can sample some of the delicious products, too!
Museo del Oro Zenu is a historical museum that holds artifacts from the Zenú people who lived in the area two thousand years ago.
Before you go, see what locals say about Cartegena!
The beautiful city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, is full of opportunities for adventure sports and many beautiful parks. It is known for its thriving economy, nature and nightlife.
Here are some activities you won't want to miss:
1. Paragliding
If you take a short drive from Bucaramanga, you can sign up for paragliding in the town of Ruitoque. The paragliding is available year-round and takes you over Bucaramanga's breathtaking skyline.
2. Shopping at Mercado Central
The central market offers everything from produce and flowers to clothes, shoes, and crafts. There's something for everyone here. You can also grab a snack at the food court and enjoy savory empanadas, fruit juices, grilled meats, and buñuelos.
3. Visiting the Museo Casa de Bolívar
If you're interested in history and learning more about Colombian culture, you should visit the Museo Casa de Bolívar. It is located in a colonial house that was built in the 1700s. The house famously housed Simón Bolívar, “El Libertador.”
rum
The museum houses many centuries' worth istory, with over 4,000 artifacts. It is also e to some Guane indigenous mummies, pons, and paintings.
njoying the nightlife
Cabecera, a modern neighborhood, offers isterous nightlife scene. They have music, ba, and salsa at bars such as Vintrash, and clubs like the well-known La 33.
On the 18th floor of Bucaramanga's Holiday hotel, you can have a drink and enjoy the w at the Skybar, a favorite for many young ple.
Parque Las Palmas is also a popular hangout he evenings, surrounded by many restaurants bars.
xploring Bucaramanga's parks
One of Bucaramanga's main draws is its beautiful ks. La Flora Ecological Park is one of the best ntown parks, featuring a valley full of beautiful s.
The Parque Nacional de Chicamocha has majestic green landscapes, a canyon and steep slopes.
There, you can ride the aerial cable car over the canyon or go rafting, fishing, hiking, climbing, paragliding, kayaking, camping, or even spelunking! Aside from that, there are opportunities to rent a dune buggy, enjoy the water park, ride the ziplines or ride in an extreme swing.
The Parque del Agua is a fun family park with wooded paths, waterfalls, and ponds. You can enjoy spotting the wildlife, such as turtles, birds, and fish. You'll also love the tropical plants and relaxing, natural atmosphere.
At night, you can enjoy the light show. You won't want to miss the amazing Christmas light display in December!
Nicaragua's San Juan del Sur is a popular coastal town for tourists and surfers, and is well-known for its pristine beaches.
By day, you can catch a wave and enjoy the local cuisine. At night, the beachfront turns into a lively bar scene where you can watch the sunset over drinks.
1. Enjoy the beaches
The number one thing to do in San Juan del Sur is to enjoy the beach.
One of the best beaches is San Juan del Sur Beach. It has street food vendors selling snacks such as chicken quesadillas and great views of the ocean and the famous Christ statue.
With many nearby restaurants, San Juan del Sur Beach is a favorite spot for tourists and locals to watch the sunset. You can also enjoy swimming, snorkeling, fishing, surfing, and boating here.
At Playa Hermosa, you can relax in a cabana or hammock and enjoy a cocktail or smoothie.
There are places to rent boogie boards and flippers, surfboards, and more. This beach is very popular for surfers, and there are many surf instructors available!
Other favorite beach activities include windsurfing and taking a horseback riding tour.
2. See the Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia
One of the most famous landmarks in San Juan del Sur is Mirador del Cristo de la Misericordia. This giant Christ of the Mercy statue is 134 meters (77 feet) tall.
Locals and tourists agree that the hike up the hill to see the statue is worth it, especially to enjoy the magnificent ocean view.
3. Try the local craft beer and food
San Juan del Sur Cerveceria is the spot to go if you want to try some great local craft beers and enjoy good eats.
San Juan del Sur also offers some great restaurants, like Dale Pues, which serves Nicaraguan coffee, tasty breakfast and fruit smoothies in the morning, and burgers later in the day.
La Rosticeria is a favorite beach restaurant, known for its great wings, quesadillas, seafood, and drinks.
4. Practice yoga
One favorite activity in San Juan del Sur is yoga, and there are many places to practice it. You can make your way to the popular Zen Yoga to take a class and even get a massage. There are also favorite yoga retreats such as the Eden on the Chocolata.
5. See turtles at La Flor Beach Natural Reserve
One rare and exciting opportunity for nature lovers in San Juan del Sur is to see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the ocean.
The best place to do this is at La Flor Beach Natural Reserve. The nesting season is from July to January, which means that the majority will hatch in October and November. If you go late in the day during the fall season, you're sure to see some!
Learn more from locals about what to do in San Juan del Sur! For advice, tips, and inside information about more than 5,000 cities across the world, visit CrowdsourcedExplorer.com.