By: Charles Sipe, Mexico Real Estate Investment
Just south of Puerto Vallarta is Costa Alegre, or The Happy Coast, a 174 mile stretch of Mexico’s finest coastline. With private, beautiful beach coves located off of dirt roads and minimal development, Costa Alegre is fast becoming a popular destination for celebrities and those who want to get away from it all – with minimum interference from the distractions, disruptions and pollution of the modern urban lifestyle.
Also referred to as Costa Careyes (which translates to the Turtle Coast), Costa Alegre is a nature lover’s paradise – connecting tropical forests with dramatic sunset vistas and superb nighttime stargazing, free from the glare of city lights. Despite its seclusion, visitors and residents in this beautiful coastal paradise have access to some of the most exclusive and high-end amenities and services, including championship golf courses, polo matches, and high end boutique resorts and spas. The architecture in the area is unique, combining the art and culture of Mexico with styles that complement the region’s natural surroundings.
The towns of Careyes, Los Ingenios, Boca de Iguanas, Tamarindo, and Manzanilla are popular areas for visitors and those seeking a second home or retirement community. Despite the area’s growing popularity, the global recession has created a situation where many newly constructed homes today can be acquired at very reasonable prices. Buyers can pick up fully furnished and completed ocean front townhomes starting from the high $100K to $400K range. There are more expensive luxury properties as well, but prices here still remain reasonable, when compared with Mexico’s other resort areas.
For those seeking to build their own tropical paradise, land prices range from the low $50Ks and up.
It is important to note that this is an area that is still relatively new to development (compared to other parts of Mexico). Buyers and investors should be cautious and vigilant in hiring only reputable public notaries and advisors when purchasing in the Costa Alegre area. Mexican land laws prohibit foreign nationals from directly owning properties within 60 miles of the coast; foreign buyers must purchase the land by establishing a trust with an accredited Mexican bank.
