Costa Rica tops our list coming in first and second.  In fact, 3 of the 7 regions fall within Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s northern state.  The data is based on our database of real estate developments in Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and Nicaragua.  Nicaragua, being a cheaper destination than the other countries, did not make the list.

1. The stunning coastline of Coco, Hermosa and Papagayo in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region tops our list.  Here the median price for an ocean view condo is $340 per sqft.  The region is packed with amenities from tennis clubs and marinas to championship golf courses and luxury spas.  It has some epic surf breaks, good infrastructure and is very accessible from Liberia’s international airport.  Celebrity purchases, major hospitality brands and top class attractions abound in the region so it’s not surprizing that it tops our list.

2. Just next door, also in Guanacaste, lies Flamingo where the median price for an ocean view condo will set you back $305 per sqft.  Tourists are attracted to the spectacular beaches, the world-class sport fishing (there’s an international tournament every year) and the numerous dive spots.

3. Ambergris Caye comes in third.  It’s the most visited part of Belize and offers the picture postcard Caribbean experience -  sparkling white sand, azure waters, swaying palm trees and a great barrier reef just off shore. For a median price of $290 per sqft, you’ll be on your way to owning an ocean view condo in this important tourism area. The added bonus for many international real estate investors: you won’t have to learn another language as Ambergris Caye is English speaking.

4. Fourth on the list is Tamarindo located, wait for it, in Guanacaste Costa Rica.  Long recognized by surfers for its great waves, Tamarindo now offers something for backpackers, luxury travelers and everyone in between. You can take advantage of lovely local beaches - some with turtle nesting areas, dive spots, golfing, numerous night-spots, restaurants and, of course, plenty of sunshine year round.  An ocean view condo clocks in at $285 per sqft.

5. Jaco lies on a wide, grey-sand bay on Costa Rica’s Central Coast in Puntanrenas.   Well known hospitality brands such as Sonesta, Ramanda and Wyndham have set up store along the beach front and you’ll lose count of the internet cafes, curio stores, tour agencies, souvenir stands, bars, restaurants and nightclubs that jostle for position on the main road.  You’ll find ocean view condos here for around $280 per sqft.

6. Our second Caribbean region, Bocas del Toro, in Panama comes in 6th.  If you want an ocean view condo here you’ll be looking around $275 per sqft.   The cluster of islands that make up the archipelago have become a key tourist destination for visitors to Panama.  Unusually for the Caribbean, you’ll not only find great local dive spots but also some good surfing waves.

7. Cosmopolitan Panama City with it’s soaring skyline of glass and steel comes in 7th.  The town is a world class financial center and business hub that offers a range of exciting experiences to visitors.  You’ll find a vibrancy here that is rare in Central America.  Investors looking for US style infrastructure, excellent health care and a benefit-laden retirement program tend to look no further.  You’ll need to lay out around $265 per sqft. for an ocean view condo.

The data was collected during 2008.  We’ll be updating for 2009 and tracking the trends.

So tell us, would you buy in one one of these property hotspots?

Tags: Belize, Costa Rica, Panama

 

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 at 7:41 pm and is filed under Comparison shopping, Market statistics and data. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.