THE ADDRESS Magazine Summer 2014 | Page 31

A dazzling villa in a splendorous setting C osta Rica enjoys a privileged spot at the top of just about any list of destinations for retirement or second homes. With its modest cost of living, excellent healthcare, advanced telecommunications system, spectacular beaches, lush rainforests that teem with exotic wildlife, what locale anywhere on the planet could be more perfect? It is a land of stunning volcanoes, beautiful valleys and cool mountainsides, crystal-clear lakes, rivers, streams and waterfalls. The sunrises mesmerise, the sunsets enchant. And then there are those star-filled nighttime skies, unsullied by light pollution. But Costa Rica is more than the out of doors. It is theatres, art galleries and fine dining, plus great shopping. Just a 2½-hour flight from Miami and Houston and five hours from Denver, New York and Los Angeles, Costa Rica is close, and yet a world away. With a stable economy, a history of democracy and a peaceful society that does not even have a military, Costa Rica has earned the title of Central America’s Switzerland. There have been recent indications that the country’s property market is on the rise, with the luxury end of the market and the demand for unique properties making it one of the most attractive locales for those discerning buyers of international luxury real estate. In a class by itself and a spectacular achievement in design, this extraordinary property ticks all the boxes. www.theaddressmagazine.com 31