Hola Mi Amigos,
Adam and I took the red-eye flight from SLC-LAX-Liberia, Costa Rica on February 27th. Our goals of the trip were to explore the Liberia travel option, decide on a contractor, gather 'inside-info' on area and make needed/required changes to our House Plans.
We arrived at Liberia Airport at 7 Am. Jumped in a $55, 1.5 hour taxi to Penas Blancas (border crossing). Despite everything we had heard about this border crossing we had our passports stamped and walked into Nicaragua 20 minutes after we arrived. We caught $25 taxi for the 45 minutes to San Juan Del Sur and enjoyed our first Tona (Nicaragua's Best Beer) on the beach by 11 a.m. Not renting a car not only saved us some money but also all of the hassles associated with driving in a Latin America.
Adam and I took the red-eye flight from SLC-LAX-Liberia, Costa Rica on February 27th. Our goals of the trip were to explore the Liberia travel option, decide on a contractor, gather 'inside-info' on area and make needed/required changes to our House Plans.
We arrived at Liberia Airport at 7 Am. Jumped in a $55, 1.5 hour taxi to Penas Blancas (border crossing). Despite everything we had heard about this border crossing we had our passports stamped and walked into Nicaragua 20 minutes after we arrived. We caught $25 taxi for the 45 minutes to San Juan Del Sur and enjoyed our first Tona (Nicaragua's Best Beer) on the beach by 11 a.m. Not renting a car not only saved us some money but also all of the hassles associated with driving in a Latin America.
Liberia Aeropuerto
Bienvenido Nicaragua 
There was a line 3KM long of trucks and American RV'rs crossing the border
Church in the center of San Juan Del Sur
Numerous things validate that we are investing into this country at the ground floor. In the past year Nicaragua is going through some big changes. Since last Spring this enormous wind energy project just outside SJDS was completed. 25 windmills! The road from Rivas to San Juan went from a pot-hole ridden dirt path, to a blacktop highway with actual painted lines! Town now has a city sanitation/rubbage department and is noticeably much cleaner. A number of new, small nica owned businesses have popped up throughout town and around our property. The Catholic Church in the center of town has been completely restored and we have a new Casino in town that plays Texas Hold'em all day long. Next......... rumors of a San Juan Del Sur Aueropuerto.
View of the new statue from town. We can see it from our lot.
Waiting for Chuck's Truck at the Mechanic
One of Will's Projects
Chuck's Castle from the Beach. Chuck, our neighbor, HOA President, and potential project manager was our host. He has built himself a great house with 10,000 sq. feet of covered patios. It was a great stay, good location to get work acomplished, fun host and amazing eggs, beans, and rice every morning
Nicas enjoying the river below our lot
$5 Sunday Dinner at Playa Marsella Restaurant (just below our property)
Great sea life and shell hunting on the rocks both North and South of Playa Marsella .We learned on this trip that there is much more to the area than just surfing. There is something for everyone....great beach walking, shell and sea life hunting, sea kayaking, Frisbee golf, swimming, surfing, etc.
Our property from Playa Marsella
Example of Solid wood door option. (cost $150)
Brick work on one of Will's houses
Example of exposed interior brick accent and cool (cheaper) doors
at one of Will's houses
Red brick accents. The tile floor we like
Josh's house, cool but spendy sliding doors
Interior of Josh's house. The black marble floors are sick, but not very functional for a vacation house
Example of Will's wood work
One of Will's completed projects
Example of a Will built pool
Adam crossing the river at Playa Tamarindo Costa Rica
Playa Grande
Border crossing back into Costa rica
We have the perfect view of the huge, new Jesus statue above SJDS. The developer of Pacific Marlin Development (very high end) built the statue as thanks to god for allowing him to make so much money on the development. It dominates the view in town and the San Juan Bay. Everyone that checked out our lot was amazed at the view we have. Its even better than we remembered.
Huge cruise ship departing SJDS. They are expecting 45 of these this winter. One of the examples that SJDS is getting discovered.
Example of how our retaining wall will be built.
Another Will Project
Killer cement bed idea. It costs the same as a box spring.
example of our roof preference. Dimensional wood, cane, zinc, topped with spanish tile
Tamagringo. Check it out a tcby. there was a subway and a pizza hut all on the same corner.
Cab ride from border to Playa Tamarindo. $100 for 2.45 hour ride
New resort and restaurant 5 minute walk from our house. The owner Tyler is going to bid on our project. Great place to sleep and eat close to our property.
Monkeys near the property
Morgan's rock. This rock feature dominates the view of the coastline near our house
Adam and Chuck looking west on the property
Nicaragua's cervezas
View from Parque Madera
Resort/hostel/restaurant close to the housequick video of San Juan Del Sur
The trip was a success. We have a very good idea of building styles, materials, and options. We are going to amend the house plan to accomodate our western view and optimize the breeze on our lot. We have 3 solid choices to choose from for a builder and plan on making a decision and getting the house started in the next few months. The dream of having an inexpensive vacation home in paradise is quickly becoming a reality.
