Today we’re heading to Tamarindo to find out what’s really happening in one of Costa Rica’s most talked-about beach towns. I’m joined by longtime Tamarindo resident and real estate advisor Lauren Mantey, who I’ve known for years, to talk about how the town has changed, who’s moving there and buying property today, what life is actually like beyond the beach, and whether Tamarindo is becoming too developed or simply evolving into what makes it successful. We’ll also get into the real estate opportunities, the impact of global economic uncertainty, and where Lauren thinks the next interesting opportunities around Tamarindo might be. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Arenal Ridge: https://www.arenalridge.com/ Lauren Mantey: lauren@bwpcr.com ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=The+Truth+about+Tamarindo%3A+Living%2C+buying+and+what%27s+changed+with+Lauren+Mantey ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 00:14 – Is Tamarindo Real Estate Slowing? 03:05 – Why Buyers Are Holding Back 05:43 – Why Tamarindo Keeps Attracting Everyone 10:06 – Who’s Buying Tamarindo Real Estate? 17:03 – Tamarindo’s Next Growth Areas 21:29 – The 12–15% ROI Opportunity 22:40 – Where Would Lauren Invest $500K?

🤖 What if travelers stop using Google to find their next hotel? AI is changing how people search, discover, and eventually book travel. The question is: will your property be found? 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #AIinHospitality #LuxuryHospitality #HotelMarketing #TravelTechnology #HospitalityDevelopment #CostaRicaInvestment

👀 You built the development. You love the design. You know every detail. But does your buyer? The biggest branding mistake might be thinking like a developer instead of thinking like the person you're trying to sell to. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #RealEstateDevelopment #BrandStrategy #PropertyDevelopment #MarketingStrategy #CostaRicaRealEstate

🚨 You don’t have a marketing problem. You have a positioning problem. And knowing the difference could completely change your business. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #MarketingStrategy #BrandPositioning #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #LuxuryHospitality #CostaRicaBusiness

📸 Anyone can make a property look beautiful on Instagram. But can you make people feel something? The difference comes down to authenticity—and the soul behind the experience. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LuxuryHospitality #EcoLuxury #HospitalityDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #TourismInvestment

We talk to Beth O’Brien, owner of Beth Anna & Co, to explore what really makes a real estate development successful beyond beautiful buildings and Instagram-worthy images. We discuss how economic uncertainty is affecting Costa Rica real estate, where developers often get branding and marketing wrong, why the guest experience is at the heart of a strong brand, and how luxury travellers are increasingly prioritising authenticity, privacy, wellness and experiences. Beth also shares her insights into Costa Rica’s wellness tourism opportunities, overhyped trends, where she would invest $100,000 in marketing a boutique hotel, and what she would do with $500,000 to invest in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Arenal Ridge: https://www.arenalridge.com/ Beth O'Brien: https://www.bethanneandco.com/ ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=Beautiful+isn%27t+enough%3A+What+makes+a+Costa+Rica+Development+%26+property+successful+with+Beth+O%27Brien. ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 00:14 – Is Costa Rica Real Estate Slowing Down? 03:03 – Why Buyers Aren’t Committing 05:40 – Costa Rica’s Strongest Real Estate Markets 08:58 – The Biggest Branding Mistake Developers Make 15:47 – Why Developers Market Too Late 23:27 – The New Definition of Luxury 29:51 – Where Would Beth O’Brien Invest $100K?

The answer might surprise you. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #CostaRicaRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #PropertyInvestment #TourismInvestment #WealthBuilding

Before you make your next move, see what opportunities we’re looking at. 👀🇨🇷 From investment consulting to buyer representation—and opportunities like Arenal Ridge starting at just over $100K. 📩 Let’s talk. #CostaRicaInvestment #CostaRicaRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #ArenalRidge #PropertyInvestment #InvestInCostaRica

So what actually makes a hotel or vacation rental successful? The answer has a lot more to do with who your customer is, how you operate, and what makes your property impossible to forget. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #TourismInvestment #LuxuryHospitality #VacationRental #HospitalityDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate

Beyond the country’s most popular destinations, there are still incredible places waiting to be unlocked. The question is… where? 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #CostaRicaTourism #TourismInvestment #EcoTourism #HospitalityDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate

We chat with Casey Halloran, CEO of Costa Rican Vacations and the Namu Travel Group, to get his take on the current state of Costa Rica’s tourism and real estate markets. They discuss how global economic uncertainty is affecting demand, where Costa Rica’s strongest tourism markets are coming from, whether the country is becoming too expensive, what makes a hotel or vacation rental commercially successful, and the mistakes developers consistently make. Casey also shares where he sees the biggest untapped opportunities over the next decade, what he believes people understood about Costa Rica 20 years ago that newcomers often miss, and where he would invest $500,000 in Costa Rica today. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Casey Halloran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseyjhalloran/ ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=Costa+Rica+Tourism+%26+Real+Estate%3A+What+20+yrs+on+the+ground+has+taught+us+with+Casey+Halloran ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 0:00 — Costa Rica Real Estate: What’s Happening in 2026? 6:15 — The Truth About Costa Rica Rental Returns 9:49 — Who’s Buying Costa Rica Real Estate Now? 10:31 — Buyer’s Market or Seller’s Market? 15:07 — The Properties Investors Are Buying Fast 20:38 — The Best Beach Towns to Invest In 27:17 — Where Would Andrés Murillo Invest $500K?

🌿 You bought the land in Costa Rica. Now comes the hard part. Infrastructure, permits, environmental requirements—and potentially years before development can truly move forward. 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LandDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #PropertyDevelopment #RealEstateInvesting #CostaRica #CostaRicaRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #LandDevelopment #WealthBuilding #Entrepreneurship #PropertyInvestment

🏗️ Who’s checking your builder? When building in Costa Rica, an independent civil engineer can provide an extra layer of oversight and help keep everyone accountable. A small investment for a lot more peace of mind. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #ConstructionCostaRica #PropertyDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #BuildInCostaRica #RealEstateInvesting

📊 An 80% occupancy rate sounds great… But after HOA fees, management, and operating costs, how much are you actually making? The real numbers behind Costa Rica rentals might surprise you. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #CostaRicaRealEstate #RealEstateInvesting #RentalIncome #PropertyInvestment #WealthBuilding

🏡✨ What if you could have the privacy of a villa with all the amenities of a luxury resort? That’s the idea behind a new approach to boutique hospitality in Costa Rica. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LuxuryHospitality #BoutiqueResort #CostaRicaRealEstate #HospitalityDevelopment #LuxuryTravel

La Fortuna is outperforming Manuel Antonio and the numbers might surprise you. So what’s driving the demand? 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LaFortuna #ManuelAntonio #CostaRicaRealEstate #LuxuryHospitality #TourismInvestment

Today’s travelers are looking for something more than beautiful design and high-end finishes. They want an experience. 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LuxuryHospitality #LuxuryTravel #HospitalityDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #EcoLuxury

There was just one problem… there were no numbers to prove it. 🎥 Watch the full story on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #HotelInvestment #RealEstateInvesting #CostaRicaRealEstate #HospitalityDevelopment #PropertyInvestment

Today, we’re joined by Daveed Hollander, President and Master Franchisor of Coldwell Banker Costa Rica. Daveed has been in Costa Rica real estate for more than two decades and knows the market from both the business side and from living in the Southern Pacific around Dominical and Uvita. Today, we’re going to get his take on what’s really happening in Costa Rica real estate in 2026—from how global uncertainty is affecting buyers and sellers, to whether the right properties are still commanding a premium. We’ll also dive into the growing world of wellness real estate: is it a genuine shift in what people want, or just another clever marketing buzzword? Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com Arenal Ridge: https://www.arenalridge.com/ Daveed Hollander: d.hollander@cbcostarica.com ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=The+future+of+Costa+Rica+Real+Estate%3A+Wellness%2C+Development+and+Opportunity+with+Daveed+Hollander ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 00:14 – Costa Rica’s Real Estate Shift 04:28 – Why It’s a Buyer’s Market 06:12 – The Rental Trap Investors Miss 11:24 – The Right Way to Build in Costa Rica 17:30 – Is Wellness Real Estate Here to Stay? 25:25 – Why Developments Need a “Hook” 27:43 – Where Would David Hollander Invest?

Richard Bexon, Developer of Arenal Ridge and Managing Director of Belong Costa Rica, sits down with Jake Alexander to talk about how the vision for Arenal Ridge came to life, what the project is all about, what makes it unique, and why he believes La Fortuna is the right place for such a significant investment. They also discuss the lessons learned from developing the Manuel Antonio Tree House Villas, how those experiences have shaped the Arenal Ridge masterplan, and what’s next for this ambitious project. Arenal Ridge: www.arenalridge.com Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=Developer+Diaries%3A+Building+Arenal+Ridge+-+From+Vision+to+Reality+with+Richard+Bexon ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 00:36 – The $120K Arenal Bet 02:08 – From 6 Villas to 30 Acres 06:14 – Why the Original Plan Failed 10:11 – Arenal’s 85% Occupancy Secret 12:40 – The Biggest Development Risk 21:35 – How We’re Protecting Investor Returns 26:32 – Where Would Rich Invest?

✨ You can buy the building. You can buy the furniture. You can create the design. But there’s one thing you can’t buy: a genuine hospitality culture. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #LuxuryHospitality #HospitalityDevelopment #EcoLuxury #CostaRicaRealEstate #Tourism

Hundreds of solar panels, hydroelectric power, transformers, and infrastructure most guests never see. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #EcoLuxury #LuxuryHospitality #OsaPeninsula #SustainableTourism #CostaRicaRealEstate

What happens when a boutique hotel in Costa Rica needs to charge $1,000+ a night just to make the economics work? And more importantly… what happens to the Costa Rica we fell in love with? In this clip, we explore the growing tension between rising development costs, luxury pricing, and preserving the authentic boutique experience that made Costa Rica so special. 🎥 Watch the clip and catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. #CostaRicaInvestment #CostaRicaRealEstate #LuxuryHospitality #BoutiqueHotels #HospitalityDevelopment #EcoLuxury

We sit down with Daniel Gehring, owner of El Remanso Lodge in Costa Rica’s remote and spectacular Osa Peninsula. We discuss what’s really happening in Costa Rica’s tourism market in 2026, how global economic uncertainty is affecting visitors, and the unique opportunities and challenges of operating a high-end hospitality business in one of the country’s most remote destinations. Daniel shares the realities behind running an eco-lodge, from staffing and logistics to the hidden costs guests never see, as well as what investors often get wrong when looking at Costa Rican tourism projects. They also explore whether the Osa represents one of Costa Rica’s biggest untapped tourism opportunities, where Daniel would invest his own money today, and what he would do if he inherited $500,000 to invest in Costa Rica. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com El Remanso Lodge: https://elremanso.com/ ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=+The+Business+of+Luxury+Eco-Tourism+in+Costa+Rica+with+Daniel+Gehring ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 Episode 295 - https://youtu.be/LoKS9_o3DIE ____________________________________________ Timestamp: 00:14 – Costa Rica Tourism Is Changing 02:25 – The Luxury Travel Problem 05:40 – Inside Costa Rica’s Hidden Gem 10:24 – The $5M Eco-Lodge Trap 15:39 – Why Boutique Hotels Struggle 22:12 – The Hidden Costs Nobody Sees 24:20 – Where Would Daniel Gehring Invest?

You have $5 million and want to build a luxury eco-lodge in Costa Rica. What would you do first? The answer might surprise you. Before designing villas, choosing finishes, or even thinking about the master plan, there are critical questions around the land, zoning, water rights, and environmental restrictions. And as this conversation explains, $5 million can disappear remarkably quickly if you don't plan for what's underneath the project. 🎥 Watch the clip and catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. #CostaRicaInvestment #EcoLuxury #RealEstateDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #HospitalityDevelopment #LuxuryHospitality

🏗️ What if one construction decision could cut your build time by nearly 30%? In this clip, Richard shares how a simple change in building strategy helped reduce construction time, lower labor costs, and keep the project on schedule. Sometimes, the biggest improvements don't come from working harder—they come from building smarter. 🎥 Watch this clip and catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. #CostaRicaInvestment #RealEstateDevelopment #Construction #PropertyDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #Entrepreneurship

🤔 What if a refund isn't the best solution? In luxury hospitality, one simple shift in mindset can turn an unhappy guest into a loyal customer. Here's why creating a new memory can be more powerful than returning money. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube. #LuxuryHospitality #CustomerExperience #ClientExperience #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #CostaRicaInvestment

🌿 What if nature already has the blueprint? In this clip, we explore how something as simple as wildlife trails and natural water flow can help guide smarter land development in Costa Rica. Sometimes, the best way to plan a project is to let the land lead the way. 🎥 Watch this clip and catch the full conversation on our YouTube channel. #CostaRicaInvestment #LandDevelopment #SustainableDesign #RealEstateDevelopment #PropertyInvestment #Architecture

🏗️ Every development comes with unexpected lessons. In this clip, Richard shares how one infrastructure cost came in far higher than expected—and why understanding roads, water, and electricity is just as important as the building itself. He also explains a construction method that helped the team build more efficiently as the project progressed. 🎥 Watch the full conversation on YouTube. #CostaRicaInvestment #PropertyDevelopment #CostaRicaRealEstate #RealEstateDevelopment #Construction #BusinessLessons

Richard Bexon, Managing Director and Head Developer of Belong Costa Rica, joins Jake Alexander to talk through the final stretch of developing the Manuel Antonio Tree House Villas — the triumphs, the setbacks, and the lessons learned along the way. They dig into what made these villas different, how the team cut development time by 25%, and what's next as Belong moves into its newest project in Arenal. Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult Arenal Project: https://www.arenalridge.com/ Contact us: info@investingcostarica.com ____________________________________________ Love this episode? Your reviews really help us a lot: Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/costa-rica-investments-real-estate-relocation/id1552237433 Leave us a review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/281REgDsjFBkdOX1lJsfiX?si=590df52db13d488c ____________________________________________ ► If you want to learn how to start investing in Costa Rica, visit: https://www.investingcostarica.com/?utm_source=Youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=Developer+Diaries%3A+Manuel+Antonio+Villa+5+%26+6+-+Mistakes+and+lessons+learned ► LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/company/crinvestments ► Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/crinvest/ ► Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/costaricareit/ ► Free 15 min consultation: https://meetings.hubspot.com/jake806/crconsult ____________________________________________ Related Episodes You Might Like Real Estate Investment videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLy1a0tsLF4Rxoj8u5Ov4XcOj79lae3-j9 ____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 – Inside a Multi-Million Dollar Villa Project 02:27 – The Mistakes That Saved Millions 07:36 – How We Cut Build Time by 40% 11:31 – Running Luxury Rentals Like a Hotel 16:04 – The Real Secret to Higher Rental Profits 21:27 – Biggest Developer Mistakes & Lessons 28:03 – Where We're Investing Next