4 UNIQUE PLACES TO WATCH THE SUNSET IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA

By Uncategorized October 29, 2021
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If you haven’t noticed yet, sunsets are kind of a big deal on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Aside from the fact that the sunsets are often outrageously beautiful and astonishingly colorful and vibrant here, they are also treated by locals and visitors alike similarly to a celebration. Friends, new and old, families, and dogs gather on the seashore to toast to another day in paradise. For being such a small town, Playa Grande actually has some pretty unique places to watch the sunset aside from the central social zone in front of the RipJack Inn.

4 UNIQUE PLACES TO WATCH THE SUNSET IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA

LAS VENTANAS DE PLAYA GRANDE CLUBHOUSE

West facing and one of the highest viewpoints in the district of Santa Cruz, the Las Ventanas clubhouse is an extraordinary place to watch the sun dip into the sea. This private clubhouse is only accessible to residents of or renters in Las Ventanas de Playa Grande, and of course, their friends and family. The views from up here are expansive and stretch over Playa Grande, Tamarindo, and far out to into the Pacific Ocean. The clubhouse is complete with an infinity pool and plenty of shaded space to gather with friends. In Playa Grande, you can’t beat this view!

 

TOP OF THE ROCK 

At the far north end of Playa Grande, you can’t miss the massive rock that jets out into the ocean and splits Playa Grande from Playa Ventanas. There is actually a little path you can climb up on the east-facing side of the rock. This ascent is not for the faint of heart, but the reward is worth the effort. Sitting on the top of this rock is truly a unique place to watch the sunset. You will feel like you are on top of the world from up here!

BEACH AREA IN FRONT OF CAFÉ MAR AZUL

Café Mar Azul is an exquisite breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot in Palm Beach Estates, which is the south end of Playa Grande. This charming little restaurant is conveniently located in front of a beach path. Café Mar Azul offers a daily happy hour, which includes several 2×1 deals. The sangria is especially delicious! The best approach to this sunset spot is to order a happy hour drink at Café Mar Azul, take it down to the beach to watch the sunset, and then walk back up and enjoy your second drink on their patio. They even have a beer and a boca (small snack) deal.

FROM THE SURF

There is just something special about a sunset surf. Unlike a sunrise surf where you potentially could surf for as long as your heart desires (or until the tide or conditions turn), sunset surfs are finite. Sitting sea level on your surfboard also offers the unique perspective of being eye to eye with the setting sun. Watching the sky and surface of the sea change colors after the body of the sun has disappeared, is magical. And those last twenty minutes or so of light after the sunset feels like a gift. The wind usually dies or goes offshore, the crowds begin to dissipate, and those last waves for some reason can sometimes be the best ones of the session.

 

Once you see a proper sunset in Costa Rica, you won’t want to miss a single one after that!

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About the Author
GRE_TEAM-Dave
David J. Corredor

A dynamic leader with a proven track record of success in real estate, hotel, restaurant, and sales businesses. Effective leadership style that inspires trust and confidence in team members and clients. Relationship-based sales approach that yields many repeat clients and referrals. Experience in sales for over 20 years. Well over $100,000,000 in career real estate sales. Proud husband of Annie Corredor and father of Maggie Corredor.

COSTA RICA EXPERIENCE

Grande Real Estate
CO-FOUNDER and CO-OWNER
2016 - Now

After years of experience in the Playa Grande market, Dave and Annie started this small real estate brokerage and consultancy with the intent of using their best skills in sales and capitalizing on the plethora of qualified prospects generated by both RipJack Inn and their plentiful relationships in the area.

  • With Dave acting as lead agent/broker and Annie as GM, Grande Real Estate has grown to a level of over 50 transactions and $15,000,000 per year in sales volume.
  • Dave and GRE have been the exclusive agent for several gated communities/major developments in the area. In this role, Dave is counted on to help guide the decisions about what and when to build for the current market conditions. With this expert guidance, Dave has led multiple projects to their best performance in a variety of market conditions.
  • Grande Real Estate has had the majority of transactions and significant listings in the Playa Grande market during since inception. The vast majority of Dave’s clientele comes from existing relationships, repeat clients, and referrals. Dave’s greatest strength has always been developing and maintaining relationships through a commitment to the highest level of service.

Local Real Estate Investments/Projects
INVESTOR/MANAGING PARTNER
2004 - Now

As opportunities arise, we invest in and develop real estate projects in the local area. We currently own several properties in various stages of development, including the construction of fine custom and spec homes. We intend to emphasize this more as we move forward and do multiple projects per year beginning in 2021. As always, our focus will be on high quality end products and true, long-lasting value for our partners and clients, our most important relationships.

Premier American Escrow, LLC
ESCROW SERVICES FOR COSTA RICA REAL ESTATE
2017 - Now

In response to a clear need for streamlined escrow services in Costa Rica, Dave, Annie and 2 partners opened a Florida LLC to do escrow services for transactions, mostly involving Grande Real Estate. To-date, Premier American Escrow has done over 10 escrows very successfully. Customer satisfaction has been high and we expect the company to expand in the coming year.

RipJack Inn, Playa Grande
CO-FOUNDER and PRESIDENT
2004 - Now

Re-developed an older hotel property in a great location into the largest and most successful business in town. RipJack Inn has become the leading hotel and restaurant/bar in town and generates an average of $1,100,000 per year in sales. RipJack Inn is also the original and most successful yoga studio and retreat location in Playa Grande. Revenue streams also include group events/weddings, catering, tours/activities, and some retail. Also acquired expansion land permitted and executed new construction in the most difficult place to build in Costa Rica. The hotel has grown from 8 to 21 rooms over the last 17 years.

RipJack Inn currently provides solid employment to over 30 Costa Ricans and has employed over 150 people in its history. Dave and Annie have become experts in the navigation of the legal systems, employment, accounting, taxation, and culture of Costa Rica. RipJack Inn is an employer, taxpayer, and corporate entity in good standing in both the United States and Costa Rica.

UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE
Cornish and Carey Commercial, Palo Alto, California
LEASING AGENT
1998 - 2002

  • Primary focus was tenant and landlord representation in lease transactions for the dominant brokerage house in Silicon Valley. Client list included PayPal/Ebay, Advocco, TellMe Networks (acquired by Microsoft), Adecco, PricewaterhouseCoopers. Held State of California Real Estate Salesperson’s License.
  • Won prestigious Rookie of the Year Award in 1999, first full year. Set record for most commissions earned in an agent’s rookie year.
  • Year 2000, reached elite Super Bonus level with over $600,000 in earnings. Set standard for any agent in second year in history of company. Over $20,000,000 in total consideration in transactions for year.
  • Discovered and worked from start to finish on two office-building/redevelopment projects in Mountain View, California as agent and investor. Created two Class A office building in the heart of the Silicon Valley from scratch and saw them through lease-up and sell-out. Project included the first world headquarters for PayPal (then acquired by Ebay) and over $75MM in total consideration to the investment group.

PERSONAL

Married for 18 years and helping my wife Annie raise our daughter Maggie, my #1 focus. Interests include surfing, cycling, reading, personal growth, dogs, and travel. Fully fluent in Spanish, inclusive of speaking, reading, and writing to contract level. Permanent legal resident of Costa Rica.

Additional Leadership Activities

Vice-president, Board of Directors, Association AyA, Playa Grande, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste. My primary community service role is to help guide the board in the management of the town’s water system. We focus on sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of the town’s water supply and system. A crucial role in a place where development and water usage are highly politicized and controversial. Over 10 years on this board to-date.