A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE BASIC AMENITIES THAT ARE RIGHT IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA

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While Playa Grande might not be as developed as some of the other neighboring beach towns (this is a positive thing!), it does have just the right number of necessary amenities and services. Right outside of Playa Grande, you can basically find anything and everything you might need. However, for the basics, Playa Grande is perfectly covered. Here is what’s readily available right in town.

BEACHSIDE CLINIC, PLAYA GRANDE BRANCH

The Beachside Clinic is an exceptional private health clinic that offers general medical services, as well as 24-hour emergency care, including house calls and ambulance services. The main clinic is located right outside of Playa Grande, but there is small Playa Grande branch right in the middle of town. The Beachside clinic in Playa Grande is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5pm. All of the Beachside Clinic branches are bilingual.

Waves and wellness in Playa Grande, Costa Rica

HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND WAVES IN PLAYA GRANDE | © ROMAN KÖNIGSHOFER/FLICKR

WILMART FOOD STORE

The main Wilmart is located right at the beginning of Playa Grande on the left as you are driving in; you can’t miss it. There is a smaller one though located in Palm Beach Estates. The Wilmart is your one-stop shop for all the essentials. Everything you need to whip up a hearty breakfast, pack a picnic, feed a hungry family after a day of adventuring, or host a sunset gathering, you can find at the Wilmart. There is also a craft brewery and fish and chips restaurants attached to the Wilmart. On Friday nights, there is live music here too, which is quite a fun scene.

RIPJACK INN YOGA STUDIO

Yoga is almost as synonymous with Costa Rica as surfing is. The RipJack Inn has two yoga studios that offer public classes throughout the week and private retreats throughout the year. A variety of yoga disciplines are offered, and all of the teachers are exceptional. Drop-in classes are $15 or you can buy a package of classes for a discounted rate.

Yoga in Playa Grande

A BEAUTIFUL SPACE FOR A BEAUTIFUL PRACTICE IN PLAYA GRANDE | RIPJACK INN

FRIJOLES LOCOS SURF SHOP

Frijoles Locos Surf Shop has everything you need to surf and spend time on the beach. They have new, used, and rental surfboards, as well as a great selection of beach and surf gear. You can also sign up for a surf lesson, private or group, here too. Sunscreen, beach chairs, bathing suits, rash guards, hats, sunglasses, bike rentals, beach and surf-inspired attire…if it relates to surfing and beach life, they’ve probably got it.

Surf shop in Playa Grande

STOP IN FOR ALL YOUR SURF AND BEACH NEEDS WHILE IN PLAYA GRANDE | FRIJOLES LOCOS SURF SHOP

MATO’S SURF SHOP

Mato’s Surf Shop is an excellent choice for lessons, guided surf trips, private surf photography, and surfboards. They also have two locations outside of Playa Grande. They are a surf shop that offers “whatever a surfer needs.” The staff is highly experienced in all things surf and can definitely help you get geared up and out in some of Playa Grande’s famously fun waves.

Want to know what’s just outside of Playa Grande? Stay tuned for next week’s broader amenity guide!

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About the Author
GRE_TEAM-Dave

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.