FIVE PLACES TO SPEND YOUR PERPETUAL TOURIST VISA TRIP IN NICARAGUA

By Uncategorized October 29, 2021
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If you are living in Costa Rica and you aren’t a resident, you will need to leave the country every 90 days to renew your visa stamp. For those living in Guanacaste, the easiest way to do this is to cross over into Nicaragua. While many people just make a day trip, it is actually quite lovely to make a mini-vacation out of your visa run obligation. For your next visa run to Nicaragua, try one of the following five destinations.

SAN JUAN DEL SUR

At one point, San Juan del Sur was a sleepy fishing village. However, it has become a popular beach destination for backpackers, partygoers, surfers, and perpetual tourists. This seaside town it easy to get to from the Costa Rica/Nicaragua border and has plenty of accommodation options ranging from hostel to ocean-view boutique hotel. While there isn’t any surf right in San Juan del Sur, to the north and south are a great selection of waves.

If you want to make your visa run trip easy and cheap, this is an excellent place to spend a few days.

PLAYA MADERAS

Playa Maderas is close to San Juan del Sur and is a popular surfing beach. There are a few small hostels and hotels around this area. However, you will not find the same level of amenities that you will find in San Juan del Sur. This is an ideal option for those who want a more laidback vibe for their visa trip. The beach can get very busy, though, but it’s actually quite a cool scene. There is even a spot to enjoy fish tacos and a cold brew with your feet still in the sand.

ISLA OMETEPE

Isla Ometepe is an island in Lake Nicaragua with two volcanoes on it. If you are seeking a truly peaceful and nature-filled retreat for your visa run, venture here! Popular activities on the island include climbing the volcanoes, horseback riding, hiking to the San Ramon waterfall, or embarking on a kayak tour. The easiest way to get to the island from the mainland is to catch a ferry at the small port town of San Jorge. There are several hotels on the island, both lakeside and in the forest.

HACIENDA IGUANA

Hacienda Iguana is a private golf and beach community conveniently located near the Costa Esmeralda airport. If you want to make it really easy on yourself, can fly Sansa from Liberia to this tiny airport. You will also be able to clear customs here. You can easily arrange private transportation from the airport to your condo or house rental in Hacienda Iguana. There are several different surf breaks on the expansive beach here that can only be accessed if you are staying in Hacienda Iguana, Rancho Santana, or book a boat tour from somewhere else.

RANCHO SANTANA

Rancho Santana is right next to Hacienda Iguana. It is a large gated estate that includes a luxury hotel and a variety of vacation rentals. This is the spot to go if you aren’t on a tight budget for your visa run to Nicaragua. From Rancho Santana, you have access to several waves and resort amenities. Again, the easiest way to get here is to fly to Costa Esmeralda.

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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.