GOLD VERSES GREEN: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE SEASON IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA?

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Playa Grande received its first drops of rain this past week. While all of the Grande locals had their own predictions, it is likely that few, if any, predicted that the rain would return this early in April. The first rain became the topic on everyone’s tongue in the surf lineup and amongst the sunsetters the next day. After many bone-dry months, the season is finally shifting. Unlike more temperate parts of the world, Costa Rica only has two true seasons, wet and dry. The consensus on what the best season is in Playa Grande is mixed; it’s quite a personal question and one that you’ll just have to decide for yourself. We recommend trying them both out though!

Here’s a basic breakdown of the highlights of each season in Playa Grande, Costa Rica, which might help sway you to one or the other, or like a lot of us who live in Costa Rica or frequently return, to both.

THE DRY GOLDEN SEASON IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA

Typically spans from December through April, but Mother Earth is rarely entirely predictable

Cloudless cerulean skies

Chance of sunshine is one hundred percent

Watercolor palette sunsets

Green flash potential

Cooler water temperatures, which can sometimes drop low enough that a spring suit is necessary

Strong Papagayo winds (offshore winds that comes from the north)

Playa Grande

DREAMY DAWN SURF IN DRY SEASON IN PLAYA GRANDE | CARIVE PRODUCTIONS

Pleasantly crisp early mornings and evenings

Scorching hot afternoons

Vibrant flower blooms and golden landscapes

Low mosquito threat

Langostas return (sunset-colored giant grasshopper with incredibly poor navigational skills)

Langostas in Costa Rica

THEY LOOK LIKE DRUNK FAIRIES IN THE SKY | JENN PARKER

Turtle nesting and humpback whale migration season

Big holidays (Christmas, New Years, and Holy Week)

More visitors in Costa Rica

Higher accommodation prices

Local fiesta season (every town in Costa Rica has an annual fiesta, which includes a horse parade (tope), Costa Rican-style bullfighting, carnival rides and games, music and dancing, food vendors, and plenty of beer and guaro.)

THE WET GREEN SEASON IN PLAYA GRANDE, COSTA RICA

It typically doesn’t rain all day every day during the rainy season

The weather can be different every day

Still a high chance of sunshine

Neon color palette sunsets

Magnificent rain showers and thunder and lightning displays

Warm water temperatures

Shifting wind patterns

Howler monkey in Costa Rica

COUNTLESS SHADES OF GREEN IN COSTA RICA | © EMILIE CHEN/FLICKR

More consistent and bigger swells

Lush verdant landscape

More mosquitos (be adamant about insect repellent)

Local holidays (Juan Santamaria Day, Annexation of Guanacaste Day, and Independence Day)

Momon chino season (a delicious, juicy, and abundant fruit in Costa Rica that belongs to the lychee family and looks like something out of a Dr. Seuss story)

Less visitors

Less expensive accommodation prices in Costa Rica

Momon chinos in Costa Rica

THERE ARE ROADSIDE VENDORS EVERYWHERE IN COSTA RICA SELLING THIS DELECTABLE TREAT | JENN PARKER

Come find your season!

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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.