The New Caldera Highway is open from the central valley to Puerto Caldera. This will cut the two-hour journey from San Jose to Puerto Caldera to as little as 45 minutes. The highway planning began more than 30 years ago. The highway was initially estimated to cost $100 million, but rose to more than $229 million after construction began. Although the highway cuts through Costa Rica’s mountain sides and has 14 new bridges, the route is considered to be more direct than the alternative scenic route. A private company, “Autopistas del Sol” will maintain and operate the highway under the concession granted by MOPT. A small toll fee will be charged.
Even though the new highway will influence tourism and recreation to the beach cities in a big way, the countries interest for this highway is to accommodate and comply with newly signed trade agreements with North America and China among other nations that want to do business with Central America.
Puerto Caldera sits at the mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It is the main port with trade relations worldwide. It contains an industrial complex meant to accommodate both cargo vessels and cruise liners. Puerto Caldera serves Puntarenas, the largest city and capital of the Puntarenas Province.
Only about 45 minutes west of Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose, Puerto Caldera is the main access point for the entire country. It does not have formal facilities for passengers outside of a small air-conditioned terminal with restrooms, public phones, an information desk, and a few vendors. But even so, Puerto Caldera is close to many popular tourist attractions. About 100,000 people live in and around Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas.
What does this mean for Osa Mountain Village? It means the travel time to reach Osa Mountain Village from San Jose has been cut from 5 1/2 hours to about 3 1/2 hours. It is expected that an additional 4,000 visitors a day will be visiting the southern pacific zone of Costa Rica now that the highways are both open.
Now is the time to consider investing in Costa Rica and in particular Osa Mountain Village; here are some of the reasons why:
Democratic Government since 1948
No Army
Foreigners have the same rights to own land
Property Taxes 0.25%
Proximity to Major U.S Cities
Excellent Lending Markets
CAFTA Agreement Signed
Billions of Dollars Being Invested by Major Resort Companies:
Hilton Hotels (Three)
Four Seasons
The One and Only Wyndham
Greg Norman Golf Course
Marriott
Ritz Carlton
Many more being developed!