Some people relocating here buy small plots of land to build their homes, cabins or businesses. Others buy turnkey houses. As far as investment goes, most investors focus on the large tracts of land located in the hills a kilometer or so inland. There you can purchase rainforest, pasture land, or old cacao plantations. Much of the land has rivers, waterfalls, and magnificent ocean views. Those investors who are already buying up land in the area are doing so for the long term. The market must gain traction in that area before the farms can be sold for eco-resorts with all the requisite rafting, jungle hiking, etc. Much of the land still needs infrastructure work – roads, electricity and water installed – a process which takes time.

As mentioned above, the majority of people purchasing real estate in the area were couples, families and individuals, mainly quite young, searching for a less hectic lifestyle. But realtor Manuel Pinto of Caribe Sur Real Estate, says he is selling more ready-built properties now, partly because of growing interest in from baby boomers.

The other main area of investment in real estate is the purchase of fincas, or farms, in the hills behind the stretch of coast from Manzanillo to Cahuita. The Panamanian border runs very close to and behind Manzanillo, but further towards Cahuita there are old cacao plantations, primary and secondary rainforest, and pasture land for sale. The land often has creeks, waterfalls, and great ocean views.