This is the easy way to
Moving to Costa Rica
Does exist the Best place where to move to Costa Rica?
Follow these steps
1
Discover Your "Why"
Before you look at a map of Costa Rica, look inward. The most important step is understanding your true motivation. Ask yourself: are you running from something—like stress, cold weather, or a hectic routine—or are you moving toward something new, like adventure, nature, and a simpler pace of life? Be honest about what you want to leave behind. This self-awareness will be your compass, guiding you to the right place and the right life for you.
2
Design Your Costa Rican Dream Lifestyle
Now that you know your why, it’s time to define your how. How do you want to live your days? Visualise your ideal rhythm of life. What activities fill you with joy and purpose? What does your perfect day entail, from morning to evening?
Your deepest passions and desired daily rhythm are the most important clues. They are the compass that will naturally guide you toward the right region, the perfect climate, and the community that feels like home. Whether your dream is serene solitude or vibrant social connection, let your passions chart the course.
3
Embrace Your New life in Costa Rica and enjoy what you wished for.
With your purpose clear and your lifestyle defined, you are ready to fully embrace your new life. This is where you trade efficiency for experience, and rush hours for the sounds of nature. Costa Rica operates on a different rhythm—one that values connection and presence over speed.
This shift is the essence of “Pura Vida.” It’s not just a phrase; it’s a profound acceptance of a simpler, more intentional way of living. Your perfect place is the one that allows you to live the life you’ve designed, not just visit it. The journey itself becomes the destination.
Hotel de Campo is ready to change your life
Finding your paradise isn't about a perfect location, but the perfect balance for you
Does exist the Best place
where to move to Costa Rica?
The “Best Place” in Costa Rica? It’s a Personal Equation.
Everyone searching for the “best place to live in Costa Rica” is secretly looking for a guarantee—a way to ensure their dream doesn’t become a costly mistake. The truth is, there is no single “best place” for everyone. Every stunning location comes with its own set of trade-offs: breathtaking beach sunsets might mean tourist crowds, while profound mountain peace might mean more rain.
The real question isn’t “What’s the best place?” but “What is the best balance for me?” What pros are non-negotiable, and what cons are you willing to accept for them?
Having lived here for 30 years after moving from Switzerland, I’ve learned that the answer isn’t found on a map, but in this personal calculus. Let me share a simple framework to help you define your own priorities and discover the location that truly fits your life, not just your vacation dreams.
How I Found My "Best Place":
The answer to “why a place is the best” is always personal. It’s not about a checklist of features, but about how a location meets your deepest needs. For me, the journey to finding my best place involved asking the hard questions and being honest about the trade-offs.
My search was for balance. I wanted a place “far away” from mass tourism, immersed in a pristine and diverse ecosystem of rivers, lagoons, and forests. Yet, I needed it to be accessible. Costa Rica’s small size is a blessing—the beach or the mountain are always just a few hours away, even if the journey itself is part of the “Pura Vida” philosophy of slowing down. If you thrive on rush and efficiency, you might find that adjustment challenging. But if you’re ready to trade stress for the sound of howler monkeys, you’ll understand.
Climate was a major deciding factor. I sought a “Goldilocks Zone”: not as rainy as the cloud forests of Monteverde or Arenal, yet not as parched as the plains of Guanacaste. Caño Negro offered that perfect temperate middle ground.
A factor often overlooked in the search for paradise is environmental security. It’s not just about beautiful views; it’s about the long-term safety and stability of your investment and your family. Beyond climate and lifestyle, ask yourself: Is this location prone to major flooding, volcanic activity, or seismic events? Choosing a place that is naturally shielded from such cataclysms isn’t just prudent—it’s essential for true peace of mind. Your dream home shouldn’t come with hidden risks.
My experience living on the beach taught me a crucial lesson. While Samara is one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches, I learned that a permanent home there comes with hidden costs. The salty air accelerates wear and tear on properties, making maintenance a constant and expensive battle. During the rainy season, the combination of high humidity and salt creates a sticky, corrosive environment that I no longer wanted to manage.
In Caño Negro, I found the equilibrium I was looking for: breathtaking nature, a sustainable climate, a tranquil community, and a practical living environment. It may not be the “best place” for everyone, but it is the perfect balance for my needs. Your perfect balance will be different, and that’s the point.
From a Hidden Fishing Gem to a Sanctuary for Life and Investment
The National Wildlife Refuge of Caño Negro: Where Discovery, Safety, and Community Converge
My discovery of Caño Negro began over twenty years ago, drawn by a angler’s secret: it is one of only three places in the world where you can catch massive tarpon in freshwater. Back then, it was a hidden jewel, absent from tourist guides. Today, it has rightfully earned its place as a premier destination for nature lovers, birdwatchers of all levels, and photographers from across the globe.
But its appeal runs far deeper than tourism. What truly convinced me to build a life here was finding a true sanctuary.
A Foundation of Unshakeable Security
When you invest your life and resources, you need absolute confidence in your foundation. Beyond the incredible biodiversity, Caño Negro offers a level of geographic tranquility that is rare in the world. Unlike other regions, we are blessed to be:
Geologically Stable: Situated far from major seismic fault lines and active volcanic zones.
Safe from Flooding: Strategically elevated terrain makes us entirely exempt from the river flooding that impacts other parts of the country.
Protected from Oceanic Threats: As an inland destination, we are completely safe from tsunamis and coastal storm surges.
This profound natural security means your most valuable assets—your family, your home, and your business—are safeguarded against the cataclysmic events that can threaten other paradises. Here, you can build with true peace of mind.
The Gift of Authentic Community
Finally, Caño Nero offered the priceless gift of space and community. I moved to Costa Rica seeking a connection with nature, not just a change of address. Here, my neighbors are the howler monkeys and the toucans, not a source of stress. It’s a place where you can choose your level of social interaction, surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals who value tranquility and respect for the environment.
Costa Rica is generally a safe country, a place where, thirty years ago, I didn’t even need a key to my house. Caño Negro is the embodiment of that same spirit of safety, extended to its very geological core. It is more than a destination; it is a safe harbor for your dreams.
Is ready to move in
Hotel de Campo
Your New Home & Business Awaits in Caño Negro
Your dream of moving to Costa Rica can be both simple and profitable from day one. Why spend years building when you can step into a thriving business and start living the “Pura Vida” lifestyle immediately?
Hotel de Campo is the embodiment of that opportunity. This isn’t a theoretical project; it is a prime, fully operational eco-tourism hotel, located in Costa Rica’s northern plains, directly facing the Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge.
What You Will Acquire:
A Proven Business: A functional hotel operation since 1998.
Tangible Assets: 5 hectares of private land, with 1800 m² of construction, including a restaurant, reception, 16 rooms, and 2 private houses for the owner.
Your Pathway to Residency: This investment qualifies as a direct and streamlined path to obtaining your residency in Costa Rica, turning your dream into a legal reality.
This is your shortcut. Forget about construction delays, permitting headaches, and the stress of launching a new venture. Here, you inherit a legacy and start generating income from day one.
We have structured three starting investment options to suit different visions and capital levels. Each one represents a clear starting point for your new life.
5 Reasons Why I Chose the Caño Negro National Refuge
My move to Costa Rica was driven by a search for a specific quality of life. The Caño Negro National Refuge wasn’t just a choice; it was the only place that met all my non-negotiable requirements for a home, a business, and a future.
1. The Perfect Strategic Location
It offers the ideal balance: secluded enough for profound peace and privacy, yet conveniently close to the towns of Los Chiles and Upala for supplies and services. Furthermore, it’s just a short drive (under two hours) from major tourist hubs like La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano) and Bijagua (Tenorio River), providing excellent accessibility for my business without the crowds.
2. Unrivaled Environmental Security & Safety
This was a paramount concern. Caño Negro provides a level of safety that extends beyond low crime rates to fundamental planetary security. The region is:
Geologically Stable: Far from significant seismic faults and active volcanoes.
Exempt from Major Flooding: Due to its strategic elevation.
Protected from Oceanic Threats: Being safely inland.
This peace of mind, combined with a tight-knit community based on family farming and quality tourism, creates an environment where true tranquility is possible.
3. A Sanctuary of Pure Nature
For me, moving to Costa Rica was ultimately about immersing myself in nature. While coastal areas became overdeveloped, Caño Negro remained a pristine sanctuary. Here, I don’t just observe nature; I live within it. My morning coffee is accompanied by the sounds of howler monkeys and a troop of spider monkeys foraging in the trees above. This immersive, daily connection is priceless and was the core of my dream.
4. A Business Integrated with the Ecosystem
The Refuge isn’t just my backyard; it’s my business partner. Our wildlife and birding tours begin directly from the hotel, offering guests an immediate, authentic experience. This unique selling point is something few other locations can offer. We are not just near nature; we are an integral part of it.
5. The “Goldilocks” Climate
I found my perfect climate equilibrium. Unlike the often-harsh dry season of Guanacaste, the wetland ecosystem here keeps the forests lush and green year-round without constant irrigation. The rainy season is also manageable—a gentle “green season” with light rains that rarely disrupt daily life, rather than the weeks of constant downpours found in other regions. It’s the ideal balance for comfortable living and sustainable gardening.
Is ready for work
Hotel de Campo
A Thriving Business, Ready for You to Take the Helm
Starting a new business from scratch is more than a challenge—it’s a years-long journey of immense investment, uncertainty, and navigating a steep learning curve. We know because we’ve done it.
We endured the non-profitable years so you don’t have to.
Hotel de Campo is the result of over two decades of hard work, investment, and meticulous care. We passed through the expensive phases of construction, permitting, and the arduous task of building a brand from zero. Today, you won’t find a “For Sale” sign on a hopeful project, but on a proven, established, and profitable operation.
This isn’t a start-up. It’s a turnkey business that generates steady net income, providing the foundation for a comfortable and fulfilling life in paradise.
A Reputation Built Over 20+ Years
After more than 20 years in business, Hotel de Campo has become the recognized point of reference in Caño Negro for quality and authenticity in:
Lodging & Dining: A trusted haven for travelers seeking an authentic eco-experience.
Guided Boat Tours: The premier choice for exploring the breathtaking Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.
Birdwatching & Photography: A renowned destination for international enthusiasts and professionals.
The hard work is done. The reputation is built. The clients are already coming. Your mission is not to build from the ground up, but to steer a ship that is already sailing smoothly.
Your journey begins where ours ends: walking in, taking the keys, and starting to care for the guests from day one.
Did I mention that Caño Negro is today a primer birding hotspot and wildlife escape?
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Caño Negro has firmly established itself as a world-class birding hotspot and wildlife sanctuary. While it was once a hidden gem absent from tourist maps, today it draws nature enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and photographers from across the globe—and for compelling reasons.
This transformation didn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of the area’s unparalleled access to pristine wetlands and forests, teeming with biodiversity. The clientele it attracts is exceptional: discerning, respectful, and passionate travelers who deeply value authenticity and preservation. They are not just tourists; they are guests who share a profound appreciation for the fragile ecosystem you would become the steward of.
For a birdwatcher considering both a life and a business, this presents an unparalleled opportunity. You wouldn’t just be buying a hotel; you would be acquiring a key gateway to one of Costa Rica’s richest ecological treasures. The business comes with a built-in, high-value market that seeks exactly what Caño Negro offers. Your passion could become your livelihood, surrounded by the very wonders that drew you here.
Your Turnkey Gateway to Life and Business in Caño Negro
Caño Negro represents the ideal convergence of lifestyle and investment opportunity in Costa Rica. If you have decided that this pristine refuge is your destination, Hotel de Campo stands as the premier and most complete investment option available.
This is far more than a business transaction; it is an invitation to a profound lifestyle transformation. A change towards tranquility, purpose, and immersion in nature.
The hotel is strategically positioned within a vast 5-hectare (12-acre) private botanical garden, offering unmatched 600 meters of street frontage for easy access and 200 meters of direct lagoon frontage for breathtaking views and unparalleled wildlife access. It is conveniently located at the entrance to the town, providing both privacy and community connection.
We have already done the hard work for you. Forget about spending years:
Navigating complex public administration and construction permits.
Building a brand and a reputation from scratch.
Marketing a new business in an unknown market.
Hotel de Campo is a true turnkey operation. We offer you a thriving business with an established clientele, two private homes for immediate living, and expansive land for future growth. It is the ultimate shortcut to securing your future in Costa Rica, allowing you to start generating income and enjoying your new life from the very first day.
This isn’t just an investment in a property; it’s an investment in a proven dream.
Is ready to grow
Hotel de Campo
Ready to Grow: Your Canvas Awaits
We had a dream and a vision three decades ago. We built it, nurtured it, and turned it into the thriving sanctuary it is today. Now, as we embark on a new chapter, we are passing this legacy to you—a legacy that includes not just a successful business, but unlimited potential.
Moving to Costa Rica to build your dream doesn’t mean starting from zero. It means stepping onto a solid foundation with all the hard work already done. The best part? Your journey doesn’t end here.
With nearly 5 hectares (12 acres) of land, the current hotel operation utilizes only a fraction of the space. This means you have ample room to expand, create, and grow. The scale of your vision is the only limit.
Land #1: The beating heart of the current operation—the hotel, restaurant, and pools.
Land #2 & #3: Feature two private houses (one for family living, one for rental income), offering immediate utility and cash flow.
Land #4: A vast, blank canvas of lush land, ready for your imagination.
In total, you have approximately 15,000 sq meters (3.7 acres) of usable land ready for development. Imagine the possibilities:
Luxury Eco-Villas or private bungalows overlooking the lagoon.
A dedicated Wellness & Yoga Retreat center.
Specialized Lodging for photographers or birdwatching groups.
Your own private residence with unparalleled privacy.
The question isn’t if you can grow. The question is: How big will you dream?