Famara beach and sports

Posted on August 29, 2010 by admin

Famara beach and town is located on the West coast of the Canary Island of Lanzarote. For many Famara has a magical rugged quality. The town is very relaxed, easy going and located right on the beach. The beach stretches off in a northerly direction from the town and curves into the distance. Just to add the the ruggedness and drama the beach has an awesome 600 metre vertical cliff running behind the beach which finishes at the very North of the island.

Famara beach is perhaps best known for its great kitesurfing and surfing conditions.

Kitesurfing in Famara

During the summer months the trade winds start. These winds blow across Lanzarote in a Northerly direction. On Famara beach the trade winds blow in a cross on shore direction which is perfect for kitesurfer. The average wind speed is around 25 kilometers per hour, this is normally good for a 10 meter sized kite.

The five kilometer long beach has plenty of room for both experienced kiters and those learning the sport.

Many people come on holiday in Famara and see kitesurfing for the first time. A sport where large kites pull people across the sea on boards very similar to wake boards. The power of these kites can also pull the kiter high into the air or allow them to change directions quickly and surf the waves. To newcomers kitesurfing can be a very impressive sport and attract them to get involved.

The advanced kites used in kitesurfing are controlled via four lines. The four line assembly allows the kites to not only be turned left and right but also by pushing the control bar out the power in the kite is reduced, pulling increases the power. This extra level of control makes the sport far safer especially in gusty conditions. If the bar is allowed to go all the way out almost all the wind power is lost from the kite and its pulling power is reduced to nothing.

Visitors to Famara looking to learn how to kitesurf can do so by visiting the surf and kitesurf school in Lanzarote.

The kitesurf lessons are designed for all levels of kitesurfer. Zoo Park surf and kitesurf shop in Famara will supply all of the equipment and instruction you need to get you going. Modern instruction techniques make the sport very easy and safe to learn. Your instructor can stay in continuous contact with the student via waterproof walkie talkies, giving tips all the while.

Surfing in Famara

Famara is a Westerly facing sand bottomed beach picking up waves from storms originating far out to sea almost anywhere in the Atlantic Ocean. Waves break on the beach almost every day of the year. Winter has bigger storms out to sea and therefore larger waves hit the Lanzarote coast and Famara beach. Winter also has lighter winds which makes for a better shaped wave and the wave will peel more evenly allowing for longer rides.

If you would like some surf lessons in Famara then Zoo Park can offer you this service. They also have a surf board hire service from as little as 9 euros per day.

Famara beach and sports

Famara beach is probably best suited to the sports of kitesurfing and surfing due to the prevailing summer winds for kitesurfing and the winter swells for surfing. Newcomers to either of these sports can find lessons and courses to suit all levels. All the equipment comes with these courses with full and expert instruction.

Other sports that are popular in and around Famara are body boarding, hang gliding, paragliding, mountain biking, cycling, running, walking, and more.

If you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere and great year around dependably warm climate then Famara is a destination well worth considering. If still keeps its own identity as tourism is not overpowering. There is plenty of well priced accommodation in Famara plus a good selection of bars and restaurants.

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Investment return from Costa Rican real estate

Posted on August 23, 2010 by admin

Costa Rica is a popular country to buy real estate it is easy to see the reason for this is as it is a country that has so much to offer. Year round good weather and is one of the most travelled to vacation destinations for North Americans and Canadians and evermore popular with Europeans.

Costa Rica is a small country roughly half the size of the American state of West Virginia yet within this area of 19730 square miles Costa Rica has some of the most the diverse and dramatic topography one can find with ideal locations to buy real estate. There is a climate for everyone that varies from the cool mountains ranges, mild central valleys to the tropical climates on both the Caribbean and Pacific coastlines with numerous unspoilt beaches.

There are several areas for investment in real estate. Residential, tourism and commercial.

Over the recent years foreigners from many countries have chosen to relocate and buy real estate for varying reasons, which has been made significantly easier with major new advances in communication allowing many professionals to work with international interests from the tranquil shores of Costa Rica and be able to easily keep in touch with family, retirees have also been buying real estate and choosing Costa Rica as either their part time or full time residence.

The impressive biodiversity, exotic beauty, tranquillity, friendly locals, abundance of places to visit and the plethora of activities and tours to enjoy attract tourists. This industry has resulted in adding a significantly large percentage to the Costa Rica economy. Many people have bought real estate to generate income from vacation rentals, small cabin tourist rentals projects, Spa and yoga retreats and all types of guesthouses and hotels.

International companies are aware that during the last two decades Costa Rica has widened economic ties both within it’s region and looking outward. There has been the recently signed CAFTA (Central America Free Trade Agreement), which includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Central America countries. The some of the favourable conditions of Costa Rica are the well-educated, bi-lingual and stable work force and the location, which is convenient for working with their Central and South American partners and gains access to one of the fastest growing global markets, South America.

Main ingredients an investor wants in real estate are, safe, secure and stable environment where the property is located. Costa Rica has political stability, good social heath care and no army.

Now is an opportune time to take advantage of a well-known investment adage and philosophy, “Buy Cheap, Sell High”. Costa Rica real estate prices are now at a level that is a favourable time to enter the market. Terms such as of motivated seller, priced to move, hot deal are being used. Presently Costa Rican real estate is a buyers market and some potentially lucrative buys are due to some seller’s economically compromised positions.

Where to put ones money is a difficult choice in these recent times of economic turbulence, which has been mainly focused in North America and Europe. Savvy investors are diversifying their portfolios and some are choosing more obvious tangible areas such as gold another is real estate. They are not only buying real estate in their home countries but abroad and Costa Rica offers a good hedge to diversify an investor portfolio in real estate.

Not to be overlooked is the Costa Rica taxation system, which is very attractive. There are no capital gains unless it is a recurring (habitual) transaction and the first $2,698 earned from a rental is exempt; the remaining income is taxed incrementally at 10% to 25%.

With all this said Costa Rica is still in its infancy in terms of development and economic growth and with the stage set with many important factors in place Costa Rica real estate offers a huge potential for return on your investment.

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Conscious Costa Rica

Posted on August 23, 2010 by admin

Conscious Costa Rica

In 2007 Costa Rica set the commendable goal to be carbon-neutral for the country’s 200th birthday in 2012. Just three years after the pledge was made Costa Rica has almost reached its goal, 90% of its electricity is derived from renewable sources using hydropower, wind and geothermal. There are plans for solar power, electric buses and trains and eventually move to bio-ethanol fuel and clean bio-diesel for cars.

Costa Rica is a world leader on green issues and more than a quarter of it’s area are protected as National Parks and biological reserves.

Due to Costa Rica’s eco-conscious policies that are comprehensive legal framework for sustainable use of biodiversity and conservation, good health care system, relatively low cost of living and becoming popular for medical tourism. Costa Rica is a favourite for retirees and second home purchasers from the USA and Canada.

Eco tourism is now a growing trend in Costa Rica one such place which this can be seen is in Manuel Antonio with an organisation with the Titi conservation alliance to protect the endangered Titi (squirrel) monkey also conservation of the surrounding area of Manuel Antonio National Park. This alliance is made up of group business owners in the tourist industry based around Manuel Antonio that realised the need to promote sustainable development that will conserve the biodiversity of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region and therefore maintain the prosperity of their businesses. The real estate in Manuel Antonio will also get a nice boost in overseas recognition and bio responsibility.

They are working for sustainable development, habitat reforestation and environmental education.

Some eco-conscious Ticos are starting biodiesel projects using disused cooking oil that collected from sodas and restaurant fryers of nearby towns and being recycled for diesel fuel. The simple process heats the oil to a sufficient temperature to be filtered, the purified oil is then mixed with methanol and potash that reacts and produces diesel. Other by-products from this process are also possible with plans to use the glycerine for soaps and degreasers. These ecological projects are also beneficial to reducing the cooking oil from entering the waste stream.

This eco-conscious philosophy attracts like-minded people that are actively looking for reality for sale that has an ethos of sustainable residential development that works with the natural environment and vision to enhance it. The developers achieve this by low-density residential lots and houses and dwellings coded to building sizes of sustainability, innovative infrastructure methods capturing rainwater, heating water by solar power and reforesting previously deforested land.

There is now reality for sale in Costa Rica that is conceived and aimed for the buyer that is looking to buy property within such an environment. These conscious ecological initiatives and sustainable living developments attract many foreigners to Costa Rica to relocate to be part of this philosophy to buy property and invest in realty and share and enjoy these eco concepts.

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Dominical property for sale from motivated seller

Posted on July 14, 2010 by admin

Every now and then a special property comes onto the Dominical property for sale market. A property that was built and maintained with real care and taste. A property in a great location with amazing sea views. On even rarer occasions the owner of that property is in a hurry to sell. Right now all of these circumstances have come together for a great house for sale in Dominical.

This gorgeous see view property in the popular ‘Escaleras’ are of Dominical has been reduced by almost 30% in price. The original sale price was $460,000, which is a fair price for a 3 bedroom sea view property, is now set at only $329,000. For this price you could be the very satisfied owner of a three bedroom, three bathroom property on its own plot of 1.7 acres. Built area is 223 square feet. The house has been lovingly is built in three floors. There are ocean and sunset vistas from each floor. Extravagantly built by a member of a famous rock band the house comes fully furnished. There is air conditioning and the third bedroom is currently used as an office. From the top floor a balcony gives amazing sea and wild life views. Just near the house is an all year flowing stream which leads into a waterfall and rock pool.

The house is set in the forest on landscaped grounds. A five minute walk leads you to your local and almost unused beach. It is five miles from the nearest town of Dominical and seven miles from Uvita.

This really is a great opportunity to snap up a bargain dream home in a tropical jungle paradise. The property has it all, an almost private beach, tranquility, nature, your own natural pool to swim in all finished with taste and style.

Front view of this amazing Dominical house for sale

Find out more about the house and make an inquiry from here

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New Famara surf shop now open

Posted on July 7, 2010 by admin

There is a new surf shop in Famara to support all the resident and visiting surfers and kite surfers from around the world.

Zoo Park Famara is the name of the shop. You will find it easily as it is the first surf shop on the left as you enter Famara village.

Zoo Park are fully stocked with all the surf and kitesurf equipment you will need. There is a good selection of kites, kiteboards, surfboards, clothes and associated accessories.

If you are visiting for a surfing or kitesurfing holiday then there is also a full range of equipment to rent including a Famara surf board rental facility. Now there is no need to lug all of that potential excess baggage through airports and customs checks. Just pack a normal case of clothes and let us take care of the rest.

Anybody visiting Famara for the first time stands a good chance of being impressed by all the waterspouts carried out in the area. Surfing and kitesurfing are two very enjoyable sports both to watch and participate in. If your imagination becomes captured then Zoo Park can offer you surf lessons in Famara and kitesurfing courses.

Want to learn how to Kitesurf?

No problem, Zoo Park have an experienced team of instructors to get you up and riding in no time at all.

Famara beach is a very good place for you to learn to kitesurf. The five kilometers of beach offer ample space for all. Most days have a steady Northerly wind which is a perfectly orientated cross onshore wind in which to learn. There are very few better places for beginners to the sport to embark upon kitesurf courses in Famara. Unlike other parts of the world Famara is not overrun by the sport. The local atmosphere is an amicable one and there is plenty of space to relax and concentrate on your new passion.

Famara is thought of by many as a magical place with a strong and positive energy. Set at the foot of the giant ‘El Risco’ cliff the huge beach of Famara curves into the distance. All along the beach you will see the amazing gyrations of learning and skilled practitioners of sports that only need to harness the natural energy of nature for participation. Surfers balance fluidly on and in moving crystal sculptures. Waves whose energy was transferred from stormy winds thousands of miles away into moving walls of water. Kitesurfers who harness the local winds by controlling huge inflatable kites which act as tow boats pulling across the surface of the water and sometimes high into the air.

A casual walk along the golden sand of Famara’s beach leave many a passer by open mouthed and in awe of what these amazing athletes make possible in, under and above this constantly changing seascape.

Few places in the world have so many amazing facets of nature colliding into such a beautiful myriad of movement and harmony. The rugged beauty that Famara has to offer really is a special thing that visitors cannot help but to cherish and be drawn to.

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Surfing in Famara, Lanzarote

Posted on July 1, 2010 by admin

The small and tranquil fishing village of Famara located on the North West coast of Lanzarote is fast becoming a bit of a surf mecca. Visiting surfers and people keen to learn surfing are flocking to this special place located at the foot of the awe inspiring 650 metre cliffs of El Risco.

Famara’s popularity is hardly surprising once you get to know the place. It has everything a surfer, budding surfer or tourist on the hunt for wild nature, could ever want.

Visiting surfer and surf enthusiasts really are spoilt by the quality and selection of great surf spots. From rank beginners to world class wave warrior Lanzarote has more than enough to keep everyone happy. The main places to find Famara surf are the sand bottomed beach of Famara and the reef bottomed San Juan. The beach is the perfect place to learn to surf. In town you have at least four surf schools to chose from. All the schools are happy to hire equipment and give lessons to suit your level and needs. San Juan is for advanced experienced surfers only.

The town of Famara

The town is relatively unaffected by the ravages of tourism and still very much has all the qualities of a small and rambling fishing village. There are a few local shops, bars, restaurants and shops to cater for all your surf and kite surfing needs. Only a few roads are even tarmaced, many are still just dirt.

Accommodation in Famara

There are plenty of apartments to rent in Famara. The main areas to stay in are the town or set 500 metres away on the west facing lower slopes of the main cliffs are the Famara Bungalows. The luxury accommodation option is considered a Famara rental bungalow. Although slightly more expensive, but not always, the bungalows have so much more to offer than the apartments to rent in the town or Caleta de Famara. Have a look around and see what option you prefer.

Surf breaks in Famara in detail:

Famara beach:-

The best known and most popular place to surf in Famara is the beach. Seven kilometres of golden sand with the awesome back drop of the huge vertical cliffs of El Risco. The waves on Famara beach and sand bottomed and therefore break more gently than reefs but cannot hold as much size. The beach is a great place to learn to surf. There is a good selection of quality surf schools in the town of Famara for you to chose from. You can surf anywhere along the full length of the beach. Most of the surf schools take their students to the nearest spot to the town possible to surf, however once you become a little more advanced and can go off surfing on your own you will find a higher quality of wave further along the beach. Because the beach is sand bottomed the exact place the best surfable waves can be found changes, but normally they are found where the track that starts up behind the bungalows goes down and meets the beach. There is a flag pole to mark the spot. This is where the locals normally congregate and surf. Best waves are found either side of high tide.

San Juan: This is a hard breaking, reef bottomed wave for surfers that have a lot of experience. The wave itself breaks left. The take off is steep and fast, about half way along there is a section which often forms into a very nice and deep tube section. You paddle out from the beach to the peak in deep water and arrive at the take off spot with dry hair. The wave breaks best before and after low tide. On low tide the wave can be a little too steep on the take off. At high tide there is too much water and wave become mushy and weak. On a good day with a solid ground swell and off shore winds San Juan is one of the best waves anywhere. The level and skill of the local surfers is testament to this. Before taking to the water take a few minutes to watch from the beach what is going on in the water. At certain times of day it can get very competitive in the water with the best surfers fighting for the best waves. If you are new to the area it might be advisable to take your time and wait for the crowds to calm down a bit.

Surf Famara summary

Famara is a beautiful, natural and relaxing place for anyone to have a holiday. The surf is very consistent all year round for beginners wanting lessons. The best and most consistent waves are to be found in winter time. This is the time of year when storms form out to sea to the North West of Lanzarote and send over large clean surf. Local conditions on the west side of Lanzarote are of much lighter winds with clearer and sunnier weather, perfect for the surf.

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Property for sale in Playa Blanca

Posted on June 28, 2010 by admin

Playa Blanca in brief:

Playa Blanca is at the Southern tip of Lanzarote. In recent years it has shown the fastest growth of any other town in Lanzarote. There are much longer established resorts in Lanzarote but Playa Blanca has an appeal that has attracted a lot of new tourism. The area is more suited to families and retired people than the younger party generation. The beaches are safe and clean. Access is easy and fast. Playa Blanca has the most five star hotels of any area in Lanzarote

Things to do in Playa Blanca

By day there is a great choice of activities in Playa Blanca. By day there is a good selection of safe beaches, very probably only a short walk away from your accommodation. The centre of town has a pedestrian only precinct offering a wide range of shops, banks, restaurants, bars, chemists, estate agents and more. There is a harbor with ferries running to the nearby island of Fuerteventura. In the same harbor are boats waiting to take you on several different and enjoyable excursions. East of the harbor is the impressive and luxurious Marina Rubicon. Here you can take a leisurely stroll, have a drink in a bar and take in the numerous boats and yachts.

By night there are many restaurants offering every sort of cuisine you could need. The whole of Playa Blanca has a promenade giving easy access to all areas of the town and making an enjoyable evening stroll a real pleasure.

Property for sale in Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca has a great variety of apartments, villas and houses for sale. To the west of town is the exclusive development of Faro Park. These properties are finished to the very high specifications, all very well layed out with great access. The closer you get to the centre of town, on the whole, the smaller the types of property for sale in Playa Blanca you will encounter.

The majority of apartments that could be owned and then rented our for holidays are on well kept complexes. Normally they are run as a community and have facilities like communal pools, bars and restaurants. Many also have shops where you can pick up some daily groceries. As you head away from the centre again to the East you approach the wonderful protected reserve area of Papagayo. Many argue that these are the most beautiful beaches in all of Lanzarote. The nearest properties to this area are in Los Colorados, a barrier protected community with a variety of lovely homes.

Conclusion:

Playa Blanca has a home, holiday home or investment property to suit all budgets and needs. The recent rise in popularity and drop in prices all point towards the great potential returns you could realise from a purchase in this area.

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Tenerife cruise ship visitors up

Posted on June 21, 2010 by admin

The amount of passenger cruise ship visitors arriving in Tenerife is the highest in Spain. You would expect the larger ports of Barcelona to massively out strip Tenerife but this was not the case as shown by figures in the first quarter of 2010.

An incredible amount of passengers in the region of 230,000 arrived in the Las Palmas port of Tenerife between January and March 2010.

This places Tenerife’s cruise ship visitor totals in first place for the whole of Spain. The second place was still held by another Canary Islands, that of Gran Canaria with almost 200,000 visitors. In third place was Barcelona with around 160,000, fourth position saw the Balerarics with 59,000 and fifth Valencia with 23,000.

This evidence bolsters the confidence of Tenerife residents and businesses. As most businesses are connected to tourism in some way or the other then this shows the resilience of the Tenerife and Canary Island economy. Many pundits feel that once the worst of the recession is over that the Canaries will emerge early and strong as a great holiday destination.

The Tenerife property market always closely reflects the tourist market. There is no reason why this will not be the case again.

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New Freedom4sale Canary Island property magazine just out

Posted on June 17, 2010 by admin

The Summer 2010 issue 58 of the Canary Islands longest established property magazine is out now. You can get your free copy from the freedom4sale.com web site.

As ever there is a property price guide running through out the magazine. The magazine is broken down into sections for each of the main islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. The Lanzarote property section has a green color code on the edge of each page. In these island sections you will find property articles referring to that area, a selection of properties running through the section from estate agents and adverts from estate agents in that area. This way you can flick straight to the Canarian island in which you want to buy your villa, apartment or plot of land and get all the information you could need. Remember if you cannot find what you want in the magazine then the web site will definitely be able to help. You could also directly contact any of the estate agents in the magazine who are all very professional and pleased to be of any assistance.

This issue has got some good property news for overseas buyers:

The Spanish government have launched the Austerity fund to save expenditure and bring the economy back under control. Fast internet connections coming to the Canaries. Spanish repossessions at record levels. Jet2 putting on more flights to the Canaries.

We talk to the Fuerteventura estate agent of Fuerteventura Residences to find out their views on all things property.

Andy Wells buys a house in Playa Blanca. He lets us follow him through the whole buying process from start to finish. Explains any problems he may have had and how these were overcome. Great reading and assurance for anyone on the verge of buying their dream property for sale in Playa Blanca.

Things work differently in different countries. There is a very useful article on the difference in how properties are measured in the UK and in Spain. Find out what these differences are and how to overcome them.

In the current bargain strewn property market in which we live we dig out some great potential purchases. This issue we focus in on Villas for sale with pools for under 300,000 euros. A few years ago this article would have been empty. Feast your eyes on what can be bought and some amazing value prices.

Enjoy this issue of Freedom4sale and remember that if you can afford it there has not been a time in the last 10 years as good as now to buy yourself a fantastic home or investment in guaranteed year round sun.

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New routes to the Canaries from Jet2

Posted on June 11, 2010 by admin

Low cost airline Jet 2.com began flights to the Canary Islands from East Midlands airport on May 20th, last month. Jet 2.com’s new services will operate out of the East Midlands airport, with the first flight being to Lanzarote adding to the airlines sevices from Manchester, Leeds And Newcastle. Flights to Tenerife begin on Friday 21st May, strengthening their commitment to the island by adding to the routes already in operation from Manchester, Leeds, Belfast, Newcastle and Blackpool.

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