GOLFITO, Costa Rica – (July 10, 2014) A recent study by Global Tourism Monitor Survey confirmed that tourists love Costa Rica, naming the country the most recommended tourism destination in the world. Against this backdrop of global popularity, investment and construction are once again robust in Costa Rica, and notably in the town of Golfito, situated on the southern Pacific coast on Golfito Bay.

On June 28, developers officially broke ground on Golfito Marina Village & Resort, Costa Rica’s newest world-class yachting, sportfishing, eco-tourism destination and luxury resort property. Scheduled in conjunction with the town’s 65th anniversary and celebrated throughout the weekend, government officials, town leaders and locals cheered the significant milestone which is breathing new life into the area and offering a much-needed economic boost. The investment will provide at least 150 well-paying local jobs in the construction, service and hospitality industries and attract thousands of new visitors, bringing renewed vitality to the region.

Plans for Superyacht Destination and Luxury Vacation Resort
The first phase of the deep-water marina will include 50 (out of 130 total) slips, featuring private and secure dockage designated for gigayachts up to 350 feet (100m). The resort will offer beach residential villas, three unique private floating islands with villas, a Honeymoon Beach Villa, a deluxe hotel and outstanding accommodations for yacht captains and crew. Amenities include an open air spa, fitness facilities, swimming pools and an island restaurant with a night club, boat service yard, dry dock and 265 feet (81m) fuel dock. With plans to host future sport
fishing tournaments, Golfito Marina was designed specifically to meet all angler requirements.

In close proximity to the Panama Canal and south of the hurricane zone, Golfito Marina Village & Resort is nestled on the edge of Golfito Bay, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Because of its calm harbor, Golfito is the only approved drop off zone for yacht transport ships on the West Coast of North, Central and South America. Golfito Marina Village & Resort will bring an exciting new charter yacht destination to a location which was previously inaccessible to superyachts. It will also undoubtedly attract the adventurous eco-travelers who want to explore the pristine natural environment and enjoy the Costa Rican culture of Pura Vida, which loosely translates as purity of life or living life at its finest.

Hacienda El Dorado is the seasoned development team behind Golfito Marina Village & Resort. Principals of the company have been in the real estate development business since 1978, starting with the development of multi-family housing in California and expanding over the years into development of office buildings, shopping centers, industrial, condominiums and single family subdivisions. The company and its principals have invested in and developed other projects in Costa Rica in the past 13 years and remain optimistic about the nation’s future as a top global vacation destination.

Regional Redevelopment
Golfito’s economy has lagged since the Chiquita Banana Company closed its Costa Rica-based operations in 1985. The new multiphase marina and resort project includes resuscitating the town of Golfito, making necessary infrastructure and beautification improvements and building Paseo Marino, a new public boardwalk which will be peppered with indigenous art throughout the expansive two kilometer promenade. Paseo Marino will be a welcome addition for locals and visitors alike, providing an attractive, safe, walkable passage along Golfito Bay. The striking boardwalk will feature various eateries highlighting local cuisine, souvenir and coffee shops, bicycle trails and rentals, water taxis to neighboring beaches and attractions and a community

Hacienda El Dorado spotted unparalleled potential in Golfito but also took cues from other infrastructure indicators in the surrounding areas that the Pacific Southern Zone could become the next sought after tourist destination. For one, Palmar Sur Airport, between the towns of Sierpe and Palmar Sur, is making headway toward a new, massive multi-million airport expansion and is expected to welcome international flights within the next two to three years. In 2003, the country’s first real estate boom, mainly in the northern region, was due in part to the modernization of the Liberia International Airport, which began servicing international passengers.
Road construction has ramped up on the new Caldera Highway and Costarena Sur Highway, allowing more tourists to drive from the Central Valley to the southern zone quicker and more efficiently. Also, last month Golfito Hospital announced a half million dollar investment for upgrades and allocated an additional million for expansion next year.
Exceptional pre-construction marina and residential incentives are currently being offered. For more information visit GolfitoMarinaVillage.com, call +1-855.4.Marina or email info@GolfitoMV.com.

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Media contact: (954) 776-1999
Daniel Grant, ext. 235, dgrant@piersongrant.com
Diana Hanford, ext. 230, dhanford@piersongrant.com

Photo caption: Golfito Marina Village & Resort Official Ground Breaking Ceremony
(Left-Right) Elberth Barrantes, Managing Director, Golfo Dulce Chamber of Tourism Association; Roy Telles, Vice President, Golfo Dulce Chamber of Tourism Association; David Johnson, Marina Sales Director, Golfito Marina Village & Resort; Pedro Abdalla, CEO, Abdalla Architects; Noam Schwartz, Principal, Hacienda El Dorado; Jacqueline Mora, Project Manager, Abdalla Architects; Mike Mercer, Construction Director, Golfito Marina Village & Resort; Javier Zúñiga, South Pacific Regional Manager, Bank of Costa Rica; Freiner Lara, Town Council President, Municipal of Golfito; Olivier Jiménez, Delegate, Costa Rican government and Héctor Chinchilla, Mayor of Golfito