Welcome to
Rising Sun Realty!!!
Professional Realtors servicing San Ramón de Alajuela in the Pacific Highlands and also the Eastern Coast of the Nicoya Peninsula (Paquera, Pochote, Tambor, Cóbano, Montezuma, Cabuya). We have more than 46 years of real estate experience combined working the New York and Costa Rica markets.
More than half of our lives have been invested in mastering this beautifully transformational craft, and we are more than happy to share what we’ve learned with you. Rising Sun Realty is your trusted resource for all things real estate related in Costa Rica. We have lived in this tropical paradise full-time since November 2010, and we are at your service.
Some expats prefer to split time 50/50 between their native country and Costa Rica, but we endeavor to split our time 50/50 between the Misty Mountains (San Ramon) and the Balmy Beaches (Tambor). It truly does represent the best of both worlds for us. We consistently have a strong presence in both communities and have come to love the people that we are fortunate enough to call friends and neighbors. Bouncing back and forth between two climatically dissimilar locations is certainly not for everyone however, and we recognize that most folks usually select one spot as “home base”, depending on their personal preferences.
We’ll provide some basic background info about both San Ramón and Tambor in the paragraphs that follow to help you to determine which area might be better suited to you.
San Ramón de Alajuela is located in the cool Pacific Highlands at approximately 3,400 feet above sea level and is known as the City of Presidents & Poets. Several noteworthy poets and three Costa Rican Presidents were born and raised on the culturally rich calles of San Ramón. The most famous President from San Ramón was Jose Figueres Ferrer, who served three terms as President and during this time he created a firm basis for Costa Rican democracy. Figueres is responsible for the abolition of Costa Rica’s army in 1948, the nationalization of the country’s banks, and for securing voting rights for women and minorities.
Ramóneses are also known to have a penchant for farming, particularly with regards to locally sourced milks, cheeses, coffee, and sugar cane. San Ramón’s downtown area sits at the center of what is primarily an agricultural cantón. On the outskirts of town and up into the higher elevations is where you’ll find the cows grazing and the coffee and sugar cane growing. You can follow the winding roads through green hills and into lush valleys while admiring the picturesque views that are popping up from all angles. These “campesino” neighborhoods offer an ideal location for tranquil living and most homes here have heavenly mountain and or ocean views with an awe-inspiring sunset on the daily.
Another extremely attractive feature of the San Ramón area is the unbelievably comfortable climate it offers its residents. Ramóneses enjoy amazing average temperatures between 68-82 degrees Celsius year-round. You read that correctly. When you live in San Ramón you don’t need an air conditioner or a heating system at any point during the year. It’s wild.
The city center of this charming cantón just West of the Central Valley has a lively town square, a beautiful central park, and streets are pleasantly bustling with activity. The San Ramón Parochial Church, built during the 18th century, towers at the town center. Materials used to construct this masterpiece were hauled over from Germany and brought up by oxcart from the port in Puntarenas. This glorious church is worthy of admiration and can be appreciated for its art, religious context, and rich history. The central park and town square are directly across the street from the church and they’re always full of people enjoying their leisure time, with lots of children playing and enjoying the outdoors. More often than not, the majority of these fine folks are enjoying an ice cream from one of the many “heladerias” (ice cream shops) that conveniently circle the park. The local museum, cultural center, and music school are all within a few feet of the town center as well, and you can pop in anytime to catch the latest exhibit, concert, or workshop. Click here if you’re interested in doing a self-guided city tour when visiting San Ramon: https://exploretikizia.com/self-guided-city-tour-in-san-ramon-costa-rica/
The medical centers in San Ramón are world class offering small-town personalized care. It’s not unusual to have your doctor’s cell phone number. San Ramón is the patron saint of pregnant women and children, so it’s no wonder the only milk bank in Costa Rica and possibly all of Central America is located here. The main public hospital sits on the edge of town and offers high-quality emergency care, and there are pharmacies all over the place.
San Ramón has a wide variety of shopping options available. There are a ton of supermarkets (both large and small), specialty shops, restaurants of all styles and ethnicities, clothing stores, a mall with a movie theatre (CCM), dance and language schools, night clubs, etc. etc. Everything you need is at your fingertips, and if you want additional creature comforts the San Jose and Escazu areas are only about an hour away by car. The SJO International airport can be reached with a short 45-minute drive down Highway 1, and if you drive 45 minutes on “la pista” in the opposite direction, you’ll hit the beach. Which makes for the perfect segway to our other favorite spot in sunny Costa Rica: Playa Tambor, in the province of Puntarenas.
Only three hours separate San Ramón from Tambor when taking the car to the ferry in Paquera. Lately, we’ve preferred taking the ferry to Playa Naranjo instead, opting for the más tranquilo and more scenic route. Docking at Playa Naranjo rather than the Paquera dock adds about 30 minutes to the trip, but we find it to be well worth it. The road between Playa Naranjo and Paquera is now paved, and it’s a pleasure to drive.
Tambor is the quintessential sleepy tropical fishing village. Most of the locals are extremely laid back and seem to come from an era in the distant past. Time has not taken its full toll here. Tambor has one foot set in the foundational ways of the Olden Days, and the other foot poking through into modernity. Of course, everyone has a cell phone and flat screen TVs are prevalent, but visitors can get the sense that they’ve stepped through a Time Warp. It’s no surprise that Tambor is located in one of the Blue Zones of the world, one of the four special places on Planet Earth which boast the highest longevity rates for its inhabitants. Stress less, live longer.
The “muelle” (dock) is one of the town’s two major hubs. The rickety yet reliable dock plays a major role in everyday commerce in Tambor. This is where the fishermen go out to sea daily to earn their living, mostly on little wooden boats, in search of the beautifully iridescent Dorado (Mahi Mahi) or Yellowfin Tuna. The bay itself is full of life with schools of sardines leaping by to escape the larger prey fish and pelicans. Mackerel, snappers, sea bass & barracuda are often what’s for dinner for the fishermen casting lines and nets off the beach.
Most of the fishermen and their families prefer to live close to the muelle on a dusty nearby strip. It’s a shanty section with its own natural beauty and rustic allure, all seashell windchimes, bay breezes, and simplicity. Walking through this sector can make one realize how little is really needed to be happy. You may find yourself fantasizing about propping up your own makeshift abode, kicking off your shoes and never leaving (you wouldn’t be the first, nor the last). The dirt road is speckled with sand and leads onto a magical coastline trail that will take your breath away, flowing all the way to the tip of the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve, over a whole day’s trek away.
Tambor’s second “hot spot” is its main bar/ restaurant / nightclub, Gitanos. Sometimes it’s a low-key place where families gather on Sunday afternoons to watch volleyball and/or soccer matches, and other times the bass is thumping into the night. Gitanos offers an outdoor shower for the folks who are beach-bumming it. The ceviche is always fresh, and the beers are cold and go down smooth. Right next to Gitanos is Henry’s Pizza, family owned and operated, which is famous for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious pizza pies. All along Tambor’s “downtown” beach strip, the Pura Vida lifestyle is on display, Reggaeton beats bumping from cars, campsites, and backyard BBQs. Kids giggle and build sandcastles while playing in the waves. Howler monkeys roar in the distance and Scarlet Macaws screech overhead. Tuanis.
Bahia Ballena’s tranquil waters are perfect for swimming, as there are no rip currents and no undertow to speak of. Kayaking, paddle-boarding, and snorkeling are also popular activities that can be enjoyed on “Whale Bay”. Skydivers visit a few times a year to leap from perfectly good airplanes, freefalling towards the shores of the bay. These thrill seekers flare and glide until they land on the grass outside of Tambor Tropical, the local jungle-posh boutique resort. Whenever the skydivers come to town, the locals flock to watch these parachuting unicorns fall from the sky. Windsurfers also frequent the bay when the conditions cooperate.
Nature enthusiasts delight at the abundance of fauna and wildlife in Tambor. The birding is sublime. Macaws speak their ancient squawking language while flying overhead. Turtles, anteaters, armadillos, iguanas, and various tropical snakes can all be spotted if you know where to look, as can dolphins, whale sharks, and humpback whales. The whales visit Tambor’s warm water to birth their young, hence the moniker Whale Bay.
Tambor is a real-deal tropical paradise. The nearby towns of Montezuma and Santa Teresa can be reached easily if you’re interested in the tourist experience or want a little more action, but it’s such a comfort to return to this beautiful village to rest and recharge in its tranquility.
YOUR NEIGHBOR YOUR REALTOR
Buying real estate can be a stressful and overwhelming process, particularly in an international market. It’s imperative to connect with the most qualified professional available in your area right from the start. A trustworthy, knowledgeable, experienced, and dignified agent who is not only your Realtor, but who will also be your neighbor.
Come visit us in this magical country that we call home!
*A trusted resource for info about Costa Rica & the real estate transaction process*
*Expertise about local neighborhoods and surrounding area*
*Strong community presence and a vast network of reliable contacts*
*Fierce loyalty and outstanding negotiation skills*
*Support every step of the way- through the closing and beyond*
*Innovative marketing strategies*
Frank W. Gillespie
Broker/ Owner
mobile CR#: (506) 8735 5907
USA Skype#: (716) 218 3325
frank@risingsun-costarica.realty
“Watch, how the sun slowly rises from behind my ear
new lines, new countries spring up in my palms
my rough hair become swaying silk
and all the leaves in my body become lusher than fruits”
~Sanober Khan
