60 minutes southeast of Jaco and 30 minutes northeast of Quepos, by way of palm tree lined roads and the small town of San Antonio de Damas, you arrive to this special property quietly tucked away along the Rio Damitas and fronting the La Fila Chonta mountain range. This 218 Hectare land parcel is a dynamic waterfall jungle wonderland which would be optimized though a combination of eco development and conservation.
The easy 2 wheel access to the property entrance is ideal for tourism. Once you enter the main gate, it is evident this property is a true oasis. The combination of secondary and primary rain forest is accompanied with a pure biodiversity that is often sought after in Costa Rica. For this reason the owners envisioned a combination of preservation, hospitality, adventure tourism and sustainable development when they began designing the master plan. The initial area of the property is ideal for a central reception area, with restaurant for guests and owners, a gift shop, tour booking office and aerial tram station, providing access to the varying divisions of the property. Electrical service is in place to this location, as well as municipal water.
To the left of the central area one passes through the mature cacao forest, with a tranquil areas to sit and enjoy the first of many waterfalls and swimming holes on the property. After crossing the cascading Damitas river, the internal infrastructure becomes evident, from integrated water management and drainage to internal roads which are well maintained and provide access to potentially 22 building quintas which could be segregated and sold individually or remain as a collective in order to build private luxury rental units. This is also the ideal location for a luxury tent and tree house lodge with full service spa and restaurant. The sprawling ocean views from the majority of these sites extend all the way to Manuel Antonio National Park. This area of the property has a private maintained trail with walking bridges, leading to larger waterfalls up the river, each with their own unique features for enjoyment.
To the east of the main entrance area one is lead through the Phase 2 division of the property, where the fern lined roads lead to potentially another 16 sites for segregation which vary from 4 to 9 acres each. This beautiful area of the property has a magical wet forest atmosphere, with mature trees, bubbling streams and rolling land with both ocean and jungle views. By way of winding trails through the pristine forest one gains access to the waterfalls along the river. This division of the property would also be ideal for a full service family friendly and/or backpacker lodge with approximately 48 rooms.
Further into the property from the Phase 2 area the vibrant rainforest grows in density, providing an optimal location for an environmental research center and wildlife refuge. This in conjunction with the adventure park center would provide a tourism destination unlike no other, where guests can not only enjoy the diversity of the Costa Rican jungle, but be educated about conservation and sustainability. The master plan for the adventure park included 20 activities, including a superman line, 15 line canopy tour, bungee systems, canyoning and waterfall repelling, mountain biking route and hiking trails. The 20 waterfalls found on the property are each amazing in their own right, making this truly a waterfall wonderland! An aerial tram system could be put in place with two routes from the reception center to the wildlife refuge and the adventure park, the tram system would be capable of transporting 625 people per hour in its 16 gondolas and provide guests with a truly unique view of the surrounding jungle.
The jewel of the property is the 175+ acres which could be put into preserve and would serve as the focal point for the environmental education and research center and wildlife refuge. The center would provide a lodge for national and international researchers to study the biology, geology and ecology of Costa Rica, as well as house volunteer s involved in the operations of the refuge and reintroduction center. With a sustainable design and renewable energy usage in place, one could establish a center which has the potential to become a leader in the conservation movement. Enviromental Impact Studies have been completed on the property, as well as the following studies required by SETENA: Environmental Impact Study; Socio economic impact study; Soil study; Forestry study; Geometrical Master Plan; Construction process approvals; Electricity and Water approvals; Zoning approvals; Waste management plans and approvals; Rainfall management Study.
The master plan for the adventure park is available for consideration, as well as residential phases, however permits for construction and execution have not been obtained.
The usability of these 539 acres along with the projected master plan, the biodiversity and the location provide a clear picture as to why this property already has strategic partners in place such as Discovery Destinations and Luxury Frontiers. Ultimately it provides a beautiful blank canvas for a developer to establish a one of a kind all inclusive destination in Costa Rica, something which is not yet offered in this steady growing mecca of ecotourism
