Famous people around Guanacaste

The Gulf of Papagayo is set to become a future hot spot for celebrities. Famous people from al over the world, has been visiting us...

In recent years, the rich and famous from around the world have been paying regular visits to the Gulf of Papagayo area.

Great stars of cinema, music and sports, as well as some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs, have  been arriving and passing through our modest yet modernizing Liberia airport.

The factor that unleashed this flow was the opening few years ago of the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel, which put the Gulf of Papagayo definitively on the map of luxury tourism.

A number of the celebrities have returned regularly and  some have bought properties in the area, for either personal use or as a future investment.

The list of personalities that has visited the area is extensive and includes the likes of Madonna, Bruce Willis, Meg Ryan, Michael Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tiger Woods, Cindy Crawford, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, William Baldwin and Bill Gates, among others.

Despite the fact that the hotels and real estate agencies maintain complete discretion over their clients, many of these celebrities have been seen in the area’s bars, businesses or restaurants, even sharing them spontaneously and amenably with employees and other clients present, without being accosted or bothered.

The future opening of One and Only Resorts, Ritz Carlton, Regent and Westin Hotels and Resorts, promises to raise the traffic of celebrities to the area, all oriented towards the highest end of the market. On its part Exclusive Resorts, specialists in luxury villas, is strongly extending their operation in the area in answer to the high demand for the highest quality villas and services.

Today the Gulf of Papagayo is set to become a future hot spot for celebrities such as Tuscany in Italy or Saint Tropez in France.

What is it that seduces these celebrities?
Basically the same thing that seduces everybody else; exuberant wildlife, plus value on investments, security, easy access (just a two hours flight from Miami, 30 minutes from the airport, good roads) and an assortment of complimentary services. A key factor has also been the respectful nature of the people here. Celebrities have been able to move freely about the area without being accosted or molested.

What are they looking for?
In the majority of cases, luxury vacational homes. Some are also buying properties as an investment, in response to the great potential of the area. Usually the houses are worth between $700,000 and $3,000,000, although some have invested up to $50 million in properties.

What do these purchases mean for the area?
They are an important incentive, given that the wealthiest can normally count on the best advice when it comes to investments. Therefore if these people are buying in the area, when they could be investing in any other, it is because they know that it has a promising future ahead of it with very special conditions and this serves as a secure reference for other investors with less experience. 

Mel Gibson
The actor and film director has been visiting Costa Rica for more than 10 years and has various investments in the country. Recently, the Gulf of Papagayo has caught his attention and he has bought a 163-hectare estate for $25.8 million in front of Playa Barrigona, which will be for private use.

Andre Agassi and Steffi Graff
They stablished a company with Steve Case in order to develop Poro Poro, a luxury vacation and sports club between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa.

Charlie Sheen
In mid-June he was "window shopping" on properties around the Gulf and bought a house on an exclusive vacation center. He also got engaged to his girlfriend, real-estate agent Brooke Mueller, in a simple ceremony that took place on a beautiful secluded beach.

Pink
This pop star wed Motocross champion Carey Hart on a paradisiacal beach in the Gulf of Papagayo.

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