Costa Rica's Southern Pacific coast has existed in the shadows of the Northern Pacific coast for years. Okay, not literally?but the Southern Pacific coast's assets have been overshadowed by tourists and real estate investors enamored of the North. The partying, the beaches, the nature reserves, and the quick return-on-investments on the real estate in the Northern Pacific coastal region have made it irresistible; so appealing that some people now think that the North is overcrowded. So what did those people do? They started heading south.

Costa Rica's Southern Pacific coast has all of the same riches that the Northern Pacific coast has. The difference is, it's just now truly being discovered by tourists, corporations, and especially real estate investors. Here's a look at some of the gems of the Southern Pacific coastal region:

Dominical ? Dominical is a beautiful, easygoing Southern Pacific coast destination for surfing, beachfront activities, and simply relaxing. The dining is said to be some of the most diverse cuisine in the region.

Palmar Sur? This port town is well known for its quaint riverbank restaurants and hotels. It's where the mystical granite sphere stones, which can be as big as bowling balls or as big as hundreds of bowling balls, are also located.

Quepos ? This area of Costa Rica is a prime example of development among undisturbed paradise. Quepos is a happening little town that's surrounded by rainforests. In the midst of the plush greenery, there are hotels, restaurants, art galleries, beach, and more to keep tourists entertained.

Sierpe ? Sierpe is the unofficial center of the Southern Pacific coast, or at least it will be once Costa Rica's third international airport is built there. Until then, the town is the place for some of the region's best fishing and diving.

Peninsula de Osa ? This area is home to the legendary Corcovado National Park. There is literally no other place on earth like it. The park has the most numerous and exotic plant and animal life species congregated in one place than anywhere else in the world. In addition to Corcovado, there are other nature reserves and national parks in the area, some of which you can overlook or live in the midst of, if you pick the ?right hotel.

Pavones ? Near the southern tip of South Puntarenas, this region is the place to be if you're on Costa Rica's Southern Pacific coast and want to catch some of the best surfing in Central America.

Each of these areas is already popular location for tourists who want an enjoyable but slower paced vacation. Still, it's inevitable that tourism will pick up along the Southern Pacific coast as more and more people seek out alternatives to the Northern Pacific coast vacation destinations. With it, real estate will continue to appreciate and real estate development / commercialization will follow.

by David Lovendahl, Developing Paradise TM