"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what they had to teach; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

This is a quote from Walden by the literary genius Henry David Thoreau, regarding his experience living in a solitary cabin next to a pond. As humans, it is only natural to seek out the occasional solitude when life gets overwhelming, which it tends to do when it is time to retire. Thoreau felt a strange sensation come over him, a reconnection with nature and a fresh perspective that inspired him there.

Many American baby boomers have their sights set on Costa Rica real estate for their retirement properties. In the U.S.A., a country of $125 million properties and $525,000 two bedroom beach bungalows, it is rather hard imagining owning a new, modern styled home on a half acre lot in a gated community with a view of volcanoes and lakes in the $100,000 to $250,000 range.

But this dream does exist, right here in Costa Rica! Perhaps this is why Costa Rica has the highest per capita of American citizens living in it. So many people cannot be wrong and this is why investing in Costa Rica real estate for sale is a really good idea.

Investment properties in Costa Rica real estate are an international realtor's best kept secret. While many retirees are suckered into purchasing Florida swamp land or over-priced condos on golf courses, Costa Rica real estate agents can find investors a tropical oasis deep in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. With lax zoning regulations and low property tax, Costa Rica real estate is the ideal choice for maximizing cozy retirement dollars.

Costa Rica real estate for sale in Lake Arenal can be a great location to dig in as the lakestretches along fifty square miles of fresh water, up to 1,500 feet and is nestled in the North-Central Mountains. While the flat coastal properties may draw insects and sweltering temperatures, the mountainous regions hover in the low seventies with a relatively dry climate.

Lake Arenal is tucked far away from city congestion and it is accessible within two hours from the beaches and airports. As a country coddled by the American investment dollar, Costa Rica has all the amenities U.S. citizens are used to - modern shopping malls, airports, residential townhouses or secluded cottages, spas, restaurants and of course, world class beach resorts.

One can find lake acres with hot springs, rivers, waterfalls and volcano views for as little as $1,000 in the more rural regions. However, if you are looking for residential community property, with all the amenities (swimming pools, tennis courts, private docks and horse stables) on Lakeshore Road, you can expect to shell out up to $40,000 per acre.

For Lake Arenal, the Costa Rica real estate for sale that includes land acreage and an already built home, there are Tico rustic homes that start at as little as $35,000 on small lots close to the town. Many of these properties are deemed "fixer-uppers", however the cost of lumber and contracting is so low that retirees can create their dream homes for far less than the price of an American home.

Costa Rica real estate agents can also find out maintenance-free, three bedroom/three bathroom lakefront condos and gated townhouses that are available. These prime real estate properties start at $275,000, making it a dream come true for vacation rental property seekers.