Building in Costa Rica

Nadine Hays PisaniCosta Rica Cost of Living Update: One huge papaya—$1.20

It’s been seven years, but we never gave up! I’m happy to announce that Rob and I just broke ground on our new home in the Mar Vista Community just outside Flamingo! But it gets even better: we decided to build a bed and breakfast so that others can enjoy Costa Rica as much as we do.

For sure there will be a pool, and Rob is already designing a garden with organic fruit trees. I would love to have an outdoor space for dining and barbecuing, and a patio off the second floor. My head spins with ideas, but I know how easy it is to get carried away with one’s budget. Rob and I have to be practical, but there has been nothing practical about our adventure from the start. Maybe for us, being “unpractical” works out the best. 

 

 

Costa Rica Building PermitsWe just began the process so we are unsure of the opening date, but you can bet we will fill you in along the way. One hurdle was getting the permits approved. After meeting with the inspector at the municipality, our blueprints were swiftly stamped then dumped in the office’s bathroom. One might consider that a bad sign, however, it must have been good luck for us since everything went through without a hitch.

We are on a strict budget and I’m sure plenty of obstacles will present themselves along the way.  Rob even informed me that we may have to finish part of it ourselves. All I can say is that I’m ecstatic. Honestly, this Costa Rican adventure of ours just keeps getting better and better.

Dreams do come true, sometimes they just happen in a different order than planned.

 

 

(Sunset view from our future home)

Mar Vista Sunset

By | 2018-04-15T18:19:16-04:00 July 27th, 2015|Categories: Happier Beach House|Tags: , , , , |47 Comments

About the Author:

Nadine is the author of the best-selling series, Happier Than A Billionaire. Join her as she navigates living as an expat in the sometimes confusing, always beautiful, country of Costa Rica.

47 Comments

  1. […] Read the full article here: Building in Costa Rica […]

  2. Tamara & Corey Reynolds August 5, 2015 at 2:17 pm - Reply

    Nadine I love the photo of you in high heels and the shovel. Class at it’s finest. Your B&B will be wonderfully filled with all your devoted followers. Our best to you both in your future adventures.

  3. terry romp August 3, 2015 at 10:26 pm - Reply

    Nadine-
    Just finished the sequel in bed tonight, while my wife was finishing the first next to me. I wish you could have seen us, with our random outbursts of laughter! Thank you, on to the escape manual!

    We are going to manzanillo for the holidays, staying at Congo bongo, very excited and hoping to plan our own escape for 2017…..

    Looking forward to following your bnb progress, a dream of my wife, I’m thinking a beach bar and grill…. Have you encountered many challenges to start a business?

    You and rob take care,

    Terry and Tracie

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 19, 2015 at 6:10 pm - Reply

      I hope you have a wonderful trip and thanks for following my adventure. And yes, there have been some challenges, mostly from some nutty idea my husband came up with. If it were up to him, I’d have a zip line in my backyard.

  4. judith August 2, 2015 at 10:29 am - Reply

    So exciting! I look forward to reading all about this adventure. Just finished The Sequel this morning, two days before I go back to work at the School (I stretched it out as long as I could…) you made my summer vacation a real get away. Thanks for inspiring a sense of adventure in me as my husband and I embark on our own adventure in a new job (for him) in a new city (Austin,TX) after 20 years in the same place. No it’s not a move to CR, but hey… at least he’s taking the step in leaving the zip code. Funny thing is, he’s the one that proclaimed this move as The Adventure.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:18 pm - Reply

      Congratulations Judith! A new city is a new adventure, and I’m sure it will bring new friends and new experiences. It’s a great way to look at life as well. Why not be excited about the new things? Why not say, “How bad can it be?”

      It sure beats wondering what could have been.

  5. Laura August 1, 2015 at 11:02 am - Reply

    Yay! So excited for you to be building your home finally and I think you guys will be the absolute best B&B hosts anyone could ever hope for.

    And Yay, so excited for US, since, *fingers crossed*, this should give you lots of content for another new book or two. And, there is nothing better for those who can’t make the Costa Rica plunge, to read about it and live vicariously through you two.

    Best Wishes.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm - Reply

      You are wonderful Laura. I love armchair travel as well. I’m sort of addicted to those books where someone goes out and does something I would never do. I will be sure to jot down all the ridiculousness of this adventure. We can’t even convert everything correctly from feet into meters, so I’m sure we are going to end up with some oddly proportioned rooms.

  6. Jennifer July 31, 2015 at 5:20 pm - Reply

    Love the idea of a B & B…

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:14 pm - Reply

      Considering we need to think of an income at this point, this idea makes the most sense. Either that or sell burritos at the beach… which is still on the table if this thing goes south.

  7. Lorraine July 31, 2015 at 6:18 am - Reply

    Sounds wonderful! Lorraine from Magnetic Island!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:13 pm - Reply

      Hi Lorraine! Thanks for the good wishes. Costa Rica has been wonderful to me, and can’t wait to show others. By the way, I love the name of your island. It sounds like a place where a superhero lives.

  8. Michele July 30, 2015 at 9:06 pm - Reply

    Congrats to you both! How exciting! Have you picked a name for this B&B ?? Was hoping it would be done soon…so that my husband & I could be your first customers!!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:10 pm - Reply

      It will be called the bankruptcy bed and breakfast because I fear that is where I’ll be when it is all said and done.

  9. Dan Gaskell July 29, 2015 at 12:08 am - Reply

    Nadine, I hope you’re building a rehearsal/practice room for Rob to write and practice his music. Remember, soundproofing is your friend! 😉

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:08 pm - Reply

      He wants to build a stage at the end of the pool, which will be precisely the spot he falls in when he trips over his amplifier cord.

  10. Ann Ellison July 28, 2015 at 7:27 pm - Reply

    Excited for you as your build your new home there and I have a feeling there might be another book in that too. Love following you and Rob in your journey.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:06 pm - Reply

      I have a feeling there will be another book as well Ann! I get a feeling Rob will be trying to use a lot of duct tape on this house.

  11. Bruny Hudson July 28, 2015 at 5:55 pm - Reply

    Congratulations!

  12. Diane Smith July 27, 2015 at 5:26 pm - Reply

    This was meant to be. That’s why it took you so long to start building. You had to find your way. I love it! Best of luck and hopefully some day we’ll stop by.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:11 pm - Reply

      Thanks Diane, I really feel that way. Everything happens for a reason and now it’s the right time to make the leap. Heavens, what a leap it’s going to be!

  13. Roger July 27, 2015 at 4:20 pm - Reply

    Congratulations! When the Grand Opening? Looking forward to coming for a visit.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:10 pm - Reply

      Not sure when the grand opening will be, but you can bet I will announce it… in heels!

  14. Jack July 27, 2015 at 3:49 pm - Reply

    I can’t wait to come and get my breakfast in bed with you guys.

  15. Pat July 27, 2015 at 3:19 pm - Reply

    My husband and I are at the permit stage ourselves. We are building in Tamarindo.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:09 pm - Reply

      Congratulations! I’m so excited and we waited so long to do this. But it seems everything lined up and we decided to just go for it!

  16. Jeff July 27, 2015 at 3:02 pm - Reply

    Congrats!! You are an inspiration to me, and I look forward to reading all 3 books on my upcoming vacation.

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:08 pm - Reply

      Hi Jeff, thanks for following our adventure. I’m looking forward to writing another book, if I survive this process!

  17. Tammy & Dave on Vancouver Island July 27, 2015 at 1:38 pm - Reply

    Wow, what a great idea, especially with the amount of success your three books have had. Just be ready to drink lots of cocktails in the evenings with your clients :). Rob will also be required to provide evening guitar/singing entertainment. When we make it back to Costa Rica we will be sure to book in! Congrats on breaking ground – Dave and Tammy on Vancouver Island

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:08 pm - Reply

      It’s so nice to hear from you guys. It’s going to get interesting for sure!

  18. Laura Miller July 27, 2015 at 11:18 am - Reply

    although i could never do what you guys did (children, grandchildren, & the lack of bugs keep me here) , i do take to heart the spirit that says to “slow down & enjoy the moment”. i admire that immensely! i desire to live each moment with “uncommon joy” as author Ellen Miller puts it. i love all 3 of your books (still on the last one, but almost done)!!! You are a talented writer and highly entertaining!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:07 pm - Reply

      You are the sweetest Laura. I can only imagine the crazy things my husband is going to do with this house. How come I foresee a slide off the roof into the pool?

      • Laura Miller July 28, 2015 at 9:06 pm - Reply

        Probably because you know him so well:) Thank you for your kind words. i will keep you and Rob in my prayers. Is Rob going to turn the B & B into a thunderdome as well:)?

        • Nadine Hays Pisani August 2, 2015 at 6:07 pm - Reply

          I fear there will be a gate tower and alligator moats. A fear a drawbridge is on order…

  19. Linda Beasley July 27, 2015 at 10:30 am - Reply

    I know you and Rob will have a beautiful home, can’t wait to come visit…

  20. Linda July 27, 2015 at 10:07 am - Reply

    OMG!!! Can’t wait to visit!!! How exciting for you both! Good luck 🙂

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 28, 2015 at 7:06 pm - Reply

      Thanks so much. It’s been such a road to get here, but happy it worked out this way.

  21. compassionateone July 27, 2015 at 9:32 am - Reply

    P.S. Jenn up at Hidden Canopy Treehouses in Monte Verde may have some input on building a B&B by yourself…

  22. compassionateone July 27, 2015 at 9:24 am - Reply

    Good luck! Great idea…seems an apt follow-up to your books and blog!!!!

    • Nadine Hays Pisani July 27, 2015 at 9:34 am - Reply

      Can’t even imagine what I’m looking forward to. I wonder how much duct tape we will need to buy…

  23. Sophia Meyer July 27, 2015 at 9:23 am - Reply

    What a wonderful idea. We will definitely be one of your guests. Best of luck in getting your place built!?

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