The Canatur –the Costa Rican Chamber of Tourism has released the latest figures on visitors for the first semester of 2007. An increase on 6,4% over last year has been scored. A total of 832604 tourists visited Costa Rica, which is 50258 more visitors than in the same period of 2007. This figure has exceeded the prognosis of the Costa Rican bureau of tourism that estimated an increase of merely a 5%.
Most of this is due to the fact that there has been a 37% increase in the amount of international flights to the country in 2007. This is 1888 monthly international flights into Costa Rica. The main focus of arrival is now Guanacaste. Almost a third of all new visitors arrived via Guanacaste´s International airport. While San José´s flights increased in 3.14%, Guanacaste has increased in 15.66% from last years first semester. Tourism according to Canatur´s figures has generated more than $1.600 million dollars annually and represents 23% of the National income, well over traditional products such as coffee and bananas.
One can only wonder what the closing figures for 2007 –including the “high season” will bring. Meanwhile we can only say “PURA VIDA!”
Familiarizing readers both our legal system and information available to you is my goal. One of the most useful instruments available to all, is the Costa Rica FOLIO REAL system, or electronic property information system. Just a click away, you can verify the status of your registered properties, any where in the world.
Having reached the system, you may access the information to your property either via the number of the property, id number (passport, corporate id) or the name of the owner. The easiest and most direct way of accessing should be via the FOLIO REAL number, which is the unique number of the property, assigned using both the Province and the property number and the amount of registered owners. The number should look as follows: 1-123456-000 (Province – property - registered owners from 000 (which is one owner- to 999 possible co-owners!)
Other information you will find in the report that the system produces: the location of the property, the boundaries –as registered- the ownership information –including date of purchase, any annotations that property has –which are basically advising third parties of changes being applied and in the process of registration, liens, survey number and mortgages.
You can even check the registered size of the property with the survey (cadastral plot number) which is also available under the CATASTRO section of the Folio Real. Here all surveys which have affected a property may be reviewed.
Keeping current and monitoring on your investment is easier that you think and may keep your peace of mind.