“Costa Rica has long been a beacon of stability in the region, with a democracy that’s over 100 years old, a literacy rate of 95 percent, and the highest standard of living in Central America. There are a lot of natural superlatives in this country as well. Arenal Volcano is Central America’s most active volcano. Some five percent of the world’s species are found on this small plot of land, including more species of birds than the U.S. and Canada combined. A quarter of the country is devoted to protected lands and parks and the government here has been far more enlightened about environmentally friendly tourism than most other countries anywhere.

“Don’t plan on having the whole place to yourself though. The secret has been out for ages and this is one of the most popular destinations for North Americans, drawing over 1.5 million total visitors per year. A fair number of those visitors never made it back home: this is a popular place to retire to and buy or build a dream home.

“The good side of all this traffic is that upscale facilities are quite good, the better guides speak English well, and staffers aren’t just figuring all this out as they go along. Some of the eco-tourism pioneers are based here, so eco-friendly lodges and hotels that “think green” are more prevalent than those that are not–a welcome change in the luxury market.

“Don’t plan a Costa Rica trip around colonial history and sightseeing. Instead come here to find jungle adventures, white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and then a bit of beach living” in a luxurious vacation rental villa, private home or condominium on Jaco Beach, at Los Suenos Golf Resort and Marina on Playa Herradura, or Manuel Antonio.

Costa Rican Luxury Adventure of a Lifetime

By Erika Thomas

Mead Brown has answered the call for a vacation experience that truly delivers in this gem of a country bridging North and South America.

Villa Firenze at Los Suenos Golf Resort and Marina

Created by vacation connoisseurs Mark Mead and Michael Brown, Mead Brown strives to create unforgettable, luxurious ravel experiences. The cofounders, who once enjoyed successful careers in the U.S. working with princes and presidents, diplomats and debutantes, are quite the duo that, as Brown explains, “perfectly balance one another. We are completely different in personality, but we have wholly complementary skill sets.” Those impressive skill sets are what have made them the go-to guys for Costa Rican travel.

Their inventory of properties in the land of la pura vida includes everything from condo units in the über-posh Vista Las Palmas, villas at Manuel Antonio National Park or in Los Sueños Golf Resort & Marina, and remarkable grand estates. The crown jewels of the property portfolio includes Punto de Vista, a 10-bedroom, all-inclusive event manor situated on an acre of tropical rainforest.  As Brown divulges, “The owner conceived it as a yacht on land. It’s perfect for a wedding, special birthday, corporate group function, or large family gathering.”

But what really catapults Mead Brown into a category all their own is their commitment to over-the-top concierge services. “We are so much more than just a vacation rental firm,” Brown says, explaining that if a client can imagine it, they can make it happen.  From personal chefs and Dominican cigar rollers to scheduling spa appointments and arranging yachting excursions, Mead Brown attends to virtually any desire with over-zealous attention to detail. “Once a guest called and requested a case of Cristal.  There was none in the whole country, so we had it helicoptered in from Panama,” says Brown.

Their ability and commitment to over-deliver on their promises to guests and owners is what has allowed the company to grow leaps and bounds, despite the global economy in 2009. “Our success is driven by our ability to fulfill the needs and expectations of the sophisticated North American traveler that had previously been unmet in this market.”  He explains that when traveling to Costa Rica, the American luxury connoisseur wants to be enveloped in the natural beauty of the country, but still wants the creature comforts of the modern lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

According to Brown, the draw to set up shop in Costa Rica was “the awe-inspiring landscape, stable democratic government, and the high literacyrate, which at 96 percent is higher even than in the U.S. People here are educated and genuinely friendly,” Brown points out.

“Americans are attracted to Costa Rica specifically for the adventure,” he says, “the monkeys the flora, the fauna.  Think of the migration patterns of animals such as birds and whales between North and South America; because they all pass through or by this very narrow bridge of a country we have an incredible abundance of nature all around.” Brown is dead on; Costa Rica boasts more than 1,000 species of butterflies, 1,300 types of orchids, and is a world-class sport-fishing destination for sailfish and marlin.

Mead Brown clients can fly private into San Jose, where they are then transported to a tropical vacation oasis by helicopter or Mercedes shuttle.

1) Costa Rica: Your Own Private Rainforest for Half the Price
Summer is shoulder-season for Costa Rica, meaning brief afternoon showers most days. But the bulk of the deals stem from a resort boom that has outstripped tourism demand, says Michael Brown of Mead Brown Costa Rica Vacation Rentals, which manages luxury rental properties. Deals on airfare are good, too — roughly $350 instead of last year’s $600, he says — thanks to new routes from budget airlines such as Spirit and JetBlue.

Sample deal: Through November, Mead Brown is offering one-bedroom rentals at the Los Sueños Resort and Marina for $175 a night, down from $350 last year. There’s also a deal to pay for six nights and get the seventh free. A family booking a weeklong vacation at the resort, which has its own private rainforest preserve and views of the Pacific Ocean, would pay $1,050 — a savings of 57%.

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Mead Brown Costa Rica Vacation Rentals has villas, houses, condos and condominiums available for rent during the 2009 International Surfing Association World Surfing Games, sponsored by Billabong, which will take place July 31 through August 9, 2009 in Playa Hermosa, 10 minutes from Jacó in Costa Rica.   Athletes from 40 countries are expected to compete; tens of thousands of spectators are anticipated as well.  In addition to surfing, attendees can experience the natural beauty for which Costa Rica is known, including rain forests, dolphins, sea turtles, scarlet macaws, toucans and stunning beaches.  The lively beach town of Jaco is home to many unique shops, restaurants and nightlife.  Live bands will be featured at many venues and sponsors will host parties throughout the competition. 

Mead Brown has many vacation rental properties that are ideally suited for sponsors, competitors and observers; these include Villa Antigua, the luxury oceanfront condominium residences of Vista Las Palmas, and Casa Ponte.  All three properties are in Jacó.  Additionally we have a house right on Playa Hermosa!  Call us now a 1.888.744.6599 or from Costa Rica at 2637.8561.

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Expats turn your Costa Rican siesta from lame to lavish.

Casa Mono Loco in Los Suenos Resort & Marina, Costa Rica

If you’re planning an escape to Costa Rica this year, be sure to check in with Mark Mead and Michael Brown of the eponymous Mead Brown, a full-service, vacation rental marketing and property management company specializing in the country’s Central Pacific Coast. The company is widely regarded as one of—if not the—best for travel to Costa Rica, a hard-earned distinction for its two founders. After all, Mead and Brown gave up fast-paced careers in the United States to set up shop in Costa Rica, where they drew on their own experience as tourists to create one-of-a-kind vacations for a market that had, in their eyes, gone uncatered to, or at least insufficiently so.

“After rewarding careers in the US, we knew we wanted adventure and to live abroad,” says Brown. “Several visits as tourists to Costa Rica illustrated the need—and business opportunity—for a professionally managed vacation rental company that could deliver to the expectations of North Americans. After a year of research and planning and the investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars into the best systems, we opened for business.”

The result was Mead Brown, which now boasts a diverse collection of privately owned beachfront villas, houses, condos, and fincas in the Jaco, Playa Hermosa, Herradura, and Los Sueños areas. Mead Brown has also become the preferred vacation rental provider for the Los Sueños Resort & Marina, where clients enjoy lavish condominium accommodations and leisure, sporting, and spa privileges.

Mead Brown also offers complete concierge services, meaning clients can craft the ultimate vacation package. Spa services, championship golf, world-class sport fishing, horseback riding, sea kayaking, and flora-and fauna tours are among the wishes and whims the outfit’s dedicated guest services staff can fulfill. There’s also the placement of private chefs, as well as air- and watercraft charters, housekeeping, and transportation.

“Service is what sets us apart from most of the vacation rental companies in Central America,” Brown says. Even when the most hedonistic at heart come calling, Brown, like a seasoned hotelier, has the answer: “We will do virtually anything to meet our guests’ needs, expectations, and wishes,” he says. “This is a promise not easily fulfilled in a developing country, but we give it our very best and we typically deliver.”

So how are these American expats adjusting to life in this business? “It’s been really gratifying and rewarding for us,” Brown says. “When [guests] leave, they tell us that they’ve never been so well taken care of. It seems a bit odd to us . . . it’s not as though we are peeling their grapes.” Maybe so, but we have a feeling that this hospitable pair would be happily willing to do just that.—Lindsay Lambert

Mead Brown’s accommodations range from fully equipped three-bedroom condos from $300 per night to seven-bedroom villas at $7,500 per night; all properties include daily housekeeping. For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.meadbrown.com or call 866-567-1516.
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Vista Las Palmas on Jaco Beach

Mead Brown is the exclusive vacation rental agency for the newest, tallest and most luxurious residential building in Costa Rica:  Vista Las Palmas.  Every residence is oceanfront and every unit has an unobstructed view from one end of Jaco Beach to the other.  High speed wireless Internet, ocean front swimming pool and Jacuzzi and an air-conditioned fitness facility are among the amenities guests at Vista Las Palmas enjoy. 

Two-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom residences begin at only $185 per night; and 3-bedroom, 3.5 bathroom residences start at only $250.  This is an excpetional value for the finest condominiums on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast.  Each unit is as large as a house; the smallest units are more than 2,200 square feet!

This exquisite condominium was developed by Vista CR, the same developer who gave us Vista Mar two years ago.  Vista CR has a proven record of developing premium properties with excellent finishes; open, spacious and practical floor plans; systems that are well designed and thoughtful (such as the chiller system, which enables guests to set the thermostat in their own room…yes, every bedroom has its own thermostat) and products that are delivered on time and on budget.  That’s no small accomplishment anywhere, and it’s quite remarkable in Jaco.

For complete information, including photos, rates and availability, browse our properties online or call us. 

 Private Jacuzzi at Yang at Vista Las Palmas, on the 11th floor.

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Bagels

Bagelman’s

• Bagels with spreads, bagel sandwiches
• Free wifi!
• On the main street, south of Pops

Breakfast

The Coffee Shop

• On the main street across from Pops, co-located with Parrilla ada Argentina

Chinese

The Dragon on Bohio

·         Variety of Chinese appetizers and entrées; try the pot stickers and sesame shrimp.

·         Located on Calle Bohio, next to the Poseidon Hotel.  From the main street, turn onto Calle Bohio toward the ocean.

Chicken and Ribs

Pollo Parrillero

·         Best chicken and ribs in town!

·          They offer both fire-roasted and fried chicken; the pork ribs are the best you’ll ever taste.   Their cole slaw (enselada repollo) is terrific as well.

·         Beach side of main street, at the corner of the street to the Oz Hotel

Diverse Menu

Lemon Zest

·         Very diverse menu of fish, lamb, beef, duck and other entrees somewhat unusual for Costa Rica.  South end of main street, on the second floor

Los Amigos

• On the main street in the center of Jaco, at intersection with Pops
• Wraps, burritos, steaks, Thai, smoothies, salads, burgers
• 2643.2961
• Middle of Jaco on main street, across from Pop’s

Pacific Bistro

Located across the street from the Funky Monkey. This restaurant is owned and run by Chef Kevin Green who works solo in the kitchen. His limited menu has an Asian and Latin infused flavor and the food is top notch.   Must try.

Wish Bone

·         One of the most popular restaurants in the area, offering a very diverse menu from brick oven pizza to enchiladas, burritos and pitas. Their salads are famous as well.  Portions here are large, and the service is exceptional.  We suggest the mahi mahi pita, pad Thai bowl, seared tuna salad, pizza, or anything on the right side of the menu under Mexican type dishes. Bring your appetite as the portions are very generous.

·         Located in the center of Jaco on the main street

Mexican

Jaco Taco

·         Huge portions of American-style Mexican food plus traditional dishes

·         Near the Best Western on the main street of Jaco

Pizza

El Picaro Pizza

• On the main streeet, next to Mexican Joe’s Internet Café
• Delivery service
• 2643.1147 

Pizzeria Bocha

• Located 10 minutes south of Jaco on Playa Hermosa
• Lunch and dinner delivery to Jaco
• 2643.3696

Seafood

El Pelicano

• Located on Herradura Beach.  The menu is extensive and the food and presentation are terrific. Try their coffee and desserts, too.  Drive down the same road as if you were going to Los Sueños Resort & Marina.  Drive past the Los Sueños entrance about ½ mile and you’ll dead end at the beach. Make a left and it is the 3^rd Restaurant on your left.

Hicaco

·         Famous for its all-you-care-to-eat lobster and seafood festival every Wednesday night from 6:00pm- 10:00pm for one price, including beverages and dessert.

• Located on the ocean in Jaco, south of Vista Mar and north of Vista Las Palmas
• Menu includes mahi mahi, tuna, steak, pork, salads, pasta and soups
• 2643.3226

Soda

Soda Jaco Tipico

·         Good local cuisine served cafeteria style.  You point at what you want, they put it on a plate and you pay at the end of the line.  Good and cheap food.

·         From the main street in Jaco, turn onto the street between Pops and Los Amigos and drive to and then cross over the costanera highway.  The soda is right there.

Soda Marea Alta

This is the best Tico food around.  Located at the south end of the Jaco main street, across the street from the Platinum Gymnasium that you’ll see on the second floor. Order the mixed ceviche’ appetizer.  The two main courses we suggest you try are the Corvina Marea Alta, which is a thin sea bass filet smothered in a white cream hearts of palm and shrimp sauce.  It is incredible and cheap!  Second, the filet mignon.  A large tender filet Mignon, bacon wrapped and smothered in homemade brown gravy.  Incredible!

Steak

Parrilla ada Argentina

·         Imported Argentine and U.S. beef cooked over a wood-burning grill.

·         Located on Jaco’s main street, across from Los Amigos

Sushi

 Tsunami Sushi

·         The best sushi around. Good prices, good portions and always fresh. Located in Jaco central, second floor of the Galleon shopping center.

French-African-Asian

Pili Pili

·         Modern fusion cooking from a French chef who has lived in Africa and Asia! Bruno works solo in the kitchen to create some of the best meals on the Pacific Coast.

·         Located south of Pops on the beach side of Main Street, second floor

·         Reservations recommended; 2643.5535 or 8995.4936; BYOB

Bars & Lounges

Ganesha

• On north end of Jaco, on the beach, above Corpus Gym
• South Beach Miami-style open-air lounge with chill out and house music
• 2643.3916

Bohio Bar & Restaurant

·         Great view, open air, and great food and drinks and a full liquor bar.  To get there turn left or right off Main Street where you see the blue sign that says “Planet Food.”  Just take the street to the end and you’ll see Bohio on your left; it’s right on Jaco beach.

Monkey Bar

·         Located on the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Jungle Bar

·         A favorite of tourists and Costa Ricans of all ages!  Fun, safe atmosphere.  Pool tables, dance floor and two bar areas.  On the north end of Jaco’s main street.

Le Loft

·         Opened in November 2008 by the owners of Prive’ in San Jose.  Located in the red building across the street from Los Amigos and Pops.

Plankton

·         Fun bar with a great mix of people; videos and a DJ.  On the main street in El Galeon.

Vibe

·         Large dance bar open late, located in the El Galeon shopping center.