Publication: Sustainable Country Estate in Costa Rica
Monday 01 December 2008 - Hacienda la Esperanza is fully
owned by Vereenigde Costaricaanse Compagnie bv, located in Austerlitz.
This paradise, called Hacienda la Esperanza, is located in Costa Rica
on Peninsula de Nicoya. Thanks to a dedicated group of investors the territory increased to 1.114
hectares (more than 2.750 acres). Hacienda la Esperanza is located in Costa Rica on Peninsula de Nicoya.
This country estate is more than just a hotel or
luxurious eco lodge resort. It is a unique and natural haven for the
true traveler who is looking for a touch of luxury while enjoying real
country life with the adventure and excitement of an exotic and
tropical destination.
Continuing process of
nature conservation, reforestation and community development
With the alluring Pacific Ocean nearby, from
Tambor to Montezuma. But most important, it is a continuing process of
nature conservation, reforestation and community development, offering
passionate travelers agro and eco tourism at its best. That’s why we at
Esperanza (= hope), on our hacienda call it ‘Sustainable Hospitality’ & Wellness` .
Make it yours too…
History & preview
The Dutchman Charles van Zijll de Jong had a dream, inspired by the
movie ‘Boys Town’. He tried to realize his dream in Holland but that
did not work out so well. Charles decided to return to the tropics
in 1997 and chose at the age of 80 years... Costa Rica. He bought two haciendas
and brought them together to make his dreams come true. After joining
these two haciendas - in all approximately 1.000 acres - he started
planting trees and breeding cattle, especially Brahma cows and Arabian
horses.
Unfortunately Charles became very ill and almost blind and died at
the age of 86 years. His son Peter van Zijll de Jong inherited the 400
hectares property and sold it in 2003.
The new owner Ton Hoegee decided
in 2004 to share the hacienda with his associate Cor Denneman. Both had been working together for many years, mainly in Brazil, buying and protecting
- together with other serious Dutch investors - an endangered area of
more than 450,000 acres in Amazonas, Brazil. They even met the Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula), and discussed with him this
serious threat in Manaus, the capital of Amazonas, Brazil`s largest
province (as big as Europe).
In close harmony Cor took over the presidency of Hacienda la
Esperanza Int. de Heredia S.A. through his company Forest Returns in
March 2005. Thereupon Forest Returns sold the majority of the shares to 8 other
investors and kept 35 % to itself. With a little help of his
friends Cor paid off the mortgage and cleared the debts. Apparently he had the same vision as Charles van Zijll de Jong and took care of ‘the inheritance’. Based on his experiences as a cosmopolitan Cor would try to make the mutual dreams
come true. `Con corazon’ Cor believes in true stewardship, in Dutch:
‘oprecht rentmeesterschap’. The main purpose is to launch a
sustainable reforestation process in Peninsula de Nicoya.
Based on his marketing back ground, ‘Don Cornelio’ strongly
believes in the integration of several sustainable elements like:
forestry, hospitality, agro and aqua culture, cattle breeding, energy
and sports, and is eager to share this valuable property with other
highly motivated people…
For that reason new investment opportunities have been created as well ...
Growth
With help of his friends Cor increased -through Vereenigde Costaricane Compagnie bv and deliberately without the help of any bank- the total property to 1.114 hectares as of 01 September 2008;
- 394 hectares; as a starting point in 2004
- 063 hectares; Territorio Indígena Chorotega
- 405 hectares; Finca los Cedros
- 038 hectares; Quebrada Bermudez
- 037 hectares; Quebrada Vaca Dos
- 098 hectares; Finca San Luis (S.A.)
- 079 hectares; Finca San Fernando
1.114 hectares in all
`Founding father` Forest Returns -in close harmony with Marije van Zomeren of 100 % Zomer bv (focus on: sustainable hospitality & wellness)- transformed this huge territory into a multifunctional and sustainable country estate, using all seven clusters of activities within the `Papatya`-vision & mission:
- sustainable forestry
- sustainable hospitality & wellness
- sustainable agri culture
- sustainable cattle breeding
- sustainable aqua culture
- sustainable education & conferencing
- sustainable bio-energy
Location, location, location
Hacienda la Esperanza is located in the beautiful valley of the Río Arío on the promising Peninsula de Nicoya, Costa Rica, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the, even for experienced travelers, surprising Golfo de Nicoya. At present, only few tourists visit this region - an advantage for those who prefere nature to crowds. The ever green southern Nicoya Peninsula is one of Costa Rica`s most cherished gems. From the hilly inland the mountains slope down to the ‘Oceano Pacífico’, creating some of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches of Costa Rica. The best of both worlds will be offered to caring and experienced travellers.
The Esperanza Experience
Enjoy real country life by taking benefit from one, more, or all our seven sustainable areas of activities:
- forestry, by planting your own hardwood tree in our still growing reforestation area
- hospitality, by living your life in our typical Costa Rican ‘El Pueblo Esperanza’, even for a couple of days
- aqua culture, by catching your own delightful ‘Pesca San Pedro’ in one of our fish ponds
- cattle breeding; you will be impressed by the varied live stock on the Hacienda
- agriculture, by tasting long forgotten food: fresh products from our fertile fields, like mango
- education, by using our field guides to discover real wild-life in our protected primary forests and/or visiting -after a heavy hike- ‘our’ indigenous cemetery & memorial in the Esperanza Mountains
- sports, by hiking, biking, horse back riding, rafting and swimming (water-falls !) in the rural world of your own Hacienda
Based on our vital vision & mission we strongly believe in true partnership, anticipating the growing demands of experienced and really caring travelers and nature lovers. Leading to the pride of ownership of real estate. People, Planet, Profit. Certainly: financial profit too; based on our modest prognosis; a Return on Investment of 12 up to 16 % per annum is obtainable, not guaranteed.
In particular through sustainable forestry, sustainable hospitality and sustainable aqua culture you can make your own residential dreams come true and reachi the status of ‘Residente Inversionista’ through an investment in Hacienda la Esperanza. So, as a serious investor, join us as shareholder of your own real estate in this paradise, called Peninsula de Nicoya in Costa Rica ...
