Wellness village being developed in Costa Rica for LOHAS consumers

A wellness village being developed in Costa Rica called The Rincon, is preparing a marketing plan that will particularly target American expatriates and retirees. The plan is to provide support for wellness/wellbeing in three ways:

A wellness village being developed in Costa Rica called The Rincon, is preparing a marketing plan that will particularly target American expatriates and retirees.

The plan is to provide support for wellness/wellbeing in three ways:
* Provide a wellness director to support lifestyle adjustments using onsite programmes and services and to coordinate outside services
* Create a network of outside service providers including local Costa Rican hospitals and selected medical professionals
* Establish an advisory board of local/international physicians/health professionals to provide community and individual advice and counsel

In 2007, a mountain ranch property in Northern Guanacaste was selected as the site to create a vibrant, life-enhancing community. The property is located at the base of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, where today many enjoy the healing effects of the natural thermal waters and volcanic mud. Grounded in the core values of sustainability, the community is being planned as a wellness village to provide an authentic and affordable option for fulltime or occasional living in Costa Rica.

The Rincon is about 45 minutes from the Liberia International Airport in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Plans for development of the community include over 500 residential units to be built in clusters; a central plaza for commercial activities; a wellness centre that includes a clinic, a spa, fitness center, and areas for alternative and complementary therapies; recreation facilities including pools, tennis courts and stables; and gardens.

The Rincon will foster a lifestyle of health and vitality with a focus on the core values of sustainability, wellness, personal relationships, intellectual stimulation and contribution to the larger community.

A wellness director will be available to arrange onsite and offsite medical and therapeutic services. The wellness centre will provide a medical clinic, spa services, plus facilities for exercise, yoga and alternative and complimentary health practices. Thermal hot water springs are available nearby. Trails throughout the site will promote walking and outdoor activities. Less than an hour from the community, are two private hospitals offering world-class health care Clinica Biblica and CIMA Hospital, both hospitals accredited by JCI. Organic and hydroponic vegetable gardens will complement agricultural production in the area assuring residents of an abundance of fresh food options. There is an abundant supply of pure water from wells and springs on the property.

The property was acquired in April 2007. The project is finalizing plans for Phase One development, which will include the spa. Subsequent phases will add the other facilities. Contact has been made with a dozen leading international real estate marketing companies, of which several will be asked to prepare a proposal for the sales and marketing campaign.

In June 2009, a project representative went to the LOHAS forum in the USA. LOHAS, an acronym for Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability, is a market segment focused on health and fitness, the environment, personal development, sustainable living, and social justice. Research shows that one in four adult Americans is part of this group, 41 million people who buy on sustainability issues, not the lowest price. LOHAS has a tremendous following internationally, particularly in Germany, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.