Welcome to our Monthly Highlights & Spotlights – August 2025
Following events within local communities, sharing featured places, and Costa Rica real estate!
Upcoming Concerts & Events in San Jose
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Warm greetings from Escazú!
August in Costa Rica is special. It’s a month dedicated to family, particularly celebrating the heart and soul of Costa Rican households: mothers. It’s also a perfect opportunity to explore unique dining experiences, understand the local community, and gain insightful updates on life and investment in the Central Valley. Let’s dive in!
Costa Rican Mother’s Day – August 15
In Costa Rica, Mother’s Day is celebrated nationwide on August 15, coinciding with the Catholic Feast of the Assumption, marking the Virgin Mary’s ascent to Heaven. Since becoming a national holiday in 1932, Mother’s Day has deeply embodied the country’s devotion to faith, family, and tradition.
Costa Rican families typically celebrate by gathering for a special meal, often preparing traditional dishes like arroz con pollo, homemade tamales, and hearty picadillos. Children of all ages express love and gratitude by giving flowers, handmade cards, or personalized gifts. A beautiful and heartfelt tradition is the “serenata,” where families perform or hire musicians to deliver musical tributes dedicated to mothers. Many Costa Ricans also attend a special Mass or visit cemeteries to honor mothers who have passed away.
My Tip: For a genuinely Costa Rican experience, take part in community serenades or reserve a table in one of Escazú or Santa Ana’s charming restaurants offering special Mother’s Day brunches. Remember, government offices and many local businesses close for this holiday, so plan accordingly! It is a national holiday.
Restaurant Spotlight: Kotoy Japanese Fusion – Escazú
If you’re seeking authentic yet inventive Japanese cuisine in Escazú, Kotoy Japanese Fusion is a must-visit. Located conveniently in Plaza Amara, Kotoy effortlessly blends traditional Japanese culinary techniques with contemporary flair, making it an instant favorite among locals.
The atmosphere is elegantly casual, perfect for intimate meals, business lunches, or casual family gatherings. Their menu includes carefully crafted sushi rolls such as the popular Salmon Fly roll, creative Costa Rican-inspired rolls, fresh sashimi, and comforting miso soup. For dessert, don’t miss their famous tempura ice cream—warm, crunchy, and delicately sweet.
My Recommendation: Consider visiting during weekday afternoons for a more relaxed dining experience, as weekends tend to be busy. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch or a delightful evening meal.
Wear a Mask or Get Whacked! — The Wild Fiestas of Barva
If you’re living in Costa Rica or just passing through in late August, don’t miss one of the most eccentric and uproarious traditions in the Central Valley: Las Fiestas Patronales de San Bartolomé in Barva de Heredia. This spirited celebration takes place around August 24, honoring Saint Bartholomew, the town’s patron saint, and it’s anything but ordinary.
The main event is a street parade filled with mascaradas (people in giant, colorful masks) and inflated cow or pig bladders being used to whack unsuspecting bystanders. Yes, you read that right. Locals intentionally hit people with real, dried, and infamously smelly animal bladders. Legend has it, if you’re not wearing a mask yourself, you’re a prime target. So here’s your first tip: don’t show up without a mask unless you’re ready to run!
But behind the mayhem lies a deep tradition. The masks are handcrafted by local mascareros, often passed down through generations. Each mask tells a story—depicting devils, skeletons, folkloric characters, political figures, and even pop culture icons. They’re worn with pride and danced through the streets to the sounds of cimarrona brass bands and pounding drums.
The origins of this tradition date back to colonial times, when masked dances were used to parody the Spanish elite and push back (playfully) against authority. Over time, the celebration fused Catholic and indigenous beliefs, becoming a festive form of satire, art, and community expression. The inflated bladders, once a symbol of animal strength and absurdity, evolved into tools for mischief and laughter.
Today, the Barva Festival draws visitors from all over the country. Streets overflow with music, laughter, food stands, carnival rides, and of course, the occasional startled tourist dodging a swinging bladder. It’s chaotic, it’s hilarious, and it’s uniquely Costa Rican.
Pro tips if you go:
- Wear a mask (even a simple one) to blend in (and dodge a bladder whack).
- Don’t wear your nicest clothes. Things get messy.
- Bring cash for street food, handmade mask souvenirs, and carnival snacks.
- Embrace the chaos. This is Costa Rican culture at its most uninhibited and joyful.So if you’re brave enough to join the fun in Barva this August, get ready to duck, dance, and maybe get whacked with a smelly balloon of tradition!
Costa Rica Leads Latin America in Attracting Affluent Foreign Investors
A recent Tico Times report highlighted Costa Rica’s growing attractiveness as a destination for affluent individuals worldwide. By the end of 2025, Costa Rica expects to welcome approximately 350 foreign millionaires, bringing an estimated $2.8 billion in personal wealth, the highest inflow in Latin America.
The reasons behind Costa Rica’s increasing appeal include its strong political stability, high quality of life, natural beauty, and favorable conditions for investment. Escazú and Santa Ana, in particular, continue to be highly sought-after locations thanks to their upscale residential developments, international communities, top-tier amenities, and proximity to schools, shopping, and healthcare facilities.
My Insight: For investors or families contemplating a move to Costa Rica, this news underscores not only the strength and stability of the local market but also the excellent long-term investment potential of real estate in the Central Valley.
Featured Property of the Month: 8th Tee Residence – Hacienda Los Reyes, La Guácima
A Luxurious Golf‑Front Residence with Exceptional Design and Amenities
Nestled alongside the 8th hole of the Los Reyes Golf & Country Club in La Guácima, this 8th Tee Residence offers unparalleled privacy, panoramic golf course views, and sophisticated design in one of the Central Valley’s most desirable communities
Home Overview
- Size: Approximately 515 m² (5,543 ft²) of elegant living
- Lot: 1,193 m² (about 12,800 ft²), fronting the golf course
Layout: Two-story Mediterranean-style villa with 5 bedrooms and 5.5 bathrooms, ideal for families or couples seeking elegant comfort
Interior Highlights:
- Soaring high ceilings, coffered design, wood‑beam accents, and Cana Brava finishes
- Formal living and dining area, bar, and TV lounge with surround‑sound system
- Chef’s kitchen with dual islands, stainless steel appliances, and an adjacent pantry and laundry area
- Main-floor master suite with bay windows overlooking the pool, walk‑in closet, and luxurious bath features including a soaking tub and dual vanities
- The second floor includes two additional en-suite bedrooms and a reading loft with scenic views
Outdoor & Community Features:
- Private solar-heated pool and Jacuzzi with pergola-covered lounging terrace
- Elegant garden terrace offering direct access to the golf fairway and lush tropical greenery
- On-site amenities include two restaurants, tennis courts, driving range, children’s playground, plus 24-hour gated security and clubhouse facilities
Prime Location Advantages:
- Just 2 minutes from Los Reyes Golf & Country Club and five minutes to Route 27 (ideal for easy beach access or quick trips to San José, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon, and Escazu)
- Close to shopping centers like Los Reyes Plaza and Plaza La Guácima, five restaurants, an international gym, and pharmacies
- Within 15 minutes of Escazú and amenities such as Multiplaza, Avenida Escazú, and CIMA Hospital
- Approximately 20 minutes from Juan Santamaría International Airport
Investment & Pricing:
- Asking Price: US $1,280,000
- Style: Exquisitely finished, ready for immediate enjoyment or long-term investment
- Ideal for buyers seeking high-end design, a serene golf-front lifestyle, and thoughtful floorplan versatility
Explore more details and schedule a viewing visit:
The 8th Tee Residence – Hacienda Los Reyes
Wishing you a meaningful and joyous August, celebrating Costa Rican traditions, family warmth, and new adventures.
As always, if you’re considering calling Costa Rica home or investing in our thriving Central Valley communities, please reach out—I’m here to help every step of the way.
Warmest regards,
Anthony Livoti
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As always, I look forward to working with you now & in the future…
Anthony
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