What’s developing?
Playa Junquillal and its neighboring towns are a developing area, albeit slower-growing than the frantic pace seen in Tamarindo and Potrero. The beaches are glorious, long, sandy and unpopulated. The reason for its slow development has been the terrible road in from civilization and the lack of services and amenities there. Junquillal sits about halfway between Tamarindo (a half-hour drive) and Nosara and within a few minutes af beaches such as Negra, Avellanas, Marbella, Largarto and San Juanillo. It is 20 minutes from Hacienda Pinilla golf course and the new Marriott Hotel.
That is about to change, as the road is under construction. Wide and straight, it is about to be paved all the way in from Veintesiete de Abril, bringing the beaches within a 30-minute drive from Santa Cruz.
With the improved road will come the needed facilities. The Howler, in March 2008, featured a development at Rio Verde, which will have its own shopping mall half-way along the new road. And now comes Plaza Tierra Pacifica, next door to the existing development Tierra Pacifica, an award-winning “green” residential community of 70 residences between Paraiso and Junquillal.
Plaza Tierra Pacifica, scheduled to open next month, will consist of 9 commercial spaces, for lease as shops or offices, as well as a large full-service supermarket, specialty kiosks, cafes and 4 upper-floor residential condominiums. The plaza is Spanish Mediterranean style with a grand entrance, covered walkways and public amenities. The stores will be set off by a large courtyard with tropical gardens, fountains and benches for a social gathering place. Plenty of parking, both for employees and customers, will be provided.
The developers’ goal is to provide the area with a high-quality, attractive commercial center with the best goods and services. It will provide a nucleus for the town, attracting tourists to the local beaches with their surfing, fishing, snorkeling and natural beauty. The area’s natural resources are protected by groups such as Bandera Azul for beach protection, Minae for the mangroves, WWF for marine turtle conservation, El Centro Verde for watershed restoration, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servive for migratory bird protection.
For details, contact Steve McKnight at (619) 573-4047 US or (506) 8332-3264 CR or visit www.tierrapacifica.com.
