Email
Request a Callback
Frequently Asked Questions
Sign up for the Newsletter
Costa Rica is a peaceful democracy with strong international business ties and bi-lateral trade agreements, and progressive environmental policies. Combined with a tropical climate and rich volcanic soil, Costa Rica is arguably the optimal location for your forestry investment.
Political Climate
Costa Rica is stable and commited to peace. It is the longest-standing democracy in Latin America, uninterrupted since 1949, coinciding with the year that the army was abolished. Costa Rica is one of 15 countries with no armed forces, and hosts the headquarters for the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations University for Peace. The World Bank ranks Costa Rica as #2 in Political Stability in Latin America.
Investment Climate
Costa Rica aggressively pursues free trade agreements and courts foreign trade and investment, is a signatory to the US-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CATFA-DR), and recently struck a free trade deal with China.
“Costa Rica has maintained an open trade and investment regime, which it considers essential to achieving its economic growth and development objectives. Its foreign trade policy is directed towards expanding its trade platform through stronger multilateral rules and new bilateral agreements, and by introducing the domestic reforms needed to be able to take full advantage of those agreements.“
2013 Trade Policy Review
| Top 5 Countries Investing in Costa Rica | ||
| (Millions, USD) | % of Total | |
| United States | $401 | 40% |
| United Kingdom | $131 | 13% |
| Brazil | $45 | 5% |
| Panama | $41 | 4% |
| Germany | $35 | 4% |
In 2014, the World Economic Forum ranked Costa Rica #1 in Latin America in terms of Global Competitiveness. Last year, Costa Rica supplanted Chile as the Latin American leader on the Global Innovation Index. More than 250 multinationals have invested in Costa Rica, including Intel, Procter & Gamble, Hewlett Packard and IBM.
Environmental Performance
In 2007, Costa Rica pledged to become the world’s first carbon-neutral country by 2021. Already, over 90% of the nation’s energy is generated by renewable resources, such as hydroelectric, geothermal and wind power. To bridge the gap, the government has initiated incentives to encourage reforestation and sustainable timber production, ensuring a continuing friendly forestry investment climate for the long term.
Geographic Factors
Costa Rica’s geography, climate and soil characteristics are ideal for growing trees. The average annual rainfall in Costa Rica is 3000mm, second only in the western hemisphere to Colombia, with the Siquirres region on the Atlantic coast receiving a drenching 5,000mm/year. Hot tropical temperatures, with a mean annual temperature of 27 °C/81 °F, have trees flourishing year-round. Perhaps most important, Costa Rica falls just outside of the hurricane corridor, reducing the risk to your investment.
Atlantic Hurricane Tracks, 1980-2005
Individual investors can now benefit from this emerging investment opportunity.
Contact a Timberland Futures account representative or download our free prospectus.
PROFILE: MELINAMelina (gmelina arborea) is a fast-growing hardwood that provides quick returns, and a popular construction material for housing and furniture that sells quickly on international markets.
PROFILE: COSTA RICAWith a stable democratic government, progressive international trade agreements and lush tropical climate, Costa Rica is the ideal location to invest in forestry.
INVESTMENT STRUCTURETimberland Futures grows your trees, harvests them, and sells them at current market value, giving you periodic returns on your investment. Get the specifics of the basic investment structure.
