Lush
Linking private and public spaces by way of stepping pads over ponds and pools, Lush’s “L” shape creates a courtyard open to the sky, the amazing Pacific Ocean and magnificent landscape.

Upon entering Lush a left turn leads to the entertaining areas set in a glass pavilion subtly separated by operable walls to the exterior courtyard, pool, patio and garden areas. The bedroom quarters – including a family room that could be converted to a fourth bedroom – is elevated a half level creating magnificent ocean views and privacy from the more public courtyard spaces below.

Lush offers the ultimate indoor / outdoor living and entertaining experience while implementing the latest in ecological technology.

Model Home Construction
Construction progress on the Breeze in Black Beauty, the Mist in Ruby Sky and the Lush in Emerald Woods Villages.

The weather is beautiful this time of year in Costa Rica and construction is moving at a brisk pace. Every week we are seeing tremendous progress on the construction of the first Kalia homes. The models that are planned for completion in early to mid 2009 include the Breeze, Mist and Lush models shown below.

China Talks Up Costa Rica Tourism
Chinese tourists are being encouraged by their own government to visit the Central American nation of Costa Rica. Source: BBC News

The recommendation comes nearly four months after Costa Rica broke 60 years of ties with Taiwan and established diplomatic relations with Beijing. 

Costa Rica's tourist board said China's move was a huge boost for the sector.

It is estimated 200 million Chinese are able to afford overseas travel. Last year just 1,545 people from China visited Costa Rica, local media said.

The Costa Rican government is currently negotiating with several airlines and tourist agencies to open routes and enable easier travel between China and Costa Rica.

Eco-tourism

China's announcement is hugely important for Costa Rica and Central America, according to Geoffrey Lipman, assistant secretary general of the World Tourism Organization.

"Anything China does is important because it is a world power," Mr Lipman told the BBC's Spanish Americas website.

 "In time, China will have an enormous influence on tourism - it is a huge generator of tourists, if I can put it that way."

 The Chinese government's move would have an impact both in the long and the short term, Mr Lipman said. It sent a message to millions of Chinese people and would encourage investment in Costa Rica's tourism sector, he said.

 "Tourism of the future is eco-tourism, environmental tourism. Costa Rica has a record of developing this type of tourism."

 Tourism is one of the most important sectors for Costa Rica's economy, generating some $1.6bn (£800m) a year. Its tropical forests are home to a profusion of flora and fauna, and about 25% of its territory is covered by national parks and reserves.

 The country has based much of its marketing on its environmental credentials, including its certification program that rates businesses for sustainable tourism and conservations projects.

Factors include:

• the extent to which flora and fauna are protected

• the way waste is disposed of

• energy and water-saving measures

• customers' participation in sustainable tourism

• impact on local communities

In June, when the decision to switch ties to Beijing was announced, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias said his country needed to develop closer links with China in order to attract foreign investment.

Taiwan and China have been governed separately since the end of a civil war in 1949. Both often accuse each other of using "cheque book diplomacy" to attract allies.

Other tourism destinations in Latin America recommended by China include Mexico, Chile and Peru.