Paradise in Costa RicaOne man’s dream becomes a five-star resort with world-class sportfishing

Costa Rica is well known for the premium that

it places on peace, education and democracy,

and is often referred to as "the Switzerland of

Central America." In 1949, the government

abolished the army, allocating all would-be

military expenses to education and health. As

a direct result, the literacy rate rose to 95% and

still continues to be one of the highest rates in

the Americas.

International ports on both coasts; air, ocean

and freight transportation services; a well-

developed infrastructure; and a strategic loca-

tion at the crossroads of two continents make

Costa Rica a contender in world markets. The

government’s receptiveness toward new busi-

ness ventures and excellent incentive plans has

lured a growing number of multinational cor-

porations to the country."

Enter one William Royster, a notably successful

Californian developer.

In 1991, Royster was cruising the Pacific Coast

from California when he dropped anchor in

Herradura Bay. He was captivated with

Herradura’s natural beauty, unique topography

and the warmth of the Costa Rican people.

The enchantment was completed when Royster

caught a 750-lb. marlin. "This is my dream,"

he said, and immediately started the realiza-

tion of that dream, now a world-class destina-

tion and the premier resort community in

Latin American: the Los Suenos Resort and

Marina.

The travel brochures note the usual facts

and figures:

"Costa Rica is situated on the Central

American isthmus, flanked by the Pacific

Ocean and Caribbean Sea with a distance

of approximately 155 miles between

coasts. With a total area of 20,480

square miles, Costa Rica is no larger

than the state of West Virginia, yet it con-

tains 6% of the world’s biodiversity.

To be sure, the Los Suenos Resort and Marina is

for anyone seeking the ultimate in luxury resort

living in a tropical paradise. The Marriott

Ocean and Golf Resort is the centerpiece of the

property, surrounded by luxury residences, beau-

tiful golf courses and superb recreational facili-

ties.

In Spanish, "Los Suenos" means dreams, and

from the start, Royster decided to incorporate

that luxury concept into every facet of the

resort, as well as the boats chartered from the

marina, including his own personal boat.

Naturally, the only choice for Royster was the

best built sportfishers in the world, CABO

Yachts. The marina became home to the

exclusive dealer for CABO Yachts in Central

America, Royster’s own Central America

Yacht Sales (www.CenAmYachts.com).

Royster asked for numerous specifications on

his CABOs. In return, CABO Yachts produced

a Los Suenos Edition of the CABO 35 Express,

CABO 40 Express and CABO 45 Express. The

sportfishers are shipped from the CABO

Yachts factory in Adelanto, CA to Basin

Marine in Newport Beach for readying with

installation of towers and electronics. Once

the CABOs are completed, they are floated

onto Dockwise Yacht Transport’s unique sub-

mergible carrier, which makes regular trips

to Los Suenos throughout the year.

The Los Suenos Edition models of the CABO Express share several unique

features. One of the most apparent is the elimination of the windshield,

assuring enhanced airflow moving across the common area on the open

bridge deck.

"In our area, we see people going to smaller and express model boats,"

Royster explains, "there is really no need for a boat larger than 45 feet at

Los Suenos Marina or its adjacent fishery. When you only have to run 20

miles offshore to catch fish and you return to our marina every night,

you don’t need

three staterooms."

Royster also points out that the enhanced maneuverability of boats 45-

feet and under is a real plus when fighting multiple hook-ups at the

same time and catching and releasing a couple of dozen billfish per

day—typical action off Los Suenos.

According to Marlin Magazine, Los Suenos sits smack dab in the middle

of some of the best sailfishing in the world. With hot spots like Cabo

Blanco just a few miles out, boats rarely have to make a long run to fish

out of Los Suenos. Sailfish season runs from December to June,

although there are sails caught year-round. The average catch is 80

pounds. Local Captain Jimmy Nix noted that, "If you hit the season

right, it’s not uncommon to get 20 to 30 bites a day."

NuCo2, a private sportfisher out of Stuart, FL caught and released 1,162

sailfish in 80 days of fishing between April and June at Los Suenos at

spots located within 20 miles of the resort – "26," "Cabo Blanco" and

"Herradura Bank."

Locals say that dorado and yellow-fin tuna are outstanding all year,

with large schools of tuna staying close to the bank and Cabo Blanco.

Several sportsmen have expressed awe at the numbers and sizes of dora-

do off the Central Pacific Coast, with smaller ones weighing in at 25

pounds.

Currently, the resort is presenting a three-part series of world-class off-

shore tournaments, focusing on the species that inhabit the rich waters

off Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast. The series is sanctioned by the

World Billfish Series as part of the Pacific Rim Division.

Of course, sportfishing isn’t the only draw. Costa Rica’s spectacular and

diverse natural

beauty attracts over

one million visitors

annually. Nine

active volcanoes, for-

est environments,

hot springs, wet-

lands, lakes, island

reserves and 600

miles of beaches on

two coasts account

for the dramatic

increase in tourism

over the last decade. Costa Rica’s varied terrain provides endless possi-

bilities for activities from hiking and white water rafting through

national parks to surfing, snorkeling and scuba diving off the Pacific

and Caribbean shores.

But sportfishing is the sport of choice at Los Suenos, and Royster is

proud of what he has brought to Costa Rica. Considering that the proj-

ect garnered support from the Costa Rican government to the extent that

Los Suenos was officially recognized as a "project of national impor-

tance," the resort and marina will certainly continue to live up to its

original concept of Royster’s dream – a Paradise in Costa Rica.