With its broad white-sand beaches, glistening Pacific waters and proximity to a diverse array of natural wonders, Playa Flamingo offers an idyllic outpost along Costa Rica’s northwest coast.

Here, in an oceanfront setting where owners and guests are just steps from the beach, The Palms, Playa Flamingo has created a gated, resort community unlike any other in Costa Rica, with an emphasis on quality construction and fine, Old World craftsmanship.

“Two things set us apart,” says Jim Jackson, sales director for The Palms. “We’re directly on the oceanfront. That’s rare for luxury communities in Costa Rica, which are often set back far from the shoreline. Plus, we put a real premium on meeting the same building standards as owners would expect to find in the U.S. People who visit us often remark on the construction values at The Palms and how they are head and shoulders above anywhere else they’ve visited.”

Just 32 select residences grace the enchanted domain of The Palms. Each two-story, two-bedroom condominium boasts panoramic Pacific views and approximately 2,300 square feet of living space. Residences come with vaulted ceilings made of native Costa Rican cedar, cable TV, WiFi, and spacious upper and lower decks with marble flooring. The kitchens come equipped with Sub-Zero refrigerators and Viking appliances. The master bedrooms have bamboo hardwood floors and bathrooms feature marble flooring and granite slab countertops.

A dramatic 19,000-square-foot pool area serves as a focal point of the lushly landscaped grounds and, overlooking the beach, there’s a 1,600-square-foot fitness facility. In addition to 24-hour security, an

attentive staff can help with airport transportation, housekeeping and laundry, and provide pre-arrival grocery stocking services. There is also a rental management program in place.

The nearby Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia makes getting to The Palms, Playa Flamingo an easy matter. And there’s no end to the sights and activities within close distance of the community. For golfers, there’s the Robert Trent Jones, Jr.- designed Garrre de Lion (“Lion’s Paw”) just five miles away. The Mike Young-designed championship course at Hacienda Pinilla is also within easy driving distance.

The nearby waters offer great opportunities for scuba divers, with great visibility and reefs teeming with sea life. Surfers can enjoy one of Costa Rica’s best breaks at nearby Playa Grande and, just to the south, there are several surfing spots at Tamarindo. For boaters, The Palms has plans for a marina, and sports fishermen can take advantage of numerous charter boats in the area.

Those seeking an up-close and personal experience with the majesty of nature need only head to nearby Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park and Santa Rosa National Park. Both feature miles of hiking trails leading to beaches where sea turtles hatch. And several operators offer canopy tours, with

zip lines that send visitors on a thrilling adventure above the treetops.