Forest Returns, which initiated the hacienda, built up a lot of expertise with the development of ‘landgoederen’ (country estates). This happened in close coorporation with Drs. Maarten Mortier of More Trees Consultancy in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.

Examples: Landgoed De Kromte (province of Groningen), Landgoed Sparrendreef (province of Brabant), Landgoed Heidehof (province of Drenthe).

On the other hand, Forest Returns had an office on a country estate itself for many years: Landgoed Heidestein in Driebergen-Rijsenberg (province of Utrecht). Good relations have been built up with other organizations and persons, living and working on country estates in The Netherlands, e.g. with the managing director of ‘Utrechts Landschap’, Ing. Henk Lugtmeijer at Landgoed Oostbroek.

Based on our extensive knowledge and experience we conclude that in The Netherlands:

1. there is a little offer of interesting and promising country estates,
2. licences for solid and sound utilization are hard to get from the bureaucratic authorities,
3. like many other European countries Dutch country life is ‘overruled’
4. even our experienced 11-step program will take you at least 20 to 24 months to be realised,
5. exploitation costs of the estates are relatively high, revenues are relatively low,
6. so the Return of Investment is therefore relatively poor,
7. the effective Return of Investment is almost completely dependant of governmental subsidies,
8. unfortunately it has been proved that Dutch authorities are not always to be trusted,
9. the concrete cash flow based on purely governmental subsidies remains a risk factor,
10. it is difficult to create a tripod spreading of risk: sustainable forestry, hospitality & aqua culture.

Therefore Forest Returns is focusing gradually on other European countries like Belgium, Germany, Poland, France and Scotland and on the tropics as well…

Forest Returns, which initiated the hacienda, built up a lot of expertise with the development of sustainable forestry processes in general in other countries in Europe and more particularly in the tropics. After all, the trees in the tropics are growing much faster and the exploitation costs are much lower than in European countries. Since 1995 we have been building up a strong network of leading organizations in The Netherlands and abroad.

Examples of tropical countries: Costa Rica, Brazil, Ghana, Panama, South Africa and China (Yunnan).

At this moment we have deliberately chosen for the country estate, focussing on Costa Rica because this Central American country is:

1. a well organized country with a surface of 1,3 x tiny country Holland,
2. sparsely populated ; 3.9 Million inhabitants, from which 1/3 in Central Valley,
3. very democratic; more political parties, president chosen for a 4 years term,
4. very stable and peaceful; since 1948 no army, air force or navy…,
5. investing since 1948 considerably in her educational and medical system,
6. an oasis of tranquillity; President Oscar Arias Sanchez received in 1995 the Noble Price for Freedom,
7. not extremely corrupt like many other Latin American countries (could be compared to The Netherlands),
8. not a criminal country, certainly compared to for example Brazil and the Netherlands
9. a trustworthy country, also in the case of subsidy supply,
10. a country with an in-depth recording, for example concerning cadastral property rights,
11. a pro-active ecological oriented country; thus 31% of the area has become protected nature area,
12. a very fertile country owing to the geophysical circumstances (volcanic soils)
13. a rich country in terms of flora and fauna, also owing to its many microclimates
14. a welcoming country to foreigners,who make a positive contribution, also in terms of employment,
15. the country with eco tourism as main source of income (in 2004: 1,4 tourists !)
16. a high ranked country for many Dutch entrepreneurs as emigration and residential destination
17. the ideal country for our tripod spreading of risks: sustainable forestry, hospitality & aqua culture.

Therefore Forest Returns is focusing gradually on Costa Rica to develop step-by-step a multidimensional country estate, called Hacienda la Esperanza.

Since 1995 much experience has been gained with sustainable Sylva Culture in general and with reforestation with Tectona grandis L (teak) in particular. Not only in Costa Rica yet also in Brazil, particularly in the province Mato Grosso on numerous locations, in Ghana (Somanya, Mampong and Dormah) and in Panama (Bocas Del Toro).

When it comes to reforestation the emphasis lies on a sound explatation, both ecologically and economically, and Forest Returns wuill continue this way in the years to come.

However, a country estate offers extra opportunities and will add vital dimensions. After all, ther is more involved than just maintaining of existing plantations and starting new ones. Implicitly it will contribute to the effective financial output such as:

1. primary and secondary forests,
2. fields and pastures,
3. woodlands and other rural assets
4. fallow lands,
5. rivers, rapids, water falls,
6. horse trails, bunch paths and other ways.

We emphasize that a country estate must be able to operate both ecologically and economically correctly and as much as possible independently. With Hacienda la Esperanza we aim to do more than ‘just’ protecting existing trees and planting new trees.

Many dialogues with new share holders and with potential share holders of Hacienda la Esperanza show that it is very satisfying to be able to stay on your own country estate for all sorts of ecological recreation like: horse back riding, sleeping in the hammock, swimming in the river, fishing in ponds, hiking & biking, observation of numerous animal - and plant varieties and also enjoy domestic food that on (y)our own country estate can be harvested.

The choice for tourism in general and for sustainable hospitality in particular is only natural because:

1. Costa Rica is focussing on eco tourism as its most important income source,
2. Costa Rica expects a growing number of tourists (in 2004: 1.5 million tourists),
3. the natural circumstances and the infrastructure on Hacienda la Esperanza are ideal for this,
4. it fulfills the wish of share holders to spread the financial risks,
5. this approach is appropriate as to the idea of a self supporting country estate,
6. shareholders will enjoy to stay also as a tourist on their own country estate,
7. it is important to increase the value of real assets by building ‘casas’, ‘casona’, lodges
8. our guests prefer a central reception desk,
9. we - parallel to forestry and agriculture - can realise earlier dividend cash flow,
10. we will have a good spread in terms of exploitation and staff
11. it gives a new dimension to our company in addition to reforestation, livestock-farming and aqua culture.

We choose deliberately for ‘sustainable aqua culture’ because:

1. there is a strong need for fresh fish in Costa Rica in general,
2. there is a strong growing need for fresh fish, in Peninsula de Nicoya in particular,
3. the natural circumstances and the infrastructure on Hacienda la Esperanza are ideal for it,
4. it fulfills the wish of share holders to spread the financial risks,
5. this approach is appropriate within the idea of a self supporting country estate,
6. most share holders are ‘fisherman's friends’
7. it is important to increase the value of real assets by building our own fish farm
8. our guests prefer to eat fresh fish on Hacienda la Esperanza
9. we - parallel to forestry and hospitality - can realise earlier dividend cash flow,
10. we will have a good spread in terms of exploitation and staff
11. it gives a new dimension to our company in addition to reforestation, livestock-farming and hospitality.

Actually it means a calculation, calculated back in the time over a period of 22 years. All on the basis of a tight mathematical formula called: Internal Rate or Returns (IRR) . This was also in our case: we have calculated per year turnovers and costs and projected into the future. On the advice of people of our thinktank we also considered the value increase of the underlying assets (especially the value of our own 1.000 acres of land). At a certain moment we have implicated the liquidation value of the land in the table, for example in 2026. As a result an output arises on paper of a calculation on an annual basis of 15.60 %.

On the other hand, this is on the one hand the amount per year (dividend output), available for disbursement, and on the other side papers output - particularly by the value increase. That dividend output originates from the effective benefits which can be done on an annual basis to the share holders. The effective cash flow is based on cash money based on cutting trees (teak & pochote), the tenant farming income, profit-sharing of the fishery (‘Pesca San Pedro’) and of sustainable hospitality (rent own lodges, use of our horses and other forms of accommodation for eco tourism) after deducting the relevant costs.

We do it with pleasure, with full conviction and with passion because we continue believe positively in greener making our world. Indeed, Forest Returns…

Based on our vision & mission we have set idealistic aims. Although we can simply earn money in a good manner as well. The captivating and thriving years of living and surviving, years of crowning and chastening as well have shown that fighting for a greener world in which ecological and economical aims can be fulfilled is worthwhile. If we remain aware of the dangers we can still reduce the risks and we can optimize the revenues. As a result it will implicate effectively a reasonable to ample return on investment. Mentally and financially!

Hence our permanent interest for Costa Rica and hence also our focus on acquiring, refinancing, develop, realise and let pay of woody and rural estates.

Thereby business partners Ton Hoegee and Forest Returns both regard the extra work concerning Hacienda la Esperanza as necessary pre-investment as Hacienda la Esperanza has been considered as a role model. State of the art country estate !

We will roll out indeed in the long run more and more of such green and blue ‘carpets’. Although a country estate of 1.000 acres like Hacienda la Esperanza is in Dutch terms with no doubt a large country estate, this comparison in other countries goes lamely. If we take our own experiences in for example Brazil in consideration - like with our Amazonas project of 450,000 acres - an area of 1.000 acres puts little with regard to surface for...

Given relatively restricted the investment scope overlook a country estate of such a size however well and it has been therefore pre-eminently arranged as state of the art process to serve for future - possibly much large-scale - country estate projects. For this reason it is paying, according to us, to put much time relatively...

New joining shareholders can also profit of our broad and deep knowledge and experiences which we have gathered in the previous years. From this point of view a this extra efforts are also considered as a justified invest at the source. In terms of real assets too by becoming owner of the lands and all other underlying assets.

• By showing your serious interest and sending us an e-mail. We will get in touch with you to discuss further details.
• By calling Cor Denneman directly on his phone with number +31 65 123 00 70 an appointment can be set in near future.

At this moment the Costa Rican entity (‘la compañia’) behind the Hacienda, officially called and registered as ‘Hacienda la Esperanza Int. de Heredia S.A.’ is owned by a committed and environmentally concerned group of twelve Dutch both private and business investors.

These fourteen Dutch shareholders -on private base or through company- are in the possession of 100 % of the shares:

• Mr. Cor Denneman
• Mrs. Carla Angevare
• Mr. Ton Lamers
• Mr. Jos van Rooijen
• Dr. Michiel Teunissen MBA
• Dr. Henri Maas Geesteranus
• Mr. Lijndert Pellegrom
• Mr. Thijs Fonville
• Mr. Erik van Vliet
• Mr. Wim Kardol
• Mr. Koos van der Wal RA
• Mrs. Yolande van Wijk
• Mr. Gilles Rubens
• Mr. Hans Loonstra

Yes we can, as we strongly believe in transparency. The management with this kind of investment projects is –as we know from experience- one of the major risk factors. Therefore we have put a lot of extra effort in rebuilding the small but alert and flexible organization since the take over.

Of course we can. Thanks to Charles van Zijll de Jong we gladly show you following map:

Yes there are, as water circulation is a vital element of our total country estate process:

Yes, these kind of maps we can show you as well:

In close coorporation with architects of different disciplines we are developing at this moment a unique ‘El Pueblo Esperanza’. To be realized step by step.

Yes certainly, as you can fulfill your own recreation dreams by using one of more of the areas of interest such as:

1. forestry, by planting your own hardwood tree in our still growing reforestation area
2. hospitality, by living your own life in our typically Costa Rican ‘El Pueblo Esperanza’, even for a couple of days
3. aqua culture by catching your own delightful ‘Pesca San Pedro’ in one of our fish ponds
4. cattle breeding by becoming impressed by the varied livestock on the hacienda
5. agriculture by tasting long forgotten food: fresh products of our fertile fields
6. education by using our field guides to discover real wildlife in our protected primary forests and/or visiting -after a heavy hike- ‘our’ indigenous cemetery & memorial in the Esperanza Mountains
7. sports by hiking, biking, horse back riding, rafting and swimming (waterfalls as well) in the rural world of your own Hacienda

After arriving in San José you can take a smaller plane at the international airport Juan Santamaria and go with Sansa Air to Aeropuerto Playa Tambor. That will take about 25 minutes! If desired we can pick you up at this smaller airport and bring you to directly to Hacienda la Esperanza. The distance, going in the direction of Cobanó, is approximately 25 kilometers. The infra structure is good.

From San José is it rather easy to take the so called Panamerican Highway in the direction of Puntarenas and to take to the boat directly to Paquera. From Paquera it is an easy road trough Tambor in the direction to Cobanó. The distance from Tambor, going in the direction of Cobanó, to Haciernda la Esperanza is approximately 25 kilometers. The infrastructure is good.

If you do not prefer the boat trip via Puntarenas you can go to the north and cross the very sophisticated Puente la Amistad Taiwan, across the Río Tempisque. Then you go south to Paquera. You will see the eastern part of that beautiful Peninsula de Nicoya…

Vacationing at Hacienda la Esperanza is an immeasurable experience for the whole family. Children age 6 years and older, can unravel the magical world of nature right at their fingertips. Animals of the tropical dry forest, like monkeys and deer, live on the hacienda while a lot of birds, like wood storks, ibis, roseate spoonbills and fish-eagles fly around. The functioning hacienda offers a myriad of activities. Learn while observing typical Costa Rican farming; discover all about butterflies in the butterfly farm or go fishing and return with a freshly caught fish for everyone’s dinner. And of course, play for endless hours on our private and safe riverside and lower water falls, enjoying life’s simple pleasures. And what about building their own raft with wood and other sustainable materials from the hacienda itself ?

The Hacienda’s dress code is informal. Guests are encouraged to bring only lightweight, casual clothing, sunscreen, a bathing suit, sturdy shoes or hiking boots and a large beam flashlight. Sansa Air flights have a 25 lb. baggage limit per person. Additional luggage can usually be accommodated for an extra charge.

And don’t worry about bringing much clothes since the lodge offers laundry service!

Check in time begins at 2:00 pm. If you should arrive earlier at Hacienda la Esperanza we will do everything possible to have your ‘casa’ ready. However, if you should have to wait for your ‘casa’ to be ready don’t waist any time! Refresh yourself or enjoy one of our many fascinating tours. The check out time is 11:00 am. If you would like to leave later, please consult the reception area to make appropriate arrangements.

As the fast growing woody plant the bamboo (effectively a type of grass) is very suitable in combination with teak. We did some research in close co-operation with Raymond Keogh of Coillte in Ireland based on their experiences in strong teak and bamboo regions in Asia. Therefore Giant bamboo has been planted nearby the riversides of our Río Arío. Ideally for drainage of our integral reforestation process as well… We have chosen for the species Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus latiflorus and Dendrocalamus brandisii.

Every year, all these species produce edible shoots plus high quality saleable timber culms as a by product for furniture making and construction. These very viable plantations will soon produce more than 10,000kg per hectare of superior edible shoots/year to replace part of Costa Rica’s imports. These major edible shoot producing bamboos are grown in huge plantations in Thailand, Taiwan and China totalling many hundreds of thousands of hectares, and produce salable crops of both timber and edible shoots every year!

Sustainable reforestation remains the core business of Forest Returns as initiator of the seven area vision for Hacienda la Esperanza new style. And teak still is Key Area Number One. Therefore the maintenance of the existing 3 reforestation areas with Tectona grandis (teak) and 1 reforestation area with pochote (botanical family name: Bombacaceae, in Costa Rica named: Cedro espino) has been intensified since 2005.

New hardwood trees will be planted since then. The foreseeing increase of landownership on Peninsula de Nicoya is focused on the increase of teak areas in particular. Using teak –partly in combination with giant bamboo to increase the growth on both sides, based on the competitive capacities of the concerning species (Tectona grandis in the first place, followed by Dendrocalamus asper, Dendrocalamus latiflorus and Dendrocalamus brandisii). We expect to plant until 2008 approximately 4,300,000 new trees, depending of the opportunity to acquire more lands.

So, teak remains our love baby…