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Located in the South East of Spain, Costa Cálida makes up 250km of breath-taking Mediterranean coastline running from Aguilas, near the province of Almeria, through Murcia to the boundary with Alicante. Occupying a total surface area of 11,317km2, this expanse of extraordinary natural beauty is nestled between the Andalucia, Castile-La Mancha and Valencia regions.
With its variable landscapes and famed salt-water lagoon (the Mar Menor), the Costa Cálida has much to offer any visitor. Full of top quality golf courses, it was recently declared the cleanest place in Spain with the lowest level of pollution by the World Health Organisation.
For these reasons, Costa Cálida's popularity as a holiday destination and place in which to purchase a property has grown rapidly and confidence in it is at an all time high. 2007 saw an increase of 18% on tourist figures, miles ahead of the national average of 2% and more importantly an increased economic input of 30% compared to just 3% in the rest of Spain.
Prices of Property on the Costa Calida
As the focus on the Costa Cálida becomes even greater, so prices will rise to reflect the increasing demand making now a great time to invest in a property on the Costa Calida. There are still fantastic deals to be found here as the average property price is still 13% below the national average and while the rest of the Spanish market experienced an overall decline in average property value last year, Costa Cálida saw an increase.
Many of the newest developments on the Costa Cálida revolve around Mar Menor, a warm water oasis renown for its safe, family-friendly beaches. It is a Mecca for every kind of water sport imaginable and considered to be a curative for rheumatism and arthritis.
Some of the main luxury developments on the Costa Calida include the much publicised Polaris World resorts where you will find some magnificent golf properties starting at just 119,800€.
The Polaris World Golf Resorts are divided into two main areas, those around the Mar Menor collectively known as Orillas del Mar Menor (the shores of the Mar Menor) and those located slightly more inland with stunning countryside views collectively known as Condado del Alhama.
Within each of the 'areas' you will find a number of individually designed smaller resorts built around Jack Nicklaus designed golf courses and fully equipped town centres.
If you move away from the coast and into the mountains there
are more superbly priced options to be discovered. Towns like
Jumilla, home to the popular Jumilla Golf & Country Club, steeped
in history and archaeological treasures including a gothic church,
monastery and two museums, are filled with vineyards and magnificent
views over the valleys below. Rustic old buildings in need of
restoration can go for as little as 30,000 euros here while a
new build two bedroom apartment costs from 98,000 euros and a
two bedroom villa 109,000 euros.
Other extremely popular developments in the area include Hacienda del Alamo, Peraleja Golf and Novo Carthago Golf Resort.
Climate on the Costa Calida
With a blissful 315 days of sunshine a year and an average yearly temperature of 18ºc, Costa Cálida offers a little patch of paradise just a short distance from home. Its sizzling summers, which can reach temperatures of 40ºc, create a subtropical climate perfect for long lazy days at the beach or relaxing by the pool.
Rain is scarce and falls mainly in the spring and autumn leaving the summer months free to be enjoyed. During the winter, temperatures in the coast rarely fall below 10ºc (although inland at higher altitudes it can be chillier) making it an ideal place to escape to from the bitter weather of more northern climes.
Geography of the Costa Calida
Costa Cálida literally translated means 'hot coast' and yet the geography of the area is so diverse. The centre and north-west of the province is dominated by pine covered mountain ranges from the Revolcadores to El Carche, La Pila and Sierra Espuna, favourites amongst hikers and nature-lovers alike. For the wine connoisseurs is Atiplano in the north-east (includes the town of Jumilla), a high plateau profuse with vineyards that produces grapes from which the region's much-loved vino is derived.
For such an arid area, it is often surprising how fertile and abundant the land can appear. This is particular true further south in the Campo de Cartagena, close to where the Guadalentín and Segura rivers flow.
The coast itself is proliferated with 200 sandy beaches interspersed with rocky cliffs and shores. Home to a wide range of fauna and flora, there are many protected areas of natural beauty here of particular interest to naturalists.
Costa Cálida even boasts the largest open-area of mud baths in Europe found in a little town called Lo Pagan. The mud provides a soothing treatment for people with eczema and other skin complaints.
How to get to the Costa Calida
The Costa Cálida is approximately a two-hour flight from the UK. Of the two closest airports, Alicante International is the largest, although the smaller San Javier airport in Murcia features a considerable number of airlines that make direct flights from the UK. Valencia and Granada provide alternative options but are considerably further out.
Driving from the UK takes an average of 2 days. From the French border you join the A7 which goes all the way to Costa Cálida or for a more scenic, though slightly longer route, the coastal road offers spectacular views.
By train the journey lasts roughly a day from start to finish, taking the Eurostar from London to Paris, overnight 'trainhotel' from Paris to Barcelona and then the high-speed Euromed from Barcelona to Alicante.
Note: Airlines that fly from the UK to the airports listed are Iberia, British Midland, EasyJet, BMIBaby, MyTravelLite, Jet2, Air Berlin, Norwegian Air Shuttle, FlyGlobeSpain, Fly Monarch, Flybe, Air Europa, Ryanair, ThomsonFly and the usual charter airlines.
Costa Calida Property Services
When purchasing your property in the Costa Calida area you may be interested to know that we can also advise you on a select number of partner companies offering services of use to you. If you have purchased a property on one of the new developments in Murcia you may be interested to know of the Snagging Spain property services on offer to ensure your property is delivered to you by the developer in the top quality of standards you are expecting. If you need to get around the area then our chosen partner company offering car hire Murcia airport will also search for the best deals around for you.
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