Setting a new standard for equitable and sustainable Costa Rican developments

Tourism that doesn’t come at a cost

Like many new holiday destinations, tourism comes at a cost. In Guanacaste, property values have surged by 400% in the last years, resulting in the displacement of local communities and the straining of natural resources. While traditional development models prioritize exclusivity, pricing out residents and limiting public life, Parque Tempisque offers an alternative. Gehl worked on the masterplan for a zero-profit, community-focused development that provides high-quality, affordable housing while restoring biodiversity and improving climate resilience.

Gehl’s masterplan embraces the site’s natural landscape, ensuring 70% of the development is dedicated to nature. Existing trees shape public spaces, while green corridors connect two rivers, Tempisque River and the Las Palmas River rivers, creating Costa Rica’s largest ecological corridor to support biodiversity, manage flooding, and provide comfortable public spaces for people.

Parque Tempisque is more than a housing project; it is a blueprint for equitable, sustainable development. By offering affordable housing — 30% below market cost — the district integrates people from all walks of life, from executives and expats to local communities. Rooted in community and environmental stewardship, it sets a new standard for Costa Rica’s future, proving that development can serve both people and nature.