A family story rooted in Guanacaste
From a small town in Costa Rica to Wisconsin and back — the personal journey behind Guanacaste Property Services.
Born from a dream in Río Oro
Guanacaste Property Services was born from a dream that began many years ago in the small town of Río Oro, near Hojancha, Costa Rica.
Where my story began
My name is Christian Lopez, and I was born and raised in Guanacaste. Growing up in a rural community taught me the values that still guide my life today: hard work, family, honesty, respect, and helping others whenever possible.
In 1997, I left Costa Rica in search of new opportunities and began working for Carnival Cruise Lines. During that time, I met my wife, Michelle, while we were both working onboard. We fell in love, married in 1999, and together built a life that has now spanned more than 27 years. Along the way, we were blessed with two wonderful sons who are now young adults.
Wisconsin became home, but never replaced it
After moving to Wisconsin, we built our home, raised our family, and pursued our careers. I earned my degree from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and spent many years working in the private sector.
While Wisconsin became our home, Costa Rica never stopped being part of who we are.
Always finding our way back
Over the years, we returned to Guanacaste whenever possible, staying connected to our family, friends, and community. I still own property in Río Oro and hope that one day Michelle and I will return permanently to the place where my story began.
As we started planning for the future, we wanted to create something meaningful—something that would connect our life in the United States with our roots in Costa Rica.
That vision became Guanacaste Property Services.
A bridge between two worlds we love
Our mission is simple: help English-speaking homeowners, vacation property owners, retirees, and expatriates connect with trusted local craftsmen and service providers throughout Guanacaste. Having lived in both cultures, we understand the challenges that many homeowners face when trying to find reliable local help, communicate project expectations, and navigate a different language and way of doing business.
This business is also deeply personal because it allows us to support a lifelong friend from my hometown. A talented craftsman with a passion for woodworking, he creates beautiful custom furniture, pergolas, planter systems, outdoor living projects, and handcrafted pieces designed for the tropical lifestyle that makes Costa Rica so special.
Together, we hope to build more than beautiful projects. We hope to build trust, lasting relationships, and a bridge between local craftsmanship and the homeowners who appreciate quality work.
More than a business, Guanacaste Property Services is a reflection of our family, our friendships, our community, and our lifelong connection to Guanacaste.
Thank you for visiting our website. We look forward to helping you create something beautiful.
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