Jen Harter

Jen was born and raised in the mountains east of San Jose, daughter to American parents but raised as a Costa Rican. She grew up in a fully bilingual and bicultural household. Her family always enjoyed escaping the Central Valley and going to the beach on weekends and holidays, mainly Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula.

Jen decided to go take a year off before starting university and moved to Malpais, the day after her high school graduation, a decision that would forever change her life. Living in the Santa Teresa area was a heart opening, eye opening experience that filled her with inspiration. That year she fell in love with the southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula and all its magic, she began body boarding and practicing yoga, she met some wonderful people and her vision of the life she wanted to live took shape. Jen then moved to Barcelona, Spain for here college years and double majored in photography and hotel management with the idea and great anticipation of returning to the Santa Teresa area with a more permanent status.

Since settling back in Santa Teresa full time, she has worked in several high end boutique hotels, owned a bookshop, and has had a wonderful photography career. More recently she has gotten involved with real estate and very much enjoys sharing insight to her community and bridging the cultural gap with foreigners and her beloved Santa Teresa. In addition, she is very interested in environmental issues, and actively trying to help the sustainable development of her growing town. Jen is also an active member and on the board of directors of the Nicoya Peninsula Waterkeepers, a non-profit organization working hard to protect the waters of the Nicoya Peninsula.

Jen is married to a wonderful man, Anthony, and has a beautiful daughter, Ani Ray.