A chance to start again, to live on the cheap and close to the land.  A lush climate, rich soil, abundant wildlife, warm people, away from overcrowded streets and skyrocketing property taxes.  A region supporting all the modern conveniences but with a touch of yesterday still lingering.  If any of this appeals to you, then we cordially invite you to discover what ALTAGRACIA COUNTRY ESTATES has to offer.

Located just a short drive from the historic town of Bolivar, Venezuela, the 2,580-acre Altagracia estate has been as a working cattle ranch by an American with over forty years in the trade.  The property consists of open pasture and scattered copses of trees, and is flanked by two small rivers.  The pastures are fenced and cross-fenced.   Construction on the property has thus far been limited to seven homes, and as the parcels are being sold in 100-acre tracts, there is no danger of your country estate turning into a subdivision.  However, due to the cheap cost of labor and materials in Venezuela, construction costs are extremely low; you can erect a 2000 sq. ft. house here from start to finish for under $40,000.

Should you desire to use your property for something other than raising cattle, the land here is extremely versatile.  Rainfall is abundant, the soil is rich and ripe for planting any number of cash crops, and irrigation is guaranteed by the two rivers which flank the property.

Altagracia’s bucolic setting also provides an ideal playground for the outdoor sportsman. The Orinoco, Venezuela’s largest river, runs within view of the property and offers world-class river fishing (morocoto, cabote andpeacock bass are local favorites) in addition to sailing, canoeing, and kayaking. The property also serves as home to an abundance of quail and dove, perfect for the hunter who wants to shoot his dinner from his doorstep.  And for all aspiring sun-worshippers, the Venezuelan beaches, including international hotspot Margarita Island, are just a three hour drive away.

Altagracia is located in the state of Bolivar, Venezuela, just five miles from the center of the state capital, Ciudad de Bolivar. A charming riverfront town rich in history and colonial architecture, Ciudad Bolivar dates back to 1595, when it was known as Santo Tomé de Guayana.  The following centuries saw the city undergo various transformations, its rich resources attracting the brunt of Spanish colonialism and frequent pirate attacks for over two hundred years.  Then in the late eighteenth century Simon Bólivar rose from these streets and led his people in an uprising against colonial Spain, during which he became known as  “the George Washington of South America,”  Bólivar remains an important symbol of Latin America’s independence, and thousands of tourists flock to the city every year to celebrate this hero of the people.

The modern-day Ciudad Bolivar has grown into a bustling economic and cultural hub, with an estimated population of 400,000 people.  Home to the Jesús Soto Museum of Modern Art and several prominent South American universities, Bolivar’s air of sophistication attracts a large number of visitors every year, while maintaining the look and feel of a small town.  Located just sixty-five miles to the east is the industrial city of Puerto Ordaz.   For those who miss the serious hustle of urban life, Puerto Ordaz will provide, with large and elegant shopping malls, a generous selection of boutiques and luxury items, with an estimated population of one million.

Need to breathe the ocean air?  Venezuela’s beaches are just a three-hour drive north on Highway 16, where you can see coconut trees bend down to kiss the clear blue water.  Several ferries are available that can transport you and your vehicle to Margarita Island, an international resort destination renowned for the tranquility and cleanliness of its beaches and the excitement of its nightlife.  And less than three hours to the south, a lush, mountainous region rises up, where pristine national parks provide a jungle home to the last of the indigenous Caribs, as well as Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world.

The state of Bolivar, Venezuela has a year-round tropical climate, and the days and nights roll by in equal measure. The day begins with temperatures at about 72º F and gradually increases until midday to a high of 85º to 92º F.   The nights and mornings are cool and pleasant, while the afternoons stay quite warm. Rainfall in the area is very predictable and seasonal. The dry months are February, March, and April; periodic showers begin in late April or early May, abundant rainfall through October, when it then tapers off through the rest of the year.

Contrary to sensationalist reporting by the U.S. press, the economy of Venezuela is very strong and consumer spending is robust.  A healthy market exists for imported goods, and international brand-name products are available at every major retailer.  Venezuela’s industrial sector relies heavily upon foreign investment; recent reactionary political activity pertains exclusively to large multinational corporations seeking to dominate its resources. While there are certainly reasons for a foreigner to invest cautiously, there is nothing to indicate any trouble on the horizon for the private landowner.  In fact, foreign ownership of property has been increasing steadily for years.

This may have something to do with the quality of life and low cost of living found in Venezuela.  For instance, in addition to the cheap cost of labor and supplies, gasoline prices here are the lowest in the world- regular unleaded costs 13 cents/gallon, and diesel just 8 cents/gallon.  Electricity for one’s home costs about one third of what one pays in the U.S.   Medical and dental costs are also significantly lower, Venezuela having fostered the growth and support of state-of-the-art private hospitals, doctors and dentists.

These benefits have caused the cost of land to rise steadily for the last decade.  That and the lack of ad valorem property taxes has provided investors with strong, intelligent incentives.  And because the cost of living remains low, one’s dollar tends to walk a bit farther than it would in other parts of the world.   Simply put, people that make a decent wage here don't have to spend it all simply to live.

Ciudad Bolivar has been developed near to capacity, with little vacant land left in the surrounding area.  Even in a very poor neighborhood the cost of a house site starts at five thousand dollars, running to the several hundred thousand dollar range in the betters areas of town.

Its tropical climates, fertile soil, proximity to the coast, the tranquility of its surroundings, and limited growth potential all make Altagracia an attractive investment opportunity.  Currently ten land tracts are being offered at $3500 an acre.  Mr. Heard has confidence in this land that he has worked for many years, and believes you will, too; to that end, he is offering 90% financing to those who qualify for a term of twenty years, at 8% interest.

For more information on Altagracia Estates and investing in Venezuela in general, feel free to contact the owner at: