Costa Calida is the Mediterranean coastline of the province of Murcia found in the Levante region.  It stretches out for 120 kilometers from El Mojón beach in the north, near the Alicante province, up to the vicinity of the municipality of Águilas in the south.  In which, it borders near the province of Almería.  At the northern end of its 120 kilometer stretch is the near landlocked salt water lagoon known as Mar Menor.  Occupying an expanse of 170 square kilometers, this coastal lagoon is the largest in Europe, where by, it is separated from the Mediterranean by a 22 kilometer strip of land called La Manga.  Much of the international tourism in the region is concentrated on this strip of land.

Costa Calida shares many of the features associated with the region, such as its high temperatures.  Costa Calida, in fact, translates to English as “warm coast”.  The region experiences hot mean annual temperatures, hence providing Levante with 316 sunny days all-year round.  Its relative aridity averages less than 34 centimeters annually, making water historically in shortage.

There are various reasons that make costa Calida attractive and a favorite destination amongst its visitors.  One of these is Costa Calida’s easy accessibility through air travel.  There are two airports that foreign travelers can use when visiting Costa Calida or the region of Levante.  These are the San Javier airport in Murcia and Alicante’s major international airport, which is located an hour’s drive away to the north.

Another factor contributing to the attractiveness of Costa Calida and Murcia is Mar Menor’s therapeutic clay that are claimed to be beneficial for different ailments, such as rheumatism and arthritis.  This provides the area as a significant spa industry, where in, this incredible clay is used in these spa centers to detoxify and rejuvenate the body, as well as to clarify and heal the skin.  In addition, the World health Organization had recently declared the province of Murcia as the cleanest area in Spain, with the least industrial pollution.

The main attraction of Costa Calida is undeniably its beaches and the variety of water sport activities that one can partake in with Costa Calida and Mar Menor’s warm waters.  Engaging in water sport activities, such as sailing, water and jet skiing, and  wind surfing, are best done during the summer months as the water of Mar Menor rise to that of a warm bath.  In addition, the shallow lagoon makes it a perfect location for learning such activities, as well as the ideal location for children’s safe bathing. 

Some of Murcia’s prominent fine beaches include the still waters of  l Mojón in San Pedro del Pinatar; Playa del Paseo Parra which is one of the major beaches in Águilas; La Puntica in Lo Pagán which is a beach most ideal for water sports; Puerto de Mazarrón in Mazarrón which is ideal for scuba diving; Calabardina in Calabardina and a beach most suitable for young children; the family-frequented Las Tortugas in Calarreona; the gravel beach Cañada del Negro in El Charcón; and the small sheltered beach cove of Ensenada de la Fuente in Cope.

Aside from the beaches, Costa Calida has one of the most prominent tourist resorts found in the region. It is none other than the exclusive 1,400-acre holiday paradise of La Manga Club.   It was once voted as European category winner in the World Travel Awards and boasts of three world-class golf courses, a tennis center at par with the most finest in Europe, a roster of superb restaurants, the five-star Hyatt Hotel and a casino, as well as carrying every possible facility imaginable for sports and leisure.  Holiday accommodations in this exclusive resort are also provided within villages of self-catering apartments and villas.  These accommodations have easy access to communal facilities, such as indoor and outdoor pools with waterfalls, poolside bars, and spa baths.

In spite of its many inherent attractions, Costa Calida has relatively escaped overdevelopment and commercialization, which had spoiled many areas in the Spanish Mediterranean coast.   It is, therefore, not surprising that Costa Calida has remained largely overlooked by foreign tourists, until recently.  The Costa Calida property market is currently well-established and has become a very popular investment region, particularly for those who are seeking a change from the more popular regions of Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca.  Costa Calida’s most agreeable climate and its low house prices have all added to its attraction for property investment.  New property developments, as well as resale properties, are found in the towns and cities that surround Costa Calida.

First of these cities is Murcia, which is Built on a riverbank, and enjoys high temperatures and sunshine all-year round.  The city is considered by many as one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Spain.  Its historically-laced past is quite apparent with the monuments and historical buildings found in almost every corner of the city.   These historical treasures are well-cared for as evident with the pristine condition of these monuments and buildings.  Murcia is also a university city, whereby it possesses quite a notable, yet massive university building.  Surrounding the university area are vibrant bars and interesting restaurants that caters to students, visitors, or locals alike.

Another historically-laced city in Costa Calida is the small city of Cartagena.  This old roman port affords anyone a trip back into Roman times with the emblematic buildings and the numerous archeological finds found in the city. 

Mazarron, on the other hand, provides its visitors a peculiar combination of leisure, history, and culture.  This town is home to 35 kilometers of pristine beaches with a rocky bed that is most ideal for scuba diving, and a port richly laced with excellent restaurants that serve equally excellent seafood.  Also found in the area is the lively tourist center of Lo Pagán, wherein one could find a great variety of hotels, restaurants, and bars.  It is also one of Costa Calida’s most premiere locations to engage in water sports.  Yet, in spite of the modern recreational features found in Mazarron, the town also boasts of various interesting historical details that the town had come to witness through the centuries.  One only has to look at the nearby defensive towers of Caballos and Cumbre, the church of San Andrés and its remarkable ceilings, and the ruins of Castle Vélez.

Aguilas is the last town in Murcia before one enters Almería.  This port town is one of the most popular tourist towns on the Coast.  It boasts of an extensive coastline of unspoiled beaches and private coves, as well as a town center that prides itself of its remarkable gardens and interesting buildings.  Indeed, the town offers its visitors the unique combination of recreational and cultural activities.

The other towns and areas that surround Mar Menor are also quite as notable as the previously mentioned areas.  These areas include La Manga del Mar Menor, and the islands at the south of the lagoon.  At the interior are the landlocked municipalities of Man Menor, which are   Los Alcázares, San Javier and San Pedro del Pinatar.

There are numerous residential property developments found in costa Calida.  A few of these are United Golf Resorts - La Tercia, Hacienda del Alamo Golf Resort, Corvera Golf & Country Club, Peraleja Golf, Mediterranean Lands, Nueva Ribera Beach Club, Jardines de Taray, Frondoso Valley, Sucina Golf & Country Club, Los Altos de Las Palas, La Perla del Mar Menor, Las Kalendas, Puertomar La Manga, Torre Alcantara, Hacienda San Cayetano, El Castillo Golf Resort, and Palatinum Mosa Trajectum.

Thus, some new and on-going property developments found in Murcia include the Las Torrentas, Frondoso Valley, Murcia Country Homes, La Tercia Real, and the Polaris Golf Resorts in Las Terrazas de la Torre, La Loma, Hacienda Riquelme, and El Valle.