Follow Him or Run From Him: Mad Max (Mel Gibson) is Taking on Guanacaste, Costa Rica

"They say people don't believe in heroes anymore. Well damn them! You and me, Max, we're gonna give them back their heroes!"

This is a heads-up for those of you who love celebrities and believe that having a "star" in the neighborhood will increase property prices. This is also a heads up for those of you want as much distance as possible between you and the paparazzi, hangers-on, and wide-eyed gawkers that seem to follow the Hollywood set.

Mad Max is moving in.

Straight from the horse's mouth: Mel Gibson bought property in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The actor and director confirmed rumors of a real estate purchase during a recent visit to Costa Rica, in which Gibson talked with local press. The press had gathered not only to ask about the purchase, but also because Gibson had just met with Costa Rica President Oscar Arias at the latter's home in San Jose, the nation's capital.

According to local media, Arias agreed to meet Gibson because the Hollywood celeb plans to make a sizeable donation to help indigenous groups in Costa Rica. Gibson wanted the President's advice as to how the money should be channeled, and is expected to return to Costa Rica in a month's time to finalize details.

Less than 2% of Costa Rica's population consists of native inhabitants. Costa Rica is home to 22 indigenous reserves populated by Bribri, Cabecar, Boruca, Guaymi (also known as Ngobe-Bugle), Huetar, Maleku (also known as Guatuso), Chorotega and Terraba tribes. The Costa Rica government passed important laws to protect these tribes and their lands in 1973 and 1977, but has come under fire for allegedly failing to protect indigenous land rights.

Gibson launched his career playing the leather-clad post-apocalyptic survivor in George Miller's film, Mad Max. But he is perhaps most famous for his role as Martin Riggs, a suicidal homicide cop in the "Lethal Weapon" film series (the first one was released in 1987). More recently, however, Gibson has come under heavy criticism for writing and directing a gory film about the Maya culture called "Apocalypto." Critics feel the 2006 film misrepresents the Maya and indigenous culture. Gibson has also been accused of making discriminatory remarks, among them anti-Semitic remarks, so some see the Costa Rica donation as an attempt for the star to redeem himself by helping underprivileged ethnic groups.

It's no surprise Mel Gibson fell for Costa Rica. The nation is big on conservation, with some 27% of its land preserved in over 180 protected areas. It is also one of earth's most bio-diverse areas, housing 5% of the earth's flora and fauna. The northwestern Guanacaste province, named after the national tree by the same name, is developing its reputation as a beach haven with miles of uncrowded Pacific beaches. New direct flights to the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, capital of Guanacaste, has made the world-famous beaches here much more accessible.

President Arias is pushing to make things easier on foreign residents in Costa Rica with immigration reform proposals. And it's no wonder-according to recently announced estimates from the Costa Rica Central Bank, foreigners like Gibson invested at least $192 million in property here in the first three months of 2007. That figure is nearly triple what was recorded in the first three months of 2006, and already nearly half of what the bank estimates for all of 2007. Just think what might happen if Oprah Winfrey and Tom Cruise decide to set up house here…

Your Latin America Insider,

Suzan Haskins
for International Living

P.S. Want to live near Mad Max? Join us for our upcoming Live and Prosper in Costa Rica Seminar. Don't want to live near Mad Max? Join us for our upcoming Live and Prosper in Costa Rica Seminar, November 5-7. We'll tell you the best places in Costa Rica to make your tropical dreams come true. And we'll introduce you to the people who can help you do it. As Jim Goose, the top cop in Mad Max says, "You've heard it…and you're still asking questions?"