Are you planning a tropical vacation full of lush jungles, secluded beaches and friendly people, but not too expensive? Costa Rica is the place to go! But where do you stay, a resort or a private villa? Do you want long lines, crowded pools, kids running down the aisles? I do not think so.
Selecting the best vacation rental in Costa Rica can be the difference between a great vacation and one where you feel like you’re ‘doing without’.
Many vacationers consider Costa Rica vacation rentals to be ‘just a place to stay’ as most of their time will be spent in or on the water, or enjoying the local attractions. Don’t make that mistake. There’s no reason to settle for less when, with a little planning, you can find a great Costa Rica vacation rental that you’ll enjoy as much or more than the other parts of your vacation.
Remember, your vacation home is where you will sleep, wake up, have many of your meals, and rest.
If it’s rainy or unusually hot outside of the season, you might end up stretched out reading a book to get through the day or looking forward to watching one of your favorite DVD movies, assuming there’s a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you’ll want a nice place to entertain. Shouldn’t your vacation rental be a leisurely getaway with the amenities that make vacationing a real joy? “A home away from home”
Here are 10 tips for selecting the perfect vacation rental in Costa Rica:
1. The most important factor is whether or not you can “see” actual recent photos of the interior and exterior of the vacation rental. It’s one thing to read a great description, and some of it is quite ‘complementary’ (sometimes too much), but you need to see what you’re getting.
With the Internet, a website is the fastest and most convenient way to get information on potential vacation rentals in Costa Rica. If there are no photos, you’ll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books, and guides are good, but may have outdated information.
2. Make a list of the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will feel incomplete. Next, write down the ones that are nice to have, but not the ones that are deal breakers if they’re not available.
With these lists as a guide, you can quickly weed out rentals that don’t meet your needs. Your list may include proximity to the water, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type of kitchen (full versus refrigerator and microwave), outdoor amenities like decks and BBQ grills, ocean views, private pools, outdoor dining areas outdoors, tennis courts and other items. important to you.
On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing around or a pool waterfall for soothing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers to enjoy your favorite music by the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks, especially in the heat of the day.
3. List the activities you want to be able to enjoy during your vacation. A morning activity such as scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour and then returning to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.
You should also consider how close the vacation rental is to the airport. It is very important to know how far the rental is from your arrival airport. Some rentals can take a half day of driving and after your flight, even an hour of driving can seem like an eternity. Your travel time from airport to departure can also put a damper on your entire vacation. Enjoying the last morning of your vacation by a private pool instead of traveling for hours to the airport can be very important to you. For Costa Rica vacation rentals that are just 20 minutes from the Liberia International Airport, visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will help you select a general location.
You should also consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to attractions.
Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bike everywhere. Others don’t mind a short drive, and others don’t think anything of taking a freeway to enjoy the attractions.
If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking hassles, crowds and long lines, select a villa located in the picturesque coastal town of Playa Panama, Costa Rica. Visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com for more information.
4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates to rent the villa.
With multiple dates, you’ll save time when making arrangements.
If you find a villa you really want and have some flexibility in scheduling, having alternative dates ready allows you to book right then and there, saving you the time and hassle of rechecking everyone’s schedule and calling back, and risking lose them. dates in the meantime.
5. Call the vacation rental phone numbers that seem to meet your needs and speak directly to the owners or the person in charge of the property.
Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you to compare apples to apples and prevents you from forgetting something important during the conversation.
It also gives you an idea of who will be your contact in case you rent the villa and then have a problem. If you don’t receive a warm welcome for your inquiries, don’t expect anything different when you have a problem.
6. Ask what services are included.
You may learn something that is not on your list but is perfect for your plans.
Does the rental have maid service? The last thing you want to do is make the beds or wash the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher.
Does the rental have a washer and dryer? If so, you won’t have to take as many clothes with you. Will the maid wash your clothes before your departure? Coming home with a suitcase full of clean rags is definitely a benefit.
Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have essential items in the fridge for you before you arrive? Can you make arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans, and other essentials for eating and preparing food, or will you need to bring your own?
Does the rental have air conditioning or do you have to rely on the winds to be comfortable?
7. Find out about nearby restaurants, events and activities, and other forms of local entertainment. This is where your list of preferred activities comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions, calendars, and restaurants on your Costa Rica vacation rental website.
8. Do you own the premises or do you have a management team that helps 24/7?
The owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on out of the way places not in the guidebooks. They also care about your enjoyment and comfort in your villa.
This can make a big difference; especially if something needs immediate attention in the villa. There’s nothing worse than calling the rental company about a clogged bathroom only to find someone’s bored teenager who’s in charge of the phones for the summer.
9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals?
If the landlord has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect and how to get things done.
If it is a new company, be careful. The owner may be in this for “fun” and have no idea how to prepare the villa so you can have a great vacation.
10. And finally, when you look at the photos, do you see yourself having a good time there?
If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the answers to the questions above satisfy you, you’ve found a great vacation rental in Costa Rica!
