10 Tips For Selecting The Perfect Costa Rica Vacation Rental
by: Paul Orr
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 up and down the corridors? I think not.
Selecting the best Costa Rica vacation rental can be the difference between
a great vacation and one where you feel like you are ‘doing without’.
Many vacationers consider the Costa Rica vacation rental as ‘just
somewhere to stay’ since most of your time will be spent in or on the water, or
enjoying local attractions. Don’t make that mistake. There is 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’ll be sleeping, waking up,
having many of your meals, and resting. If it rains or is unseasonably hot
outside, you may end up stretched out reading a book to while away the day or
wanting to watch one of your favorite movies on the DVD – assuming there is
a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you’ll want someplace
nice for entertaining. Shouldn’t your vacation rental be a pleasant get-away
with the amenities that make vacations a real treat? “A home away from home”
COSTA RICA VACATION RENTAL TIPS
Here are 10 tips for selecting the perfect Costa Rica vacation rental:
1. The single 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 them are quite ‘complimentary’
(sometimes overly so) - but you need to see what you are getting.
With the Internet, a website is the quickest most convenient way for you to get
information on prospective Costa Rica vacation rentals. If there are no
pictures, you’ll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books and guides
are nice, but may have out-dated information.
2. List the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will
feel incomplete. Next, jot down those that are nice to have, but not deal-
breakers if not available.
With these lists as a guide, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate those rentals
that won’t meet your needs. Your list might include proximity to the water, the
number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type kitchen (full versus fridge and
microwave), outdoor amenities such as decks and BBQ grills, ocean views,
private pools, outdoor eating areas, tennis courts and other items important to
you.
On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing about,
or pool waterfall for the relaxing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers, to enjoy
your favorite music around the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks,
especially in the heat of the day.
3. List the activities that you want to be able to enjoy while on vacation. A
morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back
to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.
You also need to 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 a day’s drive and after your flight even an hour’s drive
can seem an eternity. Your travel time back to the airport at departure can also
frustrate your entire vacation. Enjoying your 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 only 20 minutes from the Liberia
International airport visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will
help you in selecting a general location.
You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the
attractions.
Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bicycle
everywhere. Others don’t mind a short drive, and still others think nothing of
getting on a freeway to enjoy attractions.
If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking problems, crowds
and long lines, select a villa located in the quaint waterfront town of Playa
Panama, Costa Rica. Visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn
more.
4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting the villa. With
several dates, you’ll save time when making arrangements.
If you find a villa that you really want and you have some flexibility in
scheduling, having alternate dates ready allows you to book right then, saving
yourself the time and hassle of having to re-check everyone’s schedule and
call back – and risking losing those dates in the interim.
5. Call the telephone numbers for the vacation rentals that seem to
meet your needs and speak directly with either the owners or the person who
is handling the property. Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you
to compare apples to apples, and keeps you from forgetting something
important during the conversation.
It also gives you a feel for the person who will be your contact should you rent
the villa and then encounter a problem. If you don’t get a warm, friendly
welcome to your inquiries, don’t expect anything different when you have a
problem.
6. Ask what amenities are included.
You may learn of something that’s not on your list but is perfect for your plans.
Does the rental have maid service? Last thing you want to do is make the
beds or clean the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher. Does the rental have
a washer and dryer? If so, you will not have to take as many cloths with you.
Will the maid wash your cloths before your departure? Coming home with a
suitcase full of clean cloths is certainly a benefit.
Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have
essential items in the refrigerator for you, before your arrival? Can you make
arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other
essentials for eating and meal preparation – or will you have to bring your
own? Does the rental have air condition or do you have to depend on the
winds to comfort you?
7. Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local
entertainment that are close by. Here’s where your list of preferred activities
comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions.
calendars and restaurants on the website of your Costa Rica vacation rental.
8. Are the owners local or do they have a management team helping 24/7?
Owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on
great out-of-the-way places that aren’t in the guidebooks. They also care
about your enjoyment and comfort while at their villa.
This can make a huge difference; especially should something need
immediate attention in the villa. There’s nothing worse than calling the rental
company about a stopped-up toilet and getting somebody’s bored teenager
who’s manning the phones for the summer.
9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals?
If the owner has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect
and how to get things done.
If this is a new venture, beware. The owner may be in it for “fun” and have no
idea how to prepare the villa so that you can have a great vacation.
10. And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a
great time there? If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the
answers to the questions above meet your satisfaction, you’ve found yourself
a great Costa Rica vacation rental!
About The Author
We traveled to Costa Rica on vacation in 2001. Fell in love with the people and
their country. Purchased property on the last day of our vacation and built a
villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and
five bedroom villa's available, all of which are surrounded by Costa Rica’s
biodiversity and over looking the Pacific Ocean. Find more useful information
about Costa Rica by visiting our web site.
www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
info@costarica-vacation-getaway.com
by: Paul Orr
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 up and down the corridors? I think not.
Selecting the best Costa Rica vacation rental can be the difference between
a great vacation and one where you feel like you are ‘doing without’.
Many vacationers consider the Costa Rica vacation rental as ‘just
somewhere to stay’ since most of your time will be spent in or on the water, or
enjoying local attractions. Don’t make that mistake. There is 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’ll be sleeping, waking up,
having many of your meals, and resting. If it rains or is unseasonably hot
outside, you may end up stretched out reading a book to while away the day or
wanting to watch one of your favorite movies on the DVD – assuming there is
a comfortable sofa. And when you meet new friends, you’ll want someplace
nice for entertaining. Shouldn’t your vacation rental be a pleasant get-away
with the amenities that make vacations a real treat? “A home away from home”
COSTA RICA VACATION RENTAL TIPS
Here are 10 tips for selecting the perfect Costa Rica vacation rental:
1. The single 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 them are quite ‘complimentary’
(sometimes overly so) - but you need to see what you are getting.
With the Internet, a website is the quickest most convenient way for you to get
information on prospective Costa Rica vacation rentals. If there are no
pictures, you’ll know right away to keep looking. Brochures, books and guides
are nice, but may have out-dated information.
2. List the amenities that are important to you, the ones without which you will
feel incomplete. Next, jot down those that are nice to have, but not deal-
breakers if not available.
With these lists as a guide, you’ll be able to quickly eliminate those rentals
that won’t meet your needs. Your list might include proximity to the water, the
number of bedrooms and bathrooms, type kitchen (full versus fridge and
microwave), outdoor amenities such as decks and BBQ grills, ocean views,
private pools, outdoor eating areas, tennis courts and other items important to
you.
On your secondary list, you might have things like a hammock for lazing about,
or pool waterfall for the relaxing sounds. Exterior stereo speakers, to enjoy
your favorite music around the pool. Ice makers to mix your favorite drinks,
especially in the heat of the day.
3. List the activities that you want to be able to enjoy while on vacation. A
morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back
to the villa to relax may be a high priority for you.
You also need to 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 a day’s drive and after your flight even an hour’s drive
can seem an eternity. Your travel time back to the airport at departure can also
frustrate your entire vacation. Enjoying your 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 only 20 minutes from the Liberia
International airport visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com. This will
help you in selecting a general location.
You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the
attractions.
Some people feel that a great vacation is being able to walk or bicycle
everywhere. Others don’t mind a short drive, and still others think nothing of
getting on a freeway to enjoy attractions.
If you prefer a vacation without the hassles of traffic, parking problems, crowds
and long lines, select a villa located in the quaint waterfront town of Playa
Panama, Costa Rica. Visit http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn
more.
4. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting the villa. With
several dates, you’ll save time when making arrangements.
If you find a villa that you really want and you have some flexibility in
scheduling, having alternate dates ready allows you to book right then, saving
yourself the time and hassle of having to re-check everyone’s schedule and
call back – and risking losing those dates in the interim.
5. Call the telephone numbers for the vacation rentals that seem to
meet your needs and speak directly with either the owners or the person who
is handling the property. Be prepared with a list of questions. This allows you
to compare apples to apples, and keeps you from forgetting something
important during the conversation.
It also gives you a feel for the person who will be your contact should you rent
the villa and then encounter a problem. If you don’t get a warm, friendly
welcome to your inquiries, don’t expect anything different when you have a
problem.
6. Ask what amenities are included.
You may learn of something that’s not on your list but is perfect for your plans.
Does the rental have maid service? Last thing you want to do is make the
beds or clean the dishes, even if there is a dishwasher. Does the rental have
a washer and dryer? If so, you will not have to take as many cloths with you.
Will the maid wash your cloths before your departure? Coming home with a
suitcase full of clean cloths is certainly a benefit.
Other things to consider: Is there a welcome basket? Will the owner have
essential items in the refrigerator for you, before your arrival? Can you make
arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other
essentials for eating and meal preparation – or will you have to bring your
own? Does the rental have air condition or do you have to depend on the
winds to comfort you?
7. Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local
entertainment that are close by. Here’s where your list of preferred activities
comes in handy. You should be able to find links to local attractions.
calendars and restaurants on the website of your Costa Rica vacation rental.
8. Are the owners local or do they have a management team helping 24/7?
Owners are a wealth of information about the area and can give you tips on
great out-of-the-way places that aren’t in the guidebooks. They also care
about your enjoyment and comfort while at their villa.
This can make a huge difference; especially should something need
immediate attention in the villa. There’s nothing worse than calling the rental
company about a stopped-up toilet and getting somebody’s bored teenager
who’s manning the phones for the summer.
9. How long has the owner been renting vacation rentals?
If the owner has worked with rental properties, they know what tenants expect
and how to get things done.
If this is a new venture, beware. The owner may be in it for “fun” and have no
idea how to prepare the villa so that you can have a great vacation.
10. And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a
great time there? If the pictures make you want to go right now, and the
answers to the questions above meet your satisfaction, you’ve found yourself
a great Costa Rica vacation rental!
About The Author
We traveled to Costa Rica on vacation in 2001. Fell in love with the people and
their country. Purchased property on the last day of our vacation and built a
villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two, three, four and
five bedroom villa's available, all of which are surrounded by Costa Rica’s
biodiversity and over looking the Pacific Ocean. Find more useful information
about Costa Rica by visiting our web site.
www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
info@costarica-vacation-getaway.com
 | |  | |  | |  |
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |