|
10 Tips To Help You Select The Perfect Costa Rica Vacation
Rental
All Costa Rica Vacation Rentals
Beachfront Costa Rica Vacation Rentals
Honeymoon Costa Rica Vacation Rentals
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”
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.
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.
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!
By: Paul Orr
Paul has been traveling to Costa Rica since 2001. Purchased property 2001 and
built a villa in 2002. Handles villa rentals for five additional villas. Two,
three, four and five bedroom villa's available.
http://www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
|