Ten Tips For Choosing The Ideal Costa Rica Vacation Rental

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:

ONE - 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.

TWO - 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.

THREE - 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 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 www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com to learn more.

FOUR - 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.

FIVE - 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.

SIX - 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?

SEVEN - 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.

EIGHT - 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.

NINE - 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.

TEN - And last, when you look at the pictures, can you see yourself having a great time there?

Tortuguero Lagoons and Canal Adventure

Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Tortuguero is a network of waterways that crisscrosses some of Latin America’s most spectacular jungle environment. At the docks you will board a comfortable boat for a fascinating adventure to the Madre de Dios (Mother of God) Lagoon, an exquisite location for admiring the area’s natural beauty. As we journey into this emerald wonderland, your bilingual naturalist guide will provide you with details and insight into an amazing variety of plant and wildlife that includes orchids, monkeys, bird flocks, toucans, caimans, turtles, ospreys, butterflies and more. This method of travel is ideal, as it allows you to enjoy a close-up view of nature, without disturbing the delicate jungle environment.

The Treasure of Costa Rica

You're invited to join us for an unforgettable day of adventure and discovery on our "Treasures of Costa Rica" tour. This full-day tour is the perfect blend of free-spirited adventure and awe-inspiring discovery. You will explore three of Costa Rica's most unique regions - the vast Central Valley, the meandering Sarapiqui River, and the densely forested Braulio Carillo National Park.

This fast-paced and challenging tour is not for the faint of heart nor the timid of soul. Throughout this busy day you'll be inspired and moved by Natures' unspoiled beauty as you explore the diverse ecosystems that contribute to Costa Rica's unequaled beauty.

Your day of excitement begins from the moment you're picked up at your San José hotel by one of our knowledgeable and entertaining bilingual guides. While rolling through the hills of Alajuela Province in our comfortable minibus, your guide will explain the customs and culture of the people who live in the quaint pueblos that dot the countryside.

You'll pass coffee plantations where the harvesting methods have not changed in hundreds of years. After a short while we'll pause for a refreshing breakfast at the La Paz Waterfall Garden. Here you can enjoy a robust cup of Costa Rican coffee and a hearty breakfast while admiring the verdant rain forest covered with lush tropical vegetation.

After breakfast you'll explore the gardens and learn about the life of the butterfly in the world's largest Butterfly Garden.

This rare learning opportunity demonstrates the butterfly's battle for survival from fuzzy caterpillar to beautiful winged jewel. You'll be able to observe many different species of butterflies in their natural habitats, including the strikingly beautiful Blue Morph, with its vibrant color in a backdrop of rain forest greenery.

Next you'll visit the Hummingbird Gallery where you will be serenaded by the hum of tiny wings lightly brushing the air as dozens of these colorful creatures buzz around you in search of food and a quiet resting spot. You'll want to stop and gaze upon the beauty of the smallest birds on earth moving at lightning speed about the gardens.

We'll then embark on a short walk through dense rain forest in search of magical waterfalls.

This short 20-minute hike winds past four different waterfalls, each one appearing to fall from the sky into a river of sparklingly water below. The spray of water from the waterfalls will cool your face, while the beauty of the falls calms your spirit and frees your mind. Once we have emerged from the depths of the rain forest, you'll be transported to the banks of the Sarapiqui River where a two-hour Class III white water rafting experience awaits you.

A professional, bilingual guide will accompany each raft for your security and safety. The first order of business is to don your helmets and life vests and practice your paddling techniques as a team. Then, from the moment you head your sturdy raft down river, your senses will be engaged in high gear as you scan the rapids ahead and follow the directions shouted out by your guide.

You'll learn to work as a team, honing your skills as you battle the pulsing rapids that seem to come alive as they push and pull against the sides of your small raft as it passes beneath the giant limbs of overhanging trees. Excitement abounds on this trip but you'll still have plenty of time to observe several different species of mammals and birds, including the brightly colored and raucously noisy Toucan, Costa Rica's most popular bird.

You'll be treated to a scrumptious picnic lunch with the aura of a magical banquet when we stop to feast along the riverbank. At the end of this memorable day you'll have time to shower and change into dry clothes in our private facilities before we return to San José.

Costa Rica Tour

Volcano, Cloudforest, Rafting and
Thick Jungle Exploration.

Costa Rica is a country of amazing biodiversity. Its wildlife, natural attractions and reputation for conservation attract nature lovers from all over the world. Bordered by both the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, the seemingly endless coastline varies from lush, mangrove-fringed beach to rugged, rocky shore. With its exhilarating whitewater and varied terrain, this multisport mecca provides enough activity for the most adventurous traveler, yet the serene stretches of white sand beach are the perfect venue for relaxation as well. Over 850 recorded bird species and 1400 species of trees will keep the naturalist in your group happily occupied. Costa Rica lies at the heart of one of the most active volcanic regions on earth, and the spectacular glowing displays from the inexhaustible Arenal Volcano will delight visitors to the country's northwest. Costa Rica offers such diversity that you're likely to come back again and again.

Of all places to experience the rainforest, Costa Rica comes to mind as one of the best choices for families with children of any age. Small rainforest lodges with excellent guides and creative cooks dot the country and travel times are rarely longer than 3 hours. Some of these lodges have developed special programs for families traveling with children as young as 6 years old. In addition, the Costa Rica rainforest seems ideal for that first introduction to the jungle environment. Although the country has some of the largest tracts of jungle in Central America, it's also very easy to get to know this forest on short hikes, canopy walkways, horseback rides or half day rafting trips.

A wonderful Costa Rica trip for travelers of all ages is the ten-day Adventure Pacifica, one of the most complete Costa Rica tours to be found. Highlights include cloudforest, zip lines, canopy touring, and whitewater, with a grand finale of a few days at our secluded beach retreat set amidst Pacific rainforest. If you are looking for more Costa Rica tours options, Adventure Life Journeys has a number of other itineraries to choose from. You'll also find Galapagos tours, Peru tours, rainforest adventures in Belize and the Amazon, Patagonia tours and Antarctica cruises, and more! Adventure Life Journeys offers over 50 adventure tours in South America and Central America. They specialize in small groups led by outstanding native guides, and are happy to create a custom itinerary for your group or family!