Tips for Renting a Vacation Home

A Holiday To Remember:

Your vacation should be a time to relax and enjoy yourself. If you have always booked hotels when going on holiday, consider renting a Vacation Home. They offer a level of privacy and comfort that hotels are unable to match. Booking a rental home allows you to indulge yourself and those with whom you're traveling. It's a sure way to create a lifetime memory while on holiday, a personalized experience, unlike any boring hotel room and the artificial smiles and rehearsed lines of the hotel attendants.

Here are some tips for selecting the perfect Vacation Rental Home
Start Early

Many people begin planning their summer vacations right after the holidays. For the largest selection, start early and ask about early booking discounts.

List the amenities

Jot down the list 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.

List the activities

A morning activity like scuba diving, snorkeling or canopy tour then coming back to the villa or rental home to relax may be a high priority for you. You also need to consider how close the vacation rental is to the airport. You also need to consider how close you want your vacation rental to be to the attractions. Identify your first, second and third choice of dates for renting


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

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? Can they make you make arrangements for tours? Are there plates, utensils, pots, pans and other essentials for eating and meal preparation?

Inquire about restaurants, events and activities and other forms of local entertainments

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.

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 Vacation Home.

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.

Ask Questions

Don't rely upon the advertising to identify whether a vacation home/villa offers what you need. Just because a property is listed as a "beach resort" doesn't mean it sits mere feet away from crystal blue waters. If you're working with a villa rental agency, ask about the local culture, surrounding area, typical climate and potential neighbors.