By Bridgette Campbell
Wish you could take that luxurious trip to a tropical paradise full of jungles, secluded beaches and friendly people, but you?re afraid it?s too expensive? Well then you haven?t heard about Costa Rica! The only question then becomes where to stay.
Picking the best Costa Rica vacation rental can truly make the difference between a great vacation and just somewhere you visited once.
While there is a lot to do in Costa Rica and you might feel like you won?t be spending much time in your rental and therefore what does it matter where you stay, it actually does matter. Why settle for less when just a little planning can make your vacation that much better!
It?s vital to remember that for a good vacation, you have to have somewhere soft and safe to sleep, wash and get ready and a place to rest and have your meals.
If it?s too hot to go outside, or it?s too rainy you?ll want a nice place to stay and curl up with a good book, or to watch a favorite movie on a nice comfy sofa. If you end up having friends over, you?ll want a nice area for entertaining. A vacation rental should answer all of these needs and then some. What you need is a ?home away from home.?
Ten tips for picking a perfect Costa Rican vacation rental:
1.The most important thing is to make sure you can actually see recent photos of both the interior and exterior of the rental. A good description is simply not enough, and can be overly complimentary. So make sure you actually see what you?re getting.
2. Make sure you know what amenities you are looking for, and what you just can?t live without. Then write down the ones that would be nice, but that you could do without if it is not available.
Using your list as a guide, you?ll be able to quickly decide what rentals will best fit your needs. You might be looking for proximity to water, number of bedrooms and baths, the size of the kitchen and other such outdoor amenities like a deck or grill, ocean view, private pools and other important aspects to making your stay more comfortable.
3. Also write down the activities that you don?t want to miss out on while on vacation. If a morning of scuba diving, snorkeling or taking a canopy tour followed by relaxing back at your villa is what you?re looking for, make sure you make it a priority.
Don?t forget to look at how close the vacation rental is to the airport. Some rentals can take half a day to reach while others can be quite close. Whatever you decide you need to be aware of your traveling distance. If you would rather spend more time at the beach instead of driving back to the airport, you need to take that into consideration. If you want something within a twenty minute drive check out the Liberia International airport at www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
Another thing to take into consideration is how close your rental home is to the all the activities that you want to take part in! Some like to be able to bike or walk to their destination while others don?t mind a short drive, or even a bit longer drive.
If you prefer a vacation without all the hassles of traffic, parking and crowds then a villa in the quaint waterfront town of Playa Panama, Costa Rica might be just the spot for you! Check it out at http:// www.costarica-vacation-getaway.com
4. Decide on your first, second and third choices for dates of renting the villa. If you have several dates to choose from, it can save you time when planning your vacation.
Having alternate dates really allows you to make sure you get the villa that you want. If you are able to book right away you can save yourself time and hassle, and wont have to worry about double checking with everyone else?s schedules before trying to book a date and risk losing the dates you wanted.
5. Make sure to speak directly to the owner of the vacation rental that best meets your needs. It?s good to build a rapport with the owner in case difficulties arise. If you do not feel like the owner is warm and friendly you might consider looking elsewhere to avoid any problems that might arise.
6. Make sure you know what amenities are included. You may learn of something that's not on your list but is perfect for your plans. Don?t forget to ask about maid service as changing the beds is probably last on your list of things to do.
It?s also important to ask if there is a washer and dryer available, if there is you won?t need to bring as many clothes.
Other things to look for: a welcome basket is the owner going to provide basics in the refrigerator or will you need to? Can you arrange for tours? Is the kitchen fully stocked or will you need to purchase that when you get there? Most importantly is there air conditioning?!
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. Is there 24/7 maintenance and management, or will you be dealing with locals.
The owners are usually the best source for information, especially if they are local and can give great tips on anything from where to eat to the best snorkeling spot.
When the owners care about your stay and welcome you with open arms, it can really make a huge difference. If there is no one there to fix a backed up toilet it can really ruin a vacation.
9. How long has the owner been in the business?
If the owner has been in the business for a long time, they usually already know what their tenants require and how to make them feel more comfortable. If it is a new owner, take that into consideration as they might just be in it for ?fun? and not exactly know how to prepare the villa to fit your needs.
10. Last but certainly not least, look at the pictures to see if you can imagine yourself having a good time there!
