Vacation rentals in Costa Rica can be anything you dream. | Pictured: Casa Brisas del Mar in Playa Conchal / Cabo Velas

As you’re browsing through all the many vacation rentals in Costa Rica, you may find yourself wondering, “how am I going to narrow this down?”

These tips should help. Because, while the concept of a “vacation home” is now well understood – privacy, space, amenities, and often, luxury – it can be hard to distinguish this from that, one from the other. 

So, start here. From tip #1 through tip #8, we’ll walk you through how to find that just-right vacation home for your needs. 

Tip #1: Prioritize Your Needs, Wants & Wish Lists

Before you even start to search home (at least, seriously search them), you should create three lists:  

• Must-Haves: These are the absolute musts, like the number of beds (if not bedrooms), date availability (if you don’t have a lot of flexibility), pet-friendly accommodations, etc. These are your absolute bottom lines, without which there will be no vacation. 
• Should-Haves: This is where you house your not-quite-wishlist of items that you really, really don’t want to compromise. For example, if it’s hard (but not quite impossible) to imagine your vacation without a private pool or an ocean view, those items go here. 
• Would-Love-to-Haves: Here’s where it gets a little more fun. What amenities, services, or extras would make you feel pampered, relaxed, and truly on vacation. Add them all here. Chances are, you won’t find every one but chances are great that you will be able to check off at least a few.  

Making these lists is more than an exercise in vacation planning; it’s real, actionable information to use during your search. That’s because the genesis of powerful search filters has made it possible to narrow in on those just-right vacation rentals in Costa Rica – on the homes that tick of your must and should-have lists, while fulfilling as many would-love-to-have items as possible. Take advantage of the technology!

Tip #2: Always Search with Dates

Browsing by date will help narrow down your options within budget | Pictured: Sunrise 12 in Tamarindo downtown

Top on our list of pre-vacation heartbreak: Falling in love with a home that’s booked for your vacation dates (or date range). When running your search, always include specific dates. If you’re flexible, search with a few different sets of dates or a date range. (Even if you’re not sure of the exact dates, start with the general timeframe. Keep reading for why.)

This tactic not only helps narrow down the options – 20 possibilities are conceivably doable but 80 choices would be almost immediately overwhelming – and will help prevent setting your heart on a property that isn’t available. (Tip: Check our availability calendar for an overview of all our properties and their availability). 

What’s more, when searching for vacation rentals in Costa Rica, you’ll notice that rental rates fluctuate without the year, depending on the season. Typically, the high season runs December-April, the shoulder season around May and November, and the low season from June-October. You may also find peak seasons around the holidays and mini-high seasons that correspond to Costa Rica’s school vacations. 

A date-specific search will help you find a home not only fulfills your lists but meets your budget, for the time in which you’ll travel.

Tip #3: Ask Yourself – In the Heart of it All or Off the Beaten Path?

The truth is that, in most of Costa Rica’s beach towns, you’re either right in the heart of downtown or far off the beaten path. 

And you should know: Some of the dreamiest, most drool-worthy, and luxurious vacation rentals in Costa Rica are located off the beaten path. So, ask yourself – is that something I crave, or do I prefer no-car-required travel? 

Both choices have their advantages. And neither is a completely either/or proposition: You can find luxurious vacation homes in or very close to downtown and you can also rent budget-friendly homes off the beaten path. But, they’re a little harder to find, especially during high season or on a tight timeframe. You may have to choose. 

So, spend some time homing in on your desired destinations. Check Google Maps to get a feel for the general location. Calculate walk/bike/golf cart/drive times to wherever you want to go. Look into attractions and restaurants in the general area. And then, decide on the specifics of where you want to be before you seriously consider any where to stay.

Tip #4: Consider Where You Can Make Allowances

Now that you’re narrowing in on the specifics of what you really want, when you need it, and where you’d like to be, it’s time to start weighing the options vs. your budget.  

Unless the sky’s the limit, chances are, at some point during this process, you’ll compare a potential upgrade to its incremental price increase. So, consider where and how you’ll make allowances – this is where that third, would-love-to-have list often comes into play! – and what you may or may not deem to be “worth it” from your potential vacation rentals in Costa Rica.

For example, beachfront properties are extremely hard to come by in Costa Rica (due to local laws governing the all-public beachfront). In most cases, you’re either looking at a luxuriously beachfront mansion or a beachfront condo community. So, the possible-allowance question is, would you consider an ocean-view home within walking distance (<1 mile) to the beach?

Tip #5: Look to the Included Amenities

Not just a well-equipped kitchen, but a well-stocked kitchen can be yours! | Pictured: Plaza del Mercado 20 at Las Catalinas, an all-pedestrian community in Playa Danta

If you’re accustomed to hotels and not vacation homes, the first thing you should know is that vacation rental amenities are significantly greater than those found in hotels – with a few exceptions (see below)! 

That said, not all vacation home amenities are created equal. In other words, there is no “standard” set of amenities. What’s more, some hosts will nickel-and-dime you for everything from electricity usage to exorbitant cleaning fees. 

So, research what’s included in the displayed price. You may find that a property that initially seems more expensive eventually shakes out to a better deal, thanks to its included amenities. Speaking of, be sure to focus on: 

• The Kitchen: One of the most important amenities, when it comes to feeling at home (and saving money), is a well-equipped and functional kitchen. All our vacation homes have well-equipped, functional kitchens.
• Kitchen Appliances: While it can sound nitpicky, kitchen gear is important to your everyday. For example, if you love a smoothie for breakfast, you’ll want a home with a blender. And don’t forget to ask about the dishwasher…
• Grocery Pre-Stocking: Speaking of kitchens, at Blue Zone Experience, we’ll do the grocery run before you arrive, so you don’t have to spend precious vacation hours at the store. Just send us your list!
• Fast WiFi: Notice that we specified fast WiFi. In some regions of Costa Rica, the fastest you’ll find tops out at about 10 Mbps. By contrast, many of our vacation homes offer 100+ Mbps with battery backups. 
• Beach Gear: You’re visiting the beach but you’re not planning to pack your beach umbrella, right? That’s why most of our vacation homes are fully stocked with beach towels, folding beach chairs, coolers, and other gear. 
• Breakfast Included: Some of our vacation homes include daily breakfast in your stay.
• Full Staff: Select luxury vacation homes offer a full staff, which often includes daily housekeeping, butler services, and included meal preparation and cocktail mixing!
• Private Chef: Whether you just don’t want to cook on vacation (but don’t want to go to a restaurant every night) or are planning a special occasion, we’ll help you arrange for a private chef to prepare a meal or meals at your vacation home.
• Concierge Services: The best hosts offer free, expert concierge services included in your rental. Your personal concierge can help with everything from a dinner reservation or recommendation to booking your entire itinerary, at no upcharge.

And now, about those exceptions:  

• Starter Toiletries: Most vacation homes, including ours, will supply with you with “starter toiletries,” which include the basics like toilet paper and trash bags. Depending on the length of your stay, you will have to supply your own when the starters run out. 
• Starter Coffee, etc.: As with toiletries, most vacation homes do not deliver an unlimited supply of tea, coffee, etc. Our made-in-Guanacaste welcome basket will more than get your started, but you’ll want to purchase your standard food and other supplies at the grocery store.
• Linens: Our vacation homes in Costa Rica all come fully stocked with clean bed linens, bath towels, and, in many cases, beach towels. But know that not all vacation homes do. 
• Housekeeping: Some vacation homes, especially those of the luxury variety, include daily housekeeping. Those that don’t often include housekeeping several times a week.

Tip #6: Prioritize the Right Host

All things being equal, we’d recommend prioritizing an experienced host with great reviews (see below) over a hobbyist host or one just getting started (with few reviews). 

If at all possible, do not book a brand-new individual host, as you have no social proof to guarantee their quality of service. Note that new vacation rentals in Costa Rica, hosted by established hosts, are often a great deal, as they combine the host’s assured and proven quality with a discount on a new property! (Tip: Here’s what you should expect, as a minimum, from your host and vacation home.)

In addition to reviews, look to hosts with great communication. If they don’t respond to your inquiry within 24 hours, move on. If they’re not friendly in their communications, move on. If they don’t answer your questions, move on. Bottom line: If they’re not great communicators when they’re trying to earn your stay, then they won’t be great communicators after you’ve paid. 

Tip #7: Check the Host’s & Home’s Reviews

Read the positive and the negative and read between the lines! | Pictured: Casa Rosa in Playa Flamingo

Host and vacation home reviews are a gold mine for information. They can tell you a lot, from how attentive a host is to how well a home is cleaned prior to arrival.  

Don’t just look for positive or negative reviews. Instead, read a handful of both and determine whether the negatives and positives align with your negatives and positives. For example, if a negative review states that the home is “too small” (or “cozy”) for the maximum 10 guests, but you’re only a party of 6, then it won’t be a deal-breaker.

Likewise, take reviews with a grain of salt. Some renters have extremely high expectations and no home will satisfy them. So, if there are 10 glowing reviews about a home’s ambiance and indoor-outdoor living, and just one scathing review about an ant or a gecko found on the pool terrace, then it’s not the home; it’s the guest’s expectations and/or understanding of a home or destination. 

And that brings us back to aligning a review’s negatives/positives with your own: Do you think geckos are a yay or a nay in the tropics? Personally, we think they’re cute! Especially when they’re outside, sunning themselves on the pool terrace…

Tip #8: Check the Rental Policy

Finally, check the rental policy, especially if you’re not an experienced vacation home guest.  

You may not realize that vacation home and cancellation policies vary from rental to rental. So, read the rental agreement and other policies. Verify how your deposit will be handled and returned. 

Also, pay attention to the rules laid out in the rental policy. Some properties allow pets, while they’re strictly prohibited in others. Some may allow visitors while others allow registered guests on the premises. 

And never assume you can get away with breaking the rules. Vacation homes are someone’s investment and home; all properties should be treated with respect. And, no worries: If one home’s rules don’t work for you, there’s always the next home!

Find What You’re Looking for: Our Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica

With a catalog of 80+ hand-curated vacation homes in Costa Rica and an incredible well of local expertise, we pride ourselves on fulfilling your must-haves and would-love-to-haves. Just try us!

Because at Blue Zone Experience, we’ve built our reputation on 5-star service, carefully curated things to do in Guanacaste, and the region’s most culturally informed experts. The truth, though? Our true passion is you and your experience.

When you book one of our homes, you also gain access to our free concierge services: on-the-ground experts (and personal concierges) who will arrange for curated tours, transportation options, and extra amenities. Who will have your back from the moment you begin planning until the day you return home.

So, please, get in touch! We can’t wait to hear about your next adventure!