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There isn’t much you need to know about this blissful paradise of sun, sea and sand – except that you’ll be doing a lot of smiling! The beautiful tropical homes of Playa Flamingo, Playa Potrero, Playa Grande, and Brasilito have just about everything you need for your perfect tropical escape, but it’s useful to know a little bit about one of Central America’s most spectacular gems. Costa Rica is a diverse, magnificent, and breathtaking country, renowned for its natural splendor and for an open and progressive society which makes living here – as well as visiting – so fulfilling.

How to Get Ready for Costa Rica: Food and Culture

As with any vacation, the key is to prepare ahead of time. When staying in a tropical rental home, life will be different from staying at a resort, hotel, bed and breakfast and hostel. You can bring a little bit extra to your home away from home and enjoy the comforts of your own self-catering tropical paradise. When visiting Costa Rica you can enjoy a multitude of farmers’ markets, known as ferias, throughout the region which opens all day on Saturdays and Sundays offering some of the most delicious organic produce, locally baked goods and unique crafts around, so filling up your shopping list will be easy. Warm and welcoming, residents are more than happy to help give advice and offer bargains on some delicious dishes and fruits and vegetables which are exclusive to Latin America. And of course, there are plenty of restaurants ranging from seaside restos to elegant dining. Costa Rican cuisine is by nature very healthy, based largely on fruit and vegetables (particularly beans) and is mild and flavorful, and there are other options available as well for cosmopolitan eaters.

Costa Rican culture is equally enticing, combining Mesoamerican and South American cultures with Native American, Spanish, and African influences. Festival calendars are packed with every kind of party, from religious holidays and carnivals to jazz and arts festivals. One of the most socially progressive countries in the world, Costa Rica invests conscientiously in the arts as well as the environment. This arts haven is a great place for the high-spirited heart and visitors and locals alike can find plenty to delight in at concert venues and bars, restaurants and clubs.

Health & Environment

Home to protected sites like Corcovado National Park, Tortuguero National Park, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and beautiful coastal sanctuaries, Costa Rica has preserved its ecosystem (containing 5% of the world’s biodiversity). It is known for iconic fauna and flora like the squirrel monkey, the scarlet macaw, and thousands of orchids among several other plants and animals. It is a national ethos to respect the environment and visitors are encouraged to do the same. The climate is idyllic, but of course its geographical location means that the weather is tropical year-round (with micro-climates providing some variation where elevation and rainfall differ). Visitors will find it easy to acclimatize to the hot and humid days and afternoons, but always be vigilant about rehydrating, and applying sun lotion.

This terrific climate, combined with an excellent health care system and happy, laid-back lifestyle (which is reflected in saying “Pura Vida” meaning “Pure Life” as a common greeting) makes Costa Rica one of the world’s leading countries where life expectancy as well as quality of life is concerned, with the average Costa Rican expected to reach 79 years of age and beyond. It has a social health care service which is ranked even higher than the US and is run by mostly government hospitals and charities, earning it great international acclaim.

Travel Info

Costa Rica does not require a visiting visa for Canadian or American citizens, though it does require passports and/or other documentation. Before travelling, check with your government’s Costa Rican Embassy or website to check what you need to bring. Visitors with medical conditions should check with a comprehensive travel insurance policy but they can use emergency services for free. Documentation for any prescription medications is a good idea to carry as well. Many holiday companies offer discount deals on airplane tickets as well as airline operators’ websites which vary based on time of year (off-season is always a good time to look for deals) and how many days or weeks in advance of departure as well as time of day. It’s also easy to find good bargains on travel money as well by comparing online. Some travelers prefer to exchange smaller amounts at a time while monitoring the currency market, and can purchase traveler’s checks and bank cards. Costa Rica uses the colon, which averages to about 500 to 550 per US dollar.

Common sense prevails when it comes to safety, but Costa Rica has a low crime rate and is very safe, especially for families and couples. More information on Visiting Costa Rica can be found on the government’s official website as well as popular travel sites.

Many people who visit choose to stay in Costa Rica vacation home rentals, rather than a hotel or resort. Because so many visitors to this tiny, tropical country stay in vacation home rentals, there is a healthy market place for vacation home rentals. For those of you looking to stay in a vacation home rental, you will be please to discover that there are many options to choose from.

Vacation home rentals can range in size and accommodations and as such fall into a wide range of pricing options as well. While searching online for vacation home rentals you may discover sites that allow you to rent directly from the home owner. These sites are called Rental By Owner sites. Other sites offer Costa Rica vacation home rentals that are property management companies. These companies will manage a variety of rental properties and can help you select the best option for you, based on availability, prices, and size. Vacation home rentals are all unique since you are renting someone’s house and not staying in a standardized hotel room. Different vacation homes will have different amenities, such as pools, hot tubs, wireless internet, TVs and satellite TV channels, and laundry facilities. Some vacation home rentals may have ocean views, patios, or balconies. Others may even have direct beach access to private or semi-private beaches. Each vacation home rental is different, so finding the right one for you will be a unique experience.

Some of the most popular places in which to rent a vacation home are located in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica. Guanacaste is famous for having some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica, and also some of Costa Rica’s most renowned surf spots. Towns in the region such as Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Del Coco offer visitors plenty of activities and amenities. A vibrant nightlife scene, great restaurants, and world class shopping can be found in this area, providing all the right ingredients for an unforgettable Costa Rican vacation.

Also in the Guanacaste area you will find plenty of activities surrounding the environment and eco-tourism. Here you can hike through the many national parks and experience some of Costa Rica’s exotic wildlife. You can kayak in the ocean or the through the mangrove systems of this lush area. Horseback riding, ATV adventures, zip lining, and volcano treks are all possible in Guanacaste. After a day out and about exploring the region, you can return to your vacation home rental to unwind and recap on all the new and exciting experiences you had. Or, if you’re looking to fully relax during your time in Costa Rica, you’ll be pleased to know that you could spend each and every day lounging at the beach, just down from your vacation rental home, since Guanacaste enjoys warm, sunny days almost year round. It’s wonder why year after year, visitors from all over the world visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica and choose to rent a vacation home in this magical place. Come see for yourself what others have already discovered in Costa Rica. Please contact us if you need help finding Costa Rica vacation home rentals.

Imagine waking up in your home to the sound of waves crashing on the shore, tropical birds and parrots chirping the trees, and howler monkeys howling to each other as they great the day. Picture yourself sipping a cup of delicious Costa Rican coffee as you sit on the porch, overlooking the turquoise water of the Pacific Ocean. Sound too good to be true? It doesn’t have to be. This dream-like scene can be a reality when you book a stay Costa Rica rental homes.

Why spend hundreds of dollars a night to stay in a hotel, where you can hear your neighbors through wall and sit next to them on adjoining patios when you can spend less money and stay in your very own rental home? Costa Rica rental homes are a great option for couples, families, or groups traveling together. In a rental home in Costa Rica you spend a few nights, a few weeks, or a few months for a fraction of the price you would pay in a resort or hotel and have all the luxury plus the privacy of having your very own space. For couples traveling together, there are smaller rental homes with one or two bedrooms that make for a great, romantic getaway. Families will enjoy having the ease of more personal space and the option to stay in at night and cook dinners together, rather than eating at the hotel night or after night, or trying to find restaurants that work well for their children. And groups of all kinds can find rental homes all along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica that accommodate up to 10, 12, or 14 people.

In Costa Rica, rental home options are available for all types of travelers, not just the rich and famous. Nightly costs for rental homes of one or two bedrooms range greatly. For those interested in booking a rental home for a longer stay, the price point drops considerably for monthly stays. This is a great option for a couple on a honeymoon or two or three week vacation. For families, staying in a rental home is a excellent option to get more space for a more affordable price. When you stay at a hotel, the whole family often has to sleep in one room, or get an adjoining sweet so the kids are close to the parents. When a family rents a rental home in Costa Rica, both parents and kids can have their own rooms, allowing for a more relaxing trip where everyone can have some downtime to themselves. Group trips, such as family reunions, wedding parties, or birthday celebrations are that much more fun when everyone can stay in the same house, rather than separate rooms spread out throughout a hotel or resort. Group dinners at home can be a fun way to unwind and spend time together after everyone has gone and done different activities throughout the day.

This is a great option for all kinds of travelers. Check out some of the great Costa Rica rental homes available and plan your next vacation today!

Many people who own condos in Costa Rica chose to rent them out while they are not using them, creating a whole market for you to explore. Costa Rica rental condos are a great way to experience the real Costa Rica, outside of the grounds of a resort or hotel. Condos are found throughout the country, but the most popular places to visit and stay in rental condos is along the Pacific Coast.

In the North Western corner of Costa Rica you will discover the Guanacaste Province, the most popular location for visitors from all over the world. Guanacaste is home to volcanoes, mangroves, national parks, hot springs, rivers, and of course, Costa Rica’s most famous and beautiful beaches. Many of the small beach communities that dot the shoreline of this region have beautiful condo complexes that have units available as rental properties. Staying in one of these Costa Rica rental condos is an excellent option if you would like to spend a week or more in Guanacaste and explore what this area has to offer.

On the Northern end of this strip of beach, you will find the new development at Las Catalinas. This development has numerous condos available for rent and it’s the perfect location for those looking to get away from it all. Staying in a rental condo in this area, you’re sure to have plenty of space to yourself, as the development is removed from any other major town or city. The area has miles of trials to explore either on foot or on mountain bike. As you move down the coast, you will discover the more populated but still beautiful beach of Potrero. This area has more of a town feel to it, with a town down center, restaurants, bars, and amenities such as ATM’s, banks, and pharmacies. All along the beach, you’ll find gorgeous rental condos with stunning ocean views. Around the point of Playa Potrero lays another beach, famous for its beauty and white sand. Playa Flamingo, is a great location in which to rent a condo if you’re looking forward to some boating and sailing trips. In addition to ocean view condos, this areas is a great place to meet fellow sailors and experience the fun and excitement taking place in and around the marina.

Even further south down the coast of Costa Rica in the Guanacaste Province you will come across Playa Conchal, named for the millions of shells, or conchas, that have been deposited over the years to create this unique beach. The Costa Rica rental condos available in Playa Conchal are some of the most beautiful that the entire area has to offer. Home to The Westin Resort and Spa, Playa Conchal has been a name of luxury for years, and now thanks to rental condos, this high-end destination is available to all people.

The condos found up and down the beaches of Guanacaste have been featured numerous times on the popular show House Hunters International. Come see for yourself why the condos in this area are so sought after. After staying in a rental condo in Costa Rica you just might end up buying one for yourself. Please contact us if you need help finding the perfect vacation condo rental!