A common question everyone has when starting to choose a Costa Rican vacation rental is, “How can I be sure these pictures are even real?” The beach, the monkeys and the national park pictures are almost always real and they truly are that beautiful! As for your Costa Rican vacation rental, let me give you a few tips to look past the pretty pictures and actually get the best Costa Rican luxury villa rental available. Planning a Costa Rican vacation should not be stressful.

First, don’t get overwhelmed by the number of advertisements and options. To choose a Costa Rican vacation rental, narrow your choices down to ones that have a design that’s suitable for your group, especially if you have any children or elderly traveling with you. Read the reviews such websites as Trip Advisor and Flipkey to confirm other guest comments about the villa you are interested in selecting.

Another key aspect about how to choose a luxury villa rental is to ask about road access. Many Costa Rican luxury villa rentals are located in mountainous areas with steep and difficult road access. While the terrain of Manuel Antonio is generally hilly, not all villas are located in areas with difficult access. There are plenty that are located down paved streets, or even in gated communities with flat-paver street access. Two of our favorites are Villa Paraiso and Villa Feliz, both located within the La Reserva gated community in Manuel Antonio.

Next, confirm that the people you book with actually know the villa. Many service providers rent out Costa Rican vacation rentals on behalf of others, without having ever seen their quality and without knowing what makes the home special or suitable for your vacation. While these providers are reputable, they may not be the most direct contact to booking the villa and working with them is no way to plan a successful vacation to Costa Rica. Be sure that your contact is in the area you will be renting, so that you obtain suggestions from someone who actually knows about your selected vacation rental.

Later, ask about who will meet & greet you, not only at the villa but also at the airport. It’s important to know who your contact is and that the person scheduled to greet you at the airport will pick you up on time. Also ask about what services and support will be available to you throughout your stay. The best vacation rental companies offer a 24/7 concierge service. You should be able to cross-reference the villa’s concierge staff by looking through reviews on Trip Advisor and Flipkey for the specific villa that you are interested in.

Lastly, be sure to clearly communicate your wishes, ideas, and level of expectation when planning a Costa Rican vacation, so that your travel specialist can find the Costa Rican luxury villa rental that best suits your needs. Your travel specialist knows how to match the market niche your vacation rental is in to the needs you describe for your ideal vacation.

Now that these steps have been adhered to and your perfect villa has been selected, your final step is to plan the fun parts of your vacation: your activities, beach days, chef-prepared meals and spa services… Bring on the relaxation and enjoyment that Costa Rica does such a great job of hosting!