Guide to Vacation Home Rentals in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is roughly the size of West Virginia. It is easy to get around, plus public transportation is relatively inexpensive. Despite being small in size, there are endless things to see and do. It is an ideal place to find a vacation rental. There are waterfalls, volcanos, national parks, and miles of pristine coastline.

Did you know that Costa Rica has no army, a 98% literacy rate, and married women keep their last names? They also have great coffee and live the Pura Vida life. These are just some of the reasons to put Costa Rica on your vacation shortlist.

Costa Rica Villa Rentals

Costa Rica luxury rentals are an excellent alternative to staying in a hotel or resort. There are plenty of oceanfront villas to choose from on the Pacific coast near Guanacaste, where the weather is typically hot and dry, and they have world-class beaches. Guanacaste is also an excellent base for exploring the northwest side of Costa Rica.

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Our Home Rental

We booked Coco Flotante, a private oceanfront villa, with another family for a week’s vacation. It is approximately an hour from the airport in Liberia and 45 minutes from the towns of Tamarindo and Santa Cruz.

The layout of this home was ideal for our group of four adults and three teens. Downstairs there are two master suites on opposite ends of the house, giving each offering plenty of privacy. Both have their own bathrooms, closets, and access to the outdoor space.

The second floor is accessed by an outdoor stairwell, which might not be ideal if you plan to put younger children in either of the upstairs bedrooms. This level also has its own living space with floor-to-ceiling windows that have the most spectacular views of the Pacific ocean. It is a great spot to play games and relax in the evenings as it has a full bar, card table, couches, and chairs.

Coco Flotante

Just off the kitchen, there is a small living room with a television. We never even turned it on. Our time was spent enjoying the ample outdoor living space of the home. There is lots of seating under the shaded palapa and around the pool. Several hammocks can be found around the property. There is not a bad seat in the house. Everywhere you look, there are spectacular ocean views and perfect places to watch the magnificent sunsets.

Coco Flotante

Gamma and Irene, Coco Flotante’s Spanish-speaking caretakers, live on the premises. They have two small dogs and are always accessible. We felt very safe having them living on the property and appreciated having daily housekeeping.

The Beaches

Playa Blanca Costa Rica

The house sits on a bluff between two beaches. A steep set of stairs descend from the home and put you right onto Playa Blanca. The stairs could be difficult for elderly or young children to navigate. Although this is the closest beach, it is a bit rocky at low tide when the rocks and coral are exposed. I’d advise bringing water shoes.

Playa Junquillal is around the corner to the left. It is just a short walk from the house and is very flat. The winds on this beach are consistent, which is good because there is not very much shade to keep you cool. This beach is great for swimming, body, and boogie boarding.

Playa Junquillal

Private Chefs

It can be hard to feel like you are on a vacation when you rent a house. After all, someone still needs to cook and clean up. One way to combat that is to make sure your house comes with daily housekeeping and consider hiring a private chef.

Vacation Rentals Costa Rica

We enlisted Chef Garret Hurley of Pura Vida Catering to prepare dinner on our first night at the house. He and his wife work as a team. They do all the shopping, cooking and cleaning. We thoroughly enjoyed having them prepare a fantastic three-course meal for us to enjoy at our outdoor dining table. After a long day of travel, it was the perfect way to start our vacation.

One evening we also used PasCam to deliver chips, dips, and sandwiches for dinner.  This service did not include the post-meal clean-up, but it still relieved us from cooking duties for the night.

Food Shopping

On your way to the house from the airport, stop at one grocery store in Santa Cruz to pick up enough to get you through your first day. Save your big food shopping trip for the Auto Mercado in Tamarindo. It has an excellent selection of meats, cheese, vegetables, and fruits, plus a bakery and a large gluten-free section. Should you forget anything, the Supermercado Janquillal is only five minutes from the house and good for basics.

Supermercado Junquillal

The German Bakery delivers to the house weekly. They grind and mill their own flour, which they use in all of their baked goods. You purchase amazing pastries, cakes, bread, baguettes, and donuts right out of the back of their truck. They also offer gluten-free products as well.

German Bread Truck Costa Rica
German Bakery Truck

Local Restaurants in Guanacaste

There are several good local restaurants just down the road from the house. I’d suggest Tatanka for great wood-fired pizza and other Italian specialties, or try Guacamaya Lodge for lunch or dinner.

Lola's Costa Rica

Lola’s in Playa Avellana is the perfect spot for a beachfront meal. Vegetarians will be very happy here. Their menu consists of hearty, healthy choices that include salads, sandwiches, pizzas, and fresh fruit smoothies.

Spa and Massage

As if you won’t be relaxed enough just by being in Costa Rica on vacation, you can arrange to have a Masseuse come to the house. Georgina, the property manager for this villa, will be able to help you arrange this.

Massage in Costa Rica

You can also splurge on a spa day at Los Altos de Eros. Located near Tamarindo, this luxury hotel has a very private, small spa. Their open-air treatment rooms overlook Costa Rica’s mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The spa day package includes three treatments and a chef-prepared gourmet lunch.

Los Altos de Eros

We love Coco Flotante and would recommend booking it as a Costa Rica beach rental. Should it not be available, there are plenty of other Costa Rica vacation rentals in this area that are just as spectacular.

Pura Vida!

Commenting area

  1. Oh I am totally sold on this. I feel like you covered all that’s good about a visit here. I have been thinking about all my bucket list places and this is definitely one of them now.

  2. Cost Rica looks truly beautiful. I would never of thought to go here, but am certainly going to be adding it to my bucket list.

  3. Ann Snook-Moreau April 26, 2018 at 1:46 pm · · Reply

    This seems like a really gorgeous place to stay! I haven’t been to Costa Rica but I would love to visit there soon.

  4. This place is so beautiful and I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but I wish I will someday. These photos look amazing!

  5. Costa Rica looks incredible. It’s long been on my list of places to go. Almost got there last year while I was living in Mexico for a bit. Next year for sure.

  6. to be honest I am already convinced to visit Costa Rica! but your post is amazing and now I am even more convinced! especially with the amazing beaches! Thank you for the beautiful trip!

  7. absolutely stunning place, we had a 10 day vacation in Costa Rica few years ago and I would return anytime ! I could live there for like a year or so

    • Dana Freeman April 27, 2018 at 9:28 am · · Reply

      We are thinking of returning for a month next time. I’d like to explore the Caribbean side as well.

  8. You got me sold! I’m up for massages by the beach. Spa day looks so perfect in Costa Rica!

  9. Costa Rica is high on our list of vacation destinations. Coco Flotante looks like a fantastic place to stay, with plenty of room for us and private space for the kids. The beach views from Coco Flotante are pretty amazing, too. I sure would like to hire a private chef during out stay and just enjoy the tranquility of the beach, the water, and the trees.

  10. wow it looks amazing! great idea with the private chef haha

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