With the last stretch of the ‘Costanera’ highway that connects the central and south Pacific coasts fully completed, Dominical is picked as the ideal location for effectively meeting the growing demand of short term rentals in the south coast, serving vacationers looking to rent private vacation homes and homeowners looking to turn their investment properties into income-producing vacation rentals.

“With so many real estate development projects targeting at second home buyers on the south coast, we see an opportunity to provide a 24/7 international marketing channel for property managers and homeowners” says Elaine Turner, the website’s founder.

Besides servicing vacationers as an information center and a meet-up point between renters and vacation rental operators, the office will assist home buyers in setting up their vacation rental properties.

“We can help homeowners identify and contract a suitable property manager or put them in touch with the appropriate homecare services providers, “ Elaine says.

“We work closely with property managers in the region by supporting them with marketing, administration and customer services,” she explains.

Although majority of rental requests come through the internet, the Dominical office will assist tourists and visitors who are passing through in finding onward accommodation elsewhere in Costa Rica, she says.

“We currently market over 600 vacation rentals throughout Costa Rica including Manuel Antonio, Jaco, Nosara, Tamarindo and Los Suenos, which enable us to provide a one-stop-shop for vacationers to find and book a home that suits their budget and taste, be it a beach condo, a luxury villa, an oceanfront home or a jungle chalet,” she adds.

With the 40-kilometers between Manuel Antonio and Dominical now smoothly paved, travel time between the two destinations is just 30 minutes, making it possible for tourists to venture south to experience a wilder and greener part of Costa Rica.

Dominical, once a sleepy fishing village is today a highly acclaimed international surfing spot. In recent years more and more intrepid travelers from USA and Canada have come to explore its dramatic coastline and invested in real estate which invariably offers majestic ocean views and pristine rainforests all in one.

The south coast also serves as a jump-off point for Corcovado National Park in the Osa peninsula, named by National Geographic as the most biologically diverse spot on earth.

After suffering many years of delay, the Costanera highway has at long last been completed, surprising many skeptics who have long ago given up on the hope that easy access from Manuel Antonio and Jaco Beach would secure the south coast’s economic growth.

Costa Rica Bedfinder is strategically located in Dominical’s most prominent business address at the Plaza Pacifica, a shopping center which also houses the BCR bank.

Property Managers and homeowners who would like to have their vacation rentals represented can visit the office between 8.00 am and 1.00 pm, Monday to Friday, or email ads@crb.cr. for more information.

Vacationers who would like assistance in finding or booking vacation homes can email info@crb.cr or call toll free 1.888.699.0272 from overseas. Reservation requests can also be made online on www.CostaRicaBedfinder.com.

Humid and hot, not good; but the gardens needed it, as all the flora and fauna gets somewhat stressed.  A large tree fell down at Playa Dominicalito, causing the campsite some problems, and the campsite owner some grief.

Now it is  back to clear Costa Rican spring weather, great for vacation or honeymoon, especially if you are indulging in a luxury ocean view vacation rental.

Once you have had a base info session on what to do and what not to do,  and safety info on the ocean itself and what to look out for, you head down at low tide for your first  go. Ocean awareness is important and should not be forgotten, ripe rides, sand banks,  rocks, other surfers etc, and all that kind of stuff.

First up is paddling, and how to get yourself up on the board. Usually all this is done at low tide. Then you start to progress into how to get through the white water and how to catch a wave as they say. Small gentle waves first up.

Then its all go and good luck, as you progress into doing few simple turns on the face of a wave.

There are many surf schools and board rentals places,  some with locals who have been here many years and know all about the different beaches and what’s best for you.

Talk to a few surf schools to get a feel of why they may be better for you than others, everyone has different needs, are yours being met?

Before anyone buys  real estate for commercial purposes do the research and the financials. To set up a tourism business, seek advice from hospitality professionals. A small investment on consulting fee at this  stage could save you your life’s savings. Looking at all the foreclosures in the country,  and dreamers  building so called luxury eco lodges or what ever along the coast. Commercial buyers beware of the pitfalls or face the consequences. Do not expect to get balanced advice from real estate agents either!

With many villas for rent in the area, choose carefully,  select a villa that has the front ridge Pacific Ocean exposure to enjoy the cooling breezes.  Or be ready to travel further up into the hills.

Gardens take a beating, water runs short, but the evenings are delightful, enjoy a BBQ in your garden or  by the poolside,  with seafood salads, fresh prawns and lobster, and plenty of white wine!

The common talk among owners of poorly located or overpriced rentals goes  like ‘my property has not been rented for months…’

Is business picking up? Sure, but with more vacation rental homes and condos coming into the rental market monthly, and visitors still not up to past levels, owners of new vacation rentals will have a harder time than they imagine!

Prawns cost from Colones 5k to 8K a kilo, seems a good buy, the less expensive ones are sweeter and for salads and ceviche seem better value. The mid size at 8K a kilo batch are great with a Thai dressing as a dip, find a recipe or try this one:

1-2 tablespoons fish sauce (nam Pla or use a chinese version readily available in Costa Rica)
2 tablespoons water
1 to 2 tablespoons of lime juice to taste
2 tsp palm sugar
4 sliced chiles (ok 2 is ok so adjust to desired heat level)
1 teaspoon grated ginger
2 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon minced shalots
Handful of cilantro coarsely chopped

Place ingredients in blender and liquefy but don’t over do it or the leaves will turn gray, you want a bright green sauce. Enjoy it with a few beers and tacos and an avocado dip.