FAQ

Q

Does it make sense to build a house and then rent it out if I HAVE to rent it out to be able to afford it?

My wife and I fell in love with the area when we first visited a few years ago and we decided we wanted to build a home there. We bought a plot of land in Hatillo and had our dream house designed by a San Jose architect. Then came world recession and we put our plans on hold. If we build now we would need to be able to rent to out to afford to keep it. This could be long or short term. What do you think are the medium and long term rental prospects in this area?

Nick U. K.
Good question Nick. I appreciate the background on it as well. The world economic crisis has hit so many diverse areas of life. You're certainly not alone in looking for creative ways to be able to keep your property here in Costa Rica.
Basically it seems the rental business here in Dominical and throughout

Q

We are looking to stay at least a month in Dominical and would like to find a rental property in the $400 - $600 range. Is this something that can be done?

Man that is a tall order. Most of the rentals in the area have discovered the riches of short term "vacation rentals".  I'm of the opinion that longer term rentals are about "to happen" here in Dominical.  Some of the owners of these rental properties are starting to calculate the balance sheet and realize that longer term renting is comparable, when all is said and done, to Vacation Renting (and a whole lot easier).

Here are the current options:
  1. I know of some rather simple accommodations that are available on a one month basis.
Q

I am hoping to stay for 4-5 months - what is the best way to get around?! Thanks :)

The Dominical area is best seen in a 4 wheel drive vehicle. 

I say that as a disclaimer. It is clearly the most liberal and capable way to get to where you are going, regardless of where that may be, in the Dominical area.

Are there other options? Yes, but they are more limiting.  There is actually a fleet of taxis that work the Domincial, Uvita and Ojochal areas. I suppose that compared to what you pay per day with a rental 4 x 4, you will save some money.

Q

What is the best time of year to visit Dominical?

I suspect that you'll get varied answers to this question. I suggest that you weigh what anyone tells you on this subject with what you read here, because this is the correct skinny.

There are roughly 2 seasons in Costa Rica: the rainy season and the dry season.  There have been some creative pseudonyms put forth for these seasons in an effort to avoid using non-marketing language. The rainy season is also known as the "Green" season. The concern being that no traveler in their right mind would want to go where there is rain. The dry season is also known as the "high" season.

The rainy

Q

Are there stinging insects in Dominical?

In a short answer: yes. There are stinging insects here in Costa Rica.

Long answer: I think that I was stung more by insects and got more rashes from poison oak type plants in the States than I ever have here.

Yes, there are bugs, but there are also in the States. Black widows and brown recluse to name a couple of the spiders that would likely hold their own with any Costa Rica has to offer. There are scorpions here also.  After living here for 13 years, I was finally stung by one.  I expected it to be a lot more painful than it was.  My fingers were numb for a couple of days afterward.

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