On this article, I’m going to stipulate the whole thing you wish to have to understand to transform a house-sitter in Costa Rica. There are a lot of internet sites to be had to budding house-sitters, and it’s necessary to understand how to make use of those. Space-sitting gives a singular solution to touring, complements your reviews, and will prevent a fortune in lodging prices.

I’ve been house-sitting around the globe for five years now; it has transform a significant a part of my touring lifestyles. Development a robust profile and choosing up many guidelines and tips alongside the best way has allowed me to embark on a lifelong dream of touring full-time.

My husband, Rob, and I put our plans into motion in January 2022. Central The us used to be one of the crucial first locations on our go back and forth want listing. We loved 3 wonderful months of house-sitting in Costa Rica and noticed the whole thing from Arenal’s lush rainforests to the lovely seashores of Puerto Viejo.

Dream seashore sits and comfort rainforest retreats are all inside of achieve, however figuring out the best way to safe them is important. I’ve discovered so much about house-sitting since turning into a nomadic global traveler and can lay all of it out for you right here.

How one can Change into a Space Sitter in Costa Rica

There are some nice internet sites that will help you transform a residence and puppy sitter in Costa Rica. Discovering the best one for you is a very powerful first step to take. I’ve defined a few of my favourite house-sitting websites underneath;

1. Depended on Housesitters

My go-to residence and pet-sitting website online is Depended on Housesitters. At this time there are 6,670 sits international lately accepting programs and dozens of energetic profiles in Costa Rica. Their platform is easy to make use of and clean to navigate, and I like the reality that they’ve an app.

Some other nice characteristic is the facility to save lots of searches. As an example, in case you have been searching for a 10-day residence sit down in Costa Rica in February, however not anything got here up after your preliminary seek, otherwise you didn’t like those you noticed, you’ll want to save your filters and be alerted once a fit turns into energetic.

Depended on Housesitters has 3 club choices that include other advantages relying at the value you pay. The highest club is $260 and comprises cancelation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and a couple of airport living room passes a yr. The elemental possibility with limitless international sits is $129/yr and is a good way to get began with house-sitting.

At this time, you’ll be able to save 20% by way of the usage of the bargain code GOATS20. In the event you have been searching for an indication to get began, that is in all probability it!

2. Thoughts My Space

Thoughts My Space is a brilliant advent to house-sitting. It’s easy to make use of and is without doubt one of the least expensive websites round at $29/yr. The low rate method customers can really feel protected dipping their feet into house-sitting waters. Householders searching for sitters can sign up for without spending a dime, so there are all the time a number of listings to pick out from.

Possible house-sitters are unfastened to go searching the website online sooner than becoming a member of as much as see what’s to be had on the time. Quite a lot of data is equipped and you’ll be able to even see what number of people have lately implemented. The statistics web page is a brilliant characteristic that displays what number of energetic customers they have got and the place.

Thoughts My Space has been round since 2005, and it stands proud to me as a result of its community-oriented vibe. What units it aside is the direct connection you could have with the homeowners, who actively have interaction within the daily operations. For the ones hesitant about diving into house-sitting in Costa Rica, Thoughts My Space may well be the best place to begin.

3. Workaway

Even if predominantly a website for locating volunteer placements, a useful tool to have to your house-sitting arsenal is Workaway.data. I’ve been the usage of this website online persistently over the past 3 years to search out volunteer alternatives around the globe. However one of the crucial major seek choices at the website is house-sitting and there are lately over 500 listings globally.

They’ve an app, which is all the time an advantage, and I’ve discovered hosts to be fast and conscious of inquiries. Club prices round $50/yr or $30pp/yr when a pair indicators up with a joint club. I’ve made nice, life-long buddies, in addition to some to hand world contacts by means of Workaway.

4. Space Carers

Some other website online price making an allowance for is Housecarers.com. Even if it might probably’t compete with the numbers that Depended on Housesitters places up, there are loads of listings lately searching for appropriate applicants.

Within the passion of holding your choices open, it’s sensible to have a minimum of a couple of energetic house-sitting memberships open. Space Carers lets you construct a profile and seek with out paying the rest in advance. In the event you discover a house-sit you just like the glance of you’ll want to transform a full-paying member to use. Complete club is simply $50/yr so it’s any other reasonably priced house-sitting useful resource.

In the event you’re considering of changing into a house-sitter in Costa Rica, Housecarers.com is a brilliant website to discover what a housesitting website online gives and the way it all works.

5. Nomador

Even if Nomador has a heavy lean in opposition to Ecu house-sits, they do frequently have listings within the Americas too. There are lately round a dozen energetic Costa Rican profiles at the website. Just like Depended on Housesitters, customers also are in a position to save lots of searches and be alerted once they come in the marketplace. It’s an overly useful and easy-to-use website online.

Nomador’s 3-month elementary package deal is superb for folks simply getting began on their residence sitting adventure. Further advantages comparable to insurance coverage, top class customer support, and early get admission to to new listings include upper club costs. The highest-end package deal is round $190/yr.

In spite of no longer having an app, I really like Nomador for its easy website online and clean and informative listings. The elemental package deal is a good way to take a look at house-sitting with out a large monetary outlay first of all.

Non-public Revel in Space-sitting in Costa Rica

Costa Rica used to be top on my go back and forth want listing once I left the UK in early 2022. I’d heard such a lot concerning the white sandy seashores and the wild and luxurious rainforest, that I couldn’t wait to reach. I had 3 pre-organized residence and puppy sits booked in the course of my keep.

After 2 days of acclimatizing in San José, the primary house-sit used to be an hour north in L. a. Fortuna. A wonderful and enjoyable spot recognized for the massive Arenal Volcano that dominates the skyline. My time right here got here with 2 canines to handle and the home sponsored onto the rainforest – it used to be implausible. In spite of a couple of large insects, it used to be a super advent to Costa Rican tradition.

The second one residence sit down used to be the jackpot checklist I had craved since becoming a member of Depended on Housesitters – 4 weeks at the seashore in Santa Theresa. A well-liked vacationer vacation spot and shocking location. I had further tasks together with a pool and four visitor residences that had to be monitored, however no activity used to be specifically taxing. It used to be steps from the sea and an unforgettable revel in.

San Isidro, round half-hour north of San José used to be the overall house-sitting location in Costa Rica. The running espresso ranch used to be possibly one of the crucial shocking houses I’ve ever set my eyes on. Fortunately the gardener handled the espresso rising, I simply stored a watch at the residence and a bit canine referred to as Rodelle.

Perfect Spaces to Space Sit down in Costa Rica

I had this kind of glorious time residence and pet-sitting in Costa Rica. It’s a spot to revel in such a lot of various things. With that during thoughts, listed here are my best 5 puts to house-sit in Costa Rica;

1. Santa Theresa

Space-sitting jobs in Costa Rica don’t get any higher than in Santa Theresa. The preferred seashore city is a well-loved vacationer scorching spot with shocking white sandy seashores, nice browsing, and a full of life tradition of bars, cafes, and eating places. I spent a complete month house-sitting right here and completely enjoyed it.

There’s a big expat network and a thriving vacationer scene because of this most of the cafes and eating places have extra of an Americanized really feel to them. It does, on the other hand, imply that food and drinks costs are considerably upper than in different Costa Rican cities.

By contrast, the one-track dust highway that traces the principle street of Santa Theresa maintains the originality of town. The entire position feels a bit like stepping again to a more effective time. Don’t be stunned to look folks strolling barefoot, taking beers all the way down to the seashore at sundown, or driving scooters with a canine (or canines) on their backs.

Location: Santa Theresa is situated at the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s round 115 miles (184 km) west of San José. Getting there calls for a brief boat shuttle around the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas or a vital power round it.

2. San José

Even if I didn’t house-sit within the capital town San José itself, I did spend a large number of time in and round it – together with two Workaway language exchanges and a house-sit round half-hour outdoor of town. Because of this, I were given to understand where rather well.

I’d been warned about San José sooner than touring to Costa Rica, however some of these warnings have been unjustified. Like all town, it has a couple of spaces that are meant to be have shyed away from when by myself or at night time. For probably the most section, it’s an overly cool and delightful position to consult with. The place to move and the place to steer clear of are very obtrusive, and staying centrally in a populated space by no means gave me any reason for worry.

San José is house to a few nice museums, glorious streets full of bars and eating places, very good buying groceries, and a couple of creature comforts in case you’re lacking a Starbucks or Taco Bell! Via staying right here, you’ll additionally be capable of consult with glorious cities close by like San Isidro, San Rafael, and San Ramon.

Location: San José is the capital and biggest town in Costa Rica. It’s serviced by way of Juan Santamaria World Airport and is round 2 hours from the coast.

3. Jacó

Jacó used to be probably the most Americanized space of Costa Rica that I stayed in. It’s the site of a number of huge resort-style beachfront lodges and is well liked by expats. It’s referred to as slightly of a birthday celebration city, with a lot of vacationers frequenting the various bars and eating places alongside the principle strip via city. I had nice a laugh house-sitting in Jacó.

The seashore itself is shocking. The black sands stretch uninterrupted for two.5 miles (4 km) and it’s a well-liked spot for sunbathers and surfers. The delightful year-round climate makes it a super vacation vacation spot for many of us every yr.

Even if folks would possibly come to Jacó to chill out and birthday celebration there’s nonetheless a number of herbal attractiveness to revel in. As an example, the gorgeous Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park is simply an hour south of Jacó. There are a lot of cool tours to be had too. ATV and horseback driving excursions, snorkeling cruises to Tortuga Island, climbing, and ziplining are all inside of clean achieve.

Location: Jacó is situated at the west coast of mainland Costa Rica. It’s round 62 miles (100 km) southwest of San José.

4. Puerto Viejo

I virtually were given to house-sit in Puerto Viejo however my month-long sit down used to be canceled on the final minute. It used to be a disgrace, however I settled for a fantastic few days by way of the seashore with some buddies visiting from England. Nestled alongside the jap Caribbean beach of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a tropical haven and provides a singular go back and forth revel in.

Recognized for its mix of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean cultures, Puerto Viejo is a unique revel in from the remainder of the rustic. Town is this kind of cool position to consult with and is a melting pot of traditions. From the full of life beats of reggae to the various aromas of native delicacies. It’s a dream vacation spot for house-sitting in Costa Rica longer term.

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Nationwide Natural world Safe haven is a shocking position to consult with close by, and snorkeling within the crystal-clear waters is an unforgettable revel in. The entire city has a laid-back surroundings and its heat, pleasant folks make guests really feel proper at house.

Location: Puerto Viejo is situated at the southeastern beach of Costa Rica. It’s round 137 miles (221 km) southeast of San José. Sixaola, the nearest border crossing into Panama is best round 28 miles (45 km) from Puerto Viejo.

5. L. a. Fortuna

In the event you’re making plans to consult with Costa Rica to revel in nature, in addition to some captivating reviews, I extremely suggest you head to L. a. Fortuna. Positioned centrally within the Alajuela area, this glorious city had the whole thing I was hoping to achieve from visiting Costa Rica; flora and fauna and shocking landscapes, zip traces, and herbal thermal spas.

The enduring volcano that dominates the skyline is just breathtaking, and L. a. Fortuna Waterfall is a will have to for any Costa Rica itinerary. The Bogarin path is a preservation space for sloths and a lot of different flora and fauna comparable to toucans, lizards, and butterflies. It’s a great spot to discover and to tick off seeing some local Costa Rican flora and fauna.

Town itself has a at ease vibe with a gentle glide of backpackers, and vacationers, searching for nature and journey jumbled together with a bustling inhabitants of lifelong citizens and locals. The small-town vibe makes it really feel homely and alluring, while considerable sights and facilities make it an exhilarating position to stick.

Location: L. a. Fortuna is situated round 80 miles (130 km) to the northwest of San José. The nearest border with Nicaragua at Las Tabilillas is 100 miles (160 km) to the north.

Is Costa Rica Protected?

Costa Rica is thought of as one of the crucial most secure nations in Central The us. The rustic’s dedication to eco-tourism and a strong political surroundings has contributed to its total certain popularity. Guests can revel in exploring the nationwide parks, pristine seashores, and colourful towns with out important protection issues.

Then again, like all go back and forth vacation spot, it’s very important to workout warning and to all the time stay vigilant. Petty robbery, specifically in crowded vacationer spaces in main towns like San José, generally is a worry. Stay an in depth eye for your assets all the time and best use respected delivery services and products like Uber and authentic buses if had to get round.

Normally, Costa Rica is a welcoming and safe surroundings for vacationers and a great spot to house-sit. Commonplace-sense precautions, an consciousness of native customs, and recognize for the herbal environment will without a doubt assist when visiting from in another country.

Execs and Cons of Being a Space Sitter in Costa Rica

As with anyplace, there are execs and cons to house-sitting in Costa Rica. So, in keeping with my reviews, I’ve shortlisted a couple of for possible house-sitters to imagine:

Execs of Residing in Costa Rica

• Herbal Good looks: Costa Rica has an abundance of breathtaking landscapes, pristine seashores, lush rainforests, and majestic mountains.
• Pura Vida Way of life: The “Pura Vida” way of life is a cultural mantra that interprets to “natural lifestyles” and typifies the laid-back, certain, and enjoyable lifestyle in Costa Rica.
• Local weather: Costa Rica enjoys a constant tropical local weather. With year-round temperatures averaging round 32°C (90°F) right through the day and 23°C (73°F) at night time.
• Healthcare: Costa Rica has a well-regarded healthcare machine, with top of the range clinical amenities and execs. My husband wanted a shuttle to the emergency room for ear bother and used to be noticed successfully by way of a consultant and the remedy wasn’t pricey.
• Environmental Sustainability: Costa Rica is dedicated to environmental sustainability and conservation.
• Non violent and Solid: Costa Rica is understood for its strong political surroundings and loss of an army. It’s been a calm country for many years which fosters a protected and strong surroundings.
• Pleasant Locals: Costa Ricans, or “Ticos,” are recognized for his or her heat and friendliness and I will without a doubt vouch for this.
• Outside Actions: The rustic is a paradise for out of doors lovers, providing a plethora of actions comparable to browsing, climbing, zip-lining, and bird-watching.
• Value of Residing: Whilst no longer the most affordable nation in Central The us, Costa Rica’s value of dwelling is affordable, particularly outdoor of main city facilities and without a doubt when in comparison to say, the USA or the United Kingdom.

Cons of Residing in Costa Rica

• Language Barrier: Whilst many Costa Ricans discuss English, the authentic language is Spanish. Non-Spanish audio system would possibly face demanding situations in positive eventualities, specifically in additional rural spaces.
• Insect and Pest Problems: The tropical local weather brings with it various bugs and pests, which generally is a nuisance and require ongoing pest keep watch over efforts.
• Herbal Failures: Costa Rica is at risk of earthquakes and coffee hurricanes, which pose obtrusive dangers and require citizens to be ready for an emergency.
• Rainfall: Right through the wet season (Would possibly to November), the rustic reviews as much as 9.5 inches (240 mm) of rainfall every month and as many as 27 wet days every month. I discovered that it most commonly falls closely within the mid-late afternoons.
• Water Outages: In positive portions of the rustic, particularly extra rural spaces the in depth rainfall can impact the force of the water provide and the force drops to nearly not anything. This implies faucets, sinks, and bogs gained’t paintings till they repair the issue which will frequently take hours to unravel.
• Energy Outages – Likewise, energy outages even if uncommon do happen extra incessantly than in different nations I’ve visited. In 3 months I skilled 3 4-8 hour entire energy outages.
• Humidity – Given its tropical year-round local weather, the humidity, particularly right through the wet season can also be overbearing every now and then.
• Non-Flushing of Bathroom Paper: The sewage methods in lots of Costa Rican cities are very subtle and because of this, you’re going to be requested to steer clear of flushing any rest room paper. A bin is equipped which is a bit unsightly and generally is a bit bizarre for some folks, nevertheless it’s what they do.
• The Highway Techniques: Even if there are major roads that attach the larger cities, most of the native highway methods are non-direct, minimize via some significantly rural spaces, and every now and then can also be poorly maintained.

Space Sitting in Costa Rica: FAQs:

Listed below are some solutions to often requested questions on house-sitting in Costa Rica:

In Conclusion

My time in Costa Rica flew by way of and writing this text has made me very willing to go back once imaginable. It’s this kind of glorious position and house-sitting there made it much more particular. Attending to truly know a spot and the folks is this kind of other revel in from merely passing via.

With such a lot range, I used to be in a position to revel in many various facets of Costa Rican tradition and heritage inside of a unmarried shuttle. So, whether or not you crave world-renowned seashores, the thrill of giant towns, the tranquility of the rainforest, or a mix of all of those sights, Costa Rica could have a house-sitting alternative to fit you.

What are you looking ahead to?! Get your self signed up nowadays and start your seek for your absolute best Costa Rican house-sit placement.