Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why do you collect sales taxes? I have quotes from other owners/agencies that do not charge this tax.
2. How do I get from the airport to the rental property?
3. How safe is Jaco? Can I walk at night without a problem?
4. Can I bring my pet?
5. Is smoking allowed inside the rental homes?

Why do you collect sales taxes? I have quotes from other owners/agencies that do not charge this tax.

Two reasons: 1. Vacation rentals is a fragmented industry. 2. Tax enforcement in Costa Rica does not compare to that of other more developed countries.

The local sales tax legislation, though vague in principle, has been interpreted in court to apply to all transient (short-term or tourist) lodging accommodations, including private condos and villas. The term transient has been interpreted by us as any stay of 3 months or less, though this may also be debatable.

Costa Rican law is very clear in that if the item sold is in Costa Rica (in this case the rental property) then Costa Rican laws apply. So even if the transfer of money is done entirely outside of Costa Rica, the Costa Rican sales tax would have to be collected.

However, many home owners (and some rental agencies and property management companies) are either ignorant of this or simply decide to "take the chance", particularly when the collection is done outside of Costa Rica.

By the way, we also enforce that all of our owners file their Costa Rican income tax return.

Sales tax and Income tax are an important source of revenue for the Costa Rican government, who, lacking oil or mineral resources, relies on them to provide its people the infrastructure they need.

By renting with us you make sure you are contributing to the development of this wonderful country which has decided not to have an army.

How do I get from the airport to the rental property?

1. RENTAL CAR: Many guests rent a car at the San José airport, and we can assist you with that. The road is completely paved so, unless you want to off-road, a regular 2WD is sufficient. Check-in is at our office and driving directions to our office are on our site, so be sure and bring those along with you. It is a scenic 1 and 1/2 hour drive to the Jaco area from San José.

2. PRIVATE VAN: We can arrange for an air conditioned Private Van or Coaster pickup by an English speaking driver either at the airport or at your San José hotel. You would be driven to our rental office to register and then to the rental property. You may do a short stop along the way. Click here for details.

3. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION: We do not particularly recommend public buses as they are usually crowded and take too long to arrive. If you are a group of 4 or less and would like to save and still travel comfortably we suggest checking the shuttle services offered by interbusonline.com and fantasy.co.cr . If you are a large group your best choice is to hire a private van.

How safe is Jaco? Can I walk at night without a problem?

It's safe and yes, you walk at night without a problem. We're happy to say that Jaco is much, much safer now than what it had been two or three years ago. The Federal and Municipal governments have done a tremendous job by incorporating new police forces that have cleaned much of the petty theft that used to occur. We now are protected by a friendly Municipal police force and a Tourist police force that patrol the beach and town and keep the bad guys away.

The same precautions as in any popular tourist destination should prevail. Costa Rica in general has a very low level of violent crime anyway, however care should always be taken with your valuables. A safe box is provided in your rental home for this purpose.

Can I bring my pet?

We have a few rental homes that will allow certain breeds of dogs. In these cases, dogs should not bother other people and should always be kept on a leash. A pet cleaning fee may apply. Please use our Property Search feature to see which rentals allow dogs. For most homes we do not allow pets for the comfort of our other guests.

Is smoking allowed inside the rental homes?

No, all of our homes are smoke-free. Smoking can be done outdoors and on terraces, as long as the smoke does not enter the unit. There are penalties for smoking inside and for leaving cigarette butts around the property.