On this article, I’m going to stipulate all the things it’s essential know to turn into a house-sitter in Costa Rica. There are quite a few web sites out there to budding house-sitters, and it’s essential to know easy methods to make the most of these. Home-sitting presents a novel strategy to touring, enhances your experiences, and might prevent a fortune in lodging prices.
I’ve been house-sitting all over the world for five years now; it has turn into a significant a part of my touring life. Constructing a robust profile and selecting up many suggestions and methods alongside the way in which 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 America was one of many first locations on our journey want listing. We loved 3 superb months of house-sitting in Costa Rica and noticed all the things from Arenal’s lush rainforests to the beautiful seashores of Puerto Viejo.
Dream seashore sits and luxurious rainforest retreats are all inside attain, however realizing easy methods to safe them is important. I’ve realized loads about house-sitting since turning into a nomadic world traveler and can lay all of it out for you right here.
The best way to Turn into a Home Sitter in Costa Rica
There are some nice web sites that can assist you turn into a home and pet sitter in Costa Rica. Discovering the appropriate one for you is a crucial first step to take. I’ve outlined a few of my favourite house-sitting websites beneath;
1. Trusted Housesitters
My go-to home and pet-sitting web site is Trusted Housesitters. Proper now there are 6,670 sits worldwide at the moment accepting functions and dozens of lively profiles in Costa Rica. Their platform is easy to make use of and simple to navigate, and I really like the truth that they’ve an app.
One other nice characteristic is the power to avoid wasting searches. For instance, should you had been on the lookout for a 10-day home sit in Costa Rica in February, however nothing got here up after your preliminary search, otherwise you didn’t like those you noticed, you could possibly save your filters and be alerted as quickly as a match turns into lively.
Trusted Housesitters has 3 membership choices that include completely different advantages relying on the value you pay. The highest membership is $260 and contains cancelation insurance coverage, enhanced customer support, and a pair of airport lounge passes a yr. The fundamental choice with limitless worldwide sits is $129/yr and is an effective way to get began with house-sitting.
Proper now, it can save you 20% through the use of the low cost code GOATS20. When you had been on the lookout for an indication to get began, that is most certainly it!
2. Thoughts My Home
Thoughts My Home is a superb introduction to house-sitting. It’s easy to make use of and is likely one of the least expensive websites round at $29/yr. The low charge means customers can really feel secure dipping their toes into house-sitting waters. Householders in search of sitters can be part of without spending a dime, so there are all the time loads of listings to select from.
Potential house-sitters are free to go searching the web site earlier than becoming a member of as much as see what’s out there on the time. Loads of info is offered and you may even see how many individuals have at the moment utilized. The statistics web page is a superb characteristic that exhibits what number of lively customers they’ve and the place.
Thoughts My Home has been round since 2005, and it stands out to me due to its community-oriented vibe. What units it aside is the direct connection you will have with the homeowners, who actively have interaction within the day-to-day operations. For these hesitant about diving into house-sitting in Costa Rica, Thoughts My Home could possibly be the best place to begin.
3. Workaway
Though predominantly a web site for locating volunteer placements, a fantastic instrument to have in your house-sitting arsenal is Workaway.information. I’ve been utilizing this web site constantly during the last 3 years to search out volunteer alternatives all over the world. However one of many primary search choices on the location is house-sitting and there are at the moment over 500 listings globally.
They’ve an app, which is all the time a bonus, and I’ve discovered hosts to be fast and aware of inquiries. Membership prices round $50/yr or $30pp/yr when a pair indicators up with a joint membership. I’ve made nice, life-long pals, in addition to some useful international contacts through Workaway.
4. Home Carers
One other web site value contemplating is Housecarers.com. Though it could actually’t compete with the numbers that Trusted Housesitters places up, there are lots of of listings at the moment in search of appropriate candidates.
Within the curiosity of preserving your choices open, it’s smart to have at the very least a number of lively house-sitting memberships open. Home Carers permits you to construct a profile and search with out paying something upfront. When you discover a house-sit you just like the look of you’ll have to turn into a full-paying member to use. Full membership is simply $50/yr so it’s one other reasonably priced house-sitting useful resource.
When you’re considering of turning into a house-sitter in Costa Rica, Housecarers.com is a superb web site to discover what a housesitting web site presents and the way it all works.
5. Nomador
Though Nomador has a heavy lean in direction of European house-sits, they do recurrently have listings within the Americas too. There are at the moment round a dozen lively Costa Rican profiles on the location. Very like Trusted Housesitters, customers are additionally in a position to save searches and be alerted once they come available on the market. It’s a really purposeful and easy-to-use web site.
Nomador’s 3-month primary bundle is nice for individuals simply getting began on their home sitting journey. Extra advantages corresponding to insurance coverage, premium customer support, and early entry to new listings include increased membership costs. The highest-end bundle is round $190/yr.
Regardless of not having an app, I like Nomador for its easy web site and clear and informative listings. The fundamental bundle is an effective way to attempt house-sitting with no large monetary outlay to start with.
Private Expertise Home-sitting in Costa Rica
Costa Rica was excessive on my journey want listing after I left the UK in early 2022. I’d heard a lot in regards to the white sandy seashores and the wild and luxurious rainforest, that I couldn’t wait to reach. I had 3 pre-organized home and pet sits booked in the course of my keep.
After 2 days of acclimatizing in San José, the primary house-sit was an hour north in La Fortuna. A fantastic and enjoyable spot identified for the massive Arenal Volcano that dominates the skyline. My time right here got here with 2 canine to take care of and the home backed onto the rainforest – it was unimaginable. Regardless of a number of large bugs, it was a fantastic introduction to Costa Rican tradition.
The second home sit was the jackpot itemizing I had craved since becoming a member of Trusted Housesitters – 4 weeks on the seashore in Santa Theresa. A well-liked vacationer vacation spot and beautiful location. I had further obligations together with a pool and 4 visitor flats that wanted to be monitored, however no process was significantly taxing. It was steps from the ocean and an unforgettable expertise.
San Isidro, round half-hour north of San José was the ultimate house-sitting location in Costa Rica. The working espresso ranch was maybe one of the vital beautiful properties I’ve ever set my eyes on. Fortunately the gardener handled the espresso rising, I simply saved an eye fixed on the home and a bit of canine referred to as Rodelle.
Greatest Areas to Home Sit in Costa Rica
I had such an exquisite time home and pet-sitting in Costa Rica. It’s a spot to expertise so many alternative issues. With that in thoughts, listed below are my high 5 locations to house-sit in Costa Rica;
1. Santa Theresa
Home-sitting jobs in Costa Rica don’t get any higher than in Santa Theresa. The favored seashore city is a well-loved vacationer sizzling spot with beautiful white sandy seashores, nice browsing, and a vigorous tradition of bars, cafes, and eating places. I spent a whole month house-sitting right here and completely beloved it.
There’s a big expat neighborhood and a thriving vacationer scene which suggests lots of the cafes and eating places have extra of an Americanized really feel to them. It does, nonetheless, imply that foods and drinks costs are considerably increased than in different Costa Rican cities.
In distinction, the one-track mud highway that strains the primary boulevard of Santa Theresa maintains the originality of the city. The entire place feels a bit of like stepping again to a less complicated time. Don’t be stunned to see individuals strolling barefoot, taking beers all the way down to the seashore at sundown, or using scooters with a canine (or canine) on their backs.
Location: Santa Theresa is situated on the western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s round 115 miles (184 km) west of San José. Getting there requires a brief boat journey throughout the Gulf of Nicoya from Puntarenas or a big drive round it.
2. San José
Though I didn’t house-sit within the capital metropolis San José itself, I did spend quite a lot of time in and round it – together with two Workaway language exchanges and a house-sit round half-hour outdoors of town. Consequently, I bought to know the place very properly.
I’d been warned about San José earlier than touring to Costa Rica, however most of those warnings had been unjustified. Like every metropolis, it has a number of areas that must be prevented when alone or at evening. For essentially the most half, it’s a really cool and nice place to go to. The place to go and the place to keep away from are very apparent, and staying centrally in a populated space by no means gave me any trigger for concern.
San José is dwelling to a few nice museums, great streets crammed with bars and eating places, glorious buying, and some creature comforts should you’re lacking a Starbucks or Taco Bell! By staying right here, you’ll additionally be capable to go to great cities close by like San Isidro, San Rafael, and San Ramon.
Location: San José is the capital and largest metropolis in Costa Rica. It’s serviced by Juan Santamaria Worldwide Airport and is round 2 hours from the coast.
3. Jacó
Jacó was essentially the most Americanized space of Costa Rica that I stayed in. It’s the situation of a number of massive resort-style beachfront resorts and is standard with expats. It’s often known as a little bit of a celebration city, with numerous vacationers frequenting the numerous bars and eating places alongside the primary strip by way of city. I had nice enjoyable house-sitting in Jacó.
The seashore itself is beautiful. The black sands stretch uninterrupted for two.5 miles (4 km) and it’s a preferred spot for sunbathers and surfers. The nice year-round climate makes it a perfect vacation vacation spot for many individuals every year.
Though individuals could come to Jacó to calm down and occasion there’s nonetheless loads of pure magnificence to get pleasure from. For instance, the gorgeous Manuel Antonio Nationwide Park is simply an hour south of Jacó. There are quite a few cool excursions out there too. ATV and horseback using excursions, snorkeling cruises to Tortuga Island, climbing, and ziplining are all inside simple attain.
Location: Jacó is situated on the west coast of mainland Costa Rica. It’s round 62 miles (100 km) southwest of San José.
4. Puerto Viejo
I virtually bought to house-sit in Puerto Viejo however my month-long sit was canceled on the final minute. It was a disgrace, however I settled for an exquisite few days by the seashore with some pals visiting from England. Nestled alongside the japanese Caribbean shoreline of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a tropical haven and presents a novel journey expertise.
Identified for its mix of indigenous and Afro-Caribbean cultures, Puerto Viejo is a unique expertise from the remainder of the nation. The city is such a cool place to go to and is a melting pot of traditions. From the vigorous beats of reggae to the various aromas of native delicacies. It’s a dream vacation spot for house-sitting in Costa Rica long run.
The Gandoca-Manzanillo Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is a shocking place to go to close by, and snorkeling within the crystal-clear waters is an unforgettable expertise. The entire city has a laid-back environment and its heat, pleasant individuals make guests really feel proper at dwelling.
Location: Puerto Viejo is situated on the southeastern shoreline of Costa Rica. It’s round 137 miles (221 km) southeast of San José. Sixaola, the closest border crossing into Panama is just round 28 miles (45 km) from Puerto Viejo.
5. La Fortuna
When you’re planning to go to Costa Rica to expertise nature, in addition to some enthralling experiences, I extremely suggest you head to La Fortuna. Situated centrally within the Alajuela area, this excellent city had all the things I hoped to realize from visiting Costa Rica; wildlife and beautiful landscapes, zip strains, and pure thermal spas.
The long-lasting volcano that dominates the skyline is just breathtaking, and La Fortuna Waterfall is a should for any Costa Rica itinerary. The Bogarin path is a preservation space for sloths and quite a few different wildlife corresponding to toucans, lizards, and butterflies. It’s a fantastic place to discover and to tick off seeing some native Costa Rican wildlife.
The city itself has a relaxed vibe with a gradual circulate of backpackers, and vacationers, in search of nature and journey combined in with a bustling inhabitants of lifelong residents and locals. The small-town vibe makes it really feel homely and welcoming, while ample points of interest and facilities make it an thrilling place to remain.
Location: La Fortuna is situated round 80 miles (130 km) to the northwest of San José. The closest border with Nicaragua at Las Tabilillas is 100 miles (160 km) to the north.
Is Costa Rica Secure?
Costa Rica is taken into account one of many most secure international locations in Central America. The nation’s dedication to eco-tourism and a secure political atmosphere has contributed to its general constructive repute. Guests can get pleasure from exploring the nationwide parks, pristine seashores, and vibrant cities with out vital security considerations.
Nonetheless, like several journey vacation spot, it’s important to train warning and to all the time stay vigilant. Petty theft, significantly in crowded vacationer areas in main cities like San José, generally is a concern. Hold an in depth eye in your belongings always and solely use respected transport companies like Uber and official buses if wanted to get round.
Generally, Costa Rica is a welcoming and safe atmosphere for vacationers and a fantastic place to house-sit. Common sense precautions, an consciousness of native customs, and respect for the pure environment will definitely assist when visiting from overseas.
Execs and Cons of Being a Home Sitter in Costa Rica
As with wherever, there are professionals and cons to house-sitting in Costa Rica. So, based mostly on my experiences, I’ve shortlisted a number of for potential house-sitters to contemplate:
Execs of Residing in Costa Rica
- Pure Magnificence: Costa Rica has an abundance of breathtaking landscapes, pristine seashores, lush rainforests, and majestic mountains.
- Pura Vida Way of life: The “Pura Vida” life-style is a cultural mantra that interprets to “pure life” and typifies the laid-back, constructive, and stress-free way of living in Costa Rica.
- Local weather: Costa Rica enjoys a constant tropical local weather. With year-round temperatures averaging round 32°C (90°F) in the course of the day and 23°C (73°F) at evening.
- Healthcare: Costa Rica has a well-regarded healthcare system, with high-quality medical amenities and professionals. My husband wanted a visit to the emergency room for ear bother and was seen effectively by a specialist and the remedy wasn’t costly.
- Environmental Sustainability: Costa Rica is dedicated to environmental sustainability and conservation.
- Peaceable and Secure: Costa Rica is understood for its secure political atmosphere and lack of a army. It has been a peaceable nation for many years which fosters a secure and secure environment.
- Pleasant Locals: Costa Ricans, or “Ticos,” are identified for his or her heat and friendliness and I can definitely vouch for this.
- Out of doors Actions: The nation is a paradise for out of doors lovers, providing a plethora of actions corresponding to browsing, climbing, zip-lining, and bird-watching.
- Price of Residing: Whereas not the most cost effective nation in Central America, Costa Rica’s price of dwelling is cheap, particularly outdoors of main city facilities and positively when in comparison with say, the USA or the UK.
Cons of Residing in Costa Rica
- Language Barrier: Whereas many Costa Ricans converse English, the official language is Spanish. Non-Spanish audio system could face challenges in sure conditions, significantly in additional rural areas.
- Insect and Pest Points: The tropical local weather brings with it a wide range of bugs and pests, which generally is a nuisance and require ongoing pest management efforts.
- Pure Disasters: Costa Rica is vulnerable to earthquakes and occasional hurricanes, which pose apparent dangers and require residents to be ready for an emergency.
- Rainfall: Through the wet season (Might to November), the nation experiences 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 largely falls closely within the mid-late afternoons.
- Water Outages: In sure elements of the nation, particularly extra rural areas the intensive rainfall can have an effect on the stress of the water provide and the stress drops to virtually nothing. This implies faucets, sinks, and bathrooms received’t work till they repair the issue which might usually take hours to resolve.
- Energy Outages – Likewise, energy outages though uncommon do happen extra incessantly than in different international locations I’ve visited. In 3 months I skilled three 4-8 hour full energy outages.
- Humidity – Given its tropical year-round local weather, the humidity, particularly in the course of the wet season might be overbearing at occasions.
- Non-Flushing of Rest room Paper: The sewage techniques in lots of Costa Rican cities are very delicate and in consequence, you can be requested to keep away from flushing any bathroom paper. A bin is offered which is a bit of disagreeable and generally is a bit bizarre for some individuals, however it’s what they do.
- The Highway Programs: Though there are primary roads that join the larger cities, lots of the native highway techniques are non-direct, reduce by way of some critically rural areas, and at occasions might be poorly maintained.
Home Sitting in Costa Rica: FAQs:
Listed here are some solutions to generally requested questions on house-sitting in Costa Rica:
Most house-sitting web sites may have insurance coverage choices inside their numerous membership bands that cowl host cancelation and another primary pet or house-sitting eventualities. However as a rule, it could be a fantastic concept to have a normal journey insurance coverage coverage in place for visiting Costa Rica.
To turn into a house-sitter in Costa Rica you first want to enroll on a home and pet-sitting web site. There are numerous nice ones, corresponding to Trusted Housesitters, Thoughts My Home, and Nomador which have listings for Costa Rica and are stuffed with useful info to get you arrange as a sitter.
Though there could also be alternatives to receives a commission to be a house-sitter in Costa Rica, cash doesn’t issue into any of the web sites I’ve ever used. Predominantly the change of an exquisite dwelling, loving pets, and the improved expertise of dwelling someplace new is the fee.
Sure. Though fairly uncommon, I’ve definitely seen listings for house-sitting in Costa Rica with out pets. Websites like Trusted Housesitters will will let you seek for listings with out pets. Nonetheless, I’ve discovered that for essentially the most half, pets are included as a part of the discount within the majority of listings.
The precise rules for house-sitters in Costa Rica can fluctuate, and it’s important to examine for current info relative to your nationality and the place you’re touring from. Typically, vacationers are allowed to remain in Costa Rica for as much as 90 days with no visa. This era contains each tourism and non-work-related actions, corresponding to house-sitting.
At all times be sure that your keep complies with the authorized necessities of the nation.
Home-sitting jobs in Costa Rica are superior. From the attractive seashores of each coastlines to the bustling cities and cities there’s a lot to like. Pleasant individuals, nice year-round climate, nice meals, and a lot pure magnificence. Home-sitting in Costa Rica permits you to reside like a neighborhood and actually expertise the great nation to the fullest.
Sure, there are luxurious home sits in Costa Rica. Luxurious might be subjective however I personally discovered lots of the locations I stayed, each as house-sits and in Airbnbs, resorts, and so forth. had been to a very excessive customary and consistent with a few of the greatest locations I’ve stayed all over the world.
Costa Rica stands out amongst Central American nations for security and boasts a secure political atmosphere. Nonetheless, warning and customary sense are suggested, particularly in crowded vacationer areas the place petty theft can happen. To greatest predict security when touring, all the time make the most of trusted transportation like Uber and official buses.
Total, Costa Rica offers a safe atmosphere for vacationers and house-sitters alike.
In Conclusion
My time in Costa Rica flew by and writing this text has made me very eager to return as quickly as attainable. It’s such an exquisite place and house-sitting there made it much more particular. Getting to actually know a spot and the individuals is such a unique expertise from merely passing by way of.
With a lot range, I used to be in a position to get pleasure from many alternative elements of Costa Rican tradition and heritage inside a single journey. So, whether or not you crave world-renowned seashores, the thrill of massive cities, the tranquility of the rainforest, or a combination of all of those points of interest, Costa Rica may have a house-sitting alternative to swimsuit you.
What are you ready for?! Get your self signed up at the moment and start your seek for your excellent Costa Rican house-sit placement.
