Costa Rica - The Anti-All-Inclusive Vacation Location

Last March we went to Cabo, Mexico in late March. What an experience. Although the weather was perfect, it happened to be Spring Break for many students. They were everywhere. Crowding the pool bars, in the pool, taking all the chairs, being very noisy and generally not what we were expecting. I guess we should have done more homework. We felt sorry for the poor people (many of them families with young kids) that had rooms in the same block as a lot of students.

Fortunately we had already purchased our new vacation home in Costa Rica that we were waiting for to be completed as it is a new build. We have been to many all-inclusives and although they are a lot of fun, we have been looking for something alternative yet affordable. Costa Rica turned out to satisfy all of our wants and needs for a vacation location. Our anti-all-inclusive vacation location.

As landlords of seven properties in Ontario, we decided to extend our knowledge and experience and step outside the proverbial box once again (the first box being purchasing rental properties back in 1999 and 2000, the second one being purchasing rent-to-owns and student rentals from 2009 to 2012). This international property purchase turned out to be a whole new ballgame. Developers, property managers, banks, lawyers, construction workers and sales people all operate differently than we normally find in Canada. As a result, it becomes very important to find people to be part of your purchase "team" to provide guidance, shortcuts and general know-how.

Fortunately for us, the Los Delfines crew provided much of that know-how for us. They arranged for our visit to the bank to open new US and CRC bank accounts. They arranged for our visit to the lawyer to open two corporations that are linked to the bank accounts. They provided optional furniture packages for our villa, and we chose that route instead of finding, shipping and installing everything ourselves. We only had a week, not a month, to be down there and get things together.

As a result, when we visited our villa #25 for the first time in August, it was ready for us. Beds made, towels hanging, kitchen fully stocked with tools (no food or beer though) and internet and cable TV fully functional. Our swimming pool was full of water and just beautiful.

Of course there were deficiencies to deal with, but nothing detrimental or dangerous. Just some finishes to be redone and other small issues. We will be returning to Tambor on December 30th and staying until January 8th, so we will be able to confirm that the repairs have been completed or visit the PM to get them done. Whatever happens will happen. In Costa Rica, a lot of things seem to happen slowly, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. A LOT less stress for sure. As long as those deficiencies don't keep us out of our villa it is all good.

We cannot wait to get back and celebrate New Years in a few short weeks.