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| How does the reservation process work ? |
| It's very simple. You tell us your dates and some other pieces
of info and we send you a rental agreement
by post or by email. You send it to us (email or by post ). From
the date of the agreement,
you have 7 days to make the deposit (50%) or
pay the full amount (if arrival is less than 30 days away). If there
is a balance to
be paid, it is due 30 days prior to arrival
and we send you a reminder a few days beforehand. This is all spelled
out on the contract as
well as the different payment options. We also
send along the driving instructions and other useful bits of information
at this time. |
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| What about safety ? |
This is a very common question. If you choose to visit the capitol city of San Jose, then please take extra caution as you walk or travel around the city. While perhaps no more dangerous than any other large city in the world. You might be warned by the car rental companies about the latest scams that have been reported, but none of our guests have ever experienced any problem here, in San Jose or elsewhere.
In OUR part of Costa Rica, things are very tranquil. Tourism is a huge part of the economy and the locals here are quite intolerant about troublemakers. As mentioned elsewhere, please use common sense when leaving your car unattended at parks, beaches, etc. Keep stuff out of sight and valuables with you or in the house. If you do encounter a problem, it is a good idea to have a copy of your passport and other important numbers in a separate place. |
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| What about snakes ? |
Costa Rica is known to have a number of both venomous and non-venomous snakes, but you will most likely never see one. You will eliminate the possibility by avoiding walking in tall grass, reaching into rocky crevices and hiking off well-travelled trails.
If you want to hike in these house areas, wear tall rubber boots and long pants and never wear sandals. The key thing to remember is to always be alert and watch where you are going. That includes keeping an eye out for what might be on a tree branch. We have a reptile book at the house so you can educate yourself on the different types of snakes found in Costa Rica or you can take a trip to the local live snake exhibit to see them in person.
Having lived in Costa Rica full-time for almost four years, I have yet to see a dangerous snake. |
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| About other dangerous animals? |
Villa Bahia Gigante is situated in the middle of a still protected wild landscape. In consequences, and in spite of all the checks made before your arrival, we draw your attention on the possible presence of dangerous animals (ants, scorpions, trap-door spiders). Even there, and as in all in the peninsula, it is advisable to take all the precautions when you circulate near the house. We recommend you of do not walk. We recommend you not to walk barefoot
and to verify pillows and bedding regularly during your stay. Miguel our guard is at your disposal to clear you of possible intruders.
Mosquito nets are at your disposal in every room and equip all the openings of the house but because of its situation in height, mosquitoes are less numerous and there is no risk of malaria in this region. It is very possible that you meet geckos, these small lizards circulate on the walls of the house and take advantage of the slightest small hole to steal. They are nice and totally peaceful.
A colony of monkeys howlers stays near the villa. You can hear them and sometimes perceive them certain days. Their shouts are impressive but they are not dangerous. An iguana elected place of residence under the roof of the house, he is harmless too. We thank you for not feeding these animals and not frightening them. |
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| Is there a doctor or a dentist nearby ? |
| Almost all pharmacies in Costa Rica have a person on hand to assist in diagnosis, medication and injections. We usually go there before going to the physician. A new Hospital and a Dentist are found in Paquera. Did you know that Costa Rica has very good and inexpensive dental care ? |
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| Can we drink the water ? |
| Yes. The water at Villa Bahia Gigante comes from a well. We advise you nevertheless to avoid any problem to buy some water in bottle in whatever of the local stores of grocer's shop or minimarkets of Paquera or Jicaral. |
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| Should we rent a car? 2-Wheel or 4-Wheel Drive ? |
Definitely rent a car. A 4-wheel drive car is better to get to Villa Bahia Gigante, because roads in Nicoya Peninsula and around the house can be very bad and with a 4-wheel drive vehicle as Costa Rica is a fascinating country to explore !
You can rent at either the international airport in San Jose or take a short flight to Tambor and pick one up there. Most large car rental companies have offices in Costa Rica and it is easy to book cars via the internet.
If you are travelling in the high season (Christmas - April), reservations should be made in advance to ensure availability. In the low season (May-early December), you shouldn't have any problem renting a car upon arrival and negotiating for a discounted price by soliciting the best rates from each of the car rental booths (lined up side-by-side right after you step out of the customs area at the airport) and deciding on the spot. |
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| What are the roads like ? |
The paved portion of the Highway, which runs from San Jose to Puntarenas, is in perfect condition.
Roads of Nicoya Peninsula require 4-wheel drive and caution at all times, especially during and after rain. Please be aware of wildlife crossing both paved and unpaved roads. With the improvements to the roads of this area, cars are travelling faster and threatening the animals as they move from one location to another.
The rest of the road conditions in Costa Rica vary from “great” to "adventurous". Note: The hard-packed dirt road between Paquera and Naranjo has the reputation of being a bit bone-rattling, but major work is currently being done on it and it looks like paving might be coming in the near future.
The short access road to Villa Bahia Gigante (600 m) is sometimes bad during or after the rainy season. |
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| Where can we eat ? |
At the house naturally ! There is hardly to bet that you will often choose this option because you have all that it is necessary to cook. But if you wish to taste the local food you will find:
In some minutes of the villa you can eat in the hotel Bahia Luminosa which proposes a card(map) varied in high season.
Paquera offers sodas where it’s possible to eat “Ceviches” with fish, pizza, burritos and sandwiches, a well-stocked bakery and quite a few other options.
Naranjo have a new restaurant called the ANCHOR (where you can also buy some fresh fish).
Between Paquera and Tambor are a variety of restaurants ranging from family-run sodas with 2 tables near the road to excellent international cuisine. There are no fast food chains and If you need to eat at McDonald's, the closest one is in San Isidro. |
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| What should we bring ? |
In first : Binoculars ! Also, always be prepared with adequate sun protection. Some products are available here but if you must have a certain brand or type, bring it along And if you plan on interacting with Costa Ricans (or "Ticos" as they are affectionately called), you might want to consider bringing a few small, inexpensive gifts to thank a well-deserving guide, a particularly helpful person or to leave a memento with a new friend.
A small dictionary or phrase book will always come in handy for speaking more easy with the housekeepers. Film and batteries are available at fairly reasonable prices in San José these days but if you need something special, better bring it along. Umbrellas here are inexpensive and plentiful so those can be left at home. |
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| What's the dress code ? |
We have a washer at the house, so leave the huge suitcase at home and bring just a few things - you'll be glad you did ! Shorts, swimsuits, t-shirts or light cotton shirts, one or two pairs of long pants (for hiking or horseback riding or for San Jose), sandals, flip flops, closed-toed shoes for hiking or horseback riding, a casual summer dress or skirt.
Beach attire (tank tops, shorts, beach dresses, sarongs, etc...) is perfect for stay in the house but is not acceptable in San Jose and in towns that are not on the beach. Just about everybody wear jeans and casual attire in cities while dress is generally more fashionable and professional in San Jose. If you do not plan on going to higher-end places in San Jose or the luxury resorts, don't worry too much about it. And remember, you'll probably want to pick up some things while you are here. |
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