Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica has long been a top destination for travelers seeking idyllic beaches, lush rainforests, and exceptional biodiversity.
With the rise of digital platforms, seasonal rentals have become an increasingly popular solution for experiencing an authentic stay in the heart of this natural paradise.
While the number of available options may seem overwhelming, this article aims to guide you through the top 10 most popular apps for finding the perfect stay in this Central American gem, helping you easily discover the hidden treasure that will make your vacation unforgettable.
Best Apps for Seasonal Rentals in Costa Rica
Top Seasonal Rental Apps in Costa Rica for 2023
| App | Ease of Use | Transaction Security | Local Language Support | International Availability | Regional Effectiveness | Popularity & Statistics |
| Airbnb | Intuitive interface, advanced filters, direct communication with hosts | Secure payments, insurance for hosts and travelers | Spanish and English | Available in over 190 countries | Strong presence in San José, Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Limón | Over 150,000 active users in Costa Rica in 2023 |
| Vacasa | Simple navigation, booking management, notifications | Integrated payment system, 24/7 assistance | Spanish, English | 25,000+ properties worldwide, including Costa Rica | Specialized on the Pacific Coast (Guanacaste, Puntarenas) | 12% growth in Costa Rica in 2023 |
| Lodgify | Dedicated mobile app, centralized property management | Direct booking control, real-time notifications | Spanish, English | For international managers, multi-property | Used by many local managers, especially in tourist areas | Over 10,000 downloads, 180 reviews, 3.8/5 rating |
Specific Features
- Airbnb
- List a property in a few steps, global visibility, secure messaging.
- Payments and security deposits handled by the platform, included insurance for hosts.
- App and website available in Spanish, English, and other languages.
- Highly used by North American, European, and South American tourists.
- Vacasa
- Synced app and website, quick access to booking information, itinerary sharing.
- Notifications for arrival/departure, secure property access (entry codes).
- Multilingual customer support, detailed information on each rental.
- Increased presence in beach regions (e.g., Guanacaste), suitable for groups and families.
- Lodgify
- Mobile booking management, synchronized calendar, automated messaging.
- Ideal for multi-property owners or local agencies.
- Support in Spanish and English, new booking notifications.
Real User Examples
Owner in Tamarindo (Guanacaste): “Thanks to Airbnb, my bookings went from 40% to 85% annual occupancy. Travelers appreciate the easy payment and quick communication.”
Management agency in Jacó: “With Lodgify, we manage 15 properties without being in the office, everything is centralized in the app. Booking notifications let us respond instantly.”
American family renting through Vacasa: “We found a house perfectly suited for our group of 8, with direct beach access and assistance in Spanish and English for all our questions.”
Strengths and Limitations by Region
- Airbnb attracts the largest number of international vacationers, especially in urban and tourist areas (San José, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio).
- Vacasa stands out on the Pacific Coast, with offerings tailored to large houses and groups.
- Lodgify is mainly favored by professionals or local managers looking to automate multi-property management.
Key takeaway:
The most popular seasonal rental apps in Costa Rica in 2023 offer a multilingual interface, enhanced payment security, and great management simplicity, thus promoting rapid sector growth for both owners and international travelers.
Good to know:
In 2023, the most sought-after apps for seasonal rentals in Costa Rica include Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo, each offering an intuitive user interface and secure transactions. Airbnb, for example, provides support in Spanish, attracting local clientele, while Vrbo is popular for its large property listings on the Pacific Coast. A recent survey shows that Airbnb holds 45% market share in seasonal rentals, illustrating its appeal. A user in Santa Teresa reported a 30% increase in bookings after listing their property on Vrbo, highlighting its effectiveness in capturing international vacationer interest. These apps are particularly effective at attracting tourists to regions like Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula thanks to their personalized recommendation algorithms, maximizing local offer visibility.
Revenue Optimization: Tips for Property Owners
To maximize seasonal rental income in Costa Rica, it’s crucial to adopt a structured approach combining visibility, property optimization, dynamic pricing, and proactive reputation management. Here are the key strategies to implement:
Effective Use of Platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo…)
- List on multiple major platforms to increase visibility to an international audience.
- Automatically sync calendars to avoid double bookings and maximize occupancy rate.
- Use integrated analytical tools (view statistics, conversion rates) to adjust offerings based on observed demand.
Optimizing Descriptions and Photos
- Write a detailed, attractive description highlighting:
- The property’s specific assets (ocean/mountain view, private pool…)
- Proximity to major tourist sites or sought-after activities
- Modern amenities or local touches appreciated by the target clientele
- Use professional photos:
- Optimal natural lighting
- Carefully staged scenes showcasing space and comfort
- Multiple angles to show all main rooms
| Element to Optimize | Practical Tip |
|---|---|
| Description | Update according to seasons/local events |
| Photography | Hire a professional photographer |
| Titles & Keywords | Include “beach,” “pool,” “wifi” if relevant |
Dynamic Pricing by Season
- Systematically adjust prices for different periods: high season (December-April), low season (“green season”), local/international school holidays.
- Use a dynamic pricing tool or manually analyze competitor offerings weekly.
- Offer targeted discounts during off-peak periods to attract more travelers.
Practical example:
During high tourist season (December-April), apply a premium rate. During low season (“green season”), offer attractive rates with additional benefits like free cleaning or late check-out.
Regular Local Market Analysis
- Frequently monitor:
- New competitor properties in your geographic area
- Evolution of average nights booked by customer type
- Cultural/sporting events likely to attract more visitors
Proactive Customer Review Management
Systematically encourage each satisfied tenant to post a positive comment right after their stay via personalized message.
Concrete tips:
- Respond quickly and courteously to negative reviews with concrete solutions to mentioned problems.
- Publicly thank each positive comment; this humanizes your customer relationship.
A good reputation not only increases your occupancy rate, but also justifies gradual price increases, especially if your ratings exceed those of the local market.
Checklist Summary:
- Multiply presence on Airbnb/Vrbo/other international platforms
- Refine descriptions/titles/photos with regular updates
- Practice flexible pricing adapted to Costa Rican tourist calendar
- Actively follow local trends & adjust offerings/communication
- Actively manage e-reputation through quick responses & smart solicitation of positive reviews
Good to know:
To maximize seasonal rental income in Costa Rica, owners can leverage platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo by carefully optimizing their listings. It’s crucial to write an attractive property description and use high-quality photographs to capture potential visitors’ attention. Dynamic price adjustments, based on seasonality and local events, can also attract more bookings and thus increase profits. For example, raising rates during high tourist season can generate more revenue. Monitoring local trends helps stay competitive and relevant. Proactive online review management is essential for maintaining a good reputation: owners must respond quickly to comments to show their commitment to customer experience, which could justify higher rates. By integrating these strategies, owners can not only encourage more travelers to choose their property but also potentially improve their overall income.
Rental Management Apps: An Asset for Property Owners
Main Benefits of a Rental Management App for Owners in Costa Rica:
- Simplified Daily Management
- Centralization of bookings from multiple platforms (Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, etc.) on a single dashboard.
- Automation of recurring tasks like sending arrival instructions or tracking cleaning and maintenance.
- Easier multi-property management for investors owning several properties.
- Booking Optimization
- Automatic calendar synchronization to avoid double bookings and maximize occupancy rate.
- Dynamic price adjustment based on local or seasonal demand to optimize profitability.
- Simplified Communication with Tenants
- Unified inbox allowing centralized and quick management of messages from different channels.
- Scheduling personalized automatic responses to travelers before arrival or after departure.
- Effective Payment Tracking
- Real-time visualization of payment status (deposit, remaining balance).
- Automatic alerts for unpaid amounts or each new recorded transaction.
Examples of Popular Apps in Costa Rica:
| App | Key Features | Observed Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Smoobu | Syncs multi-channel calendars/bookings; communication automation; mobile | Reported average gain: +30% free time |
| Guesty | Complete channel manager; check-in/out automation; advanced analytics tracking | Reported increase in occupancy rate |
| eviivo Suite | All-in-one management (bookings, payment, cleaning); AI/automation | Reduced logistical errors |
Real examples and testimonials collected from Costa Rican users:
“Thanks to Smoobu, I reduced my weekly administrative time by more than half. I can track my monthly income effortlessly.”
— Owner in Tamarindo
“Automation via Guesty helped me avoid two costly cancellations due to double booking. My average monthly rate rose to over 90%.”
— Multi-property manager in the Central Valley
Sector statistic noted in the country:
- Users who adopted a channel manager like Lodgify or Hostaway saw an average increase of up to +20% in annual net income from their properties thanks to better pricing optimization and fewer vacant periods.
Summary:
Specialized apps offer Costa Rican owners:
- Major gains in operational efficiency
- Better visibility on financial flows
- Improved customer experience through automation
They are now essential for staying competitive in this highly dynamic tourist market.
Good to know:
Rental management apps, like Guesty and Hospitable, prove to be valuable assets for seasonal rental property owners in Costa Rica, offering simplified and efficient management. Through these tools, owners can optimize bookings via calendar synchronization across multiple platforms, thus avoiding double bookings. They also facilitate communication with tenants through integrated messaging that ensures increased responsiveness. Financially, these apps enable precise payment tracking and generate detailed financial reports, simplifying accounting. Moreover, collected testimonials show that using these solutions has allowed several owners to reduce time spent on rental management while increasing profitability by an average of 15%, providing peace of mind and a better tenant experience.
Focus on Airbnb: The Most Popular App in Costa Rica
Airbnb has established itself as the most popular seasonal rental app in Costa Rica, profoundly transforming the local tourist market and traveler experience. Since its launch in the country, Airbnb has helped democratize access to a wide range of accommodations while adapting to local specifics:
- Adaptation to Local Needs
- Most offerings are concentrated in coastal areas and small beach communities, meeting growing demand for authentic stays close to nature.
- The app developed partnerships with WWF Mesoamérica and various local associations to promote responsible tourism, particularly through the “Costa Rica by Land” initiative, focused on sustainable land travel and supporting local commerce.
- Differentiating Features
- Exceptional Variety of Accommodations: family villas, award-winning ecolodges (e.g., Pura Vida Ecolodge), traditional or contemporary homes with private pool or ocean view.
- Immersive Experiences offered directly via the platform: Costa Rican cooking classes, guided nature tours, or cultural discoveries led by locals.
- Highlighting eco-friendly options (certified green lodgings) and personalized local activity recommendations.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Wide Choice of Accommodations | From rustic cabin to luxurious villa with private pool |
| Local Experiences | Activities organized by hosts (nature, culture, gastronomy) |
| Eco-responsible Commitment | Selection of green lodgings; support for sustainable initiatives |
| Community Interaction | Detailed review system; personalized advice on local businesses |
- Recent Statistics & Popular Areas
- Several thousand lodgings available throughout the country—mainly concentrated around Guanacaste (Tamarindo/Flamingo), Puntarenas (Jacó/Santa Teresa), Nicoya Peninsula, and around Arenal Volcano/La Fortuna.
- Coastal destinations remain preferred while some less touristy regions see increased attractiveness thanks to Airbnb.
- User Reviews & Satisfaction
- Reviews on Airbnb generally show high satisfaction regarding:
- Accommodation quality
- Personalized welcome by hosts
- Useful recommendations for exploring off the beaten path
Frequently cited strengths: impeccable cleanliness, smooth communication with local owners, cultural immersion.
- Reviews on Airbnb generally show high satisfaction regarding:
- Challenges & Raised Criticisms
- Notable increase in average rental prices in some beach communities due to high international demand (“Airbnb effect”).
- Increased risk for some local residents facing rapid seasonal tourism development that can disrupt social fabric or limit long-term rental supply.
Some voices call for more regulation so all platforms contribute fairly to the local economy.
Recent Trends Integrated by Airbnb:
- Marked growth in eco-responsible tourism: increasing selection of “green” lodgings, promotion of certified ecolodges, and active outreach to travelers sensitive to these values.
- Continuous development of experiences showcasing natural/cultural heritage while encouraging responsible local consumption: nearly 57% of hosts recommend nearby shops/restaurants/artisan markets.
Airbnb thus plays a key role not only in tourist diversification but also as a catalyst for more sustainable tourism better integrated with Costa Rican local economic realities.
Good to know:
Airbnb, since its launch, has established itself as the most popular seasonal rental app in Costa Rica, adapting its offerings to local cultural diversity and ecotourism needs. Equipped with features like a wide variety of lodging types, ranging from treehouses to luxury villas, and personalized immersive experiences, Airbnb meets growing demand for authentic and sustainable stays. With over 18,000 lodgings listed across the country in 2022, areas like Manuel Antonio or Corcovado National Park are among the most sought-after. Although reviews are generally positive, some users point out challenges such as impact on local housing and listing authenticity. By highlighting eco-responsible stays and its sustainability initiatives, Airbnb aligns with the growing green tourism trend.
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Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
