With the majority of Costa Rica’s 2 million annual tourists visiting Guanacaste, the rental market is a big one that can offer second-income opportunities for people owning a number of properties.

House and condo rentals have become more popular for family vacations, as tourists find that they can get more value for their money compared with a hotel.

The cost of a weekly rental will vary dramatically depending on the size and amenities of each residence. Luxury homes in Langosta can rent for a as much as $7,000 a week, while a small studio in Coco may rent for only a few hundred. Both create second incomes, as both ends of the rental scale have proved popular.

The former is popular with wealthy families, or two families vacationing together who find they can save money by sharing a large luxury house with a kitchen, a maid service, and amenities such as swimming pools and Jacuzzis. The latter is popular with Ticos, students and budget travelers, and occupancy rates can be quite high.

If you want rental income from your property, check occupancy rates in the resort communities where you are thinking of buying, and make sure the commissions charged by the property management company are reasonable.