Planning to vacation with your family is certainly daunting. Besides having to find family-friendly activities, you should also know that hotels aren’t a good choice for such trips.
Your accommodation should have extra perks like a kitchen and more space. As such, you should consider booking a vacation home rental for your family trip.
Fortunately, whether you prefer a summer vacation rental, an urban apartment, or beach Costa Rica rentals, there are plenty of options in Costa Rica.
Use the following guide to find family-friendly vacation rentals.
1. Start Early
One undisputed fact when planning your family vacation is the importance of booking early.
For starters, you’ll have more available home rental options. Since you’ll be traveling with kids, you should avoid average-looking apartments.
Start early if you’ll have better luck finding vacation homes with modern décor and technology.
Starting early also allows you to save enough money. Hosts often increase their daily rates as more reservations come in.
The longer you wait to book your rental, the more you’ll part with more money. Similarly, you won’t have to part with a huge down payment.
While this varies, you’ll pay less of a deposit if you reserve your rental more than a month in advance. Some even allow a $0 down payment for early bookings.
2. Space and Layout
You should also prioritize the space and layout of the rental home. This is important for comfort and convenience during the trip. First, you should ensure the rental is comfortable for you and the kids. If possible, your family members should have their personal space.
Children need enough room to play, unwind, and nap without feeling cramped.
The rental should also have separate sleeping areas for parents and children.
Common areas, like the living room, kitchen, and dining area, should be spacious to accommodate shared meals and family bonding time.
More important is the layout of the rental home, especially if you have young children. Open spaces, balconies, and staircases should be childproofed.
3. Local Services
Most people don’t understand the importance of ensuring there are convenient local services close to their vacation rentals.
While this isn’t a major factor when traveling alone, it is important for family trips. Important local services to inquire about include:
- Medical facilities: Young children are prone to getting sick. Accidents also happen unexpectedly. Ensure there are clinics and hospitals nearby.
- Grocery stores: You should book rentals close to supermarkets or grocery stores to ease the purchase of food and other essentials.
- Transportation: A reliable means of transport is important when traveling with kids. This makes it easier to access various destinations.
4. Check Safety Measures
Safety is also crucial when planning a family trip.
Knowing your accommodation has appropriate safety measures gives you peace of mind. You can enjoy your holiday knowing your family is safe. Your immediate considerations should be a first-aid kit, fire safety, and pool safety.
You should also inquire about childproofing features of the rental, especially if you are traveling with young children.
Endnote
Vacation rentals are excellent accommodation options for family trips. Unlike hotels, vacation homes provide enough space for families with children.
They also allow independence and minimize vacation costs. However, getting a good, family-friendly vacation home is a challenge.
You should pay close attention to various features that influence family comfort.