Published by Coldwell Banker Caribe | November 2026 | Caribbean Coast, Costa Rica
Estimated read time: 5 minutes | Category: Rental Ownership
High season on the Caribbean coast starts in mid-December. From then until Easter, a well-prepared vacation rental in Puerto Viejo can stay booked for weeks. Families, surfers and winter travelers all arrive at once. So owners who prepare in November tend to get the best of that demand.
November also brings some of the year’s heaviest rain. That makes it the right month to find leaks and test every system. Besides, local contractors still have open dates, so repairs get done quickly.
This guide is for owners of homes, cabinas and villas from Cahuita to Punta Uva. Use it as your checklist for the weeks ahead.
When High Season Starts for a Vacation Rental in Puerto Viejo
Demand here follows the northern winter. Bookings build through early December and peak between Christmas and New Year’s Day. They stay strong through March, and Easter week brings another spike. At the same time, Costa Rican school holidays run from December into early February.
Surf season adds to the demand. The Caribbean swell usually arrives in December and lasts through March. Surfers often book two or three weeks at a time. That’s why owners who list late often find the holiday weeks already taken.
Confirm Your Short-Term Rental Paperwork
Costa Rica regulates short-term rentals under Law 9742. The law requires hosts to register their activity, and stays carry the 13% value added tax. Some booking platforms collect part of that tax, so confirm the rest with your accountant. It also helps to ask the Municipality of Talamanca whether your property needs a commercial license.
Next, check your insurance. A standard homeowner policy may exclude paying guests. If yours does, add a rider before the first booking. Our September guide to home insurance covers the options in more detail.
Use November Rain to Test Your Home
Heavy rain shows problems quickly. Walk the property during a storm and look for drips, damp corners and pooling water. Leaks often start around skylights and vents, so check those areas closely. The gutters and drains should run freely too.
Humidity needs its own check. Mildew hides in closets and drawers, and air conditioners need a service and fresh filters. Then test the systems guests rely on: the water pump, hot water, backup power and Wi-Fi. A speed test from the work desk matters because remote workers read reviews for internet quality.
Set Holiday Pricing for Your Puerto Viejo Vacation Rental
Start with comparable listings for the same dates. Look for homes with a similar size, beach distance and amenities. That gives you a realistic range.
Most owners raise their nightly rate for Christmas and New Year’s. Many also set a minimum stay for those dates, such as five or seven nights, which cuts cleaning costs. Easter week often calls for the same approach. After New Year’s, a discount for longer stays can attract surfers and remote workers. Finally, review your cleaning fee and cancellation policy at the same time.
Prepare Your Listing and Your Guests
Gardens on this coast grow fast, so photos from two years ago may show a different house. Schedule a new shoot on a sunny morning.
A good house manual also saves you dozens of messages. It should explain the pump, the hot water and the Wi-Fi. Add the nearest pharmacy, supermarket and clinic as well. Guests appreciate a note about the coast too. For example, point them to the calm water at Punta Uva and the lifeguards at Cocles. Let them know that sloths, monkeys and snakes share the neighborhood.
Line Up Local Help Before the Holidays
Cleaners, gardeners and handymen fill their December calendars weeks ahead. So confirm your team in November and agree on holiday rates.
Owners who live abroad also need someone on call. A power outage or a lost key can turn into a bad review within hours. A property manager or trusted local contact can respond the same day. Give that person spare keys, your electrician’s and plumber’s numbers, and authority to approve small repairs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Vacation Rental in Puerto Viejo
When is high season in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica?
High season in Puerto Viejo runs from mid-December through Easter. The busiest weeks fall between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Easter week brings a second peak. Demand also stays strong from January to March, when travelers escape the northern winter and surfers arrive for the swell. Because the best dates go first, open your calendar early.
Do I need to register my vacation rental in Costa Rica?
Yes. Law 9742 requires short-term rental hosts in Costa Rica to register their activity. Stays also carry the 13% value added tax, and rental income is taxable. Some platforms collect part of the tax automatically, so ask your accountant what remains your job. It is also worth checking with the Municipality of Talamanca about a commercial license.
How much should I charge for my Puerto Viejo vacation rental at Christmas?
The right rate depends on comparable listings for the same dates. Look at nearby homes with a similar size, beach access and amenities. Most owners raise their rate for Christmas and New Year’s and set a minimum stay. If you work with a property manager, ask for last season’s occupancy data. That history shows how fast your dates filled.
Should I hire a property manager for my Puerto Viejo vacation rental?
A property manager makes sense for most owners who live abroad or rent often. A good manager handles guest messages, cleaning, repairs and emergencies, which protects your reviews. Owners who live here full time and rent only now and then often manage alone. In any case, ask candidates for local references and a clear fee structure.
How Coldwell Banker Caribe Helps Owners Earn From Their Caribbean Coast Homes
Many of our clients bought their homes with rental income in mind. Coldwell Banker Caribe is the only established Coldwell Banker franchise on the Caribbean coast, and our agents live in the towns where these homes sit. As a result, we see which properties rent well.
We also connect owners with property managers, contractors and accountants who know this coast. Browse current listings or contact our team to talk about rental properties.
Contact Coldwell Banker Caribe: coldwellbankercaribe.com
High season rewards owners who prepare. A rain-tested house, clear paperwork and a pricing plan set the tone for the months ahead. So start your walkthrough this week, while November still gives you time to fix what you find.
