Villa Montana

Villa Montana points to a different style of stay from the beach strip hotels, namely a villa or house in the hills, with more space, privacy and a sense of living in the landscape. Properties like this suit families, multi-generational groups and friends travelling together, who want shared living areas, a kitchen and a pool to themselves rather than a series of separate hotel rooms. Cooking a few meals, sitting on a terrace in the evening and waking to birdsong are the kinds of pleasures that a villa provides and a standard hotel cannot. The trade-off is distance and independence. A hillside villa is usually some minutes from the beach and the restaurants, so you will need a car, a regular taxi or a driver to move around, and you will probably do some shopping for groceries. Check the road access, particularly if you are renting a small car, and ask the host or manager about directions, parking and security. Reading recent guest comments is especially important for villas, because quality, cleanliness and responsiveness depend heavily on the host.

To decide whether a villa suits you, count the people and the nights. For three or four people staying a few days, a hotel in Jaco is easier and often cheaper. For six or more, or for a week or longer, a villa can offer better value per person, a more relaxed rhythm and the freedom to cook, particularly if you have children who eat early or relatives with dietary needs. Compare the total cost, including cleaning fees, deposits and taxes, against several hotel rooms.

Ask practical questions before you book. How many bedrooms and bathrooms are there, and how are the beds arranged? Is air conditioning available in the bedrooms? What are the arrangements for check-in, Wi-Fi, laundry and rubbish? Is the pool shared or private, and are there safety fences for children? Is there a caretaker or housekeeper on site? How far is the nearest supermarket, and does the host offer a stocked-fridge service on arrival? These answers determine how smooth the stay will be.

Villas also fit well with the activities around Jaco. Tour operators will collect guests from many rural addresses, so excursions to Carara National Park, the Tarcoles River, waterfalls and Tortuga Island remain easy, and a hillside setting makes early starts for hikes or sunrise at El Miro simpler. The dry season, from December to April, is the high season, with strong demand and higher prices, and the green season, from May to November, brings lower rates and lush scenery.

Book early for holidays, and read the cancellation terms carefully. Lastly, make sure someone in your group is comfortable driving on steep, narrow roads, or arrange a driver in advance, because getting around is the main practical challenge of a hillside stay.