Buying Property in La Fortuna? Meet the Roosters First

Before buying property in La Fortuna for a vacation rental, check the water, electricity, internet and access. Then do yourself a favor: meet the neighbors. I learned that last bit at three in the morning.

One of my houses had a pretty sweet thing going. Beautiful surroundings, nature, sloths and a lovely place for families with kids. Guests loved it. The reviews were great.

Then came the roosters.

Some neighbors moved in less than 300 meters away and started raising them. Apparently, these birds had decided that 3 a.m. was a perfectly reasonable time to kick off the show. To me, they were little feathered demons.

The house hadn’t changed. The guests’ sleep had. Complaints started coming in, and those five stars suddenly felt a lot less secure.

We talked with the neighbors, explained the problem and tried to find a solution. We even bought the roosters.

Problem solved, right?

Three months later, they used the money to buy better ones. Yep. We’d accidentally funded their rooster upgrade.

To this day, hearing a rooster crow still gives me the chills.

Look beyond the property line

My surprise came with feathers. Yours could be a workshop, a sawmill, a bar, dogs barking all night or an activity with loudspeakers. Whatever it is, your guests can hear it from your side of the fence.

A quick visit at noon won’t tell you what the place sounds like when someone is trying to sleep. Go on different days and at different times. Talk to the people who live nearby. Stop admiring the view for a minute and just listen.

Before you get carried away with the pretty photos, here’s what I’d check:

• Water: confirm that drinking water is actually available.
• Electricity: verify the property’s real connection and service.
• Internet: check what’s actually available at that address.
• Access: look at the road and ask what happens when it rains.
• Noise: visit at different hours, including early morning and evening.
• Neighbors: find out what’s happening around the property, not just inside it.

About that volcano view

Seeing Arenal from a lot today doesn’t promise you’ll still see it tomorrow. Find out what could be built on neighboring properties, even inside a residential development or condominium.

It would be a real shame to design the whole house around that gorgeous volcano view, only to end up admiring the neighbor’s wall.

A vacation rental includes everything guests experience around it. Before you buy in La Fortuna, get to know both sides of the fence.

Getting your place ready for guests? Take a look at how our local team handles vacation rental management in La Fortuna.

And hopefully, yours won’t come with a rooster.