Arrival Info & Directions
Your guest portal puts all the arrival essentials in one place -- check-in and check-out times, step-by-step directions to your villa, and a comprehensive digital guide covering everything from the Wi-Fi password to emergency contacts.
Overview
Once your booking is confirmed, the Arrival Info and Villa Guide sections of your portal are populated with property-specific details. You can review them weeks before your trip or pull them up on your phone as you drive from the airport. No app download required -- everything works in your mobile browser.
Finding Your Check-In and Check-Out Times
Your check-in and check-out times appear in several places so you always have them at hand:
- Dashboard summary card -- displayed prominently at the top of your portal home screen.
- Booking Details page -- listed alongside your full reservation breakdown.
- Arrival Info page -- paired with any early check-in or late check-out notes from your host.
Typical times for Costa Rica villas:
| Event | Typical Time |
|---|---|
| Check-in | 3:00 PM |
| Check-out | 11:00 AM |
Your specific times may differ -- always check the times shown in your portal rather than assuming defaults. If you need to arrange an early arrival or late departure, message your host through the portal's Messages section.
[Screenshot: Arrival info page showing check-in and check-out times with property photo]
Directions to Your Villa
The Directions page gives you everything you need to navigate to the property:
- Full address -- street address or location description (some rural Costa Rica properties use landmarks rather than formal addresses).
- Interactive map -- tap to open in Google Maps or Apple Maps for turn-by-turn navigation.
- Written directions -- step-by-step instructions from the nearest airport or major landmark, provided by your host.
- Landmarks and tips -- notes like "turn left at the blue gate" or "the driveway is 200 meters past the Super Compro grocery store."
Arriving from the Airport
Most guests arrive at one of two international airports:
| Airport | Code | Common Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| Juan Santamaría (San José) | SJO | Central Valley, Central Pacific, Southern Pacific |
| Daniel Oduber (Liberia) | LIR | Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific |
Your host may include airport-specific directions. If your villa offers airport transfer services, you can book a pickup through the Plan Your Stay page.
Saving Directions for Offline Use
Cell service can be spotty on rural Costa Rica roads. To prepare:
- Open the Directions page in your portal before you leave for the airport.
- Take a screenshot of the written directions -- or tap the Share or Copy button if available.
- Open the map link and download the area in Google Maps for offline navigation (Google Maps > tap your profile > Offline maps > Select your own map).
Having directions saved locally means you will not lose them if you hit a dead zone between the airport and your villa.
[Screenshot: Directions page with map, address, and written driving instructions]
The Villa Guide
The Villa Guide is your digital handbook for the property. Your host writes it specifically for your villa, so the contents vary -- but most guides cover the following:
House Rules
Every property has its own ground rules. Common examples:
- Quiet hours (typically 10:00 PM -- 7:00 AM)
- No smoking inside the villa
- Maximum occupancy limits
- Pet policy
- Pool and outdoor area guidelines
Wi-Fi and Connectivity
The guide includes the Wi-Fi network name and password. Some properties have multiple networks -- one for the main house, another for a guest casita or pool area. If the network requires a login portal, the guide will walk you through it.
Appliance Instructions
Costa Rica villas often have features that work differently than what you may be used to at home:
- Air conditioning -- how to operate the remote, recommended temperature settings, and which rooms have A/C.
- Water heater -- on-demand (tankless) heaters are common; the guide explains how to adjust temperature.
- Kitchen appliances -- coffee maker, blender, gas stove ignition, dishwasher.
- Entertainment -- smart TV apps, Bluetooth speakers, streaming service logins if provided.
- Pool and hot tub -- controls, safety covers, heating schedules.
Emergency Contacts
The guide includes numbers you should save in your phone before arrival:
- Property manager -- your primary point of contact
- Local emergency services -- 911 works in Costa Rica for police, fire, and ambulance
- Nearest hospital or clinic -- name, address, and distance from the villa
- Maintenance or security contact -- for after-hours property issues
[Screenshot: Villa guide showing Wi-Fi details and appliance instructions]
Contacting Your Property Manager
If anything is unclear about your arrival or the villa guide, you can reach your host directly:
- Tap Messages from the dashboard or bottom navigation bar.
- Type your question and send. Your host or concierge team will respond -- often within minutes during business hours.
You do not need to search for a phone number or email address. The messaging feature keeps all communication in one thread so nothing gets lost.
Key Concepts
- Magic link -- The secure, passwordless link in your booking email that opens your portal. No account creation needed.
- Villa Guide -- A digital handbook written by your host, specific to your property. Covers house rules, Wi-Fi, appliances, and emergency contacts.
- Arrival Info -- Check-in/check-out times, directions, and any pre-arrival instructions from your host.
- Offline directions -- Screenshots or downloaded maps you prepare before arriving, in case of limited cell service.
Common Questions
Can I check in earlier than the listed time? Early check-in depends on availability -- the previous guests need time to check out and the cleaning team needs time to prepare the villa. Message your host through the portal to ask. Some properties offer early check-in for an additional fee.
What if I cannot find the property? Call your property manager using the number in the Emergency Contacts section of the Villa Guide. If you booked an airport transfer, your driver will handle navigation for you.
Is the Villa Guide available before my check-in date? Yes. The guide is accessible as soon as your booking is confirmed, so you can review it weeks in advance.
Can I share the portal link with other guests in my group? The magic link is tied to your booking. If other guests in your party need access to directions or the villa guide, you can share a screenshot or forward the relevant details.
What language is the Villa Guide in? The portal interface adapts to your browser language. Villa Guide content is typically written in English and Spanish, depending on what your host has provided.
Related
- Guest Portal Guide -- Full overview of your guest portal and how to access it.
- Trip Services -- Browse and request activities, transfers, and more.
- Guest Messaging -- How to communicate with your host and concierge.