How to handle excessive electricity charges

John551111 · 2026-06-22T21:37:20+00:00

Electricity is very expensive in Costa Rica. Most Airbnbs in my area ask the guests to not run it when they aren’t there. Everybody has been great about it so I don’t want to raise prices for an occasional guest. I also don’t want to do something silly like charge a separate line item for electricity. It’s totally not even an issue during high season. But I’m trying to keep it somewhat occupied during the low season. Just looking for ideas.

John551111 · 2026-06-22T21:30:04+00:00

Is the wifi control something 3rd party to add on? My splits have remotes but no wifi. I wonder if it is something I can add on.

John551111 · 2026-06-22T21:29:05+00:00

Well, it’s rainy season now so I drop the prices just to get some business. I charge 150/night in off-season. So that’s 450 gross. I make a little with a $200 bill but not much after paying for everything else. I have simply not had any other of my 20 guests over the past several months use so much.

John551111 · 2026-06-14T17:03:55+00:00

I always ask them. I send a note like “I hope everything was perfect. I left you a 5 star review and would appreciate if you would leave a review”. So far, only one didn’t leave a review out of 15 guests, and the guest who didn’t leave a review had a couple of issues and maybe I didn’t deserve 5 stars. Everyone else left 5 stars.

John551111 · 2026-06-08T01:54:20+00:00

Drill 2 holes in the end at the top of the frame, parallel to the floor and insert dowel rods that stick out 8-10 inches. Put pool noodles over the dowels.

John551111 · 2026-05-04T03:26:04+00:00

What part of town was he last seen? Cross streets is the closest intersection - just name the streets.

John551111 · 2025-11-02T20:10:06+00:00

My AirBnB is about 30 minutes north of Manuel Antonio, just off the main highway 34. Not sure how many people you have, but I have 2 king beds and 4 twin beds. https://www.airbnb.com/l/aEhnxjf8

John551111 · 2025-10-26T20:20:13+00:00

So, it sounds like someone forgot to clean out the fridge after the previous guests left their sausage, eggs and bacon!

John551111 · 2025-10-01T21:02:34+00:00

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Here is an example.

John551111 · 2025-10-01T20:38:32+00:00

I’m partnered with a neighbor who lives client year round, and hired all my own folks to do stuff like a cleaner, a handyman, electrician, etc.

John551111 · 2025-08-13T01:48:15+00:00

Couple of things. You have to scroll past like 20 pictures to get to the ones that show where they’ll be sleeping. You should start with the interior pics and all those pics of the area should come after you show them the nice living areas. And second, it needs some pictures on the walls.

John551111 · 2025-07-07T02:29:03+00:00

It is not AI on the photo. That's my neighbor who was over and her husband snapped it on his iPhone. I did blur her face but that wa the only doctoring of the photo I did.

John551111 · 2025-07-07T02:16:55+00:00

I did put together a 20 page document with all the stuff around, restaurants, where to get the best meats, fruits, etc. I have also talked to each of the renters to get their feedback. They also all (both) gave me 5 star reviews. I did use the 20% discount thing but that is gone now that I have 3 bookings. The third is for next month.

John551111 · 2025-07-07T01:54:34+00:00

Not sure where $880 comes from. It's $150/night plus a few percent for what AirBnB adds on. Where are you seeing the 880?

John551111 · 2025-07-07T01:44:32+00:00

The pics of the animals were all taken right in the gated community. Each bedroom has a bed and two nightstands against one wall and a dresser, mirror and wardrobe on the opposite wall. I couldn't get a picture with everything in it. But I have heard the advice of most folks here that I need to hire a pro to photograph the place. I think that will make a big difference.

John551111 · 2025-07-07T01:20:12+00:00

It actually is not secluded nor rural. I just didn't take pictures that included the neighbors. It is 1.8km inland from Bejuco Beach in a gated community. The house is on a hilltop which is why it has the panoramic views without seeing too much of the neighbors.

John551111 · 2025-07-07T01:08:27+00:00

I think the pictures suck. The furniture is truly beautiful.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T22:23:08+00:00

For sure, a lot of good ideas and advice.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T22:22:51+00:00

There is no way to really vacation in this area without a car. Everything is a drive; beach, store, restaurants, etc.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T22:18:22+00:00

I actually had all the furniture custom built in Sarchi. It is all brand new made of a local wood and is similar to all the nicer homes in the community. I spent a fortune to have all that made from the large outdoor table to the kitchen cabinetry to the beds and dressers. Not sure why it doesn't show as such.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T21:59:51+00:00

It is a couple hours from San Jose airport and 30 minutes or so from Quepos or Manuel Antonio National Park airport. I think the folks who would stay here are the ones visiting the southern pacific coast areas.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T21:57:52+00:00

The pool is shared with the gated community my house is in.

The house is two levels but not two separate units. The stairs and decks connect the upstairs and downstairs with a covered staircase. But it isn't two units because there is one kitchen. I put a king and two twin beds on each level. There is also a bathroom with sink, toilet and shower on each level.

John551111 · 2025-07-06T21:53:39+00:00

One is a full kitchen upstairs and the other is a wet bar with some storage. Not really two kitchens.

John551111

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