Hiring a Nanny (Babysitter) in Costa Rica
Finding quality childcare is difficult at home. When traveling abroad, it can become an even more daunting experience. In fact, it hinders some couples from traveling with their children or venturing to steal some much needed alone time when on vacation. There’s a lot of trepidation around finding someone trustworthy to watch your children, especially when spending time in a foreign country.
Here are some tips on how to find childcare when traveling abroad:
- Word of Mouth
Costa Rica has a strong expat community. Chances are that at least a friend of a friend in your immediate network knows someone who has traveled to Costa Rica with children. Start asking around and on Facebook for recommendations and insights. When traveling finding a babysitter through a personal reference is always the preferred way to go.
- Ask a Trusted Local Source
The hotel you are staying in or the property manager for your rental property are good sources for referrals because they most likely have been called upon before for childcare recommendations. They will have an established network of potential reputable childcare providers they can recommend to you.
- Check References and Social Profilese
When you find someone or if you are researching online, don’t stop at reading the reviews. Contact multiple individuals directly about their experience with the childcare provider. According to Yury Alvarez of Sunshine Babysitting in Costa Rica, she recommends going through personal referrals first and then checking references via Facebook. “It’s always better to source through a personal trusted network,” she said. Social media is a powerful tool, use it!
You want to be sure that your children are being well cared for and having fun so you can relax and enjoy your vacation. Bottom line - with some planning and asking of the right questions, you can find someone to take care of your children while traveling.
Rates for quality babysitting and nanny services in Costa Rica range from $10 to $15 hour.
If you are living in Costa Rica and you would like to know more about buying a property there, check out our freshly published Guide to Buying a Property in Costa Rica: here you'll find also a very useful table with the property management cost break down per month and year.
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