Money Wire to secure a Costa Rica Rental, Safe or not a good idea?

Question

I am moving to COsta Rica, I found a great house rental on Quepolandia. I know the area well but the landlord is asking me to wire him the money to secure the apartment. I understand the need to secure it because rentals go fast duing the high season. I am just worried about wiring the nmoeny and showing up there with no place to stay. Anyone has done this or heard of issues in COsta Rica with fake adds for rentals?? Found it on A local classified add for Quepos, Costa Rica.

Answer 1

That is a tough one.

Quepolanda is a respectable magazine but if I were you I would not do a wire transfer to someone I did not know.   There simply is no legal recourse once a wire transfer is made unless you have a contract.  But even then it is still a little risky I would say the only safe way to proceed is by offering your credit card.  If you do not receive the service then you have recourse with your credit card company and they will credit you back.

It is tough for a rental owner to maintain a merchant account or be able to process credit cards but for you the consumer I think it is too much risk just tp transfer cash.  Perhaps the Rental owner can find an agent to process the charge on his behalf.

Answer 2

i would never wire $$ because it's the same as cash.  any problem & you are out of pocket.  you need a way to track your deposit.

possibly paypal???? or overnight a check/bank money order????

Answer 3

I wouldn't.  The exchange of money and key should happen simultaneously.  Americans like to plan ahead and do this tyoe of thing, but it is not safe.  i am an American living in Mexico...and i learned that you exchange the rent and the key at the sme time after reading the contract and seeing the property.    Better to go, stay in a hotel a few days and go apartment hunting.