Where you rent in Orihuela Costa makes a big difference to everyday life. A home in Villamartín might suit you well with a car and be inconvenient without one; a coastal apartment may be comfortable for a holiday but need better heating for winter. Start with the places you need to reach each week, then look for a home available for the full period you want to stay.
Choose an area you can live in comfortably
Compare La Zenia, Playa Flamenca, Punta Prima, Cabo Roig, Campoamor, Los Dolses and Villamartín against your own routine. Check the actual route to work, school, shops and healthcare. A short distance on the map can be less convenient on foot if it involves a busy road.
Visit at a time that reflects how you'll use the area. If you don't drive, try the journeys you expect to make. If you do, ask whether the rental includes parking and how access to the development works.
Get a straight answer about the dates
Ask whether the home is available all year, including summer. If the advert says long term but the reply says October to May, you have your answer. There's nothing wrong with a seasonal let when that's what both sides want; it becomes a problem when you need a permanent home.
Tell the agent how you plan to use the property and ask why their proposed contract fits. Don't rely on ‘we always do eleven months’ as an explanation. Read the actual terms and get independent advice if they contradict what you've been promised.
View it as a home, not a holiday booking
Open cupboards, look behind furniture for damp, test the hot water and ask about heating. Check mobile reception inside. Ask when the communal pool opens and what the rules are. The photo tells you it exists, not that you can use it whenever you like.
Ask what comes on top of rent: electricity, water, internet, rubbish charges or community costs. An extra monthly estimate without the underlying bills can become a running argument.
Check the agreement before reserving
Once you've found a suitable home, request the draft contract, charges and reservation conditions. Read how long you can stay, what happens at renewal and when either side can withdraw. Confirm that the person taking payment owns the property or is authorised to let it.
Keep the replies and receipts. When you receive the keys, record the meter readings and existing damage and send the photos to the owner or agent. Your starting record should be something both sides have seen.
Before you go ahead
- The location works for your regular journeys.
- The owner has confirmed the full dates, including summer if needed.
- You know which bills are paid on top of rent.
- You've checked hot water, heating, damp and communal facilities.
- You've read the reservation terms and checked who receives payment.
Useful places to look
These links open the searches mentioned in the guide. Check each advert's dates and terms with the advertiser.
Common questions
Is a winter let the same as a long-term rental?
No. A winter let normally has fixed seasonal dates. If the property will be your permanent home, explain that clearly and ask what legal contract the owner proposes.
Which area is best without a car?
That depends on your daily destinations. Inspect the actual walking route and current bus options from the specific address before committing.
Sources and further reading
Official information checked on 12 October 2026. Rules and procedures can change; verify the live source for your exact circumstances.