Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come back from your Tamarindo vacation refreshed, invigorated, and healthier than you were when you left home? It isn’t difficult, and in Tamarindo it’s fun, delicious, and can be inexpensive.
Four Healthy Things to Do
1. Go to the beach!
Newsflash: the beach is healthy! Measured amounts of direct sunlight are fabulous for you, flooding your body with vitamin D, making you feel happy and giving your immune system a kick in the pants. And don’t just lie in the sun–walk. Tamarindo Beach, from end to end is about two miles long, so put on your hat, get out the door of your Tamarindo vacation rental, and go for a walk or a jog. The beach is the world’s best free gym! Tamarindo Beach, specifically the south end of the bay, is safe for swimming. You can rent a stand-up paddle board or kayak and visit the Captain Island or just go exploring the bay.
Surfing, of course, is a fabulous exercise. Take a Tamarindo surf lesson if it will be your first time on a board, or rent a surfboard from one of our local shops and catch some waves. Where and when it’s best to surf in Tamarindo depends on the swell direction and how the sand bars are formed on at any given time, but it’s generally a mid to high tide break. Surf at high tide, walk at low tide, and you’re sure to leave Costa Rica happier and healthier than when you got here.
2. Hit the gym
There are several gyms and fitness centers in and around Tamarindo. Being a transient community of visitors, of course you don’t need to buy a monthly membership–just show up and pay for the day. Tamarindo fitness centers are not expensive, offer quality equipment, are air-conditioned, and feature a variety of classes like yoga, spinning, Zumba, and more. Trainers are on duty in Tamarindo’s gyms to provide you the guidance you need.
Depending on where you come from, Tamarindo’s climate can be too warm for you to be able to enjoy fitness activities, but the gyms are comfortably cool. Visiting in the rainy season? Get your workout in no matter what the weather. If you train hard at home and don’t want to lose your rhythm on vacation, Tamarindo is a great choice of destination for you.
3. Do yoga or Pilates
Tamarindo is a favorite destination of practitioners of all types of yoga. There are traditional indoor studios with classes throughout the day and evening, and there is yoga on the beach in the mornings and late afternoons. Tamarindo yoga and Pilates instructors offer open group classes and private sessions. If your vacation in the tropics a destination travel occasion like a Tamarindo wedding or other special group celebration, have the yoga or Pilates instructor come lead private classes for you and your friends/family at your Tamarindo vacation rental.
4. Get a massage
Just like your options for yoga and Pilates, you can enjoy a Tamarindo massage and other spa services either in a five-star spa, on the beach, or in your vacation rental. Experience the health benefits of relaxing massage, melting away any worries that came with you on vacation, or book an appointment for a deep tissue therapeutic massage. Massage therapists in Tamarindo come from all over the globe, speak a plethora of languages, and are trained in a wide variety of styles.
In addition to a massage, have a body wrap or scrub that will refresh your skin, or a Costa Rican all-natural facial with cacao or avocado. Read over the spa menus of Tamarindo spas before you even leave home to get an idea of what kinds of health-enhancing spa treatments are available for you here in paradise.
Three (among dozens of) Health Tamarindo Restaurants
1. Pura Vegan
If your way of being healthy is to eat vegetarian or vegan, you’re going to love Pura Vegan. This delightful little spot inside of the open-air food court called El Mercadito is a favorite of Tamarindo locals–vegan and omnivores alike. Their giant salad bowl is to die for, the spicy curry you can’t have just once, and their french fries with vegan cheese sauce made from cashews is nothing short of unbelievable. Everything on the menu is under 10$, and the portions are more than generous.
Photo property of Pura Vegan, Tamarindo
2. Pangas Beach Club
Pangas Beach Club’s menu is an especially healthy menu because all of Pangas’ plates are crafted with fresh locally-sourced ingredients. Pangas serves lunch and dinner all week, and brunch on Sunday mornings. Fresh fish and salads, custom crafted cocktails, and seared grass-fed beef are some of Pangas Beach Club’s signature offerings.
Great food in Tamarindo is easy to find, but at Pangas Beach Club your options are nothing short of excellent.
Pangas Beach Club will amaze you with exquisite, healthy options
3 .Green Papaya
Green Papaya, just off the beaten path but close to everything, is another healthy eating option that deserves a mention. Green Papaya calls itself a taco bar, but it’s really much more. Their salads, tacos and burritos made with home-made tortillas, ceviche, and other menu options are fresh, generously served, and very reasonably priced.
One of the most unique things about Green Papaya is that in the outdoor dining area, some of the seating is on swings suspended from the roof beams. Kids love this, and–we have to confess–grown-ups think it’s pretty awesome too. Fun is healthy, so don’t miss out on any of it.
Two Healthy Places to Buy Groceries
1. The Saturday Farmer’s and Craft Market
If you’re in Tamarindo on a Saturday morning, by all means do not miss the Saturday Market! The Saturday market is a great place to stock up your fridge with organic produce, fresh organic meats, fresh fish, homemade bread and pastries, kombucha, and organic wines.
You can also get in on artisan chocolates and spices, family farm coffee, local honey and much more. Need gifts? You can support Tamarindo artisans by purchasing handmade clothing, paintings, sculptures, organic personal products like skin cream and sunscreen, and jewelry. When you support local farmers and artisans you not only create health for yourself, you create health for the community around you. Tamarindo says Thank you!
2. El Almacen/La Bodega
El Almacen is a small organic market in Tamarindo, and La Bodega is the adjoining cafe that prepares and serves organic breakfasts and lunches. You can pick up organic ingredients for the meals that you or your Tamarindo chef will prepare in your Tamarindo vacation rental, or enjoy the treats they prepare right there in La Bodega. El Almacen is also a great place to grab unique and healthy gifts to take home for the family and friends that you want to share a piece of Costa Rica with!
Contact us today for assistance with planning your healthy Tamarindo vacation!
