tamarindo vacation rentals Archives - Tamarindo Blog

January 17, 2020March 22, 2022

How to Be Happier and Healthier in the New Year with a Costa Rican Vacation

Happy 2020! The new year is here, and it’s going to be the best one yet! As you’re making your plans for the year and thinking about how to focus on well-being, don’t forget that a Costa Rica vacation is one of the healthiest choices you can make. Forget Disney World–come to the happiest country on Earth, where the air and water are clean, monkeys swing through the trees, and the sun shines 365 days a year!

When we say a Costa Rica vacation is a healthy vacation, we’re not making it up. One of the world’s Blue Zones, where longevity is unusually high, is right here on the Nicoya Peninsula only a few miles from Tamarindo. If being healthier than ever is one of your resolutions for 2020, coming to Tamarindo is the right way to get started. A Tamarindo vacation rental is the perfect way to relax with family and friends and get your healthy year started off the way you want to. Here are a few of the reasons Costa Rica is good for you:

1. It’s the Perfect Place to Unwind

The best thing you can do for yourself this year is unwinding and relax. Stress ties your body and your mind in knots, and the first step to a healthy 2020 is letting go of your worries. Tamarindo, Costa Rica is the perfect place to do just that. We have the beaches, the sun, the flora and fauna, the bars and restaurants, the health and wholeness spas, and the perfect Tamarindo vacation rentals to make this trip the one that points your year in the right direction.

Tropical vacations are special because they are geared toward relaxation. No matter what time of year you chose to visit us, you’ll enjoy warm weather, lush gardens, and warm ocean water. Leisurely sunset walks on the beach are an ideal and even romantic way to unwind. Costa Rica’s laid-back atmosphere and favorite expression “Pura Vida” will quickly loosen the knots and help you unwind.

We’ll help you pick a Tamarindo vacation rental with what you really need to let the stress melt away: a hammock, a private pool, the sound of the ocean nearby, and a five-star concierge to make sure you have everything you want at your fingertips.

2. Sunlight is Good for You

Newsflash! Direct sunlight is good for you! Simply receiving sunlight can increase the vitamin D levels in your body, set circadian rhythms which improve sleep, strengthen your bones, improve your mood and mental health, make your heart healthier, improve your brain function and overall help you live longer. You might feel better just thinking about it!

Of course, too much sun in the middle of the day can cause sunburn which we don’t recommend, but human beings were made to be in the sun, so put that bikini in your suitcase and get on a plane! It’s good for you! A hat and a light-colored long-sleeved shirt can cut down on the amount of chemical sunscreens you need to use on your skin, which is a healthy way not to get too much sun.

3. Being in or Near the Ocean is Good for You

Historically, doctors often recommended that their ailing patients go to the seaside to breathe in the salty air absorb sun on their skin and bathe in the natural mineral salts. Unfortunately, your health insurance probably doesn’t cover seaside visits–but maybe it should.

Breaking waves fill the air with negative ions that purify the air and have an antidepressant effect in the human brain. The fact that looking at the ocean relaxes you, and that being near it makes you feel better and immediately calmer is not in your imagination. It’s chemistry.

For even more negative ion benefits, get out there in those waves and go for a swim or grab a board and catch some waves. A Tamarindo surf lesson is not only one of the most fun things you can do in Costa Rica, it’s also excellent for the health of your brain. Ever wonder why surfers are so laid back and happy?

4. There Are All Kinds of Exercise Options

It’s a pleasure to exercise in Costa Rica where the sun is shining and the weather is beautiful. Forget the gym! Walk or run on the beach. Hike. Surf. Swim. Snorkel. Go kayaking or whitewater rafting. Try a stand-up paddle board. Enjoy yoga in a shady open-air dojo, or on the beach in the cooler hours of the early mornings. As your mind relaxes and your body strengthens, you’ll feel better and better with each day of your Costa Rica vacation.

5. The Environment is Clean

A Costa Rica vacation is a healthy vacation because our environment is one of the cleanest and greenest on the planet. 25% of Costa Rica’s territory is either a national park or a protected area. Imagine what that does for our air quality, the cleanliness of our water, and the health of our ecosystems. The air pressure at sea level gives your blood cells an oxygen boost with every breath you take, so come get energized!

6. Costa Rican Food is Healthy Food

*Enjoy a meal like this at Nogui’s Restaurant in Tamarindo*

You are what you eat, and an obvious product of Costa Rica’s clean environment is clean food. It’s easy to eat healthy and be healthy in Costa Rica. Organic farms all over the country make chemical-free meals something you can find almost anywhere, and most towns have local farmers’ markets. You won’t want to miss our Saturday farmers’ and craft market here in Tamarindo!

Traditional Costa Rican meals are comprised of rice, beans, corn tortillas, simple salads, and a protein–usually chicken, fish, or beef. Eat a variety of these items, mixed with a variety of fresh tropical fruits, fresh cheese and eggs, and you’ll be amazed by how wonderful you begin to feel.

*We have the* ***Tamarindo Vacation Rental*** *you need for your vacation*

2020 is going to be your best year yet. Contact us now and let us help you get started planning your healthy vacation to Costa Rica. Start 2020 off right!

January 9, 2020March 22, 2022

Tamarindo Vacation Rental of the Month: The Sunrise Condo Collection

Our Property of the Month to start the year out is located in the heart of Tamarindo and is a standard favorite for family vacations. The Sunrise Condo Collection is comprised of 5 different vacation rentals of Tamarindo that, individually or as a multi-location unit, bring you the best Tamarindo has to offer. Before we explain what’s special about each of the Sunrise Condos we offer, have a look around the property in general:

*The Sunrise Condo Collection is waiting to bring you your next vacation!*

It’s right in the center of town.

A Sunrise condo or set of condos is the right choice for anyone who wants to truly experience a slice of life in Tamarindo because the Sunrise Complex is right in the center of town. Check out the map and you’ll see what we mean. Bars, restaurants, grocery stores, and the beach are just steps from your door at Sunrise.

It’s right across the street from the beach.

In Tamarindo, you can’t get any closer to the beach than the Sunrise Complex. It’s location directly across the street from the warm golden sand places you steps from the water. Are you a surfer or a beach-lover? Then your ideal vacation rental condo is at Sunrise! Sit on the terrace of your Tamarindo vacation rental after a busy day of fun in the sun, and listen to the soothing sounds of surf breaking on the sand.

*Sunrise is located right across the street from the beach!*

It is fully gated and off the street.

The Sunrise property is a safe place for your family and your rental vehicle. A single entrance point is monitored by a guard service 24 hours a day to make your vacation worry-free.

It has an amazing pool and common area.

Sunrise’s 4-story buildings are located around a giant internal common area with an oversized child-friendly pool and a sunny area for lounging. The pool features a separate shallow section for Sunrise’s smallest guests and an interactive waterfall feature that provides hours of family fun.

Many of the units are ocean-view.

The only thing that could make your vacation better than a Sunrise condo across the street from the beach is if the home offers an ocean view as well. And many of our units do! Imagine waking up in an ocean-view bedroom or sipping your first cup of coffee while checking the surf. You can do this and more at Sunrise.

You can walk anywhere.

From Sunrise, everything in Tamarindo is within walking distance. Nothing makes your vacation relaxing like being able to keep it simple, and Sunrise is the premier place for un-complication. Save your rental car for trips to other beaches like Flamingo or Avellanas, and enjoy Tamarindo on foot.

You can reserve multiple units for larger groups.

Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo offers you five different units within Sunrise, so feel free to invite everybody! Extended families and groups of friends love to vacation together at Sunrise where each family unit has its own home away from home, but there is plenty of space to be together.

*Sunrise is just the beginning! Get out and explore. Photo by Maja Novak*

Our concierge service is yours.

Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo offers you Tamarindo’s premier concierge service. We’re the long-time local experts on Tamarindo’s best tours, activities, and transportation options, and our guests at Sunrise get to enjoy our five-star service.

Now that we know you can’t wait to pick the unit for your Costa Rica vacation, we’re ready to unveil the choices:

CASA BELLA VIDA – Sunrise #03

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 guests

Casa Bella Vida has all the best of Sunrise wrapped into a small package. This compact and affordable vacation rental is perfect for small families. The kitchen and living area are fully equipped with everything you’d expect in a Tamarindo home away from home, and in Casa Bella Vida, you’ll enjoy an ocean view from the terrace and from the master bedroom. One of the home’s two full baths is a private bath in the master bedroom.

OUR TAMARINDO – Sunrise #14

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 6 guests

Our Tamarindo is our other small-scale Sunrise complex condo. In Our Tamarindo, the terrace overlooks the sun deck and the resort pool. You’ll enjoy the natural light that pours through the windows and sliding glass doors into every room of the house. The kitchen, dining area area, and living area are a single comfortable open space where you and your family or friends will enjoy time together planning activities and then re-living them at the end of each day. Our Tamarindo has the perfect simplicity of bringing you everything you need in a compact three-bedroom space.

CASA SOL Y LUNA – Sunrise #31

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 8 guests

Casa Sol y Luna is our Sunrise condo that celebrates the sun and moon. This simple three bedroom unit follows the layout you’ve already seen in the previous Sunrise units we’ve featured, with the difference that this one has additional sleeping space available. A bunk bed in one of the guest bedrooms turns that room into a favorite with the youngest members of your party!

SUNRISE PENTHOUSE – Sunrise #04

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 8 guests

The Sunrise Penthouse is our top-shelf choice for small vacation rental condos in Tamarindo. This oceanview penthouse is a corner unit on the top floor of Sunrise. The terrace the opens from the living room to the ocean breezes overlooks the pool area, Tamarindo rooftops, and the blue pacific horizon. Our favorite thing about the Sunrise Penthouse is the ocean view from the master bedroom. This is the best view for the best price in all of Tamarindo. The other thing that sets this bright and beautiful condo apart from others like it is the additional sleeping available on the sleeper couch in the living room. The more, the merrier–and the Sunrise Penthouse has room for everybody!

5 BEDROOM PENTHOUSE – Sunrise 28

5 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, 12 guests

If you’re ready to pull out the stops and enjoy a five-star luxury vacation in the center of Tamarindo Beach, then only our two-story 5-Bedroom Penthouse will do. This home is the crowning jewel of the Sunrise Complex. Vaulted ceilings, Roman columns, an interior balcony surrounding the living area on the second level, and multiple outdoor terraces make our Five Bedroom Penthouse spectacular. Here, you’ll enjoy all the Sunrise Complex amenities, but the private ocean view jacuzzi sundeck with a wet bar and dining table is going to capture your imagination and steal your heart.

Contact us right away about our Sunrise Condo Collection. We’ll help you make the reservation you need to get the new year started with a smile!

November 21, 2019March 22, 2022

Calling All Electronic Music Lovers: YOU WANT TO BE IN COSTA RICA IN JANUARY 2020!

Actually, anyone in their right mind wants to be in Costa Rica in January, but if you are a lover of electronic music, you want to be HERE. In January 2020 back-to-back electronic music festivals are going to rock Tamarindo – BPM Costa Rica & Ocaso Festival in Tamarindo. You want to make plans right now because our Tamarindo vacation rentals are filling up and every day that goes by locks more dates on our calendar.

*Ocaso Music Festival: photo property of Periodico Mensaje Guanacaste*

The first festival is the Ocaso Underground Music Festival, from January 9-13. DJs spin electronic and techno house, one performance at a time, at various locations — poolside, beachside, and in the jungle…all night long. You don’t want to miss this amazing festival at one of Tamarindo’s most beautiful times of the year.

The BPM Festival, from January 15-19, brings us 5 more days of underground house and electronic music in and around Tamarindo. This is your chance to surf, snorkel, sail, take canopy tours, visit waterfalls, explore cattle ranches and volcanoes while knowing every night is a guaranteed amazing party!

Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo has 5 of our favorite Tamarindo vacation rentals that are still available in January:

Casa Moana

Casa Moana is a beautiful modern home for up to 10 people. This brand-new vacation rental home is centrally located in Langosta just down the road from Tamarindo and is created with ecology in mind. Solar panels on the home’s roof provide all of the electricity, 10-foot sliding glass doors create cross-ventilation, and recycled water keeps the green areas rich and healthy through the dry season. Enjoy the music festivals with your family and friends, and enjoy knowing that the only footprints you leave will be on the sand.

Casa Moana is comprised of a sunny open common area that includes the kitchen, an immense single-slab dining table, and a living area with a flat-screen tv. This space opens, through sliding glass doors, to a sun patio with loungers, a private pool, and a small table for morning coffee or a poolside cocktail. The master bedroom has a full en-suite bath, and the other 2 bedrooms share a gorgeous full bathroom with skylight. These 3 bedrooms are located on the first level of the home. An exterior stairway from the pool patio leads down to a lower-level independent space where a multi-purpose room overlooking the community’s garden area includes a private bed/bath suite.

Casa Xanadu

Casa Xanadu is an unforgettable Tamarindo vacation rental villa with an absolutely breathtaking view of the Tamarindo Bay, the Las Baulas estuary, the vast expanse of Playa Grande, and the mountains that line the coast. This 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home is perfect for the escape artist that enjoys being surrounded by nature in an amazing private setting while still having all the benefits of a lively beach town just moments away. This is an ideal home for a group of friends who want to lay back, relax, and enjoy the electronic music festival in style.

Bright living spaces, a full kitchen and laundry, luxurious bedrooms and a wide breezy patio set with your own private infinity pool dropping off into the Pacific make Casa Xanadu a dream destination. All rooms focus on the incredible view and surfers need not move a muscle to check the conditions.

Pueblo Colonial 3

Pueblo Colonial #3 is part of a small gated Tamarindo complex. The villa offers two bedrooms and two bathrooms that can sleep up to four adults. It is fully equipped with kitchenware, linens, towels, AC and Wifi. At the center of the Pueblo Colonial complex is a beautiful private pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens.

The location of Pueblo Colonial is perfect. You can easily walk into town within five minutes or relax at home and rest up for the night of dancing to jungle beats. Never before has a music festival in Tamarindo living been so easy and affordable.

Villa Paloma

Enjoy the music festivals in a laid-back tropical style at Villa Paloma. This comfortably furnished and brightly decorated 2-bedroom condo sets along a quiet street just a few minutes’ walk from the beach in Playa Langosta. This is the ideal place to kick back, relax, surf, walk the beach, lounge by the pool and enjoy the vibrant music scene you came to experience.

Villa Paloma is forms part of a luxury condominium complex called Villas Guapinol. Lush tropical gardens are cared for by a dedicated staff, and a crystal clear resort pool with an ample sun terrace is waiting for you in the private garden behind the condominiums. On the street side of the complex, a gated parking area is monitored by a security guard.

Casa Catalina

The view of Tamarindo Bay from Casa Catalina is literally breathtaking. Set at the top of a seaside hill 330 feet above the sand, there is no other property that affords a view of the ocean or the sense of serenity present here. Beyond the terrace, the infinity-edge pool and the property’s tropical garden, the earth drops away, leaving you suspended in a dream-like panorama of sky and sea.

There’s no more beautiful spot to enjoy the days you spend in Tamarindo resting so that you can dance the night away at Ocaso or the BPM festival in Costa Rica.

Up to 16 guests can sleep at Casa Catalina. The master bedroom includes a private bath and is furnished with a king sized bed. Two guest bedrooms, one with a single queen sized bed and one with two queen sized beds. The guest bedroom has a private ensuite bath and the second guest room has a bathroom right across the hall. There are 2 brand new Casitas, one with a King bed and a pull-down Queen bed and the other one with a queen bed and a pull-down queen bed. Each casita is fully equipped with a private bathroom, kitchen, and small balcony. The lower casita also has its own private pool.

Let us know if we can help you reserve your vacation rental with us at Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo. Dont wait too long or they will all be rented!

July 18, 2019March 22, 2022

9 Healthy Food & Activity Picks in Tamarindo

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.

tamarindo market — photo by hotchicksing

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!

July 6, 2019March 22, 2022

Featured Property of the Month: Puesta del Sol

Our featured property this month at Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo is Puesta del Sol. This brand new Tamarindo vacation rental property combines elements of a home and a hotel into a unique hybrid of common and private spaces. Six private cabins sleep up to 16 guests at Puesta del Sol, making this property a favorite for special event occasions like weddings, retreats, and reunions.

Puesta del Sol sets on the top of a Tamarindo Bay hillside overlooking the town, the bay, and the magnificent Pacific sunsets from which the property derives its name. The property affords a breathtaking 300-degree view of Playa Grande to the north, Tamarindo to the west, Langosta to the south, and the endless rolling green hills of Guanacaste disappearing into the east. As the day progresses at Puesta del Sol, the panorama changes according to the angle of the light, ending with a sunset show you will never forget as you watch it from the infinity pool, the breezy patio, or your room’s private terrace.

The common areas at Puesta del Sol

The heart of Puesta del Sol is its common area, with six private sleeping cabins set in a semicircle around it. A spacious living/dining room with sliding glass doors on three sides and a full bar and kitchen at the other end is far above and beyond what you’ll find in most rental homes.

What you really have at Puesta del Sol is your own mini retreat center. The infinity pool that lies along the beach-view side of the common space is surrounded by a sun terrace and comfy cushioned loungers that you can place in the sun or shade according to your preference.

Whether you’re a family group, a corporate retreat group, a wedding party, or a bunch of friends on vacation together, you’ll love the way at Puesta del Sol, you can cook and eat together, leave the sliding doors open so the kids can play in the pool while you mix cocktails at the bar, or stretch out on the couches and watch a movie together.

The Bedrooms

Private cottages house the bedrooms at Puesta del Sol. Four of the six bedrooms have one king-sized bed, and two of them have two queen sized beds. These queen rooms are perfect for families or for roommates who prefer to have their own space.

Each bedroom has its own spacious en-suite bath, and a patio with quaint wooden rocking chairs. You are going to love the time you spend sitting on the patio taking in the breathtaking view. No matter which direction your room faces, the view is amazing. Wake up in the morning, wander over to the kitchen, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and then tiptoe back to your patio to soak in the beauty of the beginning of the new day.

Why Puesta del Sol

Why choose Puesta del Sol for your Tamarindo vacation rental? One great reason is privacy. Puesta del Sol is literally at the top of the hill. You won’t have to worry about traffic because no one but you is climbing up that far. This means, of course, that you will absolutely need rental vehicles to get you back and forth from the town and the beach, but the rather adventurous bumpy ride takes only a few minutes.

Another reason to choose Puesta del Sol is that it’s one of our newest properties. Everything works perfectly, and the property has the crisp modern feel that is hard to attain with older properties that were originally built as single-family homes.

We think, though, that even more than the privacy Puesta del Sol offers or the pristine condition of the property, you’re going to want to stay there because of the view. Seriously. “Breathtaking is a word that gets thrown around a lot and over-used, but wait until you stand on the pool terrace in front of Puesta del Sol where the hillside drops away from your feet and leaves you in the sky. See if the feeling of space around and even under you doesn’t make you catch your breath and reach for something to hold onto.

Why Tamarindo

If you’re coming to Puesta del Sol, that means you’re coming to Tamarindo–so there are two things to be extremely happy about! Tamarindo is Costa Rica’s premier Pacific coast beach vacation destination, and you’re going to love it. The beach is great for swimming and surfing, and it’s a sandy beach with only a few rocky areas, so you can enjoy long low-tide beach walks.

The town of Tamarindo is only about 30 years old, which means that you’ll find an established community with lots of new and vibrant activity. You’ll hear languages from every continent on the planet being spoken on the street and have the chance to choose between Tamarindo restaurants that offer Costa Rican traditional food, Italian restaurants, Indian, middle-eastern, North American, Argentinian, Venezuelan, French, and Asian cuisine. The nightlife begins as the sun sets between 5 and 6 PM depending on the time of year, and continues until the wee hours of the morning. Live music is everywhere at sunset and during dinner time. Fire dancers entertain on the beach and in the streets, and as the hours pass, DJs keep the energy flowing.

What to do during your visit

Tamarindo is Guanacaste’s Activity Central, so don’t forget to plan some down time into your days, or you’ll need a vacation from your vacation when you get home from Puesta del Sol. Our Concierge is an expert in planning group packages, so give us a profile of who’s coming, and we’ll give you some suggestions to consider.

Go surfing, or take Tamarindo surf lessons if surfing isn’t already your thing. Get out on a fishing boat, a catamaran, or a sailboat and experience the ocean. You can go hiking, horseback or mountain bike riding, and visit one of our dozens of national parks. Visit an active volcano, ride a Tamarindo zipline, go whitewater rafting or tubing, and watch sea turtles nesting in Las Baulas National Marine Park. You’ll want to leave time to enjoy the beach, of course, and you’ll want to experience the sunset hour on this villa’s pool terrace watching the colors of the sky and sea change, blend, and fade into starlight.

June 3, 2019March 22, 2022

Top 5 Tamarindo Vacation Rentals for Weddings & Events

Costa Rica tops the list of favorite destination wedding choices, and Tamarindo has the climate, the infrastructure, and the breathtaking venue homes that are going to convince you to celebrate your special day here. Tamarindo has risen to the top of the luxury vacation rental market, offering homes for large and small wedding parties, having five-star professional event planners, and sitting on years of experience in executing elite events in the tropics.

Have a look at our five featured vacation rental recommendations for Tamarindo weddings and other special events. Each of these Tamarindo vacation rentals can sleep 20 or more guests, and are excellent venue options in and of themselves!

wedding planning in Tamarindo — Photo: Toh Gouttenoire

Casa Costa Blanca

Casa Costa Blanca is a recently-remodeled beachfront mansion for up to 24 guests in Hacienda Pinilla. If you’ve done your Tamarindo research, you already know that Hacienda Pinilla is the area’s premier gated community and an ideal place for a special event. This two-story home is unique in that each floor has a completely separate full kitchen and living/dining area, giving large groups exceptional flexibility while they share a single space.

Casa Costa Blanca

Behind the home, on the beach side, an oversized infinity pool, a barbeque and outdoor dining pavilion with enough seating for a full house, and a luxurious green lawn overlooking the crashing Pacific Ocean.

Casa Costa Blanca is one of our top 5 picks because not only is it big enough to accommodate a large number of guests, and not only is it spectacularly beautiful—it is a dream event venue in and of itself. Hold your small intimate wedding on the patio or hold a larger event on the lawn or in the sand. Casa Blanca offers all kinds of options because of its size and diverse spaces.

Casa Costa Blanca

Have private chefs prepare a meal in the home, or have your special meals catered—Casa Costa Blanca provides a mesmerizingly beautiful setting and the flexibility to let you choose what best suits you and your group.

Villa Tranquila

Villa Tranquila, also located in the gated community of Hacienda Pinilla, offers a level of service to its guests that no other vacation rental can match. Its staff is available to provide all meal preparation, and are accessible 24 hours a day to meet any needs that may arise.

Villa Tranquila

Villa Tranquila is located on Hacienda Pinilla’s golf course and close to the beach. Its delightfully secluded location means that at Villa Tranquila you are free to celebrate until the sun comes up and no neighbors will call to complain. It’s hard to underestimate how important that can be if your lively group loves to celebrate.

This beautiful villa offers the maximum in comfort to its guests, with large private rooms, private baths, and two indoor common areas. Outside, an immense lawn with a patio and infinity pool are a perfect place for your ceremony, event, and/or a special meal.

Villa Tranquila vacation rental Tamarindo — Villa Tranquila

Our wedding and event planners know Villa Tranquila well and are waiting to make your special day the best it can possibly be.

Casa de Luz

Casa de Luz is a beachfront mansion for 23 located in Langosta, just at the end of the road that goes through Tamarindo. This luxury vacation rental, once a single-family home, combines the comforts of home with the convenience of its central location and the breathtaking beauty of the ocean just steps from the back door.

Casa de Luz has the back yard to die for. A stone terrace, a gazebo with a day bed, a wet bar, an infinity pool, a private beachside casita for two or four, and private beach access are all there outside the sliding door from the living room. The home’s staff makes sure that guests at Casa de Luz are comfortable and that events flow seamlessly.

Casa de Luz

This is one of the foremost eco-friendly homes in Guanacaste. Solar panels on the roof provide electricity, an ozone system eliminates the need for 90% of the chlorine in Casa de Luz’s swimming pool and laundry and Casa de Luz uses only Costa Rica’s top biodegradable housekeeping and hygiene products. If leaving a smaller ecological footprint is important to you and your loved ones, place Casa de Luz at the top of your list and reserve it early.

Villa Concha

Villa Concha is an elegant beachfront villa in Playa Langosta a few doors south of Casa de Luz. This property, in its two-story main house and two private casitas, can accommodate up to 20 guests. Originally constructed to house a bed and breakfast and recently remodeled to make it one of Tamarindo’s foremost event-friendly vacation rentals, Villa Concha is a perfect option for your destination wedding.

Villa Concha

Let our event planners take care of the details while you enjoy the beachfront infinity pool, walk the miles of beaches that stretch behind your back door at Villa Concha or paddle out into the pounding surf you can watch from home’s terraces. If your group is larger than what Villa Concha can accommodate, our other Langosta beach vacation rentals are just down the street and can keep your party close enough to enjoy your whole vacation together.

Villa Concha’s private beach access path leads from the impeccable pool terrace through the trees to a sandy lookout point. Consider this our recommendation for your sunset beach wedding, or an unforgettable early-evening cocktail hour where you can enjoy the privacy of your own home-away-from-home and the breathtaking beauty of dusk falling over the Pacific horizon.

Villa Concha’s private look-out point

Casa Puros Dieces

Puros Dieces is a stunning 8-bedroom Pacific Rim style home for up to 20 guests. It is perched on a green hillside just above the busy town of Tamarindo and admires a 180 degree of vista of the Tamarindo Bay. Casa Puros Dieces is the home nobody ever wants to leave, and it is an ideal option for lodging your wedding party and for the event itself.

Casa Puros Dieces

Indoor and outdoor spaces blend in the home’s common areas, with luxury bedrooms and en-suite baths offering complete privacy throughout the home’s maze of spaces. The beach and all that Tamarindo has to offer is just minutes away at the bottom of the hill, allowing guests at Casa Puros Dieces to enjoy the best of both worlds—the privacy of the secluded location and the proximity of the things you’re coming to Tamarindo to see and do!

Many wedding parties choose Casa Puros Dieces for the event venue instead of taking the special day to the beach or anywhere else. A courtyard lawn within the walls of Casa Puros Dieces, a living room that opens fully to the view of the bay, and a deck with an infinity pool provides plenty of space for celebration in the privacy of your own home.

Casa Puros Dieces

Puros Dieces offers sunset panoramas like no other. Sunset at the beach is spectacular, but Puros Deices sunsets, with all of Tamarindo Bay, Playa Grande, the Las Baulas Estuary and the town of Tamarindo at your feet raise the bar to a new level. No one who attends your wedding or other special sunset events at Casa Puros Dieces will ever forget the experience.

When it comes to a destination wedding and other events, we’re the local experts. We personally know the Tamarindo wedding planners, the caterers, the florists, the musicians and the reliable transportation providers that are going to make your experience as seamless as a dream come true. Contact us with your date, your ideas, and the wish list you’ve been making. We’re ready to get started right now!

Costa rica wedding photographer — Photo: Toh Gouttenoire

April 11, 2019March 22, 2022

The Best Waterfalls in Guanacaste

costa rica waterfalls — Photo by Nicole King

If your Tamarindo vacation is in the planning stages now, that means you’ll most likely be visiting us in our green season, and the green season is the best time to visit Costa Rica’s waterfalls! You have lots of choices throughout this mountainous country of unbelievable natural beauty. Some waterfalls are easy hikes, some are more difficult, and some offer the option of riding through the forest to the falls on horseback.

If we were to tell you about all of the waterfalls in Costa Rica, this post would be an encyclopedia, so we’re going to focus mainly on the ones with the closest proximity to your Tamarindo vacation rental. The coast of most of Guanacaste is surrounded by gentle rolling hills that, as you can imagine, are not exactly the place where spectacular waterfalls are found. For really amazing waterfalls, you need mountains, so your trip to the waterfalls will start off with a drive of two hours or more. It’s ok! You can make your waterfall visit part of a full-day adventure package that includes other family fun like zip-lining, rafting, and a volcanic mud spa, or you can make a waterfall like the one at Rio Celeste an additional destination on your Costa Rica vacation after leaving Tamarindo. There are plenty of fun things to do in Tamarindo, but don’t get so caught up you forget to go out exploring some of the rest of the country!

Los Llanos de Cortez

The Los Llanos de Cortez waterfall is a local favorite. Holidays and weekends are a great time to go and not only enjoy a refreshing swim in the cool gentle pond at the bottom of the falls, but also to participate in a real Costa Rican cultural event. Families bring picnic lunches and spend hours swimming, playing, napping, and eating in the shade. The hike from the parking area at Llanos de Cortez to the actual falls takes only about 15 minutes and is not terribly rigorous. It’s a great place to bring a blanket or some beach towels, some sandwiches and some cold drinks. Wear your bathing suit and comfy shoes. You might want to throw your favorite insect repellent in the bag too just to be on the safe side.

Los Llanos de Cortez is a great place to spend a hot afternoon

Rincon de la Vieja National Park, located about two hours north of Tamarindo, is an excellent place to go for waterfall-exploring adventures because within the park there are four popular falls. Plan a day trip with a local tour operator, or just drive on up to the park entrance and begin your explorations. Here is a sneak peek at the four waterfalls in Rincon de La Vieja National Park:

Cangreja Waterfall

A trip to the Cangreja Waterfall starts with a 3-mile hike through the Rincon de la Vieja national park. Keep an eye out for howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, and coatis as you go. Howler monkeys are more common in Guanacaste than white-faced monkeys, but mountainous regions receive more rain than the coastal lowlands and are more attractive to this timid species. Coatis are curious members of the raccoon family that live all throughout Central America.

The La Cangreja waterfall contains the blue-colored mineral called cobalt which it picks up as it flows through this volcanic region. The cobalt in the water creates the stunning blue color of the pool at the bottom of the falls. Bring your bathing suit if you’re up for a swim!

Las Chorreras Waterfall

Las Chorreras is located close to Hacienda Guachipelin, an adventure center just on the edge of Rincon de La Vieja National Park. Guachipelin offers horseback rides to the falls, or you can simply hike–either the short 20-minute trail or the longer 40-minute one for more scenery and a better chance of catching a glimpse of wildlife.

We know you weren’t born yesterday, but just in case you weren’t born hiking through the forest, here’s a jungle hiking tip: BE QUIET. For a better chance to see all types of birds and animals, stay away from noisy groups of hikers, and talk quietly or not at all. See if you can get through the forest without it noticing you.

Two waterfalls cascade into a refreshing cobalt-colored pool Las Chorreras. It’s a great place for a swim and some seriously dreamy jungle relaxation before you begin the trek back to civilization.

Victoria Waterfall

The Victoria Waterfall takes a 115-foot drop into a canyon inside Rincon de la Vieja national park. This is no stroll-through-the-forest-with-a-picnic-basket waterfall; this is the falls that summons only the adventurous! Tour operators offer a variety of experiences at the Victoria Waterfall.

You can hike through the forest to the canyon, then carefully pick your way down the steep descent to the foot of the falls, or you can opt for a horseback ride that will take you to the place where you will repel down the canyon wall through the spray of the falls. How adventurous are you? Either way, when you get to your destination, there will be plenty of time to relax, swim, and feel the power of the pounding falls before you begin the trek back.

Oropéndola Waterfall

The Oropendola Waterfall is a short forest hike from the entrance to the Rincon de la Vieja National park. You can drive to the park entrance, or, if you’re spending the day at the park as a guest of one of the various tour companies, you may be offered the option of a horseback ride in place of the drive. Either way, this 82-foot waterfall is something you don’t want to miss. Enjoy the forest greenery on the way in, and take a refreshing swim in the cool, pristine mountain water.

Photo property of www.guachipelin.com

All waterfalls will obviously be fuller and more powerful during and just after rainy months. River currents will also be stronger, so be careful as you enjoy cooling off in the water. During dry months, due to the lower volume of water, volcanic mineral concentrations–like cobalt which gives a stunning blue color–will be higher, so unique colors in the water will be easier to appreciate.

Speaking of unbelievable cobalt-colored waterfalls, there is one in the Tenorio National Park (about 3 hours from Tamarindo) that is so stunning, the river that dives over the falls is named after the color: Rio Celeste. Because getting to the Tenorio National Park is a bit of a trek, we recommend that you spend at least one night in the area. La Carolina Lodge is a popular rustic mountain lodge that combines roughing it with luxury accommodations and is only a short drive from the park.

The Rio Celeste waterfall. Photo property of www.tripadvisor.com

Rio Celeste receives lots of visitors, and the trail from the park entrance to the falls is maintained to keep it relatively easy to traverse. The last segment that takes you down to the falls is a long and rather steep flight of stone stairs set into the mountain. Take it slow so that you don’t slip. For fit hikers who are up for a challenge, take the longer hiking trail either to or from the falls and enjoy a few extra kilometers of the beauty of Guanacaste’s mountain flora and fauna.

Rio Celeste is not one of the waterfalls with a swimmable pool. The rocky area that surrounds the brilliant blue pool is slippery and difficult to navigate, with no natural beach area that makes getting in and out of the water a safe option for the general public. In order to avoid potential injuries at this remote location, swimming is not permitted. A simple slip on the way into or out of the water that produces something as non-life-threatening as a twisted ankle does create a logistical nightmare for the park service and is thus rigorously avoided.

As you can see, no matter what time of year you take your Tamarindo vacation, one of the best things to do in Tamarindo is get out of town and explore the waterfalls. There are lots more falls throughout Costa Rica–these are only the ones closest to home!

Photo by Seth Doyle

Contact our expert concierge to get the inside scoop on which falls are the best ones for the abilities and interests of your group, and get your adventure excursion on the books starting now!

March 10, 2019March 22, 2022

How to Get from Any Costa Rican Airport to Tamarindo

Let’s start at the beginning. You’re planning a trip to Tamarindo. You’ve already booked your Tamarindo vacation rental, so you will be purchasing a plane ticket that lands you either in the Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, or in the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia. Which one is better? Good question. It depends on the length of your vacation and the places you most want to visit. Tickets into San Jose (the capital) are often cheaper than tickets into Liberia, but San Jose is a 5-hour drive from Tamarindo. (Best-case scenario estimate on time, there.)

Photo by Farhath Firows

Liberia is only about one hour away from Tamarindo and other favorite beaches, which makes it a vacation favorite. If you’re coming to do a full Costa Rica tour and plan to spend time in the Central Valley as well as in Guanacaste, then SJO might be your better choice. Otherwise, forget it. Spend the extra money and fly into LIR, because what you save on tickets you will spend overnight in a hotel and on transport to Tamarindo.

Assuming you take our advice and fly into LIR, here is:

How to get to Tamarindo from LIR

Shuttle van transfer

The easiest, cheapest way for you to get from the Liberia airport to Tamarindo is on a shuttle bus. Tamarindo Shuttle is a reliable company that has been operating this route (and many others!) for many years. Tickets are affordable and you can book them online. The great thing about a shuttle bus, in addition to the price, is that you don’t have to worry about being overcharged, about getting lost, or about your luggage disappearing—you just get off the plane and into the van. Next thing you know you’ll be climbing out of the van at your Tamarindo hotel.

If it means anything to you, this is the way Tamarindo locals (like me) get to and from the airport. Wink, wink.

Private shuttle transfer

If you are traveling with a large group or if you prefer to hire your own van for privacy or for the privilege of not having to share, private shuttle transfers are also an option. Contact us for private Liberia to Tamarindo shuttle information and reservations. We may have a sister company that does the best private transfers in Costa Rica!

costa rica vacation rental — A comfy shuttle van can drop you off at your door.

Rental car

Renting a car might even be the #1 option if: you are not going to be super tired when you arrive, it’s going to be daylight when you arrive, and you have a healthy spirit of adventure. Hear me when I say: DRIVING FROM LIBERIA TO TAMARINDO IS EASY. You have to make all of 3 turns, after you leave the airport, to arrive at the beach. Finding your Tamarindo Vacation rental or your Tamarindo Hotel, however, can be another matter. Roads are narrow, twisty, not always well-lit and signs are usually confusing or non-existent. But we do drive on the right side of the road here and if you need to stop and ask for directions, everyone knows where Tamarindo is. So, think it over. If you’d like a rental car to meet you at the airport in Liberia, let us know. We can make that happen, and we work with only the best.

Taxi

You can take a taxi. This is the best method to get to Tamarindo ONLY if you have for some reason failed to plan ahead and make other arrangements. Why? Because taxi drivers can charge you whatever they want. If you haven’t booked a shuttle, you haven’t rented a car, and you need to get to Tamarindo, sooner or later you’re going to pay whatever you have to. We don’t have safety concerns about taxis from Liberia to Tamarindo, but you will pay more than necessary. If that’s not a concern for you, then don’t worry about it. Get off the plane, throw your bags in a taxi, and get here!

Tamarindo Bay’s stunning dry-season shades of blue.

Public bus

Please don’t take the public bus. We’re putting it on the list because it IS an option, but don’t do this to yourself. It will take you about 3 hours to get from the Liberia airport to Tamarindo, and there will not be air conditioning or potty stops. To find out if there will be a bus arriving at the airport at the time you need one, Google Transportes La Pampa. If you are traveling with little or no luggage and spending as little money as possible is of the utmost importance to you, the bus may be your best bet. I’ve been on the public bus to Liberia many times. You will survive. But you’re a tourist and I’m not. Just saying. This trek is not for the faint-hearted. And don’t try this with a lot of large suitcases, please.

If you decide that flying into San Jose is better for an option for you, then you’ll want to know:

How to get to Tamarindo from SJO

Shuttle

Not be predictable, but the best option is still often a shuttle van. For about $50, a shuttle company can take you from the airport or your San Jose area hotel to Tamarindo. They generally leave in the morning and in the afternoon. Surfboards and other special-sized luggage will incur an extra charge. They are comfortable, safe, punctual, and reasonably speedy.

Rental car

Another option available to you is to rent a car and drive from San Jose to Tamarindo. If you know your way around Costa Rica, this could be a comfortable option for you. If you don’t know your way around Costa Rica it can be nerve-wracking, as your phone with a US chip may not be able to get online without wi-fi–and you will not have wi-fi in your rental car. But don’t let me talk you out of an adventure! If you are curious and love surprises, reserve a car that will be delivered to you at the San Jose airport and let the fun begin! If you do this, let me recommend that you take Route 27 out of San Jose, not Route 1. Either way works, but Route 27 circumvents some wild, winding mountain roads that you don’t really need to navigate on vacation.

You are sure to see iguanas like this one on your Tamarindo vacation! Photo by ferdinand feng

Tamarindo has a tiny airport! Small planes make the Tamarindo/San Jose trip several times a day, and you can be here from San Jose in only an hour if you fly. Why you would prefer to book a separate flight on a puddle-jumper from the capitol to the beach instead of just flying into Liberia is a mystery to me, but I’m laying it out here for you because it IS an option. Do you love rollercoasters? Then this is the flight for you! These sturdy little planes are the right ones for the job, but hold on to your hats! The scenery is gorgeous on a clear day, so fight for that window seat.

Public bus

The public bus from San Jose to Tamarindo does not necessarily deserve to be at the end of the list, but somebody has to be last. This public bus (Empresa Alfaro, or Tralapa) is MUCH BETTER than the Liberia/Tamarindo public bus. These buses are generally air-conditioned, run on a very predictable schedule, and are much more comfortable than our local public buses. Tickets cost about $10 and must be purchased at the terminal or can be purchased along the road if there is room on the bus for more passengers.

There are two factors, however, that make this my last recommendation for people vacationing in Costa Rica. One factor is that the bus makes only one bathroom stop on a 6-hour bus ride. If you have a huge bladder then who cares—but I don’t, and I care. The other factor is that I worry about the security of your luggage. Passengers are given tags for the bags that go into the luggage compartment and drivers are good about checking the tags, but… Still. It’s Central America and your luggage looks awfully tempting to active imaginations who picture it full of brand-name clothes and brand-new electronics. Yikes. Also, unless you keep small bags on your lap at all times, it is not safe to fall asleep on the bus. What I mean is that if you put your backpack on the luggage rack above your head and sack out for a nap, you may or may not find it there when you wake up. You won’t be mugged, but if you make it easy, be aware of what could happen.

surf lessons costa rica — Surf’s up in Tamarindo! Get your board!

So, there you go. You have options.

Still, have questions? Email us or call us. We’re a pack of Tamarindo locals who can give you better advice than anyone else because we live here and we know the inside story. Pura Vida!

January 15, 2019March 22, 2022

10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Tamarindo Vacation More Environmentally Friendly

If you google “the happiest country in the world,” you know what you’ll find, right? Costa Rica, of course! Everybody loves Costa Rica. Visitors love it, expats like us who come here and never leave love it, and Costa Ricans love it. Because we all love Costa Rica, those of us who live here are dedicated to taking care of it. We’re glad that the rest of the world has noticed how happy we are, but we’re proud to be at the top of the line-up of countries dedicated to becoming free of single-use plastics, and we’re proud that for 4 years in a row we’ve been running on 98% clean energy.

Find your happy place in Costa Rica! Photo by rawpixel

Read between the lines: we love our environment and we’re dedicated to living in harmony with it. We also love sharing our beautiful home with the rest of the world and we want you to know how to help us keep it healthy and beautiful while you enjoy it. Here are some tips and ideas for how to have an environmentally-friendly vacation in the happiest country on the planet:

1.BRING OR BUY A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

Single-use plastics are on the way out, but we still have them. Drink tap water, or buy water in jugs, not in individual bottles. The tap water in Costa Rica is safe to drink. Because of droughts in recent years, the mineral content is higher than what our bodies need, but the water is potable and will not give you anything dreadful like dysentery. After a meal in a restaurant, rather than buy a bottle of water to take with you, ask your server in the restaurant to refill your water bottle. Or use your Tamarindo vacation rental as a spot to fill up water and freeze for those hot days on the beach. The oceans and landfills thank you.

2. RECYCLE AS FREQUENTLY AS POSSIBLE

You may have read that last sentence and wondered why plastics would be in landfills and not recycling centers. The answer is that some are, and some aren’t. Costa Rica’s recycling programs vary widely in their scope according to the region, and here in Tamarindo we are on the (literal) edge of a very rural area. Join us in doing the best we can with what we’ve got and recycled what you can every time you have the chance. If you travel around the country, recycling options will vary depending on where you are. Fill up those recycling bins!

Green vacations are the best vacations! Photo by Mert Guller

3. PRETEND YOU HAVE TO PAY THE ELECTRIC BILL

Seriously. Not to go all Mama Bear on you or anything, but if you care about the environment at all, one way to show it would be not running the air conditioner in your Tamarindo vacation rental with the door open. Just saying. Yes, we know you’ve paid top dollar to live in luxury for a week, but running the air conditioning with the doors and windows open is not cool. So to speak. Turn the lights off when you leave—at least most of them. Shut the doors and windows. Turn off the fans. Turn back the air conditioning.

And do we seriously mean you’re supposed to go to all that bother while you’re on vacation? Um, yes. We do. Please. Not because you’re responsible for the electric bill. Because you are responsible for how you behave on the planet. No matter how much money you paid to be pampered.

This paradise on earth is worth protecting in every way we can.

4. GO LIGHT ON THE CHEMICALS

Think about how much chemical sunscreen the ocean is forced to swallow every day. Bottles of it. Imagine the insect repellents, lotions and cosmetic products going down the drain every time you take shower. Mother Nature says, “Yuck.” New Body Costa Rica makes a completely organic water resistant 50+ SPF sunscreen that stays on and works. Take it from a local surfer who can’t stay on land or in the shade! Google them and place an order.

Lots of stores where you live and here carry natural insect repellents, and of course, there’s nothing sketchy for the environment in good old aloe vera after you’ve given your skin a hard day.

BioLand is a Costa Rican company that makes organic personal products and foods. It’s safe to say any grocery store you visit in Costa Rica will have BioLand options among the shampoos, soaps, lotions and more. Pick some up to try during your visit and take some home to share the love.

5. COLLECT THE TRASH; LEAVE THE SHELLS

Now there’s an idea. Take a little bag to the beach and collect things the beach doesn’t need instead of things it does need—like shells! Removing seashells from Costa Rica is illegal anyway, so if they are discovered in your luggage on the way out, they will be removed by the authorities and returned to where they belong. Hopefully, you won’t find a lot of obvious garbage on our beaches, but little pieces of plastic, straws, bottle caps, and cigarette butts are everywhere you look if you pay attention. Collect them and put them in the trash where they belong. It’s amazing how good such a small deed can make you feel. Heck, you might leave here one of the happiest people on earth, yourself.

Take away the trash and leave the shells. The beach needs shells in order to continue to be a beach! Photo by Tommy van Kessel

6. TELL THE PERSON WHO SELLS YOU A COCONUT ON THE BEACH THAT YOU DON’T NEED A STRAW

Buy the coconut—they’re delicious and so good for you! But tell the person who sells it to you that you don’t need the straw, even if it’s just a paper straw. Seriously. A straw for drinking from a coconut? Come on. Live a little. Put that puppy up to your lips and drink it the way the squirrels do. Get back to nature. It’s a coconut, not a cocktail. There is no way you need a straw.

Buy the coconut; skip the straw! Photo by Derek Story

7. SUPPORT LOCAL AND ORGANIC BUSINESSES

We know a sandwich from Subway sounds safe and familiar, but Tamarindo is full of local businesses making fabulous locally-sourced food. Several Tamarindo organic markets that carry earth-friendly groceries and goodies, and if you’re here on Saturday morning, for sure don’t miss the Tamarindo Farmer’s Market. For more specific suggestions on organic eating, check out our October 2018 blog post called How to Be Healthy During Your Tamarindo Vacation.

8. SKIP THE PLASTIC SHOPPING BAG

Just in general. You do this at home, right? When you do your Tamarindo shopping, bring a reusable shopping bag or pick one up here. They make great souvenirs and gifts, too.

9. DON’T FEED THE WILD ANIMALS

We don’t mean to insult your intelligence, but it does bear mentioning. Birds, iguanas, raccoons, crocodiles…don’t feed them. Those silly blue jays with the little plumes on top of their heads are terribly cute and naughty, and it can be so much fun to feed them pieces of your breakfast or lunch—but don’t. It’s terrible for them and interferes with nature’s ability to feed them. And feeding crocodiles?! We sincerely hope you will not witness anyone doing such an absurdly counter-intuitive thing, but let’s just say it has happened. That creates a dangerous situation that continues to be dangerous for as long as the crocodile lives, so please—in the interest of your appendages and our children—do not under any circumstances feed a crocodile.

It’s a baby now, but it won’t be forever. And when it’s grown, do you really want it to think of food when it looks at you?

10. RENT A BIKE OR WALK

Depending on where your vacation rental is located, renting a bike can be a win/win for the environment and for the quality of your vacation. Tamarindo traffic at the busiest times of year can be bad for your blood pressure as you can spend longer than you think possible idling in a line waiting for your turn to get through tight-squeeze spots. Rent a bike and cruise on through. Pedaling is good for you, and who needs a car to get from one side of Tamarindo to the other? Save the rental car for grocery shopping and surf trips. Take the bike to breakfast or the beach.

Everybody wins when you ride a bicycle. Photo by Rutger Geleijnse

January 7, 2019March 22, 2022

6 Tips for Women Traveling Alone in Costa Rica

If you’re a woman planning a trip for yourself to Costa Rica, you may have some extra concerns or questions about do’s and dont’s for the road.

First of all, let us assure you that Costa Rica is generally a very safe country for everyone. Costa Ricans are kind and friendly folks, women in Costa Rica are held in high regard, and you have picked a great vacation destination. Women who are used to rolling on their own already know how to make good, safe choices while having a fabulous time, and know how to avoid many safety concerns. Personal safety issues for anyone in Costa Rica are an exception to the rules. Most people in Costa Rica, no matter where they’re from, intend no harm—but it only takes one who wants to get ahold of your purse to ruin your vacation.

1.Take the trip

Absolutely. Whether you’re traveling alone because it’s easier to explore that way or because your available vacation dates don’t coincide with friends or family, take the trip. Costa Rica is a great place to make friends or to search out solitude—whichever will make your vacation better for you.

2. Watch your personal possessions

This important piece of advice applies to everyone traveling in Costa Rica, so of course we wouldn’t want to miss emphasizing it for you. Violent crime in Costa Rica is very rarely directed against the country’s guests, but petty theft is everywhere. Keep your things where you can see them, as much as possible. Don’t leave things in rental cars. Stay awake on the bus. Keep your purse on your lap in restaurants, not hanging over the back of your chair. If you are walking through San Jose’s crowded streets, make sure purse zippers are closed and wear your backpack on the front of you instead of the back. Why not? Better safe than sorry. Don’t leave stuff lying on the beach while you swim. Sorry, but don’t. Get a little wrist wallet for your money, key, and credit card (it’s ok for those things to get wet) and leave your phone in your vacation rental if you want to swim.

3. Remember to lock your door/s

You know this, and you do it at home, but sometimes in the excitement and distraction of vacation, it’s easy to forget what we already know. Car doors, hotel doors, the front and back door of your Tamarindo vacation rental… Make sure anyone who’s curious about whether or not you remembered to lock the door finds out that yes, you did.

4. Understand that unsolicited compliments are a common Latin American cultural custom

They even have a name: piropos. Piropos break a lot of first-world rules about mutual respect between the sexes, but they are still fairly common in Costa Rica and not considered, by most Costa Ricans, to be offensive. In other words, expect to be called beautiful by people you’ve never met and perhaps even receive a few amusing declarations of love from passersby. It’s alright to ignore them. Their authors expect to be ignored. Piropos, however, are not supposed to be crude. Crude comments are not part of piropos; crude comments are crude comments and hopefully you won’t hear them.

5. Get out there and explore the things to do in Tamarindo:

Book tours, trips, take surf lessons, go to the beach, climb the volcano, go horseback riding, plan to go to a spa in Tamarindo, go sport fishing—do it all! Walk down the street to restaurants. Go out dancing. Do all the things on your Costa Rica bucket list and have a blast. Make friends. Come back again.

6. Use the common sense you use every day

Getting into a car with strangers, accepting drinks you didn’t order in a bar, and walking alone after dark in secluded areas all belong on the don’t list—but you knew that already. Be thoughtful about who you allow into your hotel or vacation rental. Use the common sense that got you this far in life, and you should have no problem on vacation in Costa Rica.