Category: Tamarindo Vacations

You call it your Costa Rica Easter holiday; Latin America calls it Semana Santa. You celebrate with chocolate, bunnies, colorful eggs, and meals based on ham or perhaps lamb. Costa Rica, however, celebrates with none of the above.

Instead, it embraces religious processions and Costa Rica Easter traditions, including stuffed pastries, corn and dried cheese biscuits (called rosquillas), and trips to the beach. And if you visit during this time of year, know that this week – typically falling anywhere from mid-March to mid-April – is poised to be the cultural experience of your life.

So, we’ve written this guide so you can know what to expect, when to expect it, and how to have the best vacation of your life amidst this unique cultural phenomenon.

Continue reading “Costa Rica Easter Holiday: How & Where to Celebrate”

What does a perfect day look like? For us, it’s about pairing a few Tamarindo, Costa Rica excursions with plenty of relaxation, sightseeing, and an abundance of good company and great food.

Begin your perfect day by catching the early morning waves, as the sun rises over the horizon (or not… sleeping in is also a valid option!), offering a breathtaking backdrop for your surfing adventures. After an exhilarating session in the surf, unwind on the soft sands of Playa Tamarindo, basking in the warmth of the tropical sun and listening to the soothing sound of the waves.

As the day transitions into evening, take one of our guest-favorite Tamarindo day trips and embark on a sunset sail along the Pacific coast, where you’ll be treated to panoramic views of the vibrant sky ablaze with hues of orange and pink.

Upon returning to shore, indulge in a culinary masterpiece prepared by your private chef, who crafts a gourmet feast showcasing the flavors of Costa Rica with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Dine al fresco under the stars, surrounded by the tropical landscapes as you reflect on the perfect day spent in paradise.

Continue reading “Plan A Perfect Day: Tamarindo, Costa Rica Excursions, Dining & Relaxation”

As you embark on planning your upcoming travels, we present a compelling case for why your journeys in 2024 should lead you to Costa Rica. ¡Pura vida! Here are our top 10 reasons to visit Costa Rica – plus a few hand-selected Costa Rica holiday rentals to fuel your wanderlust.

Reason #1: There are Hundreds of Beaches to Explore

Top 10 reasons to visit Costa Rica in 2024? Try top one. Nestled between the Pacific and the Atlantic/Caribbean, Costa Rica boasts over 300 stunningly diverse beaches, making it a beach lover’s paradise.

Renowned for their beauty and variety, Costa Rica’s beaches consistently earn accolades as some of the world’s best beaches. Recently, Playa Conchal, north of Tamarindo, was crowned the world’s best beach by Big 7 Travel, citing ecological responsibility, social media popularity, and editorial opinion as contributing factors. With recognition like this, our exquisite beaches represent one of the most beautiful, eye-catching reasons to visit Costa Rica in 2024.

Continue reading “Top-10 Reasons to Visit Costa Rica in 2024”

Some people like to say you can’t have everything. At Vacation Rentals Tamarindo, we like to say you can – especially when it comes to your Costa Rica luxury vacation! Welcome to convenience with privacy, to luxury that’s affordable, and to gorgeous coastline within your reach.

Over the years, we’ve learned that true luxury is not only about amenities and inclusions but also about quality of service. So, we’ve cultivated all those luxury features, villa amenities, and important details, while making sure to pair them with the highest standards of service and an authentic dedication to you, our guests.

Together, this combination has grown into our new Elite Service level, our highest tier of luxury services. We are pleased to introduce…

Continue reading “Experience a Costa Rica Luxury Vacation with Elite Services + Concierge”

At its best, traveling on a budget is an exhilarating challenge: a chance to explore the world a little longer, enjoy a little more, and squeeze in a little more authenticity. And if that sounds like your kind of Tamarindo, Costa Rica vacation, then we’re here to help you identify a few great ways to pinch your colones, discover Costa Rica, and choose the best things to do in Tamarindo for you.

Tip #1: Cook at “Home”

By far, one of the easiest ways to travel on a budget is to cook some of your own meals, rather than ordering in or dining at a restaurant. And that’s where your vacation home’s kitchen comes in clutch.

That said, let’s not forget that this is still a Tamarindo, Costa Rica vacation – and no one’s saying that food prep is among the best things to do in Tamarindo! We recommend preparing most of your breakfasts, as there’s a certain level of relaxation already built in to waking up late and preparing a lazy breakfast or brunch at home. Beyond that, go easy for lunch with easy-prep options, like sandwiches, pasta salad, fresh fruits, and other dishes you can prep in an instant.

Dinner is a great time to splurge on either a meal out or a meal in: You can find some incredible catch-of-the-day options, if you love seafood, as well as plenty of local and imported goods at our local grocery stores. Be sure to choose something that feels a little special; again, you’re on vacation! And vacation is a great time for special.

Continue reading “Travel on a Budget: 6 Tips to Save on Your Tamarindo Vacation”

Packing for Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste is like packing for almost any other warm destination – except when it’s not. Over the years, we’ve learned a thing or two about what people think they need to pack vs. what they really need while they’re here.

Thankfully, there’s a lot of overlap. And, if you forget something, you can likely find a passable substitute in Costa Rica. But it may be hard to find. It may be expensive. And who wants to spend hours of their vacation hunting down hiking shoes, anyway?

And so, for all you clever, resourceful planners and packers out there, we’ve pulled together our list of what travelers most often forget to pack – and a few things you should remove from your suitcase, stat!

What to Bring: The What-Not-to-Forget List

For the sake of this post, we’ll skip over all the but-of-course! basics, like shirts and underwear and your passport. Instead, we’ve tried to pinpoint a few must-pack inclusions that you may not know you’ll need for your trip to Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste.

Because you may have remembered to pack only a few credit cards (and to notify your bank that you’ll be traveling. You may have rolled up some extra socks to account for fording rivers on your hikes. And you may have already packed your zip-on, zip-off pants/shorts. But have you remembered the following?

Continue reading “Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste Packing List: What (and What NOT) to Bring”

If you’re planning your spring break in Costa Rica – and especially if you’re planning spring break 2023 – then it’s time to get moving. Spring is just around the corner and accommodations are filling up, activities are selling out, and travel is kicking into high gear.

No stress, though. We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite tips for spring break on a budget: what to do (and what not to do), what free + low-cost activities to enjoy, and where to stay – yes, even if you’re looking for availability this year! So, let’s get started.

Budget Tip #1: Skip the Rental Car

There’s no other way to say it: Rental cars can be a major expense in Costa Rica. (Think: $100-$250+ per DAY, including insurance.) So, if you’re on a budget and don’t plan to travel up and down the coast every day, then you may want to skip this one in lieu of a few more budget-friendly alternatives.

So, what are those alternatives? We recommend starting with a combination of airport transportation, private drivers/taxis/Uber, public buses, bike rentals, and walking, depending on where you’re headed. Or, if you’re truly an independent, adventurous spirit with a need to feel the wind in your hair, ask our concierge, Cris, to find you an all-in rental car price to fit your budget. Get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you figure it all out!

Continue reading “Spring Break in Costa Rica on a Budget: Money-Saving Tips for Lodging, Activities & More”