Category: Tamarindo Vacations

Did you know that more than a quarter of Costa Rica is protected by national parks, wildlife refuges, and nature preserves? It’s one of the nation’s primary conservation efforts and, over the last four decades, this push has transformed the country’s landscapes. And you can explore much of it, right here at these wildly diverse national parks in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

They’re rugged. They’re breathtaking. They’re educational. And they’re memorable. They’re also a great deal, at about $10 per person. So you can explore, as much as you’d like. Enjoy!

In alphabetical order:

Barra Honda National Park

When you think about national parks, we’re betting you envision hikes and waterfalls and scenic vistas. And Barra Honda has those. But that’s not why you’re here.

Welcome to Costa Rica’s subterranean national park. That’s right: Barra Honda’s most treasured sights lie not above, but below the earth’s surface. Here, where 70 million years of shifting tectonic plates nudged ancient coral reefs and force soft limestone to mold and form, creating an underground cave system you’re now free to explore.

Fair warning, though – this isn’t the developed caving tourist experience you might be used to. This is true spelunking and unpolished caving: an authentic, real, and wholly exciting experience that, heads up, can also be challenging and raw. We highly recommend booking a guided caving tour, which will take you down into three of the park’s most explored sites: the Trap, Terciopelo, and Santa Ana caverns.

Continue reading “7 National Parks in Guanacaste, Costa Rica for Your Explorations”

When it comes to Tamarindo rentals, activities, restaurants, and more, there’s not always a lot of focus on budget options. And yet, plenty of travelers enjoy Tamarindo on a budget.

From the tightest budgets to more of a we-have-a-specific-budget approach to travel, Tamarindo is very accommodating. Because here, there are tons of free, almost free, and inexpensive things to do. Things you’ll love to do. There are lots of tips to lower your food costs (while still enjoying the heck out of your vacation eats). And there are plenty of Tamarindo condos for rent that invite you to enjoy the good life without spending a fortune.

Here are a few of our on-the-ground, we-have-budgets-too suggestions for enjoying Tamarindo on a budget:

Continue reading “Budget Guide to Tamarindo: Tamarindo Rentals, Things to Do & Eats”

In our experience, food is one of the greatest and most enjoyable features of travel. And if you’re anything like us – from a casual taster to full-on foodie – then you’re going to love all the Costa Rica tropical fruits that are in store!

Keep in mind that Costa Rican fruits are highly seasonal and, despite how small our country is, fruit seasons do vary by region. So, while you may hear about dozens of fruits you’d like to try, know that only a third to a quarter of them will be available in a single region, at any given time.

The only solution: Visit again. And again. And again! Until you’ve hit on all the seasons and sampled all the Costa Rica tropical fruits. And now, a few of our favorites to add to your list:

1. Jocote (Red Mombin)

Also known as purple mombin and hog plum – so appetizing, we know! – jocote (pronounced hoe-coe-tay) are a cousin of the cashew (who knew?!) and one of Costa Rica’s favorite fruits!

Continue reading “6 Exotic Costa Rica Tropical Fruits You HAVE to Try”

Have you ever heard that Costa Rica is not a “budget destination”? You’ve heard right. But what that usually means is that Costa Rica is a challenge to shoestring budgets because traveling Costa Rica on a budget is possible. And not just possible, but very doable.

Certainly, you’ll have to get a little creative. And you may have to make a few swaps of this for that. And you’ll more frequently choose a free beach day or a $10 pp national park hike over a $150 pp tour day. But you can and will travel, explore, and enjoy the wilds and wiles of Costa Rica on a budget.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

Tip #1: Always Read the [Menu] Fine Print

In Costa Rica, all restaurant service taxes (13%) and a basic tip (10%) are supposed to be included in the prices listed on the menu. In other words, if a dish is listed at ¢5,000 (about $7.50), then the final price should be ¢5,000 – not ¢5,000 + 13% service + 10% tip.

That said, some restaurants list their prices without the service and tip. So, do your budget a favor and always check the menu (usually at the bottom/footer) for text along the lines of “Los precios incluyen I.V.I.” (Prices include I.V.I., or the service + tip tax) If you see something along the lines of “Los precios no incluyen I.V.I.”, then the 23% additional is not included. Some restaurants will include the 13% service fee but not the 10% tip; in this case, the 10% tip is not optional and will always be added onto your final bill.

Continue reading “Traveling Costa Rica on a Budget: 6 Tips for Savvy Travelers”

Sometimes, the hardest part of your vacation is simply choosing where to vacation. So, while you’ve likely narrowed down your country of destination (Costa Rica, hurray!), you haven’t yet gotten so far as to whittle down the regions, towns, or places you’d like to stay. Let us offer some inspiration (and a few Guanacaste, Costa Rica rentals to consider).

We’re here to help. Because, while Costa Rica appears small by map standards, the country is vast: From high-montane cloud forests and river headwaters to coastal beaches and tropical dry forests, you could spend a lifetime exploring Costa Rica’s diverse sights, enormous biodiversity, and varying terrain.

You have to start somewhere, though. And, as residents of the great province of Guanacaste, we’d like to recommend right here: on Costa Rica’s famed Gold Coast, home to pink shell-strewn beaches and howler monkey-filled forests, world-class surf and some of the world’s best sunsets.

So, let’s get right down to it: 10 beachy destinations to submit for consideration. From north to south:

Continue reading “Top 10 Destinations to Visit in Guanacaste”

Tamarindo is as close as Costa Rica’s Gold Coast comes to a beach metropolis and yet, it’s the furthest thing from a city: A mile long from stem to stern, this golden-sand and cerulean-sea travel hotspot packs restaurants and shops, activities and attractions into one sand-dusted town.

For this little town lives by the motto of “surf, eat, and have fun” – and all three, we readily accept as a contractual obligation! It’s the life you lead, when you live or vacation in Guanacaste’s chilliest city by the sea.

While you may have heard about the first (surf) and be tempted by the second (eat), today we’re here to discover the third: Have fun! There are tens, if not hundreds of ways to have fun in Tamarindo. And now, we’re going to discover some of the must-dos, the must-sees, and the you-wouldn’t-want-to-miss-‘ems.

Continue reading “Our Favorite Places to Stay & Things To Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica”

Tamarindo is the kind of place where you don’t have to look for something to: Tamarindo nightlife finds you. Everywhere you go, almost anywhere you look – there’s a bar, a restaurant, or a hangout where you can spend your evening hours.

That said, everyone has their favorites. Here are a few of ours.

Must See: Tamarindo Night Market & Feria

Ferias, or farmer’s markets, are a Costa Rican staple. And nowhere are they more enjoyable than right here in Tamarindo, where the feria becomes a night market complete with live music, international food, and artisan vendors selling jewelry, clothes, art, and so much more.

Open every Thursday from 6-9 p.m., this is our version of the feria gone wild. Only, instead of carrots and mangos, you’ll snack on arepas and empanadas, pizza and pulled pork, lasagna and cocktails. And then, there are the fire dancers and the traditional dancers, the DJs and the clowns – the absolutely everything you need to enjoy an open-air night out on the town!

And hey, if you’re also looking for the more traditional feria, we have that, too. (It’s on Saturday mornings!)

Continue reading “Tamarindo Nightlife: Where to Go, What to See & What to Do”