Newsflash: Even in the land of Pura Vida, hammocks, sloths, and umbrella drinks…the government can do things like passing new laws regarding sales tax. And that is exactly what happened in Costa Rica in 2019. You might not think a Costa Rica sales tax is a proper subject for a fun vacation blog, but we think you deserve to be informed as well as entertained, so check out this inside info on what to expect in today’s Costa Rica:
Photo by Roberto Nickson
Costa Rican sales tax is
referred to as IVA, which stands for Impuesto al Valor Agregado. This tax
itself is not new, although many things about the way it charged and reported
are. One thing that is new is that the 13% sales tax now applies
not only to goods but also to services. In the past, you
would not have paid this tax on services like tours, transportation, or a
private chef–but now you will, if the company that serves you is registered
with the Costa Rican equivalent of the IRS.
What’s not taxed? Certain
basic grocery items are tax exempt in Costa Rica, fuel is tax exempt, and
medical services are tax exempt except if they are paid in cash. Cash
medical services are charged a 4% fee, but we’re counting on you not needing
medical services during your vacation.
Hotel rooms and Tamarindo
vacation rentals are taxed (not new) and meals in restaurants are taxed
(not new). Restaurants in Costa Rica are actually required to mark up
their prices twice–they charge a 13% sales tax and a 10% service charge.
The service charge is not all bad news!
What it means is that your tip, or a part of it, is already included on
your tab. Tipping additional amounts was
not a part of Costa Rican custom in the past, although in the places you’ll
visit in Tamarindo, servers are used to receiving tips from happy customers.
Let’s say you buy a Tamarindo t-shirt or hop into an airport transfer
shuttle van for 25$. If you don’t see sales tax added to the price on your
receipt, this most likely means it is already included in the amount you’ve paid.
Photo by Maurits Bausenhart
It is possible that
paying for things in cash could allow you small discounts in Costa Rica, but we
don’t guarantee it. This used to be the case across the board, but it is
now only sometimes true. A vendor who
gives you a discount for cash is giving you back the difference of what s/he
would have paid as a credit card fee if you had handed over plastic. This
is completely unrelated to the 13% sales tax, which you will pay the vendor and
the vendor will pay the government either way.
There you go. A little bit of painless Costa Rican tax education to prepare you for your trip to Puravidaville, so that you’ll have as few unpleasant surprises as possible during your days in the sun. Contact us now and let’s start planning.
The sun comes up and goes down no matter where you live, but in Tamarindo “Sunset” is an event! Listen closely and you’ll hear locals ask each other, “Are you going to Sunset tonight?” or, “Were you at Sunset yesterday?” or say things like, “See you after Sunset.” It happens quickly and quietly, but it’s an integral part of beach life in Costa Rica. You’ll have the privilege of experiencing it yourself during your Tamarindo vacation.
Because Costa Rica is so close to the equator,
the sun sets quickly, and at roughly the same time all year. The earliest sunsets of the year happen just
after 5 PM and the latest of the year happen just after 6 PM. For the sun to disappear over the horizon
takes less than a minute, so if you want to watch it happen, pay attention.
Here are some Tamarindo Super Sunset Facts to consider:
–In the dry season (January – April), sunset
is beautiful. The fiery ball sinks from
a crystal clear sky into the horizon behind the sea, and darkness settles
quickly. It doesn’t take long at all
after the sun is gone for the sky to dim enough that Venus is visible overhead
slightly to the south.
–In the rainy season (May – December),
sunsets are a spectacular show that can last for an hour or more. Why?
It’s not that the sun sets more slowly–the difference is that the
clouds create a movie screen for a light show of colors that goes on and on as
the angle of the light changes and the clouds themselves move.
–During the time of year with shorter days, the sun sets in the southwest. Tamarindo is on the north-facing side of the Tamarindo Bay, which means that to watch the sunset into the ocean, instead of behind the point between Tamarindo and Langosta, you need to be on the north side of the beach, up on the hill, or in Playa Grande or Langosta.
Favorite
Sunset Spots in and Around Tamarindo
Noguis Restaurant
Noguis is Tamarindo’s oldest bar/restaurant. It’s beachfront location in the center of town is an ideal spot to watch a Tamarindo sunset. Nogui’s serves 2 x 1 drinks during their happy hour that goes from 4:30 to 5:30. This is important to know because at some times of year the sunset is after 5:30, but happy hour at Noguis is a happy hour at Noguis. After the sun goes down and your glass is empty, take a look at the menu and stay for dinner. Noguis has been serving fresh seafood and Costa Rican specialties since the 1970s.
El Chiringuito
El Chiringuito is another excellent Tamarindo beachfront location to watch the sunset. Happy hour lasts from 4:30 to 6 PM, during which time domestic beers are 1000 colones ($2) and certain well drinks are 2000 colones ($4). Chiringuito often has live music during sunset and offers an incredible view of the bay. Their snack menu has lots of yummy treats that go well with your sunset drink. El Chiringuito is also an excellent dinner choice. If you like seafood or a good hamburger, look no further. Their tuna tartare and the octopus kabab are two local favorites you really need to try.
El Vaquero
El Vaquero is a lively beachfront bar on the north end of Tamarindo, which means it’s favorite during the time of year when the sun sets furthest to the south. El Vaquero has sunset drink specials every day and often presents live music. If the tide is high, you watch surfers catch waves as the sun goes down, being as El Vaquero is located in front of Tamarindo’s most popular surf break.
Langosta Beach Club
2 x 1 cocktail specials are Langosta Beach Club’s way of celebrating the sunset. This is one of Tamarindo’s classiest spots to enjoy a beach day and the sunset. A day pass at the beach club includes use of the pool, whereas the restaurant and bar are open to the public any time. It may come as a surprise, considering the name of this beautiful beach club, that it is not located in Langosta, but on the south side of Tamarindo beach. This is the quieter side of town, with less foot traffic, less chaos, smaller waves, and a more relaxing atmosphere. Enjoy dinner at the beach club if you’re hungry after the sun goes down.
A Sunset Cruise
Here’s an idea for something different: Take afternoon snorkeling and sunset
cruise. Several catamarans and a
sailboat anchored in the bay offer afternoon tours that end as the sun sets in
Tamarindo. You will never forget the
peacefulness of watching sunset from the boat as you skim over the waves
towards the little lights twinkling on along the coast.
Snacks and an open bar are included on the
boat, so it’s essentially a happy hour that lasts all afternoon. When the dingy drops you off on the beach as
night falls, you’ll be happy, tired, and ready for a Tamarindo evening of
relaxing or dancing the night away.
Playa Grande
How about sunset on the other side of the bay? Playa Grande lies along the north side of
Tamarindo Bay and faces south, making it an excellent sunset choice all
year–especially when the sun sets to the south. Playa Grande is part of the Las Baulas
National Marine park, which means that it’s essentially untouched and
undeveloped. You’ll need at least 30
minutes to drive there, so plan ahead and leave in time not to miss the
show! There is a small village by the
beach in Playa Grande where you can have a sunset drink and day for dinner if
you’re enjoying the laid-back vibe.
Langosta Beach
Langosta is Tamarindo’s sister beach to the
south. You can walk to Langosta along
the beach when the tide is low, but you’ll want to make sure that it’s still
going out when you start your trek. If you lose track of time and the tide is
coming in, you could have an interesting walk back to Tamarindo! Langosta takes only a few minutes to drive to
from Tamarindo. Bring something cool to
sip on and have a seat in the sand.
You’ll enjoy the energy of the ocean as it crashes over Langosta’s lava
rocks with more energy than what you’ll notice in Tamarindo. Langosta has several restaurants that can
hook you up with a fantastic dinner after the sun goes down.
Tamarindo Vacation Rentals
Last but not least! One of the best places in town for you to
enjoy Tamarindo sunsets just the way you like them is in our vacation rental
homes and villas. Get your snack plate
and cocktails ready because the sunset from the privacy of your own luxury
villa is something you’re never going to forget. Here’s a glimpse of some of our best sunset
Tamarindo vacation rentals:
Casa Costa Blanca
7
bedrooms, up to 24 persons
Casa de Luz
8
bedrooms, up to 23 people
Casa Ventanas
5
bedrooms, up to 12 people
Lomas del Mar 4 bedrooms, up to 8 people
Puesta del Sol 6 bedrooms, up to 16 people
Puros
Dieces
8
bedrooms, up to 20 people
Villa Atardecer
4
bedrooms, up to 10 guests
And after all this talk about sunset in Tamarindo, what do you know? It’s that magical time of day! We’re headed to the beach to watch Mother Nature’s show and you’re invited to come join us!
You work hard to save money for your Costa Rica vacation—how to make it stretch after you arrive? Once upon a time, Costa Rica was a popular shoestring budget destination, but not anymore! Depending on how you roll, a Costa Rica vacation can cost you as much as a vacation anywhere else in the world.
So let’s say you want to come to Costa Rica but you don’t
want to break the bank. Can you do
it? Of course! Here are some tips to help you stretch your
vacation dollars further than you thought possible.
Photo by Camilo Ayala
COME IN THE GREEN SEASON
The single most important choice you can make if you want to experience Costa Rica on a budget is to visit in the green season. When is the green season? Now! May through early December is Costa Rica’s green season, and prices for plane tickets, lodging, car rentals, and some tours are lower. You’ll find the lowest prices in September and October when there is the highest chance of rainy days, but don’t let that dissuade you! The chances of you having an entirely rainy vacation are so slim that you’d be silly to let that cause you to miss the discounts!
Another clue: avoid holidays. Although American Thanksgiving, for example, is in the green season, it sees a notable price spike. If you want to pinch pennies, immediately cross off Christmas, Easter, New Year’s, etc. Watching airline prices will probably give you an idea of what to expect as far as vacation prices in general.
STAY IN A VACATION RENTAL
Sunrise #14 is a 3 bedroom 2 baths located in the center of town for $140 a night ($23 a person per night).
Of course! One way to save lots of money is to book a Tamarindo vacation rentalinstead of a hotel. Economy vacation rentals are high quality, more comfortable than hotel rooms, and they have the thing that is going to be your biggest money-saver: a kitchen.
Vacation rentals come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re traveling alone or with a friend or partner, look for a one-bedroom or a studio rental. Groups of up to 20 and 30 can book entire villas and mini-resorts. Obviously, the larger properties cost more, but you’re also splitting them between more wallets, so don’t forget to take that into consideration. If you’re a family traveling with children of any age, a vacation rental, as opposed to multiple hotel rooms or all being crammed into what is essentially a bedroom while you’re supposed to be relaxing, is the obvious choice.
COOK AT YOUR VACATION RENTAL
You’ve got that kitchen—use it! Get to the grocery store and stock up. You don’t have to spend your whole vacation in the kitchen in order to avoid spending a mint in restaurants. Staples like coffee, milk, fruit, eggs, bread, pasta, vegetables, and even Costa Rica’s national beers are not expensive.
You’ll still choose to eat some of your meals in
restaurants, of course, but if you make that the exception instead of the rule,
you’ll find that you spend a lot less money than you would have otherwise.
Photo by Evan Wise
Many vacation rentals have a patio with a grill. There’s an option for getting out of the
kitchen without having to pay restaurant prices.
AVOID FOREIGN CASH WITHDRAWAL AND DEBIT CARD FEES
If you’ve been to Costa Rica in the past, you remember the
days of “pay in cash and get a discount.”
That’s still the case, but it’s certainly not as common as before. With Costa Rica’s new electronic tax
reporting system, it’s not as lucrative for businesses to choose to overlook
cash income in their reporting, so cash discounts are fewer.
We’re bringing this up because now you can pay with credit cards almost everywhere in Costa Rica. MasterCard and Visa are the favorites, and many businesses accept many others. Your credit card won’t charge you a fee for international use, but your debit card probably will so keep that in mind when you pull out the plastic.
Tamarindo and all other popular tourist destinations have ATMs that will give up to $400 per day (in the 20s) but you will pay per withdrawal. Save a few dollars on your vacation by bringing cash from home, and using your credit cards whenever you can.
A word to the wise regarding cash: Your hotel room or Tamarindo vacation rental has a safe. USE IT.
TAKE BUSES OR SHARE RIDES
Take public buses or share rides. We know—the problem with public buses is that
they take forever to get anywhere and they can be very hot. Also, they’re not great for traveling with a
lot of luggage. But If you’re traveling
light and you have the time to indulge your curiosity, take the bus. You’ll get where you want to go with money
left to spare, and you’ll have had an off-the-tourist-grid cultural experience
that will make you way cooler than anyone else you know who has been to Costa
Rica.
Ridesharing can be a great idea, also. Taxis in Costa Rica are priced to serve tourists who have no other method to get places, so they are not a great way to keep costs down. Chat with other budget travelers that you meet along the way, and see if anyone else has the same Costa Rica bucket list as you do. You’ll definitely need cash for taxis and buses, so be prepared.
BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS
This might seem like an odd addition to a list of how to save money but think about it. Be smart. If you get your wallet or your passport stolen—or your computer or your favorite pair of shoes—your vacation is going to take a sharp downward turn and you are going to spend money sorting it out.
Use the safe. Keep bags, backpacks, and purses on your person at all times. Do not hang anything on the back of your chair (seriously). Do not put your backpack on the floor beside you without the strap wrapped around your foot. Do not leave ever anything in a rental car that is going to be out of your sight. Do not fall asleep on the bus. Do not walk away from your stuff on the beach. Do not leave your bag at the table when you go to pay the tab or use the restroom.
Are we trying to scare you?
Sort of. Costa Ricans are honest,
friendly, and helpful people. No one is going to run up to you and snatch your
stuff out of your hands. But petty theft
is common here, and leaving your belongings unattended is a clear sign to
devious minds that you don’t really need or want what is in that bag very
much. Dead serious. Save money by not having to replace stuff.
EAT AT “SODAS” AND STICK TO LOCAL COSTA RICA FOODS
When you decide it’s time to grab a meal out, or if you
decide that cooking on vacation is an oxymoron, there’s still hope for saving
money in Costa Rica. Look for any
establishment called a “Soda” and you’ll be on the right track.
A “soda” has not actually got anything to do with soda! Back in the days before tourism took Costa
Rica by storm, any small restaurant or diner that did not serve alcohol was
called a “soda.” Sodas serve Costa Rican
dishes and Costa Rican versions of international dishes (note: if you are
Italian, please do not order spaghetti at a soda!), fruit drinks, and of course
soda! Nowadays you may also find
beer at some sodas, although you should not expect a full bar. For a full bar, you’ll need to find, obviously,
something called a “bar” or something called a “restaurant.” In Costa Rica’s traditional past, a “bar”
served alcohol and little snacked called “bocas.” A “restaurant” offered a full menu and also
served alcoholic beverages. A “soda”
served food and drinks without alcohol.
And so. There’s your history
lesson as well.
At sodas, you’ll avoid spending a lot of money on things that, for as normal as they may seem to you, are considered delicacies or specialty foods, here. Cheese, for example, is not cheap in Costa Rica, which makes pizza, not the most economical choice—especially artesian pizza with real mozzarella and prosciutto crudo. Sushi is expensive. Paella. Corona beer. Heineken. Wine is imported from North America, South America, or Europe, so you won’t be saving money on that. At sodas, you can get all kinds of “casados”—traditional Costa Rican plates that are balanced meals based on rice and beans with a protein of your choice and plenty of vegetables. You can get salads, simple sandwiches, chicken soup and often fried chicken. Try a whole fried fish with a side of salad and fries at a soda. It’s the Costa Rican specialty that you’ll want to take a selfie with before you dig in!
With these 7 things in mind, you’re ready to visit Costa Rica as a financially savvy explorer. Contact us now and let’s get started making your vacation plans!
So many amazing experiences await you in Costa
Rica that deciding what to see and do during your 7 day vacation can be
overwhelming. Luckily you have us, the
local Costa Rica experts, to make practical suggestions and give you an idea
what to expect.
The first thing to decide, in planning your 7
day vacation, is which airport you’ll be flying into and out of. Costa Rica,
although it is a small country, isn’t known for its speedy road travel. Roads are generally small and congested in
urban areas, and often unpaved in rural areas.
If you want to experience all that Costa Rica has to offer, you’ll
either have to stay longer than 7 days or come back!
We’re die-hard fans of Guanacaste, so the
perfect 7 day Costa Rica vacation itinerary, in our opinion, begins at the LIR
airport in Liberia.
Day 1
Arrival
Day
The big excitement today is landing in Costa
Rica and getting that beautiful stamp in your passport, so we don’t recommend
trying to add more travel to what you’ve already done. You’ll be landing in Liberia in the afternoon
or evening, so on a perfect vacation, you wouldn’t spend any more time on the
road than you have to.
We recommend taking a taxi, a shuttle or a
rental car from LIR to Playa del Coco
for your first night. Playa del Coco is
a beautiful beach with a lively town that is located about 30 minutes from the
airport. Before you know it, you’ll be
strolling barefoot on the warm sand, watching the sunset, and exploring the
restaurants in search of your first Costa Rican dinner. Enjoy a little Costa Rican nightlife before
you turn in, but make sure to get plenty of rest because tomorrow is a busy day
of fun in the sun!
A typical Costa Rican plate. Photo property of travelexperience.com
Day 2
A Day
in Playa del Coco and surrounding areas
You have lots of options of how to spend the
day in Playa del Coco. One choice is to
do nothing but enjoy the beach: walk, swim, bask, and enjoy some meals in
complete relaxation with no schedule and no obligations. Not a bad way to start a vacation!
Another choice is to book a sportfishing excursion or take a surf trip to Witch’s Rock and Ollies Point on Day 2. Both of these things begin in the early morning, so you‘ll want to contact our concierge ahead of time to make sure your boat is booked for you before arrival.
If none of these ideas move you, let’s get you booked in for an adventure day at the nearby Diamante Eco Adventure Park. This amazing adventure center is about 30 minutes from Playa del Coco and has an enormous activity menu for you to choose from. Take zip-line canopy tour, visit the animal sanctuary, go horseback riding, take an ATV trek, try out a stand-up paddleboard or a sea kayak… You’ll have so much fun you won’t want to leave.
At the end of your second day, no matter how
you’ve spent it, get out and see the town of Playa del Coco because tomorrow
you’re going to hit the road again.
Day 3
Travel
to Second Destination: Arenal Volcano
You can’t come to Costa Rica and not visit the
Arenal Volcano. Arenal, located near the town of La Fortuna,
is Costa Rica’s most active volcano and one of our most-visited spots. It will
take you a few hours to get there, so you should plan to leave Playa del Coco
either in the morning or in the early afternoon. Take your time, enjoy the scenery, stop for
snacks and to take pictures. You’re on
vacation, so please don’t stress out about getting there as fast as you
can. The journey is part of adventure.
There are lots of hotels and vacation rentals in the Arenal area, and we recommend you choose one that has a view of the volcano. You might pay more, but there is a very good reason for this, and it’s worth it. The volcano’s cone, being as it spouts steam into the cool air xxx feet above sea level, is often surrounded by clouds. Your best chance of seeing Arenal’s stunning cone is in the wee hours of the morning before dawn (hint: set your alarm. seriously.) or soon after sunrise. Get a room with a view and prepare to be amazed.
Because of the neighboring active volcano,
natural thermal mineral pools and baths are everywhere in Arenal. Your hotel may have hot springs on the
premises, our you may pay an entrance fee at one of the dozens of thermal spas
you’ll find. The one thing you don’t
want to do is miss them! When you get to
Arenal, check into your hotel, explore the area a bit, find some dinner, and
slip into a natural thermal pool in the cool mountain air of the tropical
night. It rains a lot in Arenal, and the
hot springs are even more spectacular in the rain!
Day 4
A Day
in Arenal
Costa Rica, although it’s known for its beautiful beaches, is a very mountainous country with diverse microclimates and a strong cattle farming culture. This is your day in the mountains, so take advantage of it in every possible way. The area is packed with Arenal tour and adventure options. You can hike the volcano, take a guided jungle horseback ride through the foothills, visit animal sanctuaries and butterfly gardens, visit orchid farms, hike to waterfalls for a chilly swim (sorry, no thermal waterfalls), take zipline canopy tours…
The day will go by faster than you can imagine and before you know it, the night will be falling over the volcano again.
Try a new spot for dinner and try a different thermal spa, because no two are the same, and after one night in the deliciously warm waters, the only thing you’re going to want to do is to go back.
Day 5
Travel to the Third Destination: Tamarindo
Time flies when you’re having fun. It’s already Day 5 of your 7 day vacation, and today the best part starts: you’re coming to Tamarindo! Get up, have some coffee, and get on the road early because the beach is calling and yourTamarindo vacation rental is waiting.
You’ll be in Tamarindo by lunchtime, so you have the whole afternoon to check out the town, walk the beach, go for a swim, catch some afternoon waves if you’re a surfer, maybe grab a Tamarindo surf lesson if you aren’t, and be ready to chill by the time you see the sun sinking close to the horizon. Sunset in Tamarindo is a daily event that no one misses. Join the locals on the beach or enjoy it from the privacy of your vacation rental if you’ve got a view like the one at our home Villa Atardecer.
Every night is Saturday night in Tamarindo, so
whether you like late nights or early nights, walk around town after dark and
check out the fire dancers, catch some live music, and listen to the mix of
languages in one of Costa Rica’s most vibrant melting pots.
Day 6
A day
in Tamarindo
Hope you didn’t stay up too late last night because Day 6 is your day in Tamarindo! What do you want to do? Surf? Ride a zip line? Take an ATV tour of the beautiful backcountry? Go sportfishing? Be lazy all morning and then take an afternoon sailing cruise with snorkeling, food and drinks included? Try stand up paddleboarding? Kayak to the Captain Island in Tamarindo Bay and explore its desolate marine beauty?
We know, we know–it’s hard to decide! Our concierge is the expert at vacation planning and can help you determine the best picks for your group, family, or personal interests.
The important thing is, as always, not to miss the sunset. Because Costa Rica is so close to the equator, the sunset happens quickly. When you see the sun near the horizon, this is not the time to grab a quick shower or make a cocktail if you don’t want to miss the moment the orb sinks below the horizon. The most beautiful sunsets happen during the rainy season when the sky is full of clouds that act as screens, prisms, and reflectors, creating a kaleidoscope show that can go on for almost an hour after the sun itself is gone.
Day 7
Hasta Luego, Costa Rica!
Day 7 is departure day. Depending on what time your flight leaves
Liberia and what time the tide is high, you might be able to squeeze in an
early surf or an early boat tour of the Las Baulas Estuary National Marine Park
that creates Tamarindo’s north border.
You could also go for a morning swim in the ocean, a beach walk, or a
hike up one of Tamarindo’s hills to a lookout point.
Photo by Leonardo Pinero
As you’ve done some traveling this week, you now understand why you want to make sure to leave for the airport in plenty of time. Make sure you’ve gotten everything out of the safe in yourTamarindo hotel or vacation rental before you hit the road, and remember not to pack that bottle of Guaro in your carry-on.
We hate to see you go, but now that you know
where we are and how much of Costa Rica you still would like to see and
experience, we’re pretty sure we’ll see you again.
Guanacaste is one of seven provinces in Costa Rica
that offers gorgeous beaches, national parks, volcanoes, & more. This year marks
the 195th anniversary of the annexation from Nicaragua.
On July 25, Costa Rica celebrates one of our
favorite holidays: Guanacaste Day! This holiday’s Spanish name, La Anexión de
Guanacaste, explains what the day commemorates–the day the province of
Guanacaste officially became part of Costa Rica.
What was is part of before? Well, nothing. During Central America’s colonial period, it was not divided into the countries that we know today, but into territories, all governed by different officials in Spain. When independence from the Spanish crown was granted to Central America in 1821, territories began forming partnerships and countries took shape. To the north of Guanacaste, this small peninsula that we know and love today as the home of Costa Rica’s best beaches, had 3 main municipalities at the time: Nicoya, Santa Cruz and Liberia (which was called Guanacaste and which eventually gave the province its name). To the north of the peninsula, territories united to form Nicaragua. To the east of the peninsula, territories united to form Costa Rica. In 1824, Guanacaste’s municipality voted and the majority voted to become part of Costa Rica.
Guanacaste and Costa Rica are lucky to have
each other! It’s been a match made in
heaven. Costa Rica has been good for
Guanacaste because of the peace and political stability it has enjoyed. Guanacaste, although it didn’t have much
impact in the early years of this happy marriage, has exploded in importance to
Costa Rica in the last 40 years as tourism has shifted into the spot of Costa
Rica’s # 1 breadwinner. Guanacaste’s
beaches, the waterfalls, the volcanos, the national parks that have been
created, and the vibrant nature everywhere you look bring thousands of visitors
to Costa Rica every year.
The province is also a producer of rice, sugar, livestock & more. The Ticos from this province are called Guanacestcos which are countrymen and woman that are known for their local dishes cooked in large clay ovens such as; rosquillas, pozole, cajetas, tamal asado, arroz de mais and more. They work on their fields herding cattle, growing crops and more. The folk music is a key part of their culture with famous songs such as “Punto Guanacasteco” which is played at festivals, topes, bullfights and more.
Guanacaste Day
All of Costa Rica celebrates Guanacaste Day, but of course, it’s a favorite in Guanacaste! Schools, banks, and government offices are all closed on Guanacaste Day, and almost every town in Guanacaste–from the largest to the smallest–holds some type of celebration. Traditional foods like tamales are prepared in giant cauldrons over open fires, cheerful marimba music is played on street corners, and bull riding entertains the crowds. Traditional dance troupes of all ages in white outfits with multicolored scarves perform the traditional dances of Guanacates, with wide skirts swooshing and cowboy hats tossed in the air.
As Guanacaste Day fades into night, plenty of
beer, guaro, and rum are flowing. Every
town that holds a festival hooks up the speakers and the dancing starts! What’s not to love about a celebration day like
this?
Speaking of Guanacaste, have you noticed that the word doesn’t sound very Spanish like “Costa Rica”, “Tamarindo”, and “Pura Vida”? That’s because it’s not Spanish. The word “Guanacaste” is a Nahuatl word (think Aztec)that refers to a type of tree. Guanacaste trees grow throughout Costa Rica’s dry forest regions–especially in…Guanacaste!
Guanacaste trees are everyone’s favorite shade
tree as they can grow to a tremendous size.
They’re the ones you see notice dotting the pastures on your ride from
the Liberia airport to Tamarindo.
“Guanacaste” means “tree with ears.” So what’s that all about? The seed pods of the Guanacaste tree resemble ears. These pods emerge in the dry season while most of the tree’s leaves are down, giving these giant trees the appearance of being hung full of ears as if they were ornaments. Indigenous cultures used Guanacaste seeds for food and also to make soap, but that’s ancient history. Today in Tamarindo you can find earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry or decorations made of the beautiful variegated seeds.
So enjoy today & celebrate the beauty Guanacaste has to offer. We are lucky to have this gorgeous province part of Costa Rica! Contact us for more information on local celebrations and more!
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.
photo by Max Rovensky
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.
photo by unsplash
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.
photo by Form
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.
photo by Taylor Simpson
Three (among dozens of) Health Tamarindo Restaurants
photo by Jez Timms
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.
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!
Photo by Leon Liu
Contact us today for assistance with planning your healthy Tamarindo vacation!
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.
It’s
finally summer–exactly what you’ve waited for all year! Now is the time
to enjoy sunny days, long evenings, and pack the kids up and spend some quality
family time together. It’s not too late to get in on our last-minute
specials and bring the gang to Costa Rica!
Once a destination only for adventurous backpackers and surf safaris,
Costa Rica has evolved into a top family vacation destination.
Families
come in all shapes and sizes, but the great thing about Costa Rica is that
although it is a small country, it has something for everyone. We’re the
local experts on Costa Rica family vacations and will help you tailor
your trip to fulfill everyone’s expectations.
Planning
your Costa Rica family vacation is going to require you to make some
choices. Costa Rica is full of amazing things to see and do, and you
aren’t going to be able to see or do it all in one trip. Decisions can be
tough, but fortunately, we’re here to give you some guidance and pertinent
recommendations.
Our
first recommendation for the best
family vacations in Costa Rica
is to divide your trip of 5 to 10 days between no more than two places.
Too much shuffling around takes the restfulness out of the experience for
parents, and can be overwhelming for the kids. If you’re able to get away
for 10 or more days, you can up the number of destinations to three, but we
really don’t recommend trying to see the whole country in a little time as
possible. Delve deeper into fewer places and have a much more profound
and delightful experience.
Destination
1 of 2: The beach!
Tamarindo beach. Photo property of crsurf.com
Of
course one of the two stops on your trip is going to be a beach! The
beaches are what makes Costa Rica famous, and there are more beautiful beaches
here than–but if you will allow us to make a recommendation, our top pick is
Tamarindo.
Tamarindo beach is gorgeous, it’s family-friendly and safe for swimming, surfing is good, there are lots of grocery stores, restaurants, and pharmacies, and of course, there are our Tamarindo vacation rentals. We are the local experts in family fun because we live here too, are raising our families here, and are confident in our ability to help you make great choices and have a fabulous time!
If
you’re set on Costa Rica’s Carribbean coast instead of Guanacaste, visit
Tortuguero and watch the sea turtles nesting or swing to the south and take a
few days at Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. Cahuita national park is famous for
its giant coral reef and the marine life it houses.
Kid-friendly
beach activities:
This
list varies according to the ages and personalities of the little ones, but we
generally recommend surf lessons, half-day fishing trips and/or an
estuary boat tour. In Tamarindo, for
example, surfing is safe for children. Our surf instructors are trained
and experienced, and many of them have taught their own little ones to
surf! If your child can swim and is
comfortable in the water, Tamarindo’s sandy gentle beach is the perfect place
to give surfing a try. Half-day fishing trips are another fun option for
kids of all ages.
A whole 7-hour day on a fishing boat can be
overwhelming for anyone besides hard-core fisherman, but everyone can enjoy
getting on the boat in the early morning and speeding out to sea for a few
hours of trolling, watching for dolphins, and reeling in fish. Half-day
tours are usually back by lunch time when everyone is ready to be out of the
sun for a few hours! The estuary boat
tour takes about two hours and is available according to the tide schedule. Birds, monkeys, colorful land crabs, and
sleepy crocodiles are the attractions on this beautiful boat ride into the
estuary that is Las Baulas National Park.
Destination
2 of 2: The forest!
Photo Credit: National Geographic
For
the second destination on your family vacation in Costa Rica, pick a cooler,
higher place in the shade of Costa Rica’s tropical dry forest, rain forest, or
cloud forest. The most frequently-visited picks are the Arenal Volcano
and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Both
places are fabulous Costa Rican forest choices–you can’t pick the wrong one.
The
Arenal area, due to volcanic activity, has hot springs and warm geothermal
pools that your family can enjoy together. Monteverde has a dense rain
and cloud forest with swinging bridges suspended over revines and canyons that
will take your breath away. Combined with a few days and nights at the
beach, a visit to either of these places will make for the best family vacation in Costa Rica.
Option
Off-road: La Carolina Lodge
A
unique mountain experience in Costa Rica is La Carolina Lodge. La
Carolina functions off the grid. Dine by
candlelight, eat meals created with foods that are grown on the farm and cooked
over a wood fire, and sleep in rustic but luxurious cabins that are built out
of locally grown and harvested wood. Hiking to the Rio Celeste
waterfalls, swimming in the river, horseback riding, and relaxing in the hot
tub are favorite activities at La Carolina.
After a great night’s sleep, get up early and your family can help the
farm hands milk the cows!
Kid
friendly forest/farm activities:
Don’t
leave Costa Rica without taking your family on a zip line canopy tour–that’s
everybody’s favorite! Hikes are something families of all ages can
enjoy, along with visits to animal refuges and butterfly or hummingbird
gardens. If your youngsters are old enough to enjoy horses, don’t miss
this opportunity to ride with a guide who can help you notice and appreciate the
plants and animals along the leafy trails. Adventure centers exist throughout
Costa Rica that make family vacation planning easy by offering packages that
can be modified to include a day of your family’s favorite activities all in
one location.
Costa
Rica family vacation Do’s and Dont’s,
provided by your vacation experts:
1
Don’t try to do everything.
You
can’t do everything fun or see everything amazing in Costa Rica in one
vacation. If you try to pack too much into your vacation, you’ll run yourselves
ragged trying to have fun.
This vacation rental home’s pool has a built-in water slide!
2
Do plan some down time.
Don’t
forget that your vacation rental will have a pool your kids will want to play
in, and don’t miss the miss joy of a beach walk together or a lazy afternoon in
the hot springs or jacuzzi while you’re in the mountains.
3
Don’t bring the kitchen sink!
Costa
Rica has first-world pharmacies and American-style grocery stores, so it’s not
necessary to try to bring everything you could possibly need. You may pay
more than you’re used to for a tube of after-insect-bite cream or Junior’s
favorite breakfast cereal, but so what?
You didn’t come on vacation to save money. You came to relax,
enjoy each other’s company, and take things as they come.
4
Do pack sunscreen and insect repellent.
Now
there are two things that you are for sure going to need, and you can
buy them cheaper at home than you can here. Throw some extra in the bag.
If you don’t need all of it, sunscreen and insect repellent are excellent gifts
for the local friends you make during your vacation.
5
Do limit technology/screen time for yourself and your children.
Just
a thought. Parents have different ways of addressing the challenges
presented by technology in the hands of youngsters, and you are the expert on
your own family. But consider making your family vacation in Costa Rica
an experience of limited screen time and unlimited adventure, interaction, and
attention to your surroundings. You can all get back on line when you get
home.
Contact us today and let’s get busy on your vacation plans!
The idea of booking a
vacation rental property, sight unseen, in a foreign country can be
intimidating, especially if it’s a country or a destination you’ve never been
to. Are you going to be able to find it? How can you be sure the place is going to be what
it looks like in the pictures? How do
you know which one to pick? If you’re a
seasoned traveler, you already know the drill, but there’s a first time for
everything including your first vacation rental in Costa Rica.
Here are some ways to break down the decision-making process and of course some practical suggestions of Tamarindo vacation rental property perfect fits.
Vacation rentals in Tamarindo come in all shapes and sizes, and so do travel groups. How many people are you traveling with? Is it you and your significant other? You, your 5 best friends, their spouses, and their kids? Are stairs ok? Do you prefer to be near a golf course? A surf break? Do you like center-of-the-action vacations or restful away-from-it-all vacations? Come up with some answers to these questions before you start shopping to help you narrow it down.
Then the next filter to get through it price. How much do you want to spend? Are you attracted by pocket-friendly options, or is this the trip for which you’re going to pull out all the stops and live like royalty? Vacation rental prices range based on distance from the beach and lots of other factors like how new and chic the place is (or isn’t) and what kinds of amenities it includes. All of the Vacation Rentals of Tamarindo properties have the standard package: a/c, wi-fi, cable tv, linens, towels, equipped kitchens, a washer and dryer, a pool…so don’t think that by “pocket-friendly” we mean you have to bring your own pillows! We’re the industry trendsetters in our area and all of our vacation rentals are top-shelf.
Following, we explore
6 types of luxury
vacation rentals in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, and give some examples from our fantastic menu
of homes:
1. Small, Simple, Conveniently-Located
These are the condos
that are otherwise known as budget-friendly.
They’re great for couples, families with small children, travelers on a
shoestring budget, or folks who want to spend their vacation dollars out exploring,
not sitting around a fancy house.
Located literally across the street from the beach in the center
of Tamarindo, you won’t find a better spot for a better price. This 2-bedroom condo is located on the 4th
floor of the Sunrise complex which includes the coolest pool in town, the
easiest beach access anything within an affordable price range, secure gated
parking and oh yeah—the view!
This affordable 2-bedroom condo in Langosta sleeps up to 6, is conveniently located, has secure parking, access to the resort pool, and offers a sundeck on the roof of the complex.
2. Small and Modern-chic
So let’s say you don’t
want a big place, but you’d like it to be sleek and modern. We have those vacation rentals too! You can get some of the big-ticket modern
design elements in a new or newly-redesigned vacation rental without having to
spend big bucks. These places are great
to get into with your best friend or two or three. Enjoy gourmet meals and cocktails on the
patio or rent some boards and go on a surf trek to Avellanas or Playa
Negra.
Our condo at La Perla offers 3 bedrooms and sleeps up to 8
people. Each unit in this
recently-completed elite complex occupies a corner, displaying fantastic ocean
and hillside panoramas in every room.
These 3 and 4 bedroom villas in central Tamarindo sleep from 6
to 12 guests. The ultimate in minimalist
modern design, natural textures and materials, and European attention to detail
make these villas a vacation rental choice that is a cut above the rest.
3.
A Sprawling Villa for Your Destination Wedding or Other Event
We’re suddenly
at the other end of the vacation rental type spectrum: huge mansions and villas for 20 or more
guests—yes we have them! Costa Rica is a
favorite pick for couples planning destination weddings, for yoga and
meditation retreats, corporate retreats, family reunions…all of the above. These properties are the places dreams are
made. From beach front mansions to
luxury hilltop mini-resorts, these are your dream homes and they make your
special event unforgettable for everyone in attendance.
This property is truly beachfront! Just steps behind the high tide line in
Langosta, Casa de Luz is a stunning place for weddings, yoga retreats, surf
trips, or whatever it is that brings your group together. It’s one of our most eco-friendly properties,
too, and sleeps over 20 people.
How about an 8-bedroom Bali-style home
for 20? That’s Casa
Puros Dieces! This is one of Tamarindo’s top event
venue choices because of its laid-back design, amazing ocean view and individual
suite bedroom layout.
Of course, you want your event destination to be Casa Costa Blanca. This Hacienda Pinilla beachfront home has 7 bedrooms, sleeps up to 24, and includes all of the amenities of Guanacaste’s premier golf/surf resort.
4.
Classified by Activity: Golf Resort and Secret Surf Spots
Many people wisely consider the types of activities they most enjoy when they are shopping for vacation rentals. If you’re the outdoorsy type who enjoys golf, surfing, mountain biking, or tennis, if you love peace and quiet but don’t want to be completely isolated from restaurants and night life, you might want to browse the vacation rental options in Hacienda Pinilla. From giant event-venue type homes to condos for single families, Pinilla has got something for everyone. Golfers and experienced surfers have a look at these amazing spots:
Hacienda Pinilla offers
not only mansions, but also luxury condos like Villa Bonita that are more
affordable than larger properties but still include all of Hacienda Pinilla’s
amenities.
5. The Beach House!
Or let’s say it’s
got to be a beach house. Of course. Who wouldn’t want to base their Tamarindo
vacation in a beach house?! Some of our
biggest and best beach houses are the ones you caught a glimpse of in the
“event venues” category, but there are other properties on or very near the
beach. Your beachfront vacation rental
is the perfect way to enjoy early morning walks, peaceful sunsets, easy access
to surf spots and still have all the comforts of home. Families with children love beach houses
because being right on or very near the beach simplifies everything! You don’t have to pack everybody and all the
trappings into a car every time you want to go out, you just open the door and
there you are. You can even hire a chef
to do in-home meal prep for you so that everybody in the family gets a
break. Imagine how much fun that would
be!
Hacienda del Pacifico is a 4-bedroom
beach house for 8. Spend lazy afternoons
here by the pool and cool tropical evenings listening to the sound of the waves
crashing onto the beach on the other side of the trees. Your direct beach
access is just outside your door.
Here’s a
quintessential beach house that is outfitted with every luxury. Casa Tranquila has 4 bedrooms and sleeps up
to 8 guests. No other Tamarindo vacation
rental beats this one for beachfront location!
5. The View to Die for + Modern Luxury
Consider
this: a totally sleek modern vacation
rental property built for the view.
Imagine floor to ceiling glass along the coast-facing side of the home, simple
lines, comfortable furniture inside, an infinity pool outside, and in every
room the unbelievable panorama of Tamarindo’s turquoise horizon where it meets
the sea. This is what you get in our
modern mountainside homes. These
properties are located in Tamarindo just above the hubbub of the busy street,
but are still only minutes away from the sand.
The photographs of
Compass House speak for themselves. Yes,
this is a real vacation rental home in Tamarindo and yes it really looks like
that. The house has 8 bedrooms and
sleeps up to 16.
Lomas del Mar offers an amazing view of
the all of Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and the Las Baulas Estuary in between. Chic and modern, there are 4 bedroom suites
for up to 8 and a pristine infinity pool.
6. The View to Die for + Old-School Beach House
This is truly
unique category of home is something you won’t find just anywhere—it’s a
Tamarindo specialty! Once upon a time,
instead of stainless steel, pale marble and minimalist aesthetic, there were
terracotta tiles, almond wood ceiling beams, and artesian-created ceramic
sconces. In homes like these, you can
lose yourself the timeless charm of the quintessential tropical beach house and
the breathtaking view of the sky, sea, and rolling jungle hills. These hillside beach houses offer every
amenity and form part of Tamarindo’s history.
Stark modern vacation rental houses are everywhere—in every vacation
destination all the world over—but if you love luxury mixed with the local fingerprint
and a sense of place, one of our ocean view beach houses is the place for you.
Casa Leo Loco is perched above Tamarindo
and is one of our favorite classic hilltop beach houses. There are 6 bedrooms for up to 12 guests, a
multi-level infinity pool, and stunningly landscaped grounds. Imagine the sunsets!
Casa Catalina is one of Tamarindo’s original beach houses. It is set so high on the hill and offers such a dizzying view of the bay that on a clear day the Catalina Islands are visible in the distance. Your group of up to 16 is welcome here in the home’s 5 bedrooms.
As you can see,
the perfect vacation rental in Tamarindo
is here waiting for you. Contact our
team of experts and make your reservation today!
Costa Rica is a land created by a string of active and dormant volcanoes that runs down its center. This guide will give you an overview of how to get to and what to expect from Costa Rica’s most dynamic volcanoes. Make sure to plan time during your vacation to visit the center of the country and experience the unforgettable presence of these living mountains.
The first three volcanoes on our list–Turrialba, Irazu, and Poas–are the closest to the capital city of San Jose. If you’re flying into San Jose, these are the top choices on your volcano menu. The other two–Arenal and Rincon de La Vieja–are further north and are more often visited by travelers who base their Costa Rica vacations in Guanacaste.
Photo by Gary Saldana
What is
the most active volcano in Costa Rica? This is a great question! For thirty years, the easy answer was
Arenal. Then in 2016, Turrialba suddenly
woke up from a long slumber, and continued to rumble and spew well into
2017. Recently, a new spurt of volcanic
activity was registered at the lazy Rincon de la Vieja volcano. So who knows which volcano will be the most
active during your visit to Costa Rica?
It could be any of them! Here’s a
look at the five most fiery peaks.
Photo by Roberto Nickson
Turrialba
2019 just might be a great year for the
national park at Turrialba. The park was
closed in 2012 due to dangerous volcanic activity and authorities are looking
at reopening it to the public this year.
Eruptions of ash and gas in 2016 and 2017 powdered the central valley in
gray dust and closed down the Juan Santamaria International Airport on several
occasions. You’ll be able to drive close
enough to Volcan Turrialba that you can admire its powerful slopes and perhaps
watch it puff steam into the air.
Photo by Jake Melara
Whether or not the park is open, the Turrialba
volcanic area is a beautiful and safe place to visit. The best way to get there is to hop in a 4×4
rental vehicle and hit the road for an adventure! You can enjoy hiking, mountain biking,
horseback riding, zip lines, bird watching, go kayaking on the river and tour a
cheese factory. The Turrialba region is
known throughout Costa Rica for the soft fresh cheese that takes its name. The year-round rains and rich volcanic soil
keep Turrialba’s grass green and its cows.
Irazu
Volcan Irazu is the closest volcano to the
city of San Jose. It is possible to get
to Volcan Irazu by driving, or by taking a public bus from downtown. Pack a picnic lunch, enjoy hiking in the
park, and keep an eye out for sightings of colorful birds and wild animals like
coatis, foxes, deer, and coyotes.
Photo by Daniel Chen
Volcan Irazu has five craters, two of which
provide the main attractions in the Irazu national park. Steam rises from the deepest crater, and in
the other lies a mineral-rich lake that can appear green, blue, or red. Irazu is Costa Rica’s tallest volcano, with a
cone that towers 11,200 feet above sea level.
On a clear day–which is a rare occurrence at the top of an active
volcano– it is possible to see both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans.
Poas
Volcan Poas is one of Costa Rica’s most
popular and frequently-visited volcanoes.
The national park that surrounds the cone and crater is prepared to
provide you with a comfortable visit, including a geological museum, a gift
shop and cafe, and even paved hiking trails to make the spectacle of the
steaming lake in the crater accessible to a wide variety of visitors. In order to keep the environment pristine and
visitors safe, only a certain number of people are allowed into the park each
day. Make your Poas National Park
reservations on-line ahead of time so that you can be sure to avoid being
turned away at the entrance. That would
be disappointing!
You can drive to Volcan Poas, take a bus, or
purchase a tour from pretty much any San Jose tour operator. There are lots of other things to do in the
area, so we recommend that you make your trip to Poas a day trip, not just a
quick peek at the crater. In addition to
hiking, visit the sleepy Costa Rican villages nearby, explore the museum, or
drive to a bright blue waterfall near the park.
Volcan Poas has one of the largest volcanic
craters in the world, so don’t miss your chance to see it with your own eyes.
Arenal
Volcan Arenal is located near the town of La
Fortuna about half way between San Jose and the beaches of Guanacaste. For decades, Arenal was famous for being
Costa Rica’s most active volcano–until its brothers in the central valley
started spewing ash and steam in 2016.
Arenal is still one of the most spectacular volcanoes you’ll ever have
the opportunity to see and is one of the most fun areas to visit in Costa
Rica. Hiking and horseback riding trails
wind through the hills, there are waterfalls to explore, and natural thermal
spring and rivers provide the perfect way to relax afterward.
Whatever you do, plan to spend a night in the
area near Arenal! We recommend this for
two reasons. The first is that if the
clouds above the volcano lift after dark (could happen but no guarantees), the
sight of the stark black cone with a red glow at the top standing against the
star studded sky will leave you speechless.
That, we do guarantee. The other
thing that’s guaranteed is how much you will love relaxing in the bubbling
thermal springs after dark, while lights play on the jungle foliage around you
and perhaps a light rain falls.
Photo property of arenal.net
Arenal is much-visited, and it’s easy to drive
to. Things are spread out enough there
that having your own vehicle is very convenient. Another good option for how to get to Arenal
is Interbus, a tour and transfer company that runs private vans to popular
tourist destinations.
Rincon
de la Vieja
Volcan Rincon de la Vieja is Costa Rica’s
northernmost active volcano. Eruptions
as recent as January 2019 sent columns of steam and bursts of red-hot rocks
shooting into the air and filled the area’s streams with mud. This is the closest active volcano to
Guanacaste’s popular coasts, and lots of activity centers have sprung up around
it.
You can drive your rental car to Rincon de la
Vieja, or purchase a day-trip package which includes transportation, admission
to the activities that you’ve chosen for the day, and lunch.
Photo by Steven Scheuermeier
You can hike at Rincon de la Vieja, ride
horseback through the forest, and enjoy natural thermal mud spas. There are canopy tours nearby, river tubing
excursions, and wildlife sanctuaries to visit.
As you can see, there are many active volcanoes in Costa Rica throughout various regions of the country. Our tour concierge is the local expert in helping you plan your visit to any of these areas, assisting you with arrangements for transportation and activity bookings at Costa Rica’s active volcanoes. Check out partner page for A Guide to Costa Rica’s Active Volcanoes: They’re Dynamite!
