Tag: things to do in tamarindo
Why September & October Are Tamarindo’s Most Affordable Luxury
If you’re looking for a vacation home rental Costa Rica experience that’s a little more indulgent, a little more luxurious, a little more everything than your usual travel budget might allow, then September and October are worth serious consideration.
Yes, what you’ve read or heard is true: these are Costa Rica’s rainiest months. But they’re also two of the best-value months of the year, especially here in Tamarindo, where green season acts a little differently (in a good way) and your vacation budget can stretch to something far more exciting than you may have originally planned.
Beachfront may come into reach. More bedrooms may be possible. A private pool, a better location, more space, or even a home with Elite Service may suddenly be more attainable than it would be during peak travel months. You may also be able to squeeze in a few more experiences than you thought: ATV tours, horseback riding on the beach, or even a spa treatment or two.
And that’s really the sweet spot: Costa Rica on a budget doesn’t have to mean scaling down the dream. Sometimes, it just means adjusting the dream to the time of year when demand is lower, rates are more affordable, and the same budget can open the door to a more comfortable, more relaxed, more vacation-y kind of stay.
Let’s Be Honest: September and October Are Rainy
Costa Rica’s green season stretches from about mid-May through November, give or take a few weeks. Within this season, September and October are typically the wettest months of the year, at least here on the North Pacific coast.
So let’s start right here, with a bit of honesty. If your idea of vacation requires blue skies and bright sunshine from breakfast through stargazing every single day, then these probably aren’t your months. But if you’re open to a slower rhythm, lush landscapes, and the magic pitter-patter of falling rain, then September and October may be a great upgrade to your trip.
Our town of Tamarindo is located in the province of Guanacaste, one of the driest regions of Costa Rica, which means rainy season may not be exactly what you’ve read. Even in September and October, a typical Tamarindo day often begins with gorgeous mornings, blue skies, warm weather, great surf, beach time, pool time, and plenty of sun before the clouds start rolling in.
Usually in the afternoon, the rain comes. It could be anything from a five-minute shower to a proper downpour lasting a few hours. There are outliers, of course. Tropical weather is still tropical weather, and it doesn’t take requests.
What we really want you to know is that rainy season isn’t automatically a washout. It’s a different rhythm from the dry season, without question. But if you can lean into that rhythm, then September and October can make a vacation home rental Costa Rica trip both practical and surprisingly luxurious.
What a Typical Rainy Season Day Looks Like in Tamarindo
The secret to traveling Costa Rica in September and October is not hoping it won’t rain on a given day. The secret is betting that it will.
As locals, we do this without even thinking. We wake up, look outside, see that it’s a beautiful sunny day, and go. We hit the beach, take a surf lesson, schedule a horseback ride, book the ATV tour, walk into town for a long, lingering breakfast, or simply claim a favorite lounge chair by the pool.
Because here’s what you need to know: you don’t need luck on your side to enjoy a beautiful morning in September and October. Mornings this time of year are especially gorgeous because the hillsides are greener, the gardens are thick with botanicals in bloom, and there’s a washed-clean brightness that makes the light softer and everything a little more alive.
Then, when the clouds start to gather, that’s your cue. Head back to your vacation home rental Costa Rica. This is the perfect time for the kids to nap (or for you to nap!), prep an afternoon snack, enjoy Costa Rica’s afternoon coffee ritual (cafecito de la tarde), pull out a book, queue up a movie, or watch the storm roll in. Tropical rain loves to put on a show, and it can be an absolute treat to watch it on full display.
This is where your vacation home really starts to shine. Rain in a hotel can mean wet swimsuits hanging over chairs, kids bouncing between beds, and everyone waiting for the weather to “get better.” Rain in a vacation home becomes an anticipated part of your day. You have the space you need and a lot of the luxuries you want, so hunkering down for a few hours becomes part of the fun.
Then, of course, the rain passes. The coast exhales. The temperature drops a few degrees, and it’s the perfect time to take a walk, head back to the beach, or watch one of our spectacular rainy season sunsets. Then, meander down to dinner in the post-rain softness that makes Tamarindo so beautiful this time of year.
No, this isn’t the same rhythm as dry season, but that’s part of the charm. September and October are slower, quieter, and incredibly enjoyable for the right traveler. So if you’re that “right traveler” – if this sounds like your kind of vacation – don’t shy away from the season.
The Most Affordable Luxury in Costa Rica
September and October are low season in Costa Rica, so if you’re one of the intrepid few, you’ll enjoy lower rates on the same vacation rentals that may have been out of reach during higher-season months.
For practical or budget-minded travelers, this built-in benefit can change the entire dynamic of your trip. Instead of making certain concessions to fit the budget, September and October can open up your options and let you choose the vacation home rental Costa Rica experience you’ve been dreaming about since forever: the one with the terrace, the one with the ocean view, the one with extra space, the one with ensuites for everyone, the one where kids cozy up in a dreamy bunk room while the adults enjoy conversation on a shaded terrace by the pool.
And then there are the extras. When the nightly rate works harder for you, there’s often room left over for experiences that make the trip extra special: surf lessons, a private chef, canopy zip line tours, or a few dinners out at the restaurants you really want to try.
In some homes, September and October may even put our Elite Service Standard within reach. This leveled-up service includes daily breakfast preparation, snacks, housekeeping, laundry, and private concierge support, depending on the home and service level.
For your family or group, this all can mark the difference between “We went to Costa Rica” and “We had our dream trip to Costa Rica.”
Where to Stay
If you’re traveling in September or October, the right home makes all the difference. A great vacation home rental Costa Rica stay gives you the space to enjoy the sunny mornings, settle in when the rain arrives, and make the whole trip feel more relaxed, more comfortable, and a lot more special than the season’s lower rates might suggest.
Villa Motmot
6 Beds | 4 Baths | 10 to 14 Guests
Set in the heart of Tamarindo, Villa Motmot is a great choice for groups who want walkability, space, and a home with a story. This low-carbon-footprint villa was created by owners with more than 30 years of rainforest protection behind them, and that spirit comes through in the home’s botanical garden, eco-conscious systems, saltwater pool, and open-air connection to the landscape.
The villa gives your group plenty of room to spread out, with six bedrooms, two kitchens, three terraces, an exterior deck for morning yoga, and an oceanview rooftop terrace with 360-degree views over Tamarindo. It’s also just a short walk from the beach, downtown, supermarkets, pharmacies, boutiques, restaurants, and surf breaks, which makes it especially practical for families and groups who want to enjoy town without planning every outing around transportation.
Villa Motmot also includes Elite Service Standard Monday through Saturday, with breakfast preparation, cocktails and snacks (until 2:00 p.m.), daily housekeeping, laundry, and a personal concierge. During September and October, that service layer becomes even more valuable: mornings can be for the beach, surf, and town, while rainy afternoons can unfold easily at home with snacks, pool time, terrace views, and a house that feels designed for slowing down.
Casa Ventana
5 Beds | 5.5 Baths | 8 to 12 Guests
Casa Ventana is for travelers who want their September or October trip to be a true upgrade. Set on a hillside in Tamarindo, this five-bedroom home opens to sweeping views of the jungle, estuary, and Pacific horizon, giving your group the kind of setting that makes even a slower rainy-season afternoon feel like part of the experience.
Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom, which makes Casa Ventana especially comfortable for families, couples traveling together, reunions, or groups where privacy is part of the luxury. The full-length infinity pool faces the ocean view, while the chef-ready kitchen and gas grill make it easy to gather for long meals, relaxed evenings, and the kind of stay where the house itself becomes one of the best parts of the trip.
You’re also close to Tamarindo’s beach and town energy, with beach access near Pangas Restaurant, where the estuary meets the ocean. And with Elite Service Standard included Monday through Saturday, your stay includes breakfast preparation, cocktails and snacks (until 2:00 p.m.), daily housekeeping, laundry, and a personal concierge.
Plan Your September or October Tamarindo Stay
If September and October sound like your kind of travel season – slower, greener, more relaxed, and a little more generous with your budget – then Tamarindo may be exactly where you want to be.
Browse our vacation home rental Costa Rica options and look for the homes that give your family or group the space, service, and setting to enjoy the season fully. We’ll help with the rest: grocery pre-stocking, airport transfers, tours, chef services, restaurant recommendations, and the little details that make Costa Rica on a budget feel much more like a dream trip than a compromise.
We look forward to welcoming you to Costa Rica!
The Best Waterfalls in Guanacaste
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!
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