You’ve come to the right place – literally (Tamarindo) and figuratively (this blog post)! Your Costa Rica spring break awaits. (Photo courtesy Tamarindowiki, via Wikimedia Commons)
Ah, spring break – a much-needed escape from the dregs of winter and a long Q1 in the company calendar (or second semester of school, for the younger members of your family). Ah, Costa Rica spring break – an elevated escape to ocean-view infinity pools and world-class surf, tropical forest hikes and all the amenities of your own, private resort.
Because, while long gone may be the days of bacchanalia and spring break parties into the wee hours of the morning, a new kind of adventure now awaits: Welcome to a vacation that leans into sunset sails and long walks on the beach, lounging by the pool and savoring a spectacular sunset.
If you’re planning your Costa Rica spring break 2022, then you’ve come to the right place: Tamarindo, where you can carve out your perfect getaway, whether you’re a relax-and-do-nothing-at-all vacationer or a bucket-list traveler seeking to go big and pack it in.
Costa Rica Spring Break: What to Do
As we so often say, what you do in Costa Rica is largely a function of what you want to do. The truth is, we’ve lived here for years and still haven’t done it all – there’s just so much to do that, as soon as you’ve done it all, there’s another new thing to do!
So, we say, you do you: Are you an adrenaline junkie? Relaxation royalty? Family traveler? Nature aficionado? Because check, check, check, and check – Tamarindo has you covered!
That said, here are a few things you should at least put on your radar:
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Why Costa Rica Should Be Your Pick for Travel in 2022 & 2023
/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubIt’s not because Costa Rica deserves it. It’s because you deserve it.
You deserve to stroll, lounge, and fall in love with some of the world’s best beaches. You deserve a destination that fulfills your every sloth-loving, birdwatching, monkey-must wildlife dreams. You deserve a vacation where you can just relax. You deserve to go somewhere that exemplifies the values you hold most dear. And you deserve a place that takes only a few hours to reach and won’t make you jump through hoops.
You – yes, you – deserve Costa Rica. Welcome to the best decision for your 2022/2023 wanderings. You’re going to be so happy you came. And we’re going to be so happy you visited!
Reason #1: We Have Some of the Best Beaches in the World
It’s no surprise that Playa Conchal, a beach famous for its pink sands, which come courtesy of crushed seashells, was voted the World’s Best Beach in 2022. Just check out that turquoise water!
A nation fortuitously placed between two oceans – the Pacific and the Atlantic/Caribbean – it’s no surprise that Costa Rica is home to at least 300 incredibly beautiful, incredibly diverse beaches. And, specifically, some of the planet’s most incredible, beautiful, and best beaches in the world.
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Luxury Retreats in Costa Rica: Top Venues and 7 Tips to Plan Yours
/in Tamarindo Retreats/by Erin RaubWhen you’re planning luxury retreats in Costa Rica, start right here.
Planning a vacation abroad can be both exciting and challenging. Planning luxury retreats in Costa Rica? Utterly thrilling but also, often overwhelming.
We’re here to help.
From establishing your retreat structure and hammering out a budget to choosing a retreat property and add-ons (private chefs, organized excursions, and more), our tips and Costa Rica know-how dovetail perfectly to help you plan a successful and memorable retreat in the land of the pura vida (pure life)!
Tip #1: Consider Retreat Structure
Retreat structure and budget (tip #2) are inextricably linked and so, when planning luxury retreats in Costa Rica, we recommend beginning with your retreat focus and structure.
How many people are you comfortable hosting? (And for how many people can you provide a premium experience?) Do you envision a retreat that is more laid-back, relaxation, and wellness-focused, or do you plan on a more structured schedule packed with speaking topics, planned activities, and guest experts? Are you seeking a completely private space?
There is no right or wrong but there is a decision to be made.
Why now? Why so early in the process? Because your structure and inclusions will largely affect the retreat budget. For example, if experts or leaders will accompany paying guests, you’ll have to factor in not only their retreat fees but also their accommodations, meals, travel expenses, and more.
What’s more, if you envision a retreat with planned activities – be they anything from rejuvenating spa treatments to high-adrenaline team-building / group-bonding activities – then that both builds on your retreat goals while increasing the base price. And that brings us to…
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Costa Rica Group Travel: 9 Tips for Planning the Perfect Vacation
/in Group Travel, Tamarindo Retreats, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubGroup travel – be it a family reunion, friend groups, couples, or multiple families traveling together – can be an incredibly enjoyable, unforgettable experience. It can also be a tad (sarcasm alert!) tricky to plan. Luckily, we’ve pulled together the 9 expert tips for your Costa Rica group travel planning:
Tip #1: Give Yourselves Time to Plan
To minimize planning stress and maximize your available options, ideally, you’ll begin planning your Costa Rica group trip at least a year in advance.
We know – someone, somewhere, is reading this and saying, “but I’ve planned a group trip just three months out!” And, you’re right: Given the right circumstances, the right conditions, and just a bit of luck, you can plan group travel on a tight timeframe. We just wouldn’t recommend it.
The benefits of planning in advance are several, but they mostly revolve around your stress levels and getting everything you want: The narrower the timeframe, the harder it is for your entire group to plan for time off of work or other commitments, the fewer group-sized vacation villas are available, the more booked are your desired tours and excursions, the higher the airfare (typically), and so on. And with all that on your plate, you’re more likely to feel pressured than excited. And you want to feel excited!
So, if you can, start planning group travel 9-18 months (preferably 12+ months) in advance.
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Post-COVID – How Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica is Thriving
/in Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubEvery night when the sun goes down, Playa Tamarindo lights up with markets, nightlife, and fire dancing
It was a long haul. But we’ve made it from there to here and today, Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica is thriving in our post-COVID world. From new restaurants and newer entertainment to memorable moments and returns of old favorites, our vibrant beach town is once again ready to party. And boy, are we ready.
Since we’re here on the ground, living in the Tamarindo area and soaking up every chance to thrive, enjoy, and have a blast, we thought we’d fill you in on all the fun that awaits in 2022. To start, know this:
April 1, 2022: Costa Rica Drops COVID Entry Requirements
As of April 1, 2022, Costa Rica has eliminated its COVID travel requirements. Tourists are no longer required to take a COVID test before entry, or show proof of vaccination, or purchase COVID health/quarantine insurance, or fill out the Costa Rican Health Pass. Entry to Costa Rica is exactly as it was pre-pandemic: Show your passport, get your entry stamp, and enjoy!
(Note that, depending on your country of residence or return, you may be required to take a COVID test before your flight home. Please check your home and/or transit country’s COVID requirements!)
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Top Tamarindo Instagram Must-Visits & Must-Stays
/in Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubWhen it comes down to it, your Tamarindo Instagram must-visits should be about your priorities, your vacation style, and however you define “perfect”
When it comes down to it, your Tamarindo Instagram must-visits should be about your priorities, your vacation style, and your however you define “perfect”
There’s something so very appealing about framing a perfect photo or snapping a shot at just the right moment. It’s more than a rush; it’s the kind of vacation alchemy that imprints on your soul, forever tying this one perfect moment to that one perfect photo. And that’s where our favorite Tamarindo Instagram spots and vacation rentals come in.
Because these are the kind of places where alchemy sizzles in the air. They’re almost begging for you to shoot your shot, in both the literal and figurative senses. So, give yourself over to the feeling. Be a little daring. Wade into the water and kayak out toward the horizon. Chase that next photo, not for the ‘gram but for the moment, the memory, and the feeling that you’ll then immortalize through your Instagram.
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What You Can Expect From Your Tamarindo Vacation with Stay in Tamarindo
/in Tamarindo Retreats, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo/by Erin RaubThe internet is full of Big Promises: Best-of this and once-in-a-lifetime thats – so many superlatives that they lose their meaning. So, by the time we say that we offer some of the best Tamarindo vacation rentals and that we are dedicated to the highest quality everything, you’re already numb.
What does “best” mean when it comes to vacation rentals? What does high quality even refer to? We’re glad you asked.
Because, truly, this is important to us. For years, Stay in Tamarindo has worked to not only create high traveler expectations, but to fulfill them. We really are best-in-class, and we have the non-superlative, long(ish) answers to explain it all:
Quality of Service
At Stay in Tamarindo, we are dedicated to the highest quality of service. This is the beating heart of what we do: In all things, our services – your experience, joy, and satisfaction – are always our top priority.
It’s a complicated promise to summarize, because “quality of service” infuses absolutely everything that we do. Here’s what we mean:
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The Best Months to Travel to Costa Rica: Planning Your Visit
/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubTravel today means prioritizing open spaces, fresh air, plenty of sunshine. Luckily, the best months to visit Costa Rica deliver all those things!
If travel planning weren’t a challenge and a job to itself before – and we all know that planning a vacation could absolutely be a challenge and a time-intensive proposition before – then arranging travel today is a whole new ballgame. Which is how you found yourself searching for the best places to travel this year – and now, narrowing it down to the best months to visit Costa Rica.
Welcome! You’re definitely in the right place.
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2022 Resolution: Dream Big Dreams + Plan Healthy Travel
/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo, Tamarindo Travel Guide/by Erin RaubDoes travel run through your veins and fuel your soul? Us, too. Prior to 2020, travel was a priority for so many of us. We craved it. We planned it. We looked forward to it. And then, like that – gone. No more plans, put a hold on your anticipation. Until now. Because now, the world is looking forward – is craving, planning, and anticipating healthy travel in 2022.
The world is slowly but surely opening back up. Sometimes, it’s two steps forward and one step back, but we’re pushing toward our goal – toward the great wide world and all its wonderful promises. Again.
Here in Costa Rica, our borders have been open since mid-2020. There’s no COVID test required to enter the country. And we’re naturally (literally and figuratively) one of the best places to travel in 2022. Hello, open spaces. Hello, sun and fresh air. Hello, outdoor everything. Hello, healthy travel.
As you solidify your resolve for this new year – as you dream your dreams and plan your plans – make yourself one more promise: Let yourself be free again. And as you plan for that freedom, consider Costa Rica. With our vast wilderness and miles of coastline, spectacular scenery and long list of outdoor diversions, we’re a perfect choice. We’re waiting for you!
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Costa Rica Destination Thanksgiving: 10 Thanks + 1 Very Special Black Friday Deal!
/in Costa Rica, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo/by Erin RaubIt’s Thanksgiving in Costa Rica! And by that, we mean it’s Thanksgiving Day, and we’re in Costa Rica, and we’re choosing to celebrate. Because, while Costa Rica doesn’t officially celebrate Thanksgiving, Costa Rica’s international community loves a day dedicated to good food, centered around good friends, and devoted to remembering all of our many blessings. It’s our Costa Rica Destination Thanksgiving, and we’re so happy to share it with you.
This year, we decided to ask our SIT team about what makes them thankful and they delivered with a great list. While we were at it, we also decided that this would be the perfect time to give you all a gift – a little something special for a very different kind of Black Friday. Instead of (or in addition to) filling your carts with stuff this year, why not shop for your next great vacation experience?
(Shortcut: Want to celebrate Thanksgiving, the Costa Rica destination vacation way? Jump to our Black Friday specials – 25% off your favorite Costa Rica villa rentals!)
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Costa Rica Spring Break 2022 – Best Places to Stay & Things to Do
/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo/by Erin RaubYou’ve come to the right place – literally (Tamarindo) and figuratively (this blog post)! Your Costa Rica spring break awaits. (Photo courtesy Tamarindowiki, via Wikimedia Commons)
Ah, spring break – a much-needed escape from the dregs of winter and a long Q1 in the company calendar (or second semester of school, for the younger members of your family). Ah, Costa Rica spring break – an elevated escape to ocean-view infinity pools and world-class surf, tropical forest hikes and all the amenities of your own, private resort.
Because, while long gone may be the days of bacchanalia and spring break parties into the wee hours of the morning, a new kind of adventure now awaits: Welcome to a vacation that leans into sunset sails and long walks on the beach, lounging by the pool and savoring a spectacular sunset.
If you’re planning your Costa Rica spring break 2022, then you’ve come to the right place: Tamarindo, where you can carve out your perfect getaway, whether you’re a relax-and-do-nothing-at-all vacationer or a bucket-list traveler seeking to go big and pack it in.
Costa Rica Spring Break: What to Do
As we so often say, what you do in Costa Rica is largely a function of what you want to do. The truth is, we’ve lived here for years and still haven’t done it all – there’s just so much to do that, as soon as you’ve done it all, there’s another new thing to do!
So, we say, you do you: Are you an adrenaline junkie? Relaxation royalty? Family traveler? Nature aficionado? Because check, check, check, and check – Tamarindo has you covered!
That said, here are a few things you should at least put on your radar:
Read more