Hey there! Love nature? Then, you’re going to love humpback whale watching near Tamarindo.
When you think of Costa Rica and wildlife watching, you most likely think of monkeys and sloths, toucans and jaguars. It’s easy to forget that Costa Rica is also home to two oceans – okay, technically one ocean and one sea – teeming with wildlife. And you don’t need to be a snorkeler or scuba diver to enjoy it, either.
Did you know that Costa Rica is home to the longest humpback whale-watching season in the world? ‘Tis true: Over two appearances and eight awe-inspiring months, these gentle giants make their home in Costa Rica waters. In Guanacaste waters. Which brings us to the subject of whale watching near Tamarindo: where, when and how?
You are here. Here, in paradise. Here, with a drink in your hand. Here, overlooking the famously pink Playa Conchal. Here, at our Conchal Penthouse. Here, exactly where you want to be. Welcome!
Imagine with us, if you will, a private ocean-view terrace, still warm from languid rays of afternoon sun. Adirondack chairs beckon the perfect posture of partial recline, partial view-appreciation. Because oh, that view.
Unfolding over Colonial-style red roofs and dense tree canopy, the vista rolls and tumbles toward the Pacific Ocean. And, there – endless blue, punctuated by the occasional sailboat and island. This view – it’s all yours.
Because it’s you on that still warm, ocean-view terrace. You, in that Adirondack chair. You, appreciating that view. You, here. You, in paradise.
Because you have claimed Conchal Penthouse as your own.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-10-10 05:30:212019-10-09 19:38:38Property of the Month: Conchal Penthouse
Don’t just plan an event. Plan a show-stopper at these five outstanding Tamarindo event venues!
Anyone who has ever planned an event, knows – there are event venues and then there are Event Venues. You know the ones: They mark the difference between a place to host your event, and a show-stopper that will serve as precedent for all future events.
Host the second. Choose one of our favorite Tamarindo event venues, and plan on being a show-stopper.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-10-01 05:30:342019-09-26 08:45:05Looking for Show-Stopper Tamarindo Event Venues? Here are 5 Favorites
Want to help keep Tamarindo’s beaches clean? Here are 14 easy ways to do your part.
Ahhh, the beach. The glorious beach.
Can’t you just hear the sound of lapping waves, each tiny crash on wet sand? Can you see the pelicans diving, in search of their next meal? Can you feel the warm sun on your face, your neck, your back? Can you imagine your feet or hands, finally (and perfectly) connecting with a soccer ball or volleyball?
A day at the beach is a day like no other. It’s joy. It’s a rush. It’s total freedom. It’s probably why you chose Tamarindo, a beach town located on Costa Rica’s famed Gold Coast.
The beach has a special appeal. It makes us feel things. It makes us want to linger a little longer, enjoy a little more. The beach is everything.
And that’s why it’s our job to help keep it clean. To not only keep our sands free of garbage, but to help make our oceans that way, too. From small lifestyle changes – changes you can make before your trip, and continue long after – to the everyday habits you can adopt while you’re here, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to help keep our beaches clean.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-09-19 05:30:432019-09-25 17:07:59How to Keep the Beach Clean on Your Tamarindo Vacation
Looking for some new (and tasty) inspiration? Look no further than these 15 fresh recommendations for restaurants in Tamarindo. (Pictured: Shrimp Hole)
Jumbo prawns, classic lobster thermidor, crispy falafel, Mongolian barbecue, gluten-free pizza, sizzling hot wings, and frothy milkshakes – if you crave it, chances are that one of our favorite restaurants in Tamarindo can satiate that hankering.
The Stay in Tamarindo office is full of foodies. That’s probably not much of a surprise, given how often we write about food. That’s also one of the reasons we have all found ourselves in Tamarindo: With all of Costa Rica to explore, what brings us here? The food scene, in part!
Tamarindo has one of, if not the best restaurant scene in Costa Rica: From finger food at the bar to a splurge-worthy seafood grill on the sand, our town-by-the-sea serves memorable cuisine around almost every corner. And so, we thought we’d highlight a few of those corners we’ve never showcased before (or haven’t mentioned in years): 15 fresh recommendations – restaurants in Tamarindo you really should try.
Not enough meals in your trip? No problem. You’ll just have to visit us again, soon!
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-09-12 05:30:502019-09-12 10:59:3415 Restaurant Recommendations We Haven’t Made Before
The best month of the year just got better: This coming January, Tamarindo will welcome the legendary BPM Festival, an underground electronic music festival that offers a perfect complement to our powder-soft beaches, sunset vistas, tropical dry forests, and Pacific Ocean escapades.
It’s a sweet new start for BPM, which has alternately hosted in Bali, Barcelona, Playa del Carmen, Portugal, and Toronto. This will mark the first time the festival heads south of Mexico.
From the press release, “Surrounded by national parks with an abundance of lush jungles and white sand beaches complemented by warm blue water and breathtaking sunsets… the surfing town and beyond offers the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.”
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-09-05 05:30:122019-09-03 08:00:07Dance, Music & the Pura Vida: The BPM Festival Comes to Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Indulge in total luxury for your Costa Rica family vacations, at Puros Dieces.
Planning your Costa Rica family vacations can be one of the most exciting – or stressful – parts of your vacation planning. Finding the right home is a challenge. Pleasing everyone is hard. And doing that all within your budget? We have two words: Hoo. Boy.
Luckily, Tamarindo’s family vacation rental market has just the home(s) for the best Costa Rica family vacations! From cozy two-bedrooms with ocean views to downright massive family complexes, perfect for a family reunion, our town and surrounds are eager to please the young and young-at-heart. And today, we’re serving up some of our favorite homes for your family.
EASY BUTTON! Back up a few paragraphs, and we may have said that planning Costa Rica family vacations can be a stressful, challenging, and/or difficult task. That’s true – until you hit our epic easy button: Book one of our vacation homes and you’ll have access to our free concierge services. From activity planning and childcare, to private chefs and transportation, we eliminate your stress. At no added cost!
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-08-29 05:30:532019-08-28 19:32:30Planning a Family Vacation? Tamarindo Vacation Rentals: The Cozy, the Spacious, and the Massive
The price of paradise? What you need to know about the IVA, or VAT tax.
Traveling to Costa Rica soon? You may have already heard about something called the IVA (pronounced ee-vah). If you have, you almost certainly have questions. Maybe a few concerns, even. What is Costa Rica’s new IVA tax and how will it affect your trip?
First, let’s start with the super basics: IVA is short for el Impuesto sobre el Valor Agregado, or value-added tax. If you live in or have traveled through Europe, you’re already familiar with this type of tax: in English, we often refer to it as a VAT tax, a goods and services tax, or a national sales tax. But, it’s new to Costa Rica: the IVA tax just went into effect on July 1, 2019.
Essentially, Costa Rica’s IVA adds a 13% tax to all goods and service that don’t already pay a 13% sales tax (aka the IVI – el impuesto de ventas incluido, or the included sales tax).
To put that into layman’s terms, things like your vacation rental or restaurant meal have long included a 13% IVI sales tax and will not incur an additional 13% IVA tax. But, travel goods and services – well, they are affected. Here’s how it works.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-08-22 05:30:232019-08-21 16:34:00Costa Rica’s New VAT Tax & Travel: What You Need (and Want) to Know
Costa Rica travel with kids? You’re going to need these [awe-inspiring, kid-thrilling] family tours.
Today, Costa Rica celebrates Mother’s Day. It’s one of the Big Holidays here in Costa Rica – a paid day off work, universally celebrated, and much beloved – and so we thought we’d celebrate in the best way we know how: by sharing our favorite family tours, travels and family experiences, to enhance your own Costa Rica travel with kids.
Because, we’re realists. We know that traveling with kids isn’t the same as traveling solo or with adults. There are special considerations and accommodations to be made. Because, even the littlest of kids have big personalities.
We want to keep them happy. Nay, thrilled! We want all travelers, both big and small, to have the time of their lives. To finish every tour entertained. To say, “this was the best trip EVER!” Because it was.
https://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.png00Erin Raubhttps://www.stayintamarindo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/stay_in_tamarindo_logo.pngErin Raub2019-08-15 05:30:562019-08-14 14:41:55Costa Rica Travel with Kids: The Best Family Experiences
Pangas is forever one of our top choices in Tamarindo restaurants, not just for the food but for the beachfront ambiance.
Tamarindo is a veritable foodie haven: Dozens, if not hundreds of worth-your-time restaurants and joints, beachfront spreads and tiny holes-in-the-wall. If you don’t know where to go, it can all be a little overwhelming: everything just smells so good! Seafood and melting cheese, brick ovens and wood-fired grills… But, we’re getting distracted. (It’s easy to do, around all this excellent food.) And so, it’s for just this reason that we’ve updated our Tamarindo restaurants guide for 2019: to help you draft your list of must-eats and must-views.
Note that this latest interation of our restaurant guide doesn’t overwrite or cancel out any of our previous suggestions; they’re still delicious and highly recommended. We just wanted to give you a few more options. A little more room to experiment with your taste buds and hone your Tamarindo palate. A few more inspirations to try new things and taste new tastes. Or, to revisit old favorites. Because, you’ll want to. You really will. Tamarindo’s restaurants have a certain temptation.
Humpback Whale Watching near Tamarindo, Costa Rica
/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin RaubHey there! Love nature? Then, you’re going to love humpback whale watching near Tamarindo.
When you think of Costa Rica and wildlife watching, you most likely think of monkeys and sloths, toucans and jaguars. It’s easy to forget that Costa Rica is also home to two oceans – okay, technically one ocean and one sea – teeming with wildlife. And you don’t need to be a snorkeler or scuba diver to enjoy it, either.
Did you know that Costa Rica is home to the longest humpback whale-watching season in the world? ‘Tis true: Over two appearances and eight awe-inspiring months, these gentle giants make their home in Costa Rica waters. In Guanacaste waters. Which brings us to the subject of whale watching near Tamarindo: where, when and how?
Read more
Property of the Month: Conchal Penthouse
/0 Comments/in Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo /by Erin RaubYou are here. Here, in paradise. Here, with a drink in your hand. Here, overlooking the famously pink Playa Conchal. Here, at our Conchal Penthouse. Here, exactly where you want to be. Welcome!
Imagine with us, if you will, a private ocean-view terrace, still warm from languid rays of afternoon sun. Adirondack chairs beckon the perfect posture of partial recline, partial view-appreciation. Because oh, that view.
Unfolding over Colonial-style red roofs and dense tree canopy, the vista rolls and tumbles toward the Pacific Ocean. And, there – endless blue, punctuated by the occasional sailboat and island. This view – it’s all yours.
Because it’s you on that still warm, ocean-view terrace. You, in that Adirondack chair. You, appreciating that view. You, here. You, in paradise.
Because you have claimed Conchal Penthouse as your own.
Read more
Looking for Show-Stopper Tamarindo Event Venues? Here are 5 Favorites
/0 Comments/in Corporate Retreats, Group Travel, Tamarindo Retreats, Tamarindo Reunions, Tamarindo Wedding Guide /by Erin RaubDon’t just plan an event. Plan a show-stopper at these five outstanding Tamarindo event venues!
Anyone who has ever planned an event, knows – there are event venues and then there are Event Venues. You know the ones: They mark the difference between a place to host your event, and a show-stopper that will serve as precedent for all future events.
Host the second. Choose one of our favorite Tamarindo event venues, and plan on being a show-stopper.
Read more
How to Keep the Beach Clean on Your Tamarindo Vacation
/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin RaubWant to help keep Tamarindo’s beaches clean? Here are 14 easy ways to do your part.
Ahhh, the beach. The glorious beach.
Can’t you just hear the sound of lapping waves, each tiny crash on wet sand? Can you see the pelicans diving, in search of their next meal? Can you feel the warm sun on your face, your neck, your back? Can you imagine your feet or hands, finally (and perfectly) connecting with a soccer ball or volleyball?
A day at the beach is a day like no other. It’s joy. It’s a rush. It’s total freedom. It’s probably why you chose Tamarindo, a beach town located on Costa Rica’s famed Gold Coast.
The beach has a special appeal. It makes us feel things. It makes us want to linger a little longer, enjoy a little more. The beach is everything.
And that’s why it’s our job to help keep it clean. To not only keep our sands free of garbage, but to help make our oceans that way, too. From small lifestyle changes – changes you can make before your trip, and continue long after – to the everyday habits you can adopt while you’re here, we’re sharing a few of our favorite ways to help keep our beaches clean.
We hope you’ll join us in our efforts!
Read more
15 Restaurant Recommendations We Haven’t Made Before
/0 Comments/in Food, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin RaubLooking for some new (and tasty) inspiration? Look no further than these 15 fresh recommendations for restaurants in Tamarindo. (Pictured: Shrimp Hole)
Jumbo prawns, classic lobster thermidor, crispy falafel, Mongolian barbecue, gluten-free pizza, sizzling hot wings, and frothy milkshakes – if you crave it, chances are that one of our favorite restaurants in Tamarindo can satiate that hankering.
The Stay in Tamarindo office is full of foodies. That’s probably not much of a surprise, given how often we write about food. That’s also one of the reasons we have all found ourselves in Tamarindo: With all of Costa Rica to explore, what brings us here? The food scene, in part!
Tamarindo has one of, if not the best restaurant scene in Costa Rica: From finger food at the bar to a splurge-worthy seafood grill on the sand, our town-by-the-sea serves memorable cuisine around almost every corner. And so, we thought we’d highlight a few of those corners we’ve never showcased before (or haven’t mentioned in years): 15 fresh recommendations – restaurants in Tamarindo you really should try.
Not enough meals in your trip? No problem. You’ll just have to visit us again, soon!
Read more
Dance, Music & the Pura Vida: The BPM Festival Comes to Tamarindo, Costa Rica
/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Nightlife, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin RaubThe best month of the year just got better: This coming January, Tamarindo will welcome the legendary BPM Festival, an underground electronic music festival that offers a perfect complement to our powder-soft beaches, sunset vistas, tropical dry forests, and Pacific Ocean escapades.
It’s a sweet new start for BPM, which has alternately hosted in Bali, Barcelona, Playa del Carmen, Portugal, and Toronto. This will mark the first time the festival heads south of Mexico.
From the press release, “Surrounded by national parks with an abundance of lush jungles and white sand beaches complemented by warm blue water and breathtaking sunsets… the surfing town and beyond offers the perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Costa Rica.”
Aww, shucks. [Blushes.]
Read more
Planning a Family Vacation? Tamarindo Vacation Rentals: The Cozy, the Spacious, and the Massive
/0 Comments/in Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo /by Erin RaubIndulge in total luxury for your Costa Rica family vacations, at Puros Dieces.
Planning your Costa Rica family vacations can be one of the most exciting – or stressful – parts of your vacation planning. Finding the right home is a challenge. Pleasing everyone is hard. And doing that all within your budget? We have two words: Hoo. Boy.
Luckily, Tamarindo’s family vacation rental market has just the home(s) for the best Costa Rica family vacations! From cozy two-bedrooms with ocean views to downright massive family complexes, perfect for a family reunion, our town and surrounds are eager to please the young and young-at-heart. And today, we’re serving up some of our favorite homes for your family.
EASY BUTTON! Back up a few paragraphs, and we may have said that planning Costa Rica family vacations can be a stressful, challenging, and/or difficult task. That’s true – until you hit our epic easy button: Book one of our vacation homes and you’ll have access to our free concierge services. From activity planning and childcare, to private chefs and transportation, we eliminate your stress. At no added cost!
Read more
Costa Rica’s New VAT Tax & Travel: What You Need (and Want) to Know
/0 Comments/in Costa Rica /by Erin RaubThe price of paradise? What you need to know about the IVA, or VAT tax.
Traveling to Costa Rica soon? You may have already heard about something called the IVA (pronounced ee-vah). If you have, you almost certainly have questions. Maybe a few concerns, even. What is Costa Rica’s new IVA tax and how will it affect your trip?
First, let’s start with the super basics: IVA is short for el Impuesto sobre el Valor Agregado, or value-added tax. If you live in or have traveled through Europe, you’re already familiar with this type of tax: in English, we often refer to it as a VAT tax, a goods and services tax, or a national sales tax. But, it’s new to Costa Rica: the IVA tax just went into effect on July 1, 2019.
Essentially, Costa Rica’s IVA adds a 13% tax to all goods and service that don’t already pay a 13% sales tax (aka the IVI – el impuesto de ventas incluido, or the included sales tax).
To put that into layman’s terms, things like your vacation rental or restaurant meal have long included a 13% IVI sales tax and will not incur an additional 13% IVA tax. But, travel goods and services – well, they are affected. Here’s how it works.
Read more
Costa Rica Travel with Kids: The Best Family Experiences
/0 Comments/in Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin RaubCosta Rica travel with kids? You’re going to need these [awe-inspiring, kid-thrilling] family tours.
Because, we’re realists. We know that traveling with kids isn’t the same as traveling solo or with adults. There are special considerations and accommodations to be made. Because, even the littlest of kids have big personalities.
We want to keep them happy. Nay, thrilled! We want all travelers, both big and small, to have the time of their lives. To finish every tour entertained. To say, “this was the best trip EVER!” Because it was.
Read more
Tamarindo Restaurants Guide, 2019 Version
/0 Comments/in Food, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin RaubPangas is forever one of our top choices in Tamarindo restaurants, not just for the food but for the beachfront ambiance.
Tamarindo is a veritable foodie haven: Dozens, if not hundreds of worth-your-time restaurants and joints, beachfront spreads and tiny holes-in-the-wall. If you don’t know where to go, it can all be a little overwhelming: everything just smells so good! Seafood and melting cheese, brick ovens and wood-fired grills… But, we’re getting distracted. (It’s easy to do, around all this excellent food.) And so, it’s for just this reason that we’ve updated our Tamarindo restaurants guide for 2019: to help you draft your list of must-eats and must-views.
Note that this latest interation of our restaurant guide doesn’t overwrite or cancel out any of our previous suggestions; they’re still delicious and highly recommended. We just wanted to give you a few more options. A little more room to experiment with your taste buds and hone your Tamarindo palate. A few more inspirations to try new things and taste new tastes. Or, to revisit old favorites. Because, you’ll want to. You really will. Tamarindo’s restaurants have a certain temptation.
So, as we say in Costa Rica, ¡provecho! Enjoy!
Read more