There’s something so special about summer travel – about an entire season that unfurls at your feet, beckoning adventure, exploration, and the kind of relaxation that only feels possible when you’re sunbaked and lounging beachside. When it comes to those kind of summer escapes, Costa Rica vacation spots continue to captivate the world’s most discerning travelers. And Tamarindo may just be the crown jewel.
Shh! Don’t tell, but here’s a little secret: Summer may just be the best time to visit. Because, while so much of the world’s touristed destinations are packed to the gills throughout the season, and while the country’s dry season gets most of the publicized glory, the truth is that Costa Rica’s summer months are decidedly more chill (in a great way): It’s green season, and that means fewer crowds, more rainbows, and greener landscapes, among many other benefits.
So whether you’re after indulgence, solitude, or simply the year’s best prices on our Costa Rica vacation villas, summer 2025 has some great plans in store. And we do, too. So here are a few reasons why Tamarindo is one of the best summer vacation destinations of the year – and exactly what to do when you get here:
Costa Rica’s summer, running from May through November, is also known as the rainy season or green season – and it lives up to its name. Think rainforest hikes under emerald canopies, dramatic sunsets painted by post-storm skies, and waterfalls at full, cinematic flow. Can’t you just see it, feel it, taste it?
So first, let’s clear up a common misconception: the “rainy season” doesn’t mean days of endless downpour. In fact, mornings are typically bright and sunny, with showers rolling in during the late afternoon or evening. The result? Cooler temperatures, fresh air, and a vibrancy that transforms the landscape into a living postcard. No filters required.
And in a place like Tamarindo, which is often full during peak months, the green season feels more intimate, more immersive, and more in tune with nature. You’ll avoid the madding crowds while gaining a front-row seat to Costa Rica’s wildest and most beautiful side.
One of the major advantages of visiting Tamarindo in summer? The slower pace and fewer travelers. Unlike the winter months – Costa Rica’s sunniest, driest season (December through April) – when the town bustles with international visitors, summer offers a more refined, crowd-lite version of paradise. You’ll find availability at top restaurants, quieter beaches, and more attentive service from local guides and hospitality teams.
For high-end travelers, this means a rare chance to experience our Costa Rica vacation villas at their most serene – and at significantly better rates. With a more manageable demand, many properties offer exclusive promotions, giving you access to private chefs, infinity pools, and beachfront balconies at a fraction of the peak-season price.
It’s the perfect time to secure your spot in a luxury villa that feels more like a private resort than a rental property.
Here at Stay in Tamarindo, we’ve elevated the concept of “home away from home” into something truly exceptional. Our Costa Rica vacation spots and villas aren’t just accommodations – they’re full-service sanctuaries designed for indulgence and restoration.
Imagine waking up to sweeping Pacific views, sipping world-renowned Costa Rican coffee beside your private pool, and wrapping your day in spa treatments, chef-prepared meals, and cocktails under the stars. Whether you choose a secluded hillside estate or a modern beachfront retreat, each space blends comfort with curated elegance.
Traveling with friends? Our villas offer plenty of room to gather – or retreat – with multiple suites, gourmet kitchens, and shared lounges ideal for long, lingering evenings. For couples, boutique properties tucked into the jungle provide the ultimate in romance and privacy.
And what does this all have to do with summer? It’s simple? More accessible rates and better availability mean you can splash out on true luxury, book an extra indulgence, or even sneak away to last-minute availability – something nearly inconceivable during peak months.
Tamarindo has long been hailed as one of the top surf destinations in Central America, and summer is when the waves truly come alive. Consistent southern swells light up breaks like Playa Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and nearby Witch’s Rock, making this a prime time for both beginners and seasoned surfers.
You don’t have to be a pro to enjoy the thrill – local surf schools and private instructors offer surf lessons tailored to all levels. And if you’re just along for the ride, there’s something soul-stirring about watching the sunset while surfers carve their boards into the golden waves that crest the distance.
For many summer travelers, the season’s surf becomes more than just a sport – it’s a sunrise ritual, a personal reset, and a memory that lingers long after both the adrenaline and tan fade.
Sure, you’ve heard about Costa Rica’s epic outdoor adventures – but in summer, they’re even better. Thanks to rain-fed rivers and flourishing forests, every outdoor, out-of-bounds experience becomes more vibrant, more immersive, and more alive.
Tamarindo is your oyster but if we were to point you in a direction (not the only right direction, of course!) we’d say, start your day with a zipline canopy tour above the treetops, then explore nearby estuaries by kayak, spotting crocodiles, monkeys, and egrets along the way. Hike to hidden waterfalls, go horseback riding at golden hour, or brave some whitewater rafting if you’re craving adrenaline.
Want something bespoke? Our concierge can arrange everything from helicopter tours over volcanoes to private catamaran sails with onboard mixology and snorkeling stops. Because in Tamarindo, adventure doesn’t mean “roughing it” – it means stepping into nature, only with an added touch of elegance and exclusivity.
For wellness seekers, Tamarindo is a sanctuary. Our growing wellness scene is anchored by yoga studios, day spas, and nature-based therapies that align perfectly with the pace and energy of the green season.
Start your morning with beachfront vinyasa, followed by a fresh-pressed juice and a massage using local botanicals. Spend your afternoon floating in a saltwater pool or meditating to the sound of rain on the palm leaves.
And because summer brings fewer distractions, it’s easier to go inward – whether through journaling, breathwork, or simply enjoying the silence between ocean waves or rolling thunder. Many of our top Costa Rica vacation spots for wellness travelers even offer in-house services, so you don’t even need to leave your sanctuary to find peace.
Tamarindo’s culinary scene is equal parts refined and relaxed, offering everything from five-star tasting menus to barefoot beachfront grills. And summer – when tables have space and servers are less harried – is an especially delicious time to indulge.
Thanks to the rains, fruits and vegetables are at their peak, seafood is always fresh off the boat, and chefs get creative with local, seasonal ingredients. Try ceviche made with just-caught mahi mahi; sip on handcrafted cocktails with fresh passionfruit; or treat yourself to an in-villa private chef experience featuring the season’s and country’s best flavors.
Looking for an unforgettable evening? Book a sunset dinner at a beachfront, toes-in-the-sand restaurant like Pangas Beach Club, where the views are as swoon-worthy as the menu.
Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, and Tamarindo is a front-row seat to the action.
Summer marks humpback whale season along the Pacific Coast, and sightings are common on guided boat tours – complete with dolphins, sea turtles, and even the occasional manta ray.
Visit nearby Playa Ostional to witness one of nature’s most mesmerizing events: the mass nesting of olive ridley sea turtles, known in Costa Rica as an arribada. And then, you can explore the mangroves at Las Baulas National Park, where howler monkeys, crocodiles, and rare birds await.
For a closer look at Tamarindo’s natural wonders, guided hikes and nature walks offer insight into Costa Rica’s complex ecosystems – whether you’re birdwatching at dawn, spotting sloths in the treetops by evening, or watching as the sun sets on the backs of breeching whales.
We locals will tell you: summer delivers Tamarindo’s most spectacular sunsets. With the combination of prismatic post-rain mist, scattered clouds, and filtered light, each evening sky becomes a masterpiece – deep violets, fiery oranges, soft pinks.
Enjoy the show from your villa’s infinity pool, a beach blanket with a bottle of wine, or aboard a luxury catamaran cruise as the horizon melts into a riot of color. It’s one of those rare daily experiences that feels like a gift every time, no matter how many days you’re here to witness it.
Perhaps the most compelling reason Tamarindo tops the list of Costa Rica vacation spots this summer is the simple, beautiful truth that it offers a true escape. Not just from work or crowds or the predictable – but from everything that feels loud, rushed, or inauthentic.
In Tamarindo, time slows during the summer months. The air smells of salt and rain. Your days are your own. Whether you’re here to celebrate, reconnect, or recalibrate, summer 2025 is your invitation to experience Costa Rica not as a tourist, but as someone who truly belongs.
Your dream trip just got better. Now, to celebrate the start of summer, we're offering up to $800* in credittoward your Costa Rican adventures! (*Subject to applicable terms.)
Don't forget to add coupon code: MEMORIAL at checkout!
Tamarindo | 8 Bedrooms | 8 Baths + 1 Half Bath | Sleeps 20
A crown jewel of Costa Rica retreat venues, Casa Puros Dieces – "pure tens" or more figuratively, "straight 10s" or a "perfect 10"! – sits at the literal height of tropical indulgence. This eco-friendly, Balinese-style property creates the perfect ambiance for any retreat, with immaculate tropical gardens, a koi pond, and stunning ocean views from almost every corner.
The perfect balance of private wonderland and hidden retreat, this luxury home is just a few minutes to downtown's dining, activities, and shopping, while perched on a breezy bluff that puts you a world away from the touristed hustle and bustle. Taking advantage of its hilltop, Casa Puros Dieces is designed for natural ventilation and invites you to fling open the windows and bask in the ocean breeze.
In addition to an ocean-view infinity pool jacuzzi, rooftop terrace, and expansive decking, the home is incredibly spacious, offering plenty of space for your activities and guests. And because it's not a retreat without a few luxuries, this tropical villa includes daily breakfast prep (excluding Sundays and holidays): fresh fruits and juices, traditional gallo pinto, eggs, and other breakfast favorites.
Hacienda Pinilla | 17 Beds | 21 Baths | 27 to 40 Guests
A true gem in the heart of Hacienda Pinilla, Diamante del Bosque is a one-of-a-kind luxury retreat crafted for large groups, multi-generational getaways, and unforgettable destination events. As the newest and most expansive villa in Bosques de Pinilla, this exceptional property was made for meaningful gatherings. With three standalone villas, 17 suites, and accommodations for up to 40 guests, it offers an ideal setting for family reunions, intimate weddings, and milestone celebrations (pre-approval required).
Tucked inside the private Bosques de Pinilla enclave, this spectacular estate features multiple private pools, a heated jacuzzi, and an open-air rancho – perfect for yoga sessions, casual get-togethers, or festive events. You’ll also have access to the community’s beautifully landscaped shared space, including a 70-foot lap pool, children’s splash area, sunny lounging deck, outdoor BBQ, and a private gym and yoga studio.
With Elite Service – including daily housekeeping and personalized concierge support – Diamante del Bosque goes far beyond a typical villa stay. This is more than a vacation home; it’s a destination all its own. Welcome!
Playa Grande | 7 bedrooms | 5 baths | 22 guests
Just a 5-minute stroll from the sand, Casa La Familia is a luxury escape designed for easygoing beach days, unforgettable family gatherings, and pura vida living at its best. With six spacious suites in the main house – plus a charming one-bedroom guest house – this welcoming retreat is ideal for multi-generational stays or groups seeking both connection and a bit of privacy.
Casa La Familia is perfectly positioned just minutes from the ocean and local dining favorites. Spend your mornings surfing or biking the coast (gear included), then unwind by the main house’s private pool or soak in the guest house’s cozy plunge pool. The rooftop lounge is a favorite spot for sunset cocktails, stargazing, or simply relaxing after a day of adventure.
Your stay includes our Elite Service Standard, with daily housekeeping and laundry, plus breakfast, snacks, and cocktails prepared for you six days a week (groceries not included). Whether you're here to surf, celebrate, or simply spend time together, Casa La Familia offers the perfect balance of comfort, luxury, and laid-back charm. Welcome to a home away from home.
At Stay in Tamarindo, we’re proud to offer some of the best Costa Rica vacation villas and destination spots. So if you’re dreaming of – and planning! – a luxury vacation in Costa Rica, there’s no better time than summer. Whether you’re drawn by the exclusivity, the savings, the wildlife, or the adventure, we promise an experience unlike any other. So why wait? Your tropical escape is calling!
We’re here to help you find your ideal villa rental to complement your vacation. Because at Stay in Tamarindo, we really are different. We really do care about you. And we really will go the extra mile to make your Costa Rican family vacation whatever you want it to be. We’re going to work hard for you. We’re going to follow up with you. And we’re going to do everything we can, to ensure that this is not just your Best Trip Ever, but also Everything You Want It to Be.
We hope to transform the way you vacation. We want to deliver the best everything you’ve ever experienced – including the best value. And we want you to go home completely fulfilled, whether you came to relax for a week straight or packed your days full of every adrenaline-soaked, high-adventure activity you could fit in.
So go ahead, give us a try. Embrace the experience. Live your best life. And now, book your best-ever vacation. It all starts with getting in touch with our concierge, Cris!