Luxury Retreats in Costa Rica: Top Venues and 7 Tips to Plan Yours

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Yoga Retreat Costa Rica

When 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

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Golfing - Things to do in Tamarindo Costa Rica

Group 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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What You Can Expect From Your Tamarindo Vacation with Stay in Tamarindo

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aerial view of Playa Avellanas

The 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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Property of the Month: Casa de Luz

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Casa de Luz oceanfront vacation rental in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Casa de Luz is the best of many bests: one of the largest private home event venues in Guanacaste, the first solar-powered Tamarindo vacation rental, and more.

Welcome to oceanfront Casa de Luz– the House of Light, Playa Langosta’s luxury jewel, and the most eco-friendly Tamarindo vacation rental.

This solar-powered, on-the-sand, luxury home is the superlative of superlatives: The closest high-capacity Tamarindo vacation rental to downtown. The only beach villa where every sleeping and living space faces the Pacific Ocean and the sunset. The first solar-powered home in the province. One of the largest private home event venues on the Gold Coast. And, one of an exclusive few vacation homes to be fully staffed.

Home to almost every luxury and amenity available in Costa Rica – an oceanfront pool, air-conditioning throughout, a Pacific-view swimming pool, high-speed WiFi, private beach access, and much more – Casa de Luz delivers a vacation, wedding, event, or reunion like no other.

This is a private home, but it’s also part beach resort, part event venue (especially for Tamarindo weddings), and part VIP experience. Casa de Luz represents the ultimate in location, accommodations and service.

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Looking for Show-Stopper Tamarindo Event Venues? Here are 5 Favorites

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Table Setting for an Event in Tamarindo

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.

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How to Plan a Carefree Tamarindo Vacation (with very little effort)

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Pacific Soul catamaran rental Costa Rica

Planning a Tamarindo vacation? Hoping for a carefree planning experience? That’s our wish for you, too. Here’s how to get from Point A (planning stress) to Point B (totally chill, toes in the sand, not a care in the world).

There is just something about vacation: No matter how relaxing, how soothing, how perfect it promises to be, the planning stages are anything but relaxing, soothing, or perfect. More like demanding, time-intensive, and detail-rich. Unfortunately, your Tamarindo vacation planning will probably be no different from the standard. Oh, except that it’s in Spanish. Goody.

Costa Rica is a small country but a big place: Smaller than the state of West Virginia but home to more than 5% of the world total biodiversity, Costa Rica is the kind of vacation that can be overwhelming to plan. How can you see it all, when you have only 5, 7, 10 or even 14 days in country?

Well, Cliff’s Notes on that one: you can’t. Costa Rica is definitely the kind of place that demands a repeat visit. Two, three, ten times… You’re going to want to come back. But, in the meantime, while you’re planning this visit – be it your first or your fifth – you want to keep your stress low and your anticipation high.

You want to plan a carefree, unicorns-and-rainbows, #BringOnTheBucketList kind of Tamarindo vacation. But, you don’t want to stress out while doing it. And, if that sounds like a catch-22, you’ll be happy to hear it’s not. You can have your Costa Rica cake and eat it, too. Here’s how:

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Treat Yourself: Hiring a Tamarindo Private Chef

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mahi mahi from private chef tamarindo costa rica

Relax. Indulge. Treat yourself. Our favorite Tamarindo private chef is here to serve. Literally.

Sometimes, you just don’t want to eat out. You don’t feel like getting dressed up, or piling into the car for dinner, or any of the restaurant routine. You’d much prefer sunset drinks on the balcony, appetizers by the pool, and a low-key evening. You’d prefer the luxury and bespoke services of our favorite Tamarindo private chef (and surrounds).

Welcome to paradise. Truly. Because, if there’s anything more indulgent than a vacation in Tamarindo, it’s a vacation in Tamarindo, upgraded with the luxury of your own private chef – a personal chef who visits your vacation home, understands your palate, and crafts fabulous meals from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.

In other words – yum. All the yums. Whenever and however you want.

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One-of-a-Kind Oceanfront Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo: Part 2

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Flamingo Blu oceanfront vacation rentals in Tamarindo

Where sky meets sea, where sea meets infinity pool, where you meet your dreams: 5 striking oceanfront vacation rentals in Tamarindo (Pictured: Flamingo Blu)

Last month, promised you a list of the best oceanfront vacation rentals in Tamarindo – and we delivered. Well, partially. We shared the first part of our list, which highlighted 5 beachfront vacation rentals in Tamarindo, with some help from Playa Langosta, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Potrero – the “greater Tamarindo” area, as we know it.

Today, we’re bringing you the grand finale – grand, not in the sense of overshadowing our first list, but grand in its true meaning: luxury, oceanfront estates, grand in both size and style. Because, these homes are truly something more: Perfect for that once-in-a-lifetime wedding, event or celebration, they promise more than the space you need; these vacation homes deliver on the luxury experience.

Oceanfront infinity pools. Full-time staff. Bubbling Jacuzzis. Multiple master suites. Gourmet kitchens. High design. And oh, those views. These homes represent the apex of oceanfront vacation rentals in Tamarindo: the nexus of upscale living, exclusive location, and dreams made reality. And we are so excited to share them!

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Property of the Month: Casa Costa Blanca

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Casa Costa Blanca beachfront Tamarindo vacation rental-min

Casa Costa Blanca is one of the most prestigious luxury vacation rentals in Tamarindo

Step into another world – into a beachfront paradise, a luxury community, an exotic wonderland. Step into Casa Costa Blanca, one of the most prestigious and spectacular vacation rentals in Tamarindo. In Costa Rica, even!

This seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom beachfront villa is equipped with the full menu of luxury amenities (including air conditioning, WiFi and cable television, among others), but what really pulls your spirit is That Ocean. Yes, the wide open Pacific is on full display here – overlooked from every common area, almost every bedroom, and the custom infinity pool and heated Jacuzzi.

And, what is paradise without a full-time housekeeper and groundskeeper? Monday through Saturday, your housekeeper even cooks up a delicious Costa Rican-style breakfast (you provide the ingredients).

It’s the perfect choice for Tamarindo weddings, family reunions, and other groups and celebrations for up to 24 guests. We look forward to welcoming you!

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Business Retreat in Costa Rica? Here’s What Your Employees Need (& Want) to Know

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Zip Lining Group

Are you ready to plan the best ever business retreat in Costa Rica?

So, your company’s taking a business retreat in Costa Rica… and you’re considering Tamarindo! Or, perhaps you’ve already decided on Tamarindo. Congratulations! Costa Rica is a great choice for a corporate retreat and in Costa Rica – okay, call us biased – Tamarindo is the perfect home base.

After all, greater Tamarindo – Tamarindo, Langosta, Hacienda Pinilla, Conchal, and even out to Flamingo – is one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. Not just for a business retreat in Costa Rica, mind you, but for vacation, destination weddings, honeymoons, and more. In other words, Tamarindo is paradise amidst paradise.

Our main claim to fame? Beautiful beaches, for starters. And then, there’s our world-famous surf, eclectic adventure activities, plenty of water sports, and spectacular sunsets. And, of course, there’s much geared toward your business retreat in Costa Rica, too: sprawling luxury mansions, an excellent restaurant scene, and plenty of team building, bonding, and fun. If you’ve chosen Tamarindo, then your company must be a great one! #TamarindoOrBust

But okay, after the initial excitement and general euphoria subside, you start to wonder: Where is Tamarindo, exactly? Where are you all going to stay? (And will there be any privacy?) What’s the weather like? And, how much should you budgetfor out-of-pocket extras?

Well, the first thing you should know – this corporate retreat/vacation is going to be epic. As for the rest of your questions, we have you covered:

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