Tamarindo Travel Guide – Your Guide to Costa Rica's Gold Coast

Costa Rica Coronavirus Update

September 7, 2020/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo /by 1BlizzAdmin

We’d like to give you a Costa Rica Coronavirus Update, so you will feel safe, booking a trip with us.

In the final months of this challenging year, who doesn’t need a vacation?! There’s nothing better for your physical and mental health than sunshine, clean air, warm salty ocean water, and exercise.

Costa Rica is the ideal destination for your first post-pandemic vacation! We, at Stay in Tamarindo are a local organically-grown vacation company located a stone’s throw from the sand in Tamarindo, Costa Rica and we can’t wait to host you! We’ve been here throughout lock-down and the travel freeze holding down the fort, keeping our Costa Rica vacation rental homes cleaner than ever and in perfect condition. We’ve kept our vans running and our certifications active so that now, as Costa Rica Travel restrictions lift and flights begin to arrive, we’re ready for you and it’s time to make your 2020 Costa Rica travel dreams come true!

Need some post-Covid Relaxation in Costa Rica? We’ve got you covered.

New Flexible Cancellation policy

The new flexibility in our cancellation policy makes it easier for you to feel good about making a reservation. We now have various refund options for reservations that are canceled with enough notice to for us to rebook. We issue full refunds if you need to cancel your reservation 60 or more days before your arrival date. Within the 60 days of your visit, we offer refunds IF we can re-rent the property for the full range of dates and for the full amount of your reservation. If we are able to rent the for the same time period at the same rate, we at Stay in Tamarindo are happy to refund all of your payments. On our Terms and Condition page you will find more details regarding cancellations. But let’s not talk about cancellations! Let’s talk about vacation!

Costa Rica Coronavirus: How can you enter Costa Rica as a tourist

So what do you have to do to get to Tamarindo, Costa Rica? First, go to www.stayintamarindo.com and pick out your Costa Rica vacation rental home. Then get your tickets and stay healthy!! You’ll also need to:

Fill out the HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr.
Provide a RT-PCR diagnostic test with a negative result. The sample must have been taken within 72 hours of travel.
Passengers coming from the U.S.A. must show through their driver’s license or State ID to prove that you live in one of the authorized states. This requirement excludes children.
Show Traveler’s Medical Insurance – international or purchased in Costa Rica through the National Insurance Institute (Instituto Nacional de Seguros) grupoins.com/seguroparaviajeros, or Sagicor www.sagicor.cr/seguro_para_turistas/.

For international insurance policies, tourists must request a certification in English or Spanish from the insurance company, verifying at least the following three conditions:

Effectiveness of the policy during the visit to Costa Rica.
Guaranteed coverage of medical expenses in the event of becoming ill with COVID-19 while in Costa Rica, for at least $50,000.
Includes minimum coverage of $2,000 for lodging expenses.

Travel to Costa Rica post covid-19

Our local airport, the Daniel Oduber Airport (LIR) in Liberia, is the third terminal in the world to receive the ACI Airport Health Accreditation (AHA) following the Coronavirus pandemic. This airport is just a little more than an hour’s drive from Tamarindo and is the best choice for your post covid Costa Rica Tamarindo vacation.

Our Government immediately instituted social distancing practices at the outset of the Costa Rica corona virus crisis, resulting in a very healthy population. Outbreaks have been contained and medical establishments have been able to treat the patients that have needed their services.

Costa Rica Coronavirus: Cleaning Protocols Stay in Tamarindo

Costa Rica Coronavirus: Sanitized surfaces

We put into place very strict cleaning protocols in all our vacation rental homes

Whereas the Covid 19 shut-down Costa Rica left many people without work, it has kept our housekeepers busy! We clean and sanitize all our Tamarindo vacation rental homes with disinfectants that are chlorine-based and some that are organic. Our favorite is a chemist-recommended disinfectant called ORGANIX which contains a bactericide that comes from grapefruit seeds. It is just as effective as chlorine (which we also use as necessary) but not toxic. We supply hand sanitizer in all our homes, and any of our staff who provide services in homes (cleaning, maintenance, concierge) wear masks.

When your feet hit the ground, we’ll be here ready to guide you through a safe and unforgettably fun time within what Costa Rica refers to as your “bubble.” Your “bubble” is your family or the group of people that you will be sharing your Tamarindo vacation rental home with. Your bubble will have its own transportation, and you will be your own tour group for the activities that we help you arrange. How much would you love to go surfing, or take a surf lesson?! You can go zip-lining, take an ATV tour through the mountains, to horseback riding, or book an afternoon catamaran cruise for your group. Volcano hikes, beach walks, deep sea fishing… all of this and more is here waiting for you to help you celebrate the end of a time of crisis. Health and safety are our first priority. Fun is our second. Contact us today and come celebrate life and health here in Costa Rica!

Planning a Costa Rica Surf Vacation? Start Here.

February 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin Raub

Planning a Costa Rica surf vacation? This guide will help you narrow down where and when – and where to stay, after you’ve figured out your where and when.

So, you’re planning a Costa Rica surf vacation. You’re excited! You’re hopeful. You’re already shopping for special vacation surfboard wax.

The only problem – you’re not quite sure of where to go. Or when. Or where you’ll stay. Or, well, any of it. Because Costa Rica’s surf is legendary and, whether you’re a beginner who’s only popped up a few times or an advanced surfer looking for your next-greatest challenge, all you’re sure of is that you’ll soon be surfing in Costa Rica.

That’s an exhilarating thing to be sure of. This guide will fill you in on the rest.

Popular Costa Rica Surf Destinations

The good news is that you’ll find both beginner-friendly and good surf almost everywhere Costa Rica. The great news is that you’ll find world-class surf in a few of those areas.

The not-quite-as-good news is that you won’t have time to surf it all. (Well, unless you’re here for a few years.) So, you’ll have to prioritize. At least, for this trip.

Here’s our rule of thumb: Stick to one major surf region per each 7-10 days of your trip, so you have plenty of time to explore, enjoy, and surf every must and many of the if-you-cans. And, be sure to identify all a region’s bucket-list breaks that meet your skill level and preferences.

So, about that where:

A Guide to Costa Rican Microbrews, Craft Beers & Artisan Alcohol

January 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Food, Tamarindo Nightlife, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

Costa Rican microbrews and craft beer-min

Have a yen to quench your tropical thirst. We have a few (okay, many!) Costa Rican microbrews, craft beers, and other brews for you to try.

In the land of sun and fun, you’ll likely to crave an ice-cold one. That’s our motto, at least.

It’s true – if you’re like many of your fellow travelers, you’ll often be on the hunt for some chilly refreshment. Luckily, craft beer and Costa Rican microbrews are readily available and pairs perfectly with Costa Rican fare and the warm tropical sun.

You’ll quickly discover that there’s one MAJOR player in Costa Rican beer: the Florida Ice & Farm Company (FIFCO), which produces all of Costa Rica’s more mainstream, standard brews, including those that maraud under the brand names of Imperial, Pilsen, and Bavaria.

Since you can find those everywhere and on every menu, we thought we’d highlight a few of the harder-to-find, you-may-have-to-ask-for-them Costa Rican microbrews, craft beers, and artisan lagers that we’ve grown to know and love.

Don’t Travel with the Big Guys: 7 Reasons to Book with a Local Vacation Rental Company

December 31, 2019/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

Call us biased, but we know there are plenty of reasons to go local – to work with a local, in-the-know company to choose your vacation home, Tamarindo tours, experiences, and other details of your trip. Here are seven of them.

As you plan your Costa Rican vacation – the Tamarindo tours you want to experience, the flavors you can’t wait to taste, the accommodations that inspire your dreams – one of the very first decisions you’ll make is all about the logistics: Where will you reserve that vacation?

Usually, that decision comes down to two major players: The Big Guys – major travel agencies, publically traded companies, etc. – or The Local Guys: small companies, rooted in their communities and overflowing with local know-how.

At the outset, we’ll cop to our bias: At Stay in Tamarindo, we’re firmly in the latter category. We are firmly a local company. The Big Guys don’t throw their weight behind us. We don’t have huge marketing departments or major advertising dollars to throw around.

We do have heart. And, therein lies the truth behind our bias: We know local and, therefore, we understand its distinct advantages. After all, we live in Tamarindo. We visit our rental homes. We do quality checks on all our recommended Tamarindo tours, excursions, and attractions.

So, yes, we’re biased. But if you’ll give us a chance, we’re pretty confident you’ll end up biased, too.

7 Costa Rican Christmas Traditions for your Holidays in Tamarindo

December 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

Don’t throw a sand-ball at us, but we’re saying it: we prefer sand-men to snowmen! Because, there’s just something special about lighted palms, roasting pork, and the holidays in Tamarindo.

Look out your window. If you see anything but sunbeams, palm trees, and blue skies – okay, maybe there’s a wispy cumulus cloud in there, somewhere! – then we’re guessing you’re not in Costa Rica. You’re not spending the holidays in Tamarindo.

At least, not this year. But, there’s always the promise of 2020!

Because, here’s the truth: the holidays in Tamarindo – Christmas in Costa Rica, generally – are a festive time of year. A special time of year. A twinkling, joyous, and inclusive time of year.

There are the lights and trees and carols, and then there are the only-in-Costa-Rica holiday traditions – all the making-some-memories, never-forget-your-trip details that transform December into such a fun month to travel abroad. You’re going to love it.

And so, with fun and festivities in mind – and in the spirit of inclusion, all sans creed or doctrine – we present seven of our favorite Christmas traditions. So, no matter what you celebrate (or don’t) back home, you can join in the joy during your holidays in Tamarindo.

4 Tamarindo Tours & Activities You Can Only Experience Here

November 29, 2019/0 Comments/in Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin Raub

Looking for some of our favorite, only-here Tamarindo tours? Mangrove kayaking definitely makes our list.

Every vacation, every trip, every escape is a new opportunity. The chance to see something new, experience something different. Your invitation to explore, enjoy, and endear yourself to fresh places, spaces, and activities.

Travel is your path to enjoying the world, as it is. The world, as you don’t yet know it.

And that’s why we always encourage travelers to try something new – to step outside your comfort zone and tick another item off your bucket list.

Enter these Tamarindo tours: four opportunities to do something you probably haven’t done before. Four chance to experience the world, as only Tamarindo can deliver it. These tours and activities are unique to us, unique to right here. And we can’t wait to introduce you to them.

Humpback Whale Watching near Tamarindo, Costa Rica

October 15, 2019/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin Raub

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?

How to Keep the Beach Clean on Your Tamarindo Vacation

September 19, 2019/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

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.

We hope you’ll join us in our efforts!

15 Restaurant Recommendations We Haven’t Made Before

September 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Food, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

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!

Dance, Music & the Pura Vida: The BPM Festival Comes to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

September 5, 2019/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Nightlife, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin Raub

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.”

Aww, shucks. [Blushes.]