Family Vacation in Tamarindo – Costa Rica for Families & Kids

Tamarindo Day Trip: Las Pumas Rescue Center

Jaguars, Costa Rica’s biggest wildcats, are just one of the five big cat species you’ll find at Las Pumas Rescue Center

We like to say that in nature, there are no guarantees. What that means is that, while Costa Rica is an incredibly biodiverse country where more than 25% of all land is reserved for national parks, wildlife refuges, and reserves – habitats to some of the densest wild animal populations in the world – there’s no guarantee you’ll spot a specific animal. Especially if that animal is elusive. Enter Las Pumas Rescue Center, or El Centro de Rescate Las Pumas.

Las Pumas is a wildlife rescue center, taking in the injured, the orphaned, and the illegally captured. Their goal: To provide necessary medical care and rehabilitate these animals, hopefully for release back into their natural habitats. What this means for us: Guaranteed animal sightings and a feel-good, do-good kind of day, where you not only see some animals but put your tourism dollars toward a worthy nonprofit.

Need to Know:

Location: About 2 hours east of Tamarindo and 4.5 miles outside of Cañas, on the Interamerican Highway en route to Liberia

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday-Sunday

Cost: $8 children & students / $12 adults

Treat Yourself: Hiring a Tamarindo Private Chef

April 25, 2019/0 Comments/in Family Travel, Group Travel, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Retreats, Tamarindo Reunions, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Tamarindo Wedding Guide /by Erin Raub

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.

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

April 12, 2019/0 Comments/in Corporate Retreats, Family Travel, Group Travel, Tamarindo Retreats, Tamarindo Wedding Guide, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo /by Erin Raub

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!

Costa Rica Family Vacation: Your [Almost] Complete Guide to Tamarindo with Kids

December 27, 2018/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

Tamarindo is an excellent choice for your Costa Rica family vacation

You’re enjoying a wonderful holiday season – by the way, happy holidays from the Stay in Tamarindo family! – and you’re loving your time together with your loved ones, whether you’re gathered with just your nearest and dearest or gathered with extended family and friends. And now, you’re thinking (and even talking) about that Costa Rican family vacation you have all always wanted to take.

Congratulations! Costa Rica is an excellent choice for your family vacation, and Tamarindo is the best choice of all. (Yes, we admit we’re a little biased.) But, consider this: spectacular beaches and even more beautiful sunsets, dense mangroves and sick surf, thrilling adventures and tranquil slices of beach – the perfect recipe to create one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations.

You’ve already heard a lot about Costa Rica. You’ve definitely dreamed of your someday visit. And now, you’re really starting to plan. Go ahead – you can do a little dance! A family vacation in Costa Rica is something to get excited about.

With visions of mangoes dancing in your head, your initial excitement and anticipation passed, inevitably your thoughts will begin to wander to some of the more practical matters: When should you plan your visit?What will the weather be like? Where should you visit and where will you stay? And then, importantly, how much should you budget?

Tamarindo Overnight Trip: Explosive Arenal Volcano

December 20, 2018/0 Comments/in Costa Rica, Family Travel, Nature & Wildlife, Tamarindo Daytrips, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Things to Do /by Erin Raub

Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano – and one of our favorite day trips (even better: overnight trips!) from Tamarindo.

On slopes where once flowed destructive red-hot lava, now grows an explosion of rainforest riches: soaring palms, dense foliage, and jewel-toned tropical blooms. And, lest you forget its origins, the occasional (yet tamer) belch from a mostly-sleeping-sometimes-rumbling active volcano.

Indeed, while a nightly lava show used to draw visitors to the region, today Arenal Volcano relies on much more than Mother Nature’s red-hot fireworks. This is a town dedicated to diversion, relaxation, and a full suite of adventure: soaring canopy ziplines, exhilarating waterfall rappelling, frothing white-water rafting, volcanic hot springs, shadowy cave spelunking, and so much more.

Oh, so very much more.

Because, this is Arenal Volcano. And this is one of our most popular overnight tours from Tamarindo. Trust us, it’s worth the drive.

5 of the Best Family Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo

January 30, 2018/in Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide, Vacation Rentals in Tamarindo /by Erin Raub

Search for your perfect family vacation rental in Tamarindo (Pictured: Casa de Luz)

Planning a family vacation to Tamarindo, Costa Rica? Then, you’re probably searching for the perfect accommodations. And that’s where these five family vacation rentals in Tamarindo might come in handy!

So, why a vacation rental instead of a hotel? There are many reasons, but the three big ones are space, amenities, and economy: in short, your budget stretches much further, and buys more square-footage and extras (ex. a private pool, Jacuzzis, secluded decks, gourmet kitchens, and more) for the same – or less – than the cost of a ho-hum hotel room.

And, with that, five of our favorite family vacation rentals in Tamarindo:

Costa Rica Itinerary: Tamarindo Family Vacation

January 9, 2018/in Costa Rica, Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

Tamarindo is an excellent choice for your family vacation

If you’re traveling to Costa Rica with kids in tow, chances are someone has recommended a Tamarindo family vacation.

After all, we’re one of the most well-equipped towns in Costa Rica, with a wide selection of restaurants, tours, and attractions. And then, there are our incredible Tamarindo vacation rentals, which run the gamut from oceanview 2-bedrooms for small families to palatial 8-bedroom luxury villas, with every conceivable amenity to fuel memorable family reunions. Tamarindo is that perfect blend of services, amenities and natural beauty.

To help you plan your trip, we’ve pulled together a Tamarindo family vacation itinerary: some of our favorite family-friendly activities and experiences in the area. Make some memories!

‘Tis the Season: Traditions to Celebrate Christmas in Costa Rica

December 5, 2017/in Costa Rica, Family Travel, Tamarindo Lifestyle /by Erin Raub

sand snowman celebrates Christmas in Costa Rica

It’s beginning to look a lot like… a tropical Christmas in Costa Rica!

There’s no Thanksgiving in Costa Rica so technically, we are go for festivities any time after Halloween. That said, while stores often start promoting Christmas as early as August (we know – ugh), most official Christmas events don’t kick off until late November.

Here are some of our favorite Christmas in Costa Rica traditions:

Destination Family Reunion: Why Tamarindo Shines for Multigenerational Travel in Costa Rica

November 9, 2017/in Costa Rica, Family Travel, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

There’s a reason (many, actually) why multigenerational travel to Costa Rica is so popular.

It’s a fast-paced world. There never seems to be enough time for everything we need to do, let alone what we want to do. And it’s precisely for this reason that multigenerational travel to Costa Rica is so popular: combine your vacation with a family reunion, and you not only check two items off your list ( ✔ family time and ✔ annual travel), but you have a great time, to boot.

What is Multi-Generational Travel?

Multigenerational travel is any trip that unites three or more generations – typically, grandparents, parents, and their children – in a family vacation. It’s a chance to make lasting memories, share new experiences, and see the world. It’s also a chance for grandchildren to know their grandparents. And, no surprise, multigenerational travel is extremely popular.

In fact, according to the AARP (PDF), in 2017 international multi-generational trips accounted for an estimated 24% of Generation X travel, 18% of Boomer travel, and 19% of Millennial travel. That’s a lot of trips. And many of them are to Costa Rica.

Tamarindo with Kids: 24 Family-Friendly Things to Do

September 28, 2017/in Family Travel, Tamarindo Lifestyle, Tamarindo Travel Guide /by Erin Raub

If you’re visiting Tamarindo with kids, you’re probably scrambling for what to do. Aside from swimming and surfing, what are the most family-friendly activities in Tamarindo? Because, as our kids are happy to tell us, a single canopy tour just won’t cut it anymore. (Kids these days!)

Well, not to worry. We’re pros at Tamarindo family vacations and, even more importantly, we have kids ourselves. Kids who spend all day, every day in Tamarindo. We KNOW of what we speak.

So, here’s our list of the best activities and can’t-miss experiences for visiting Tamarindo with kids. From the things your guidebook tells you (surfing! ziplines! ATV tours!) to everything it doesn’t (pottery making! the waterpark! picnic spots!), we’ve built a list of our favorite things to do, activities, and suggestions for enjoying Tamarindo with kids.