Tamarindo, Costa Rica is known for it’s surf culture, thanks to its gorgeous beaches. If you’re looking to spend some time on the coast, look no further than this area. We chose to stay on Playa Langosta at an incredible B&B called Sueño del Mar (more on that below). It’s far enough from Tamarindo town that it felt perfectly secluded, but close enough that we could walk into town if we wanted to (probably a 15-20 minute walk on the road, or a half hour along the beach). The beaches north of Tamarindo are a bit more well-known (like Playa Hermosa and Playa Flamingo), but if you’re looking for something a bit less touristy, check out Playa Langosta.
First, I’ll start with our accommodations. Sueño del Mar was an absolute oasis, and we ended up meeting another couple who we’ve remained friends with and visited with since our time in Costa Rica. It’s a small B&B, with about 6 rooms of varying sizes (3 standard doubles, 2 casitas with kitchenettes, and a larger honeymoon suite). Oh, and did I mention it’s beachfront? The open-air covered patio was perfect for lounging in the afternoons if we needed to escape the sun, plus there were tons of hammocks and a small pool to escape the heat. Make your reservations directly through their website – Eduardo, one of the owners, is the nicest man and was incredibly helpful answering all of our questions prior to arrival and also scheduling airport pick up for us. We stayed in one of the double rooms, which was perfect for us since we didn’t plan on spending much time inside anyway. Rates run from $160-210/night based upon the season. Breakfast is included, and might I add some of the best food I have ever had in my life. It was different every morning, and all typical Costa Rican breakfast foods, plus tons of fresh fruit and juice. Do yourself a favor and stay here!
Second, let’s talk about activities! Tamarindo is really the place for water activities and relaxation, so plan to spend time walking the beaches, swimming, and either surfing or boogie boarding (yes, that’s an equally acceptable option!). Mato’s Surf Shop in Tamarindo rents surf boards for $5/day.
Lastly, let’s talk about food! We really enjoyed all of our meals in the Tamarindo area, but some of our favorites were:
They also have a service called “TicoToGo” which is similar to a delivery.com or grubhub.com service. They deliver to most hotels, and the Tamarindo restaurants delivered to our hotel in Playa Langosta.
I’d definitely recommend Playa Langosta as your beach destination in Costa Rica. It’s a bit more serene than the more popular beaches but also allows for the convenience of a town like Tamarindo close by if you need anything. And check out Sueño del Mar – I promise you will not be disappointed!
What are your favorite activities in Tamarindo?
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