Tamarindo: 3 and a half days (Costa Rica 3 weeks itinerary)

3 night at Hotel Boruca Tamarindo, 50 metros este del hotel Pasatiempo Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica

  • Price: 224.99€
  • Review: We were mostly satisfied with the hotel. Its location, close to both the center and the beach, was excellent. Moreover, the staff were very friendly and assisted us greatly in arranging various activities. We also requested a couples massage, which proved somewhat challenging to organize, but they managed to do it. We were extremely happy and appreciative of their efforts. However, our only issue was with the hotel’s sewage system, which was quite poor and resulted in a clog despite us being careful in not disposing of toilet paper in the toilet. Despite our efforts, water still leaked from the toilet due to the clog. Since the floor had uneven rock tiles, it was impossible to clean up the spilled water. Fortunately, this incident occurred on our last morning, sparing us the inconvenience of having to discuss cleaning with the staff. Although we wouldn’t give the hotel a negative review, we would advise future guests to be aware of this issue, and perhaps suggest to the management to have the system serviced.

Tamarindo is a contrast to all the other destinations we explored in Costa Rica. It’s vibrant, full of life, and a hub for parties. The atmosphere is hot, lively, and filled with cocktails. It also draws larger crowds, with many Americans and Canadians choosing Tamarindo as their destination for a week-long getaway.

To clarify, we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Tamarindo, aside from the disappointment of not being able to go scuba diving due to the weather. Everything else about the place was wonderful, just like the rest of our travels. Tamarindo also offers a wide range of activities, although some may be pricier and not as extensive. For example, there’s the zipline, which costs the same in Monteverde, but the one in Monteverde was a lot better.

  • Along Tamarindo’s beach, many people walk around selling various items like bracelets, hats, and beach chairs. They were not pushy; a simple “no gracias” was enough, and they smiled and moved on. It was all decent and hassle-free.
  • There’s a lot of marijuana in Tamarindo. Every few steps, someone offered it. We didn’t find out the price, although I told Tin we could pretend to be interested to find out how expensive it is. We did see people buying, quite casually and openly.

While in Tamarindo, we had in plan to witness Turtle Nesting, but the agency informed us that the season had just concluded, making it highly unlikely to spot any turtles. Consequently, we canceled our reservation and opted for a different plan in Tamarindo.

Expenses

11.4.

12.4.

13.4.

14.4

Journal

11.4., Thursday, Day 1

The journey from La Fortuna to Tamarindo lasted around 4 hours in total. We made a stop at a rest area along the route, which was a large souvenir shop and a restaurant. Tin and I stayed indoors to escape the 38°C heat outside.

It was fascinating to witness how, within a span of just 2 kilometers, crossing the lake, the landscape transformed from lush greenery to sparse and yellow, typical of the dry summer season.

We arrived around 13:30, earlier than the 14:30 check-in time, but our room was already prepared for us. They assigned us a ground-floor room away from the street to minimize road noise, which suited us fine for a peaceful rest and sleep.

After dropping off our belongings, we located a nearby laundry service next to the Diving Nomads diving center. We left our clothes there, received a receipt, and arranged to collect them the next day after 11:00.

We also asked about diving, asking if we needed to arrive earlier or at 7:00. They confirmed that there was no need to arrive earlier.

Since we were all set, we headed straight to the beach. The heat was intense, so we promptly applied SPF 50+ sunscreen and made our way to the sea. The water was delightful, pleasantly warm, and we spent some time splashing around while waiting for 3:00 PM and our next activity.

When the time came, we made our way to the agency for our surf lesson. We put on our shirts, grabbed our boards, and we set off to the beach. Our instructor was a woman from Spain, although her name slipped my mind. She was excellent, drawn to this area by its relaxed lifestyle.

We walked for a bit until we reached a spot with promising waves. Carrying the board wasn’t easy; it quickly became really heavy carrying it with one hand, and while balancing it on our heads was easier, it still left our shoulders sore from holding them up.

Before entering into the water, we received brief safety instructions: how to fall from the board into the water, how to navigate waves, and how to stand correctly on the board. Then, on dry land, we went through the entire process of mounting the board, paddling, and mastering the standing upright. It all seemed straightforward on the shore, but once in the water, it proved to be quite the challenge.

It took me several attempts just to find proper stance on the board, while Tin managed it smoothly on his second try. I struggled with paddling, achieving success only after numerous attempts. Tin, on the other hand, successfully rode a few waves solo.

I didn’t quite reach the point of surfing independently, the instructor always provided gentle nudges for me. Nonetheless, I accomplished riding the waves all the way to shore. It was exhilarating, but also exhausting. Climbing onto the board, paddling, and battling against the waves left me really tired, and sipping seawater on more than one occasion didn’t help.

Overall, it was interesting and enriching experience. We’re willing to give it another shot in the future. Once you grasp the technique, water sports are pretty enjoyable. Mastering the proper stance on the board is crucial, ensuring your weight is distributed correctly to maintain stability. It took me about five attempts before finally succeeding on the sixth.

After our surfing session, we returned to the base, rinsed off the sand, and headed back to the hotel. After another quick shower, we went to the beach to decide where to dine.

In Tamarindo, there’s a Food Truck Park offering various affordable food options, but we decided to skip burgers or similar choices and opt for a beachside restaurant instead. Although pricier, we saw it as a treat. Choosing Papala Restaurant, Tin ordered pasta with chicken, while I went for chicken curry with pineapple. Mine, served in a pineapple shell, was absolutely perfect. Tin’s dish was equally delicious. We also enjoyed the Pura Vida cocktail (rum and pineapple juice), which was delightful. After finishing, we took a walk and after we return to the hotel to call it a day.

12.4., Friday, Day 2

The day began with a delicious sweet breakfast. Tin chose pancakes, while I went for a fruit salad with yogurt and granola. Alongside our meal, we enjoyed some coffee, and the hotel owner briefed us about the afternoon catamaran tour.

At 9:00 AM, our transport arrived to take us to the ATV and Buggy driving agency. After receiving quick instructions and purchasing scarves to shield our noses and lungs from dust, we set off on our drive. Sharing one Buggy between us, Tin took the first turn at the wheel, followed by me, and so on, switching each time we stopped.

Our initial stop was when Juan introduced us to some unique fruit, resembling a small apple but with the appearance of a plum. Then, it was my turn to drive as we continued our journey. Along the way, we paused briefly to admire some monkeys. We tried calling out to them, and to our surprise, they responded, providing us with a humorous moment. After driving for a while, we arrived at Puerto Viejo beach, where we spent just over 20 minutes. Despite being fully clothed, I couldn’t resist taking a dip in the sea.

We took a short walk, snapped some photos, and then it was time to continue our journey. Along the way, we encountered a large iguana crossing the road, which was quite fascinating. The next beach we visited was equally beautiful. We took a brief walk, and also captured some photos. This beach was called Playa Mina. We then made a quick stop at another beach, Playa Pirata, where we spent the least amount of time just to take a look. It was the most stunning due to the rocks emerging from the sea.

On the way back, Tin took over the driving, and he even drove through the water for a short part, which was fun. During our journey, we were provided with some water, and we were also given some pineapple by our hosts. We always appreciate fresh fruit so we happily accepted it. Upon our return, we found ourselves quite dirty from the dust; the ground was incredibly dry, and the strong wind kicked up a lot of dust, covering us all. After rinsing our faces and hands, the driver took us back to the hotel. We quickly showered; Tin went first so he could retrieve our cleaned clothes once I was finished. Despite the cost of around 30 euros, it was a necessary expense.

We quickly made our way to the beach where the catamaran boarding spot was located. As we were early, we grabbed a beer at a nearby café. The boarding process involved first getting onto a small boat stranded on the sand, which brought us to the catamaran. There, Tin and I joked that we resembled Somali pirates in their small boats.

As soon as we stepped onto the catamaran, we were handed some cocktails which Tin and I enjoyed throughout the afternoon. Onboard, there was music, an open bar, and snacks, and after a swim, we were treated to lunch. The crew was friendly, often inviting us to join them for a little dance.

After an hour and a half of sailing, we anchored, allowing us to take a dip. Due to strong winds, they didn’t lower the boards or kayaks for us. They even didn’t provide us masks since the bottom wasn’t visible.

Tin and I leaped into the water, put on our fins, masks, and snorkels, and headed towards the shore. There, I had a little accident. While near the shore, the water seemed about a meter deep, but the large waves ended up tossing me from a depth of around a meter towards the sandy beach. As I only got a minor bruise, I swam a bit more. Just before exiting the water, I felt a stinging sensation on my left foot. I knew instantly it was a jellyfish. At first, there were some bubbles, but the discomfort quickly passed.

After the swim, we were served a delicious lunch! There was salad, chicken, rice, fruit, and banana bread. Our plates were full, and we ate heartily. Once everyone finished eating, the crew raised anchor, and we set sail back. We sailed into a spectacular sunset, forcing everyone to take pictures and videos.

The journey back was delightful as we chatted with other passengers. At one point, an 11-year-old girl named Gabriela approached us, asking if we were from Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, or the Balkans. Confirming, we learned she and her mother Branka live in Los Angeles, with Branka residing there for 20 years and Gabriela being born there. Each summer, they visit our region due to Gabriela’s father’s ties to Belgrade and Branka’s Bosnian roots. Meeting fellow natives was a delightful experience, leaving us hopeful for more encounters.

During our return journey, we talked with Gabriela for over half an hour, and she was showing impressive language skills and sharing insights about her activities in Los Angeles. Disembarking, we decided to be the last to leave the catamaran, savoring the sunset and extending our enjoyable interactions.

Back at the hotel, plans for the next day’s dive were canceled due to strong winds, disappointing but understandable for safety reasons. Nonetheless, we remain optimistic for future diving adventures, perhaps with better luck in Drake Bay. I’d like to mention that the staff at the Diving Nomads center communicated effectively and asked us if we would be in Tamarindo on a better weather day. As we were departing before good weather, leading to the complete cancellation of our diving plans, they refunded us that very evening.

13.4., Saturday, Day 3

After waking up, we had a relaxed breakfast since our diving plans were canceled due to bad weather. I also canceled the zipline for the next day because the owners didn’t confirm the pickup in time. Instead, I booked kayaking for Sunday.

I finally managed to contact the zipline owners, and they agreed to pick us up at 11 a.m. After breakfast, we bought flip-flops and sunglasses for Tin and sloth socks from a souvenir shop. Back at the hotel, we chilled in bed with the AC on. Despite the strong wind, it was pretty hot outside.

Our friendly pickup arrived, and we were joined by a Colombian girl for ziplining. In the forest, the wind was even stronger than at the coast, but we were assured it wouldn’t affect the ziplining experience. We paid upfront and got ready quickly, applying sunscreen before heading to the highest trail. Accompanied by the staff, we ziplined through seven trails, enjoying the exhilarating speed. It was reassuring how well-prepared and welcoming the staff were at each stop.

Back at the hotel, we rested briefly before hitting the beach. The strong wind and chilly sea surprised us, but we still managed to have a quick dip before returning to the hotel. We had sandwiches we’d prepared for diving.

At 4:00 PM, the massage therapists and the hotel manager arrived and set up in the manager’s apartment foyer. The hour-long massage was relaxing, though I wished for more pressure due to my soreness. Tin, however, found it enjoyable. It provided a much-needed break from our week’s activities.

After the massage at 5:00 PM, we dressed and headed to the 6 PM Night Market, only to find it deserted. Disappointed, we turned to the beach, where we enjoyed a beautiful sunset before relaxing at a nearby restaurant. Taking advantage of the Happy Hour deal from 4 PM to 7 PM, we sipped two cocktails before 7 PM.

Around 7:30 PM, we spotted a fire show at a nearby restaurant and watched in awe as a talented couple performed breathtaking acrobatics. After the show, we returned to the hotel, opting to pack in the morning.

14.4., Sunday, Day 4

We rose early to pack. We had an unpleasant morning accident as we found the toilet drainage slow, likely due to clogging from guests flushing paper. Despite attempts to unclog it, the issue persisted and the water leaked from the toilet, causing frustration as we hadn’t caused the problem.

After packing, we headed to the kayak meeting point without breakfast around 7:20 AM, enjoying the warm weather. Being the only participants, we essentially had a private tour. The guide explained us about the difficulty of paddling upstream, being additionally slowed down by the blowing wind. Despite the challenges, we persevered, navigating through the beautiful scenery.

During a brief stop, the guide explained various aspects of the local flora, including a protected spiky tree and Guanacaste tree seeds. We also encountered a group of lounging monkeys and observed other wildlife, including lizards and iguanas.

We went back to the kayaks, just a bit left of a fallen tree in the water, which we had navigated around earlier. However, on our return, the lowered water level made it impassable. Tin and the guide carried the kayaks ahead of the tree to ensure we could continue. We returned much faster than our initial journey, spotting more iguanas, crabs, and birds along the way. We also noticed bubbles emerging from the water, with the guide suggesting it might be a small crocodile. Unfortunately, we didn’t see it surface.

After returning and checking out of the hotel, we left our suitcases there until our transportation to Monteverde at 1:50 PM. Meanwhile, we revisited the same restaurant for brunch. Tin had a beer, while I enjoyed mango and guanabana juice. We sampled their “casado” dish for brunch, featuring grilled chicken, beans, rice, salad, and bananas. During brunch, we were entertained by a squirrel and a band of musicians who played nearby.

Returning to the hotel around 1:30 PM, our driver was already there and ready. We quickly packed and departed, changing cars and drivers in a nearby town. The remainder of the journey, uphill with a challenging road, was tiring, but we eventually arrived safely.

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