Tamarindo, Costa Rica
I’ve been dreaming about sunning and surfing lately and going through photos from our trip to Tamarindo in 2022. That November we jumped on a plane with 14 other friends and went our our first (kids free!) vacation in a very long time. As it turns out, we LOVE surfing.
The flight was direct from Calgary to Liberia, about an hour and a half drive away from Tamarindo. It was a red eye, but that meant that we landed just in time for breakfast and adventuring. We picked up a rental car and, because we had loads of time before check-in at our villa, we headed to the Rio Negro Hot Springs. Here there were numerous hot pools along the side of a creek, all at different temperatures. Some were too hot to stay in for too long, but it was quick to cool off in the creek. You could spend a couple hours here, going back and forth between the pools and the river. You can also cover yourself in volcanic mud for a natural spa treatment - there are showers to wash off the mud, or you can just use the creek.
Right across the road from the hot springs is a walking trail that takes you into the tropical forest, along the Rio Negro, and past four different waterfalls. There are little natural pools at the base of each waterfall that you can swim in (just watch your feet on the slippery rocks). The trail was maybe half a km long, and pretty easy going. The waterfalls got progressively bigger, the fourth being the largest. Having just come from winter in Calgary, this was like finding a mini paradise swimming in the waterfall pools.
After adventuring all day, we drove down to Tamarindo and checked into our stunning villa. Our favourite travel expert Courtney found and booked the place for our group. We stayed a Villa Don Vito, a short walk from the beach and all the shops and restaurants in town. It had 8 rooms, each with a king size bed, an ensuite, and it’s own theme. I wish I took photos of the rooms, but they were all stunning. It also had a massive kitchen (which we didn’t really use). Most of our time was spent outside on the patio next to the pool.
Tamarindo is a perfect place to learn to surf - the beach is long and sandy and the waves were kind to us beginners. We hired Salty Sols Surf School to show us the ways of the waves, and they were able to accommodate our larger group with extra instructors in the water (all were fantastic). Everyone was able to catch a wave and have an awesome time.
We basically just spent a whole week in Tamarindo surfing, eating, shopping, and lounging by the pool. That and lots of sunset walks on the beach and up in the hills. It’s such a beautiful place, I’d love to go back soon.
Travel Planner: Courtney at Fun in the Sun Travel
The Villa: Villa Don Vito
Surf Lessons: Salty Sols Surf School
Best Coffee: Nordico Coffee House
Best Breakfast: Waffle Monkey
Best Tacos: Green Papaya Taco Bar
