Top 10 Things for Kids to experience in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Planning an unforgettable family vacation that your kids will never forget? Trying to find a place where young and older kids will all enjoy some family time together.Tamarindo, Costa Rica is the place to go. With unforgettable activities, international cuisine, top not rentals and more Tamarindo will guarantee a vacation that you and your kids will not stop talking about! Booking a Tamarindo Vacation Rentals is a guaranteed hit for families looking to spend some time together! Check out the top 10 activities for families to experience while visiting the Guanacaste.

10. ATVs- Show your younger kids your wilder side with them hanging on while you whip around turns and slide in the dirt on your quad. They will hang on tight and tell all their friends back home how awesome it was to experience the wind in their faces and the amazing jungle views.

9. Stand Up Paddle boarding- Can be a difficult task at first, but over all a great way to view the beach from atop the water. Mellow enough for younger children, but a great way to get out and get some exercise while learning something new.

8. Hanging Out Poolside- After a few days packed full of high octane activities there is sure to be a day where you and the kids just want to enjoy the sunshine poolside. This will give you a good chance to catch up on a book your reading and just enjoy some R and R.

7. Beach Day- The beaches here offer warm water and clear blue skies. Take the kids to the beach and enjoy swimming, building sand castles, or even shopping from some of the local beach vendors. Enjoy a fresh coconut with your toes in the sand.

6. Kayaking- There are great tours that take the family up the estuary in Tamarindo which is a perfect way to view wildlife. View up close monkeys, iguanas, a variety of birds, and probably even a crocodile or two. The tour company can even pick you up at your Costa Rica Vacation Rental and save you the hassle of lugging around equipment or finding how to get there.

5. Visit the skate park- While it is by no means a world renown park, it is a great way for your kids to meet some other local kids and hang out and enjoy the park. There are always kids around just hanging out and enjoying some sunshine.

4. Experience the nightlife- There are great restaurants in Tamarindo when you are looking for a night out from your Costa Rica Vacation Rental. Enjoy great food, drinks, and performances. It is not uncommon for live musicians or performers to stop by the restaurant to show off their talents. See fire dancers or musicians bring some life to any night out.

3. Shopping- Everyone likes to take home a little bit of vacation with them. Tamarindo has tons of great shops with souvenirs ranging from Coffee to key chains. A tee shirt is a great way to show off where you have been during your family vacation.

2. Zip lining- fastest activity you can experience flying though the treetops. There are a fair amount of canopy tours offered near your Tamarindo Vacation Rental. A great way to experience a thrill ride with your kids. It is the equivalent of a real life rollercoaster.

1. Surfing- The most amazing activity to learn with kids of all ages. The surf schools are everywhere in Tamarindo and offer great lessons to get the surfer up by the end of the day. Perfect photo op for your family to bring home and give your kids bragging rights for how awesome their Tamarindo family vacation was this year!

Get ready for a fun family vacation and book your trip to Tamarindo today! Contact us for assistance in finding the perfect vacation rental for you and your family! Pura Vida.

Eating in Tamarindo Costa Rica

The Tamarindo Costa Rica dining places offer you a thing for every palate and each wallet a little. Within the 1st place for each and every vacationer ought to attempt one of the common nearby cuisines readily available. Costarican meals you consume inside the “Sodas”: small eating places that supply regional dishes extremely inexpensive and very good. Try Gallo Pinto in the morning: rice blended with black beans to some selection of aspect dishes is served as fried chicken eggs, platanos or tortillas. For supper, suggests Casado: rice, greens, beans and selection of chicken, sea food or meats.

It’s often served in the soda no alcohol. Costa Rica incorporates a license for serving beer for being obtained or leased. These licenses are for conditions in Tamarindo Costa Rica quite costly.
Talking of alcohol: In the week before Easter, Semana Santa, is no place for two days dished up beer. There exists a legislation within the prohibition of offering alcohol on nowadays. The law applies not just to Tamarindo Costa Rica but will also eating places, food markets and shops. Would you prefer to consume on these nights on holiday so like a glass of alcoholic beverages or wine, purchase one particular just before.

Langosta Beach from Mansions

I have shown some photos of beach front mansions along Langosta Beach during the last couple of weeks, and here is a photo of the same part of the beach where the mansions are located. From the beach, you do not see them when looking up and down the beach, as they are behind a row of vegetation on the beach.

This photo was taken at high tide at one of the little points where there is a bend in the beach. We love to walk along the beach, for obvious reasons, even at high tide.

Langosta Beach Beautiful Frame of Trees

The houses that I have been showing along Langosta beach are set back behind a strip of vegetation that runs along the beach. I like the vegetation lining the beach because as we look down the beach, the houses are out of view and there is nothing but sea, sand, sky and trees.

When walking under some of the trees to take photos of the houses, I noticed that the vegetation also provided a nice frame for a view back to the ocean.

Sun Reflecting on Langosta Beach

Today's photo takes a break from the photos of Langosta beach front houses, to show a photo of Langosta beach. I like the way the sun was filtered by the clouds to penetrate through the clouds and to add a spot of reflection on the ocean that is shimmering on the sand.

This illustrates on reason why people like Langosta beach, and why people have spent the money to build and buy the houses that I have shown during the past week or so.

Traditional Beachfront House Playa Langosta

This is the beachfront house. The very dramatic houses on each side of this house make this house look like a somewhat traditional beach house in comparison.

All of the houses along the beach at Playa Langosta are very nice, in my opinion. This house, however, does not seem to have been constructed to take as much advantage of the view towards the ocean.

Closer View of Modern Beachfront Mansion

This photo shows a closer view of the beach front house that I have shown during the past two days. This photo shows the challenge of having so much glass facing west towards the beach and ocean.

The views of the ocean must be great, but the afternoon sun pouring through all that glass must be brutal on the furnishings and on the need for air conditioning.

You can see that in this photo the curtains are closed, which of course blocks the view of the ocean.

Modern Breachfront Mansion

In contrast to the intricate details of the Moroccan themed house that I showed this past week, here are the clean lines of the modern house two doors away. This is the view from the beach of the same house that what behind the gate that I showed yesterday.

One of the first questions that people wonder about houses is, understandably, "How much does it cost?" Three years ago this house was for sale and I posted a photo of it with a link to a real estate listing when the house was up for sale. It was listed for $1.8 million, which impressed me as a very reasonable price for a beachfront mansion with 10,233 sq. ft (931 sq. m.).

The house has 3 guest quarters, 2 with kitchens, in addition to a main house with 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths. The building at the lower level closest to the beach (where I was standing when I took this photo) is an exercise room, and there is an infinity edge swimming pool.

Modern Gate ‘Moroccan Gate’

This photo shows a modern, imposing gate of a neighboring house to the Moroccan gate that I showed yesterday. It is quite a contrast. In fact, it is hard to imagine two more contrasting architectural styles the intricate details and patterns of Islamic art or the minimalist, clean lines of today's modern style.

We have decorated the interior of both of our Tamarindo condos in a modern style, which is very different than our Scottsdale home. It is also different than the tropical or beach decor that is more common in Costa Rica. We like the contrast. A modern style is also clean and has been well received by guests who rent our condos.

This house is quite dramatic, as I will show during the next few days.

Front Gate of Casa Marrakech Costa Rica

This is a photo of the front gate of Casa Marrakech, which I have shown during the past week or so. Like houses in Morocco, behind the front gates there are often charming courtyards, although in Marrakech the courtyards are typically in the center of the houses, not in the front of the houses. In a mansion on the beach in Tamarindo, however, it would make no sense to orient a house towards an interior courtyard, as the house should take advantage of the beachfront location exposure, as this house does.

Ceramic Tiles at Casa Marrakech

This is photo of some of the ceramic tile alongside the swimming pool at Casa Marrakech. I would think that it would be hard to find building materials for Islamic architecture in Costa Rica. The design features of this house are done very well.

I saw a real estate listing for this house a while back. It was offered for sale for a little less than $5 million. I don't know how much the maintenance and upkeep are for this property. I think it is one of those situations that if you have to ask, you can't afford it.

There is a row of beachfront mansions from this house down to our condo building. Local real estate listings for properties along this part of Langosta Beach call it "Millionaires' Row." Naturally, being near to very expensive homes helps the property values for condos such as ours, as it helps make Kangosta such a desirable location.

If people have enjoyed my series on this house, I may show some more photos of some of the beachfront houses, if you would like to meet more of the neighbors.

Swimming pool of Casa Marrakech Costa Rica

This is a wider view of the backyard swimming pool of the Casa Marrakech beach house, about a block down the beach from our Langosta condo.

The grey slope in this photo is the area where the water runs off from a negative edge infinity pool, which are popular in Costa Rica.

Costa Rica does not have a law that requires pools to be fenced. I was standing in the vegetation that divides the public beach from the back yard of this home. If people are not at home or if there is no security, there is no physical barrier that would stop people from walking from the beach into the backyard and into the pool.

Our condo has a locked gate and a thicket of a type of pineapple plants with sharp thorns to keep people on the beach from using out beachfront swimming pool. I would not want a house where I had to worry about people coming into the pool, although I have not heard that there is a problem in our area with people who do that. This house has a staff of 5, so I am sure that includes security to make sure that unauthorized people don't use the pool.

Back door of Casa Marrakech Playa Langosta Costa Rica

I think it is remarkable that a beachfront home in Costa Rica, designed by a Costa Rican architect, would be constructed with Middle Eastern or North African ambiance. It looks authentic to me, and the palm trees are native to both climates. This house looks like it belongs in a desert oasis, however, rather than the lush green vegetation of a Costa Rican beach.

Casa Marrakech at Playa Langosta Costa Rica

This is a private home called Casa Marrakech (at Playa Langosta Costa Rica). It is 10,000 sq. ft. (929 sq. m.), with 5 bedrooms and 5 1/2 bathrooms.

It was designed by Abraham Valenzuela, the same architect who designed both of our condo buildings. He is also an accomplished rock musician, and lead singer and lead guitarist of the band Las Tortugas. Here is the band's website.

This house is available to rent, and celebrities have stayed here.

Top Ten Costa Rica Yoga Hotels

If there is one place in the world where you can get to experience yoga in the best environment is Costa Rica. It is no secret that yoga is ardently practiced in Costa Rica. They are practically one and the same! I was craving a vacation so bad and I desperately needed a break from my daily routine of work and family. So together with a few friends we set out to explore this tropical land. Here are the top 10 Costa Rica yoga hotels. Well, we did not get to stay in all of them but they are worth giving a try.

Being a true yoga enthusiast, it had always been my dream to visit this beautiful land and experience the magic of it all. There is no denying that Costa Rica is blessed with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There is an array of fantastic beaches on either coast. The beaches range from dark sand to white sand; pebble beaches to rocky beaches and shores. It also boasts some of the best yoga hotels as I found out while planning for my getaway.

If you are planning a yoga retreat, it is important to find out if the hotel you will be staying at offers yoga. This will be convenient to you and you will also be able to take advantage of discounts and offers available to the hotel guests. The top 10 Costa Rica yoga hotel are as below.

Pura Vida spa and yoga retreat is aptly referred to as the Garden of Eden. It is 100% committed to wellness as its name suggests: ‘pure life’. It offers yoga facilities and world class yoga instructors. You are bound to leave feeling rested and rejuvenated. The second top yoga hotel in Costa Rica is the Tango Mar. It is a dream comes true for anyone who craves a beachfront vacation and you get to practice yoga overlooking the sea in utter serenity!

Anamaya yoga retreat center located in Montezuma is another must visit place for anyone who is crazy about yoga. The fact that it is located next to Montezuma falls, one of Costa Rica’s most popular waterfalls, is reason enough to check it out. You are also bound to enjoy all the adventures you set out on there such as jumping into the deep pool and admiring the rainforest.

Luna lodge is sure to get you all excited due to its excellent yoga retreat centers where the yoga classes are held. Fifth is the Pranamar ocean front where even beginners in yoga can get to learn and experience the benefits of yoga.

The Samasati is a one of a kind hotel overlooking the Caribbean that is perfect for yoga. It has very high standards of sustainable living. Horizon Ocean view hotel and yoga center is another excellent yoga hotel in Costa Rica. Its white sands of the amazing Santa Teresa beach will definitely entice you.

Hotel Amatierra will have you leave all your stress behind as you practice yoga in an open air pavilion that overlooks the mountains as exotic birds fly above you. The RipJack inn is also worth checking out as it does offer yoga too. Last, but not least is the Ylang Ylang beach resort that will offer you quite the yoga adventure.

The above are the top 10 Costa Rica yoga hotels. I got to experience some of them first hand and they are truly spectacular. So give them a try and have a fun filled yoga vacation!

Islamic Architecture in Playa Langosta, Tamarindo

The front entrance to the building. The scene of the roof line made this building look like a mosque, but it is not. There is no mosque anywhere near Tamarindo. There is a mosque in the capitol of San Jose, but that is more than 4 hours away. It is only during the past few years that a Catholic Church has been built in Tamarindo.

I will tell you more about this building in the days ahead.

Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels

Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels: Tamarindo has a wide selection of hotels. From First Class Hotels and apartments to the hostel for independent travelers. Beautiful villas you can rent that are located directly on the wide beach of Playa Tamarindo. Are you traveling alone, in pairs or in a group you will find for everyone the right.

Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels – The range of prices
The range of prices for the rooms in the hotels and villas is great. Stay at the hostel for example § 15 per night sharing a room with other people. Or rent a villa on the beach for several thousand U.S. dollars a week.? There are very nice comfortable hotels that are not located directly on the beach but near the beach.

Whichever hotel you choose, you need less than 10 minutes to walk to the beach. These Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels are much cheaper.

Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels – Special offers
Look at the websites of the hotels, where you often find special offers and promotions for a special price. Even in high season. Find out more directly in the Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels have a shuttle service to and from the airport. The shuttle service is usually free.

In Tamarindo Costa Rica there is a maximum of two hotels, which make all inclusive offers. So you have the opportunity to discover many good restaurants in Tamarindo. Also for a longer stay in Tamarindo, most hotels have special offers. Who wants to enjoy the climate in Tamarindo long periods of time, can a 2 room apartment in one of the residences for rent. You must look exactly, because the price differences are enormous. In Tamarindo, there are well-furnished apartments from 450 US dollars up to 1500 US dollars and more.

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort Tamarindo Costa Rica

The J.W. Marriott Guanacaste Resort. This is an aerial view of it taken by my younger son several years ago when he took a gyrocopter flight over Tamarindo.

We can walk down the beach from Tamarindo to the location of this resort, if it is low tide across the mouth of the Langosta Estuary. It is about 20 minutes to drive inland and around the estuary and surrounding rural communities.

We have never stayed here, of course, since we have condos nearby, but we have stayed at other J.W. Marriott Hotels and they are very nice. The fact that Marriott would make the investment to build a resort of this quality and size very close to Tamarindo I think is a good thing, as it places sort of an international corporate seal of approval on our local area.

Best Restaurants in Tamarindo Costa Rica

The Tamarindo Costa Rica dining places offer you one thing for every palate and every budget a bit. While in the 1st area for each and every vacationer must try one of many standard neighborhood cuisines available. Costarican meal you take in while in the “Sodas”: small dining places that offer local meals very inexpensive and very good. Try out Gallo Pinto in the morning: rice mixed with black beans to a number of aspect dishes is served as fried chicken eggs, platanos or tortillas. For dinner, recommends Casado: rice, salad, beans and option of chicken breast, sea food or meats.

It really is typically served with the soda no liquor. Costa Rica includes a license for offering beer to get bought or leased. These licenses are for problems in Tamarindo Costa Rica really expensive.
Talking of alcohol: Inside the week ahead of Easter time, Semana Santa, is nowhere for 2 days offered liquor. There exists a regulation within the prohibition of offering alcohol on as of late. The legislation applies not only to Tamarindo Costa Rica but will also eating places, food markets and outlets. Would you want to consume on those days on holiday getaway so just like a glass of alcoholic beverages or wine, get one just before.

Of the fifty restaurants in Tamarindo numerous lie straight on the extensive sandy beach front. Feast under the palm bushes accompanied by the smooth murmur of the surf of the Pacific. The following you’ll find Italian eating places, the dining places of the lodges around beach and of course also delivers Tamarindo restaurants while in the luxury course. Who loves the American and Mexican cuisine is their funds. And quickly foodstuff enthusiasts will not be dissatisfied. Acknowledged rapidly foodstuff chains like Pizza Hut and Subway are located the following. Who doesn’t want to skip McDonalds, ought to head to Liberia.

The prices differ, but for each and every finances to discover the proper restaurant. Imperial and Pilsen beer from Costa Rica expenses 1000-1500 colones. In many dining establishments will likely be extra to your invoice volume the service tax of 10%. Consideration also with payment by credit score card is at times billed an additional price. You can shell out income in U.S. Dollars or Colones.

Papagayo golf course near Tamarindo Costa Rica

The golf course at Papagayo, about 30 miles (48 km) north of Tamarindo, to offer a contrast to the photo more typical Costa Rican scene I will show tomorrow.

The Papagayo peninsula, anchored by a Tour Seasons Resort, is like a slice of Hawaii in Costa Rica. It is an elegant place to visit and to have a luxurious resort experience, but it is not the real Costa Rica.

Condos at the Tamarindo Preserve

This photo shows one of the condo buildings at The Tamarindo Preserve. I showed part of the site in yesterday's photo. This photo shows that the buildings are low rise and will fortunately not change the skyline of the point between Tamarindo and Playa Langosta. Some trees have also been preserved, although this used to be a dense forest before the land was cleared and graded for condos.

I was away for three weeks in Asia until yesterday, so I have not been able to respond to comments that people left on my site, as I had pre-loaded my posts and photos.

Tamarindo beach at low tide

I love the glassy surface of Tamarindo beach at low tide, as shown in this photo. Tamarindo beach is different than the beaches of Southern California, Hawaii, or the East Coast with which I was familiar from living in those locations.

On most beaches, the slope is too great and the water recedes too quickly to get watery reflections in the water. As you can see in this photo, Tamarindo beach is so gradual in slope that the coutours of Cabo Velas across the bay is reflected in the glistening sheen of the ocean water remaining on the sand.

Imagine this same location at high tide. You could wade all the way out on this beach to the spot where the waves are breaking, and still be in water below your waist.

Waves on Langosta beach

The surf rolls relentlessly into Langosta beach. The waves break on the shore after breaking a little off shore, which produces a constant sound of the sea.

Beautiful Sunset View from Langosta Beach

Usually by mid-afternoon my wife and I will look to se if there are any clouds and we start a dialogue about what type of sunset we think there swill be aht evening. Even days when the sunset is below average, it still rarely disappoints. I took this photo from our Langosta beach condo.

Wall of a Beachfront Home

I liked the color and pattern of the vines climbing the wall in this photo. I don't know why, but in Latin America people seem to select deeper and bolder colors for walls and houses. I, for one, am glad that they do. It adds to the beauty and distinctive character of the locale.

Behind this wall was one of the beachfront homes in Playa Langosta.

The Solitary Sailboat at Tamarindo Estuary

The solitary sailboat in this photo was parked, or I guess I should say anchored, just off the beach at the mouth of the Tamarindo estuary. The estuary flowing to the sea is the water in the foreground.

I don't know if the people in this sailboat are locals’ folks who were just out to enjoy the day, or whether they stopped for a rest while on a longer journey. I do know that they picked a delightful place to stop and enjoy the beach