I'm taking a vacation to Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Any pointers or advice?

Question

We will be staying a week. I'd love any advice or pointers on where to eat and what to do. We are staying in a condo close to Tamarindo beach and will have a rental car. Thanks!

Answer 1

Get away from Tamarindo!! This place is infested with drug dealers and theives. The sewerage problem is out of control here as well. Too much litter! Go to Flamingo Beach-just up the road. Marie's is a great chicken place near Flamingo beach. The Flamingo Beach resort has music and dancing. If you go to Brassilito (a little farther north), you can do a 4 hour ATV tour with a Zip Line ride-really fun and you get up close and personal with the rain forest. Hotel Brassilito has quite a good menu for a small hotel. Playa Conchal is right next to Brassilito. It's quite an experience to see the beach made of shells. Big hotel there with entertainment. Forget about seeing the volcanoes. They are all shrouded in mist most of the year but, the hot springs at Arenal are great.

Stay out of San Jose as it has a large thievery problem and is impossible to navigate the streets-even with a map.

Answer 2

the best western vista villas is one of the most comfortable place to be there.

Answer 3

Probably the best place to eat really fine food is at the Hotel Diria right on the main drag in Tamarindo Beach!

They have a Huge dinning Hall with a well stocked Bar and an excellent Wine List, along with a Huge outside Patio garden dinning area for those who wish to eat and watch the sun set at the same time.

Its a First Class Hotel that will provide you will tons of Information as to all of the available Tourist attractions in the area!

Fantastic Food, Excellent service, very modest prices!

I always stay at the Hotel Diria when I go to Tamarindo Beach which is like every other year.

VIVA LA PURA VIDA!

Answer 4

The food at El Capitan Suizo Hotel is fantastic, at fantastic prices (at least three years ago it was).  The restaurant manager is from Spain.  They also have live marimba music on some nights.  

Also, take a sunset cruise and go snorkeling (they arranged those tours for us at this hotel).  I think the sailboat was called Mandingo.  It's owned by a German, who is also the captain.

Answer 5

Tamarindo beach is good if your looking to hang around a bunch of gringos. We call is TamaGringo beach, there are much better places in Costa Rica to visit, especially is San Jose and Limon.