Tantalized in Tamarindo

During our adventures, we only came across one town with any size and population. The majority of the countries population of 5 million are located near cities, with the capital and the largest being San Jose. With a population of 333,980, the greater metropolitan area has 2.15 million residents or a third of the country’s entire population. San Jose is one of the safest cities in Latin America. Other towns in Costa Rica, none of which have people over 60,000, include Alajuela, Heredia, Cinco Esquinas, Desamparados, Liberia, Puntarenas, San Vicente, and Barranca. None will tantalize you like Tamarindo.

On the northern pacific coast on the Nicoya Peninsula, you will find the town Tamarindo. Here is the largest developed beach town in the Province of Guanacaste and consists of a population of 6500. https://www.tamarindo.com/

Getting There

From Playa Conchal, it is about a 30-minute bus ride. We managed our passage from the hotel for what I now consider an outrageous amount of money. I believe it was 25 USD for a 30-minute bus ride. It was air-conditioned, which was nice. The driver was summonings up sympathy for his economic plight before we even started down the road. It worked, and I did tip at the end of the journey. In retrospect, we could have taken the local bus, but that is not ideal. Or perhaps an Uber, but I didn’t think of that at the time. Next time I would investigate into a regular Taxi, or maybe find someone that works on the resort that has a brother with a car. Live and learn. With a little ingenuity, you can do better than we did.

Is it hot or is just me?

We were honestly not sure what we were in for before our arrival. We knew it was the largest area in the region and we also knew that we were entering into, well a tourist trap. No worries. Besides we needed some souvenirs. I armed with my wallet and my partner on the trail for deals on trinkets. We were here. 

Getting off the bus we were told that Tamarindo is warmer than other regions of Costa Rica, I asked myself how much warmer can it get? My estimation would be about 5 degrees Celsius warmer. I would estimate that the temperature in the shade at 37 and the sunny beach at 40 plus. I thoroughly enjoy the sun, the heat and everything that comes with this accept the inevitable sunburn- Practice safe sun! For me, I was on the edge of being that “eggs on the side of the road.” We were not to be denied. Trinkets were on the horizon.

Like many tourist spots, you have the usual cluster of vendors selling the same items. Knowing this, we wandered up and down the two major thoroughfares. Here we like to explore local artisans and craftspeople hoping to find something unique from the region. If you hunt, you will find it. We encountered hand-woven tapestries and some fascinating carvings. Not to be outdone, we had to purchase the obligatory T shirt….

Looking for a snack or something liquidy

Tamarindo is flooded with hotels and restaurants along the main streets. Here you can find any accommodation that you envisioned from your five-star international chain to local hostels. At midday, only fools like us are out. Sensible people are now taking a few minutes out of the sun and are visiting the countless restaurants that line the street. Here you will find cuisine that will satisfy some of the most challenging pallets. Inspired by these people and carrying two hand-created gifts. We decided to take their lead.

As a side note, you can also find anything else that you may fancy, look and ask, or they will find you — wink wink.

By now, my clothing was becoming saturated with my sweat. My body fluids became nothing more than a drop of water into the vastness of the ocean. During our time on the bus, someone mentioned a place named “The Volcano Brewing Club” or “El Volcano.” https://www.facebook.com/volcanobrewingcompany/By chance, we were standing directly in front of it. As the name would imply, this would be a place for thirsty travellers to rehydrate the liquids they had lost during the previous 90 minutes. Yes 90 minutes, Tamarindo is a surfing town and eco travel mecca. You can get around very quickly.

Located on the beach under some shade, we took a deep breath and looked to enjoy the vast beaches that were in front of us. Ordered a glass of water, followed by a beer or three we sat, ate and enjoyed good conversation with tourists and locals alike. Sitting under a palapa and finally cooling down to a temperature that humans are supposed to function at, we realized why Tamarindo is so popular. 

Beach Bods and surf

With its enormous white sand beaches, children playing in the surf, while others were plying there new found love of surfing. Hot, hazy, beautiful. A tropical haven. Body temperature reasonable and state of mind better; it was now time to saunter back along the beach.

As I mentioned before, the beach is beautiful. Blue skies overhead as the rays of sun sparkled across the ever-moving seaside. Far from the crowds, the ratio between people to space was perfect. Of course, there are the bare-chested Adonizes and their counterparts the Nefritties everywhere, rolling over on their beach mat every twenty minutes to ensure that the baking was right and no charing would ensue. Again Practice safe sun, or melanoma, your choice.

The water is full of surfers, ready to catch that next wave. I did notice something, that was that the waves were not unusually large. I guess I was expecting North Shore Hawaii surf. Maybe it was not a good surf day; I don’t know. What was very apparent was that those that were participating were having a great time. Isn’t that what it is all about.

There is always a place to stop.

Moving amongst the sun lovers and the water dwellers as the sun cascaded down, reminded of my ever-present non-quenching thirst. Here we wandered into a restaurant named the “La Palapa.” They were setting up for dinner but seated us without hesitation to a cozy seaside table as we ordered a cocktail and began to cool off. A few other patrons seemed to be enjoying their sixth tequila, but it was hot, and they were friendly while we were there. Not sure what happens after the tenth tequila. As was coined in the “Hitchhiker’s Guide to galaxies” as a “SEP” meaning “someone else’s problem.” 

As the sun began to set across the horizon, we realized it was time to catch our transportation and make our way back to our village. Leaving us to leave behind this lazy surfers village. 

Or is it?

Is there time for some speculation?

I want to mention, and although I did not experience it myself. Tamarindo must have an incredible nightlife. So many restaurants and bars, beach bodies galore and a surfers attitude, I am reasonably confident that there is another side of Tamarindo that begs me to go back and explore. If you love heat, sun, surf, good if not great food and an underbelly that may make Caligula blush Tamarindo may be the place for you. On our next excursion, I hope to be able to create more insight into what I think/ hope happens after dark.

If you know, please tell me. No names will be published unless you ask:)

I can not stress enough how fortunate we are to bring our silly insights to you. If you have been here and would like to enlighten us, I look forward to it. If you are lucky enough to be travelling in this region soon let us know. After reading this, and you are inspired to surf in a land that is welcoming, drop us a line, and maybe we can help in some small way.

 

As always Thank you

It is your Your Vacation, Your Escape.

 

VTE.