Playa Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a popular beach town located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, in the province of Guanacaste. It's renowned for its golden sand, consistent surf breaks and vibrant atmosphere. The warm waters make it an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing and water sports.
How to get to Tamarindo:
Tamarindo is easily accessible from Liberia International Airport (LIR), which is about an hour's drive away, depending on traffic! Book your airport transfer in advance through your hotel or through Tamarindo Shuttle. The town has good infrastructure, including paved roads, accommodations ranging from budget hostels to luxury resorts, and various services catering to tourists.
What to do:
Take a surf lesson. Tamarindo is a haven for surfers of all levels. It even offers perfect waves for kids! Our 4-year-old took lessons with the incredible Elias from SALT Tamarindo. He is so incredible with children, having two little surfers of his own. This is something the whole family can enjoy together.
Have a picnic on the beach. Imagine Picnic sets up incredible spreads on beautiful beach spots for brunch or dinner at sunset. Prices range from $75-$125 per person. It is a truly magical and memorable experience, especially if you're celebrating a special occasion.
Go diving. The Catalina islands of the coast of Guanacaste are an incredible place to dive for beginners and experienced divers alike. They are a group of volcanic rock formations surrounded by clear blue waters. Take a course or a tour with one of the many dive schools in town. I personally recommend the Diving Nomads as they come highly rated and received TripAdvisor's traveller's choice award in 2022.
Dinner and dancing. If you're open to getting a babysitter, like we often do on vacation, Tamarindo has a lively nightlife scene with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs. There's a good mix of local and international cuisine, as well as live music and entertainment. For a true clubbing experience, try El Garito. If you're more into a drinks at the bar type of vibe, go to CATA Agave Bar.
Go zip-lining and an ATV tour. Costa Rica is known for its adventure tourism. If you're kids are old enough for it, book an ATV and zip-lining adventure with one of the many great tour operators in the area like Xplore Costa Rica.
Where to stay:
Hotel Capitan Suizo. Stay in one of the gorgeous rooms, suites and bungalows at this beachfront boutique hotel. It has received the TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award several times as well as Conde Nast Travel Magazine as the top hotel in Central America and the Caribbean. It's location just outside the hustle and bustle of the town of Tamarindo, but within walking distance.
Where to eat:
Pangas Beach club was the ideal setting for our last night in Tamarindo. The food was incredible. The kids were able to run around and not feel so limited to sitting at the table the whole time. Make sure you book a table around sunset so you can witness the stunning colours of the sky.
Playa Langosta
Playa Langosta is a hidden gem along Costa Rica's coastline and one of its best beaches. It offers a tranquil escape with its tidal pools, excellent surfing conditions, and abundant wildlife. Visitors can sunbathe, take walks or horseback ride along the shore, or simply unwind while listening to the sound of the waves and possibly howler monkeys. When the tide is low, it creates tidal pools perfect for the kids to play in.
What to do:
Go surfing. Playa Langosta offers excellent surfing conditions, attracting surfers from around the world. The beach features consistent waves suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers. The breaks at Langosta tend to be less crowded than those at Tamarindo, providing a more serene surfing experience.
Spot wildlife. This beach is part of a protected area known as the Las Baulas National Marine Park, named after the leatherback sea turtles (known locally as "baulas"). The turtles nest in the area and you might spot them, as well as howler monkeys, iguanas, and a variety of birds. Look for the monkeys up in the mango trees by the beach, that's where we saw them and the kids were mesmerized.
Go fishing. The waters off Playa Langosta are popular for sport fishing. Anglers can charter boats for deep-sea fishing excursions, targeting species such as sailfish, marlin, dorado (mahi-mahi), and tuna. You can book a family charter with Go Fish CR.
Horseback ride on the beach. This isn't something that we got to do, but it looked so fun and we wish we had. Try one of the many great tour companies in town or ask your hotel to book you one. Check out the best local horseback riding tours here.
Take a sunset catamaran tour. This is a must do for everyone visiting Tamarindo. On Board a 60’ catamaran, you’ll take in the Guanacaste coast in style. A tour will include drinks and a light lunch as well as snorkeling, SUP, kayaking and swimming. Contact Go Fish CR to book one. Prices start at $108 for adults. Children are welcome but you must bring life jackets for them.
Where to stay:
We stayed at the best hotel in Playa Langosta, the Cala Luna Boutique Hotel. It is an upscale yet intimate hotel that embodies Costa Rica perfectly. It has a bit of jungle, access to the beach (with beach services), and phenomenal food. The onsite restaurant Origins serves food made with ingredients from one local farm. Everything is made from scratch and it shows!
We stayed in one of the hotels 2 bedroom villas with its own private pool. The hotel also has regular rooms with 2 queen beds. We found the service to be incredible. We hired a babysitter through the hotel for a couple of hours each day and she was wonderful. She brought toys and activities for the kids and they had so much fun.
There's an outdoor pool with a restaurant and bar next to it that serves delicious drinks. Their spa offers a ton of holistic services. There's also an outdoor yoga space on site where I participate in a relaxing sound bath meditation.
Instead of staying at a hotel, there are gorgeous villas in Playa Langosta available through several local villa rental companies like Elite Beach Villas or Top Luxury Villas. There is also the option to rent a condo at the beautiful beachfront Crystal Sands Resort - they are highly rated.
Where to eat:
Bistro Langosta. We had such a lovely experience we had at this place! The menu offers a variety of fresh and delicious food like goat cheese and pear salad, grilled octopus, steak and seafood risotto.
Playa Langosta and Tamarindo our my top choices for beaches to stay at in Costa Rica with children. They offer the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty, making it a popular destination for travellers seeking sun, surf, and a taste of Costa Rican culture.
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