LoveToLeave

My husband, son(14), and I were hoping to find a hotel/condo/villa on the beach within walking distance to town. We are hoping to visit in April for 8 days. We all love surfing but don't necessarily want to stay in a "surf shack", despite what my son says! Thanks for your help!!

crosscheck

We have stayed at Capitan Suizo twice with our two boys (last time when they were 11 & 14) and loved it. Perfect boogie boarding beach, 10-15 minute walk to town and surf spots. Monkeys, iguanas, understated minimal chic decor. Gorgeous infinity pool. Try to get a beach bungalow - way superior to the lodge rooms. Restaurant has a lovely setting, though food was too continental and not Costa Rican enough for us (too many fancy sauces).

Haven't been there for two years, so I would check tripadvisor to make sure my advice is up to date. (I know Tamarindo is experiencing rapid development, but Suizo is in a quiet area.)

LoveToLeave

Thank you crosscheck!!
Capitan Suizo was one of the resorts we were considering and you have moved it to the top of our list! Do you happen to know how long it take to get to Liberia Airport from CS?

Linda137

Plan at least an hour if not closer to two. It really isn't that far but the road goes away from the coastline and is pretty funky, although in April it will still be dry, right? Ask the resort (or your driver) for more exact times. We go to Tamarindo in the fall when the roads are still filled with lots of mud so getting around is more difficult. You can't go wrong with Capitan Suizo. My boyfriend doesn't like the idea that the property/pool is shady but I think it is beautiful there. The iguanas come out a lot after heavy rain so I'm not sure if you will see them as much in April. If you are looking to improve your surfing, you might want to do some research on Witch's Rock Surf Camp. They teach surfing in front of Diria, which is just up the beach from Capitan's. Tamarindo is growing, but the beach area remains much the same - it was mostly developed in years past. Bring a small flashlight. If the tide comes in before you finish dinner some night, you may be returning to your room (gets dark at 5:30 p.m.) via the road and it does not follow the coastline and has no street lights or shoulder. All part of the fun.

crosscheck

You will love Suizo. After many years of vacationing in Mexico or Costa Rica at least once a year, it's the only hotel we have returned to more than once.

We drove from Arenal (and flew one time from San Jose), so I don't have firsthand knowledge about the journey from Liberia, but there were other families with us who said it was short and easy.

We were there late March/early April
and there were plenty of iguanas. Didn't notice that the pool was overly "shady", and if it was, that would be a good thing - Very hot in April.

My sons surfed at the same spot recommened by Linda137 and also used Witch's Rock. My older son went back last summer for community service and said the surfing was wonderful at Playa Grande. Two years ago the only way to get there from Tamarindo was by boat or walking at low tide, but I believe there is now a road.