Hi, guys - we're trying to figure out where to go in CR this year. Have not done the beach lately so thought maybe Tamarindo? Is there a lot to do in the area? We're interested in wildlife, nice beaches, adventure activities, good restaurants. I've read that it's kind of a party town, which isn't our thing, and I know they had problems with their water quality a while back. Has it cleaned up since then? Is there much to do in the area? Our favorite places have been Arenal and the Osa just for the wildlife and all the activities. Do you think Tamarindo is for us? Is it only wild late at night?

Can I throw in my opinion though I admittedly have never been there? I would say, just me, there are a lot nicer places/beaches to go to.

Sure, tully, I always welcome your opinion. I'm torturing myself on trying to decide where to go this year.

VG, we went to Guanacaste area our first trip b/c we were clueless and did the all-inclusive but we realized the AI wasn't our gig so we rented a car to Arenal and actually paid to stay overnight at Tabacon (much cheaper back the -2003?)We also drove to Tamarindo, got in the worst rain storm I've ever seen in my life - I thought we were going to run off the road and die....yikes....I did not like tamarindo at all...so considering we've been to alot of the same places...i would say NO although it was awhile ago...it was to me like a downgrade from Jaco if that is any indication....it is very popular w/ the surfers though.....it is one of the areas i was afraid our car would be broken in to.....i hate to bad mouth anywhere in CR but not my fave...

up the coast was nice though...let me look at my stuff and i'll see if i can remember where...we had lunch at a nice beach area outside our resort

Yikes, someone suggested Capitan Suizo, and I thought it looked pretty good - definitely struggling with choosing. A downgrade from Jaco does not make me want to go there - lol.

still looking but it was a bit north of tamarindo - playa hemosa, playa flamingo...i'll keep looking...we also went to coco beach at night w/ a large group from our hotel but i got really sick/loopy...i think i was slipped something in my drink here....i had one drink and was done for the nite...definitely not my norm...lol though not really funny

have you been to the beaches around dominical???? I love it...though a little similar to bdc in terms of the way they look....it does look interesting over on the nicoya near manzanillo/malpais ...still alot of surfers, as i know alot of surfers from our area go there, but seems less built up and "jaco-ish" shall i say??

Yeah, the Mal Pais area is miles & miles of beach, often had a little area all to myself though there was usually a couple of dozen surfers/watchers near the crossroads area. Built up a little more than I'm used to but definitly not like Jaco or Tam, no highrises. And thankfully the Dominical/Uvita area is still mostly underdeveloped. Also, have a friend who goes to Playa Junquillal, says it's very serene & quiet.

Have stayed at

www.hotelcapitansuizo.com

very nice hotel beautiful pool area right on beach.

beach is a surfing beach brownish playa espadilla MA

Montezuma much nicer beach...

Volcanogirl, if you want to check out Tamarindo, but not be right in the midst of the action, check out Sueno del Mar on Playa Langosta. It is 2 km. south of Tamarindo, and both Fodors and TripAdvisor give it fab reviews. It is smaller resort, and quite close to Captain Suizo. I think it caters to a more adult crowd, where Captain Suizo attracts more a family type crowd. I'd also check out Sugar Beach Hotel, it's a bit more remote, on Playa Azucar, close to Playa Potrero, but the prices seem right and the reviews on this one are great too!

Of the three areas I've visited in Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio, Jaco/Los Suenos and Tamarindo...I was the least impressed with Tamarindo. I didn't like it at all. As a previous poster stated, it's definitely a downgrade from Jaco...it felt really "rough" to me.

Well, leave it to me. . .

We have never spent time in Jaco, have avoided it like the plague. I'm sure there are similarities.

We've been going to Tamarindo for years and remember it when it was much smaller and very interesting. Definitely it has suffered from so much development in recent years. That said, we still enjoy going there. We don't stay there anymore, although I wouldn't hesitate to spend a few days at the hotels mentioned above. Sueno del Mar especially. Capitan Suizo, others. . .

Although too developed and definitely with a seedy side, Tamarindo is a busy little place. Hopefully the beach is cleaned up, and it isn't an unattractive beach. Several little restaurants and bars are on the beach. There are lots of good restaurants and the shopping is fun. Excellent little shopping if that appeals at all. Lots of shopping tables set up on the street usually as well. The high rises and condos, who wouldn't hate that? Still we find it interesting and always go for a daytrip just to see the changes. So on a daytrip for sure. . .

This is why we like Flamingo Beach Resort--it's on a fairly quiet and gorgeous beach, close to Potrero, 30 minute drive through the country to the north to the Playa Hermosa area and 30 minutes to the south to the Tamarindo area. It makes a good base for exploring. And between Tamarindo, Brasilito (several good restaurants there), Potrero/Sugar Beach area, Playa Hermosa/Cocos area. . .you have some nice dining choices.

Montezuma isn't much different as far as the rowdy vibe, but we like it there, too. Malpais/Ste. Teresa beaches more laid back. The southern Nicoya is nice.

I guess I would have to say I'm biased (no, really???!!) and we always find things to enjoy about each area. Some of these older spots that have overdeveloped are like naughty children to us--we wish they wouldn've gone a different way, but we love them anyway!

If you were never going back and said this would be your last trip, I'd probably suggest a different beach area, but I've a feeling you are like many of the rest of us--bent on seeing it all.

Thanks, guys - you are really helping me with all this info. It's very hard to pick when a lot of these spots don't get many mentions. Picking BdC, Peace Lodge, etc. was so easy, but now we're getting to some spots less traveled. Ylang Ylang resort in Montezuma was mentioned on another thread as being a great spot. I'll look into all the ones you're mentioning - thank you again!

Hi motmot and volcanogirl and otehrs...
We too are looking for a beach resort like VG.
Motmot - I am interested in what you would recommend if you were not going back to CR. This will be our first trip and probably last to CR. There are 3 of us (DH, myself and DD5). We intially were planning to fly to Amdergris Caye, belize at the end of our trip in CR for some beach time but then started thinking we might find a good place in CR to do the same. I'm looking for a good beach for walking, play in the surf, build a sandcastle (that type of beach) and a very nice pool. It would be nice if the place has decent food at a reasonable price or there are some easily accessible restaurants (meaning cheap taxi ride or walk). We will be going to MA and just need a place to crash/good family time, maybe take a snorkel trip.

I've been most interested in Flamingo Beach Resort and Captain Suizo...What about Villas Hermsas? Don't think I want to stay at Ylang Ylang. Any inout would be appreciated.

Also can you fly form Tamarindo to MA, and if so what does it cost?

Thanks.