I love this town. It’s busy, it’s loud, it’s touristy, it’s really crowded, but it is home to some of the best people I’ve ever met. It’s got a vibe, I can’t exactly put into words, you have to feel it.
Last year Josh and I visited Tamarindo on my first trip to Costa Rica. We stayed on the beach at a pretty lush resort. Yeah, it was really nice and comfy, but while walking the beach, I saw this quirky little hotel next door that I’ve not forgotten about since that first visit.
It’s the Hotel Villa Amarilla, right smack in front of the waves in the heart of town. It has the best hosts and for some reason the best guests, too. If you ever come to Guanacaste, it’s a must stay, If you can get a room. The host, Cende, (and TJ), greet you as family before you even get inside the lobby. Such a warm invitation and hospitality. Service #1, above and beyond girl. I didn’t get to meet TJ, but he’s the other part of this great team.
Meeting Byron and Kaitlin, (guests this particular night) was pure joy for me. Remember, I’m a solo traveler in a foreign country who doesn’t know anyone or the language. These two guys, are just great. We spent hours talking and eating. BTW they hate ceviche I found out. It was pretty funny, I guess you had to be there. Anyway, they’ve been in Tamarindo for years, check out their blog, it’s a wealth of information. DiscoverTamarindo.com. Anything you need to know, they know as they’ve absorbed themselves in the culture. Anyway, I miss it already even though, I just left yesterday.
There are three dogs on site and one little kitty. Bacardi, the Rottweiler was supposed to be my bedmate that night. I bribed her with food, she loves ceviche. She loves any food. She came in ate, rested a bit and then had the urge to go on “patrol” for the night. She was knocking on my door first light. When I checked out, she was still crashed out in my room. I love that dog. Thor and Frankie”stein” are the other two dogs who go with Cende at night.
It’s a bit of a contrast to my current home in Playas del Coco, but I think I will be calling Tamarindo my home in the near future. Coco is great, only 18 minutes to the airport, a bit quieter, a few more gringo expats, and safe. It’s a lively town, too, but it’s easy to get to the quiet, if that’s what you are looking for. The beach is more calm and a bit smaller. If you want to surf Coco, it’s easy to get a water taxi to the breaks. It is a great paddle board spot, but I can’t find one anywhere. Funny.
So much to think about…
Out of the snow and into the heat 