EasyTravel Costa Rica - Your Luxury Vacations in Costa Rica - Tamarindo Hotels, Costa Rica - All Inclusive Beachfront Resorts, Beach Cabins, Boutique, Exclusive Hotels, Surfing

Guanacaste General Info

Guanacaste

The vivacious town of Tamarindo offers a fusion of beautiful seashore, warm Pacific breezes, great restaurants and hotels, exciting gift shops and fun nightlife.

While Tamarindo’s rapid development has caused some negative press, it has grown to represent its international community and can accommodate a variety of tastes and budgets. A large variety of international restaurants, boutique shops and lodging makes the town very convenient and full of life, especially at night. It also has a great location on the Guanacaste coast with the beach towns of Conchal, Flamingo and Ocotal situated directly northward making for great daytrips. There’s truly something for everyone here. From snorkeling to scuba diving, fishing to horseback riding, or surf lessons for two, in Tamarindo you’ll find just about anything your audacious little heart desires.

Things to Do:

Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas
Playa Grande is considered to be one of most important nesting sites in the entire world for the baula or leatherback turtle. In 1991, the entirety of the beach and adjacent lands (379 ha) along with 22,000 ha of ocean was designated as Marino Las Baulas National Park.
The ecology of the park is primarily composed of mangrove swamp, and it's possible to find all of the six mangrove species native to Costa Rica here. This habitat is ideal for caimans and crocodiles, as well as numerous bird species, including the beautiful roseate spoonbill. Other creatures to look for when visiting are howler monkeys, raccoons, coatis, otters and a variety of crabs. But, as is to be expected, the main attraction is the nesting of the world's largest turtles, which can weigh in excess of 400kg. Nesting season is from October to March, and it's fairly common for three or four leatherbacks to lay their eggs here on any given night.
The park office is located by the northern entrance to Playa Grande. Reservations for turtle watching can be made up to seven days in advance, and are recommended as places are limited.

Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal is widely regarded as the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica. The name comes from the billions of conchas (shells) that wash up on the beach, which are gradually crushed by tourists' flip-flops into a fine powder. The ocean water is also an intense, turquoise blue, which is indeed a rarity on the Pacific coast.
The beach is bounded on the north by an expansive resort that can make beach access frustratingly difficult. However, it's easy enough to stay in nearby Brasilito and then simply walk south along the road for 2km (1.2mi).

Playa Grande
Playa Grande is an undeveloped wilderness beach that's equally famous amongst conservationists and surfers alike. By day, the offshore winds create steep and powerful waves, especially at high tide and in front of the Hotel Las Tortugas. By night, an ancient cycle continues to unfurl as leatherback sea turtles bearing clutches of eggs follow the ocean currents back to their birthplace.
Since 1991, Playa Grande has been part of the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, which prevents beachfront development and ensures that one of the most important leatherback nesting areas in the world is preserved for future generations.
Although there are a few accommodation options near the beach, they are set back from the shoreline and carefully managed to ensure that ambient light is kept to a minimum.