It’s Not Enough Just to Have Good Waves

 “It’s Not Enough Just to Have Good Waves”

By Amy Sedeño

Great vibes, good food and picturesque settings were also high-scoring when selecting Tamarindo as of the trendiest Surf towns in Latin America. The bustling village located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s dry forest and smacked between the quieter Playa Langosta and Playa Grande is also a great introduction to the true meaning of “pura vida.”

The town’s beach is ideal for beginner surfers trying their luck in the water for the first time (seasoned surfers will cheer you on), and within a short distance from many wildlife experiences. The après-surf fun starts at dusk when passersby gather ashore to witness the sunsets while sipping on an Imperial and nibble on freshly-caught seafood. Nightlife in Tamarindo is also active with small lively bars filled with locals and visitors alike.

Accommodations have also gotten an upgrade in this once sleepy fishing village. Change your backpacker’s hotel for a luxe, wellness-filled retreat at Cala Luna. Located within Las Baulas National Park (which protects leather back sea turtles), the boutique hotel boasts stylish rooms, organic food, a holistic spa, some of the friendliest locals around and daily yoga/workout classes. The hotel’s General Manager, one of Costa Rica’s top pro surfers, Federico Pilurzu has injected his laid-back style and casual approach to hospitality to Cala Luna. There, staff members treat guests as more than a number and go above and beyond to make them feel at home.

Food in Tamarindo is not an after thought and many restaurants use local, organic produce. Grab a coffee at Café Tico before a wild adventure and re-energize at Sprout featuring salad bowls and veggie wraps. Other notable spots are Seasons by Schlomy and Green Papaya.

There’s also a lot to do, from a Yoga class at neighborhood studio, Ser Om Shanti to horseback riding at La Senda, a magical farm which also houses one of the world’s largest meditation labyrinths, to zip lining through the jungle or sailing through wonderfully pristine and lush beaches, Tamarindo’s got it.