Beach life! Tamarindo is one of the more developed beach cities. With a couple dozen Pacific Beaches to choose from, we chose to stay in Tamarindo because of a Spanish summer camp. The kids get a more direct Spanish learning experience, while we take in beach time!
We wrapped up our time in Monteverde with a tour from our host‘s bro-in-law, who has a wealth of knowledge about the coffee production history and economics. As we toured his finca (plantation), we learned about the Quakers who originally settled in the area, the lifecycle of the coffee plant, how they make decisions about expanding, and why so many of the area’s coffee farms have transitioned to raising cattle for milk.
Summer camp
The Spanish camp that we went to is through a collaboration between ISLS and Explornatura. The kids have made a few friends through the camp, and have definitely started speaking a few more words in Spanish. They enjoyed it enough the first week that we signed them up for the second week, too!
It’s in a colorful semi-outdoor room 
Kids at the condo played ball together, led by a gal from WY 
Friends from camp stayed at the same condo.
Excursions from Tamarindo
Playa Avellana (hazelnut beach, I learned a new word in Spanish) was a little over a half hour south, and had a super rocky road to get there. But so glad we made the trip! It was peaceful and less touristy, with a couple nice places to eat. There was an entrepreneuring guy there ready to serve us: not only did he provide chairs, shade umbrella, and a table, but he also provided seaside service from the restaurant and put a tent over us when it started raining. Resort style with no reservation!
While Charlotte and Ethan collected hermit crabs (61 in all) and built them a sand maze, Abbie took a surf lesson. The tide pools here were really fun for the kiddos, too.
We took a catamaran tour with Dream Chasers. We had a great time learning how to SUP (stand up paddle), jumping off the top of the boat, and a little snorkeling. The water was a little murky for snorkeling, but learning to SUP made at a memorable excursion!
In the city of Tamarindo, we have been able to find so many delicious places to eat! A food court with a wide variety of foods, a group of food trucks with a bit of international flair, and a long row of seaside restaurants.
- Chiringuito
- Tama Onda (where we saw fire dancers!)
- Eat at Joe’s (at Witches Rock)
- El Mercadito de Tamarindo
- Jardín Tamarindo food truck park
- Nogui’s
- Food of the day out of Vicki’s hatchback (got a throw that in for our “live like a local” flare!)
There are a couple places that horses gather, with guys hoping to get some spontaneous customers to ride. The girls and I had a fantastic ride along Tamarindo Beach, and all the way across Playa Langosta. There were nice open stretches where it was safe to Cantor, and even Gallup for a couple seconds. It was a great way to see the next beach over!
Now that we’ve signed up for another week of summer camp, we get to explore more of Tamarindo and the surrounding area. this planning just one week at a time has been fun. I’m curious to know where will end up next, too!
Cheerful Nomad 