Tamarindo : Costa rica

Tamarindo is a town on the north Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It like to refer to itself as the Noth Pacific Gold Coast. According to Wikipedia it is located in the Province of Guanacaste. The district has a population of 3,525, although the town itself is about 500. The main transport and commercial centre in the region is Nicoya, one of the oldest settlements in Costa Rica.There is a significant international expat population who come for the beaches, views, and Central American charm. But it can swell to 5,000 people or more during the tourist season and during special holidays. The main attractions are surfing and eco-tourism. Playa Tamarindo is a long beach, with excellent waves near the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be strong, especially on a falling tide.  For more on retiring to this paradise see our Retirement Guide to Costa Rica.

Playa Grande beach is also where the Leatherback Turtle comes to lay its eggs. The leatherbacks take over the beach from November to April, digging their nests up to one meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the pit with sand, and return once again to the sea.

There has been a fair amount of developer building in this area. Tamarindo real estate communities such as the Tamarindo Preserve, Diria and La Perla appeal to the luxury buyer. There are also  complete luxury resorts such as the Marriott and Reserva Conchai. If you search on real estate for sale in Tamarindo you will find a wide range of condos and homes for sale, starting in the $40s for very small units. Luxury 2 and 3 bedroom units with views are widely available in the $200's and higher.

Ecotourism and surfing, along with beautiful beaches. Costa Rica is a stable county both politically and economically. The bird watching and nature viewing are extraordinary. There are laws protecting against excessive development and encouraging protection of the environment.

The beaches in the area are generally clean and recent efforts by the government and local business organizations are proving themselves. Unfortunately, the area has become a boon to developers who have cut corners and not installed proper infrastructure including black water treatment.

People looking for a laid back expat lifestyle near the beaches and mountains will like it here. There is a significant expat population from around the world.

Tourism, particuarly eco-tourism, and construction are important to the economy.

It is warm in this Central American country year round. The rainy season is usually Sept through November. The climate is slighter cooler at altitude.

As a tourist destination there are many restaurants to choose from. Nature viewing is the high culture here.