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Hi, has any1 stayed at the Tamarindo El diria hotel? Any1 stayed in the sunset ocean deluxe room? What are the best restaurants in the area?

Yes I stayed there two years ago my first time in town. It is pricey but nice – great location, nice rooms and fantastic breakfast buffet. I had an ocean view room second floor in the North wing, newer rooms. They are still constructing on the South part I believe so be ready for some of that, and be wary of some of the old rooms. While there I checked out the rest of town and found other places and moved for subsequent trips. If you want to stay on the beach check out la Palapa toward the circle about a block. Do Dig Up a recent post about Tamarindo, it was a sorta negative one which I couldn’t really argue with but I still like the town and the beaches. And I love the whole coast of the far Pacific there is more than you can explore for the rest of your life.

There is a ton of restaurants in Tamarindo. Stellas up the hill is pretty universally acclaimed and I found excellent but certainly you will pay. Where ever you eat (or spend money for that matter in all CR) keep track of your tab.

About your other question: Flying it’s about $70 pp one way plus taxis to/from airports - worth it if you want to get there in an hour. You can take the Fantasy or Interbus for $25 hotel to hotel. It is about 5 hours one way all said and done. I usually go one way on one and the other way on the other. I have had a driver take me for $150 per van one way, a little quicker you don't have to stop at other hotels.

For swimming and surfing Tamarindo is great. And if you wade across the river at low tide about waist deep Playa Grande is fantastic - a huge stretch of beach not so congested. There are crocs in the river but not that I’ve seen at the mouth. Or you can drive there but it is a pain. I go to Grande to swim, in fact if nobody is right in the immediate vicinity my favorite thing is kick off all my shit and dive in bare ass. It is pounding surf but on an inside bay, I didn’t experience or hear about rip-currents there. http://www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov/ is everything you need to know about this. NO LIFE GUARDS. If you are unsure and don’t have a problem with swimsuits you can stick with the crowd at the beach in Tam.

This might sound silly but seriously: Bring and use good sunscreen or you will be a deep fried gringo…

http://www.tamarindobeach.net/ There is a bulletin board as well.

Have a time of your life,
Tuanis

Just stayed there last monday and tuesday nights. My girl and I went by bus, reserved front seats, but 7 plus hours for about 3,000 colones each. Plenty of rooms available but walked in unannouced and paid high freight. Very nice hotel, but tico/a staff not happy when gringos are with Latina chicks. If you get my drift. The beach is beautiful. Watch your bill at the restaurants. They tried to jack me for an extra $20 at one. Prices are very high. Too damn many gringos for me.

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