I was fortunate to spend some time at our vacation rental in Tambor, Costa Rica. The house is 3 bedrooms 2 1/2 baths with a swimming pool. The best way to describe the house and the area is tranquillo. Ocean views surrounded by beautiful hills and wildlife. I did not bring an alarm clock but it did not matter since every morning the howler monkeys provided the am wake up call. These guys are loud and so cool. They are basically saying get up and enjoy this view!
My favorite time of the day in Costa Rica is early morning. The air is cool, clear, and invigorating. I can’t think of a better way to start your morning than a good cup of Costa Rican coffee, sunrise, and some bird watching. I love the little humming birds that seem to make their early morning rounds.
A friend of mine lives close by and has a great little farm. We went by to borrow some tools and ended up having breakfast with him and his girlfriend. We had rice and beans, fresh eggs and sausage from his farm, along with coffee from beans he roasted. Pretty freaking cool and a great way to spend your morning. Thank you and good morning Tambor Costa Rica!
We still have a few weeks available for rent at a discounted rate. Please contact us for more information at 317.429.6522 in the US or 8842.1510 in Costa Rica. Cheers and Pura Vida!
I just had someone contact me about the opportunity of volunteering at a school. If you have the time I think it’s a great way to spend time in Costa Rica while making a difference. The picture below is from one of the schools my boys attended Futuro Verde a bi-lingual school that is now located in Cobano, Costa Rica.
Replying to the post made me think of taking our kids to their first day of school in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. We moved to Costa Rica during the winter season or AKA the rainy season. The rains were horrible but we had to get the kids to school for their first day. This was embedded in our heads from living 13 years in Boston, MA. A little rain was not going to stop us! We did not want the local police knocking on our doors asking why our kids missed their first day of school.
We had purchased a Nissan Pathfinder a few days earlier in San Jose and it was ready for the journey with new tires and 4 wheel drive. The drive took us an hour plus but nothing was going to keep me from getting my 4 and 7 year old to their first day of their new school! We got within a 1/4 mile of the school and now it was time to cross a little river. No problem….I’ve watched this on National Geographic…time to put it in low 4 x4…okay here we go!
SNAP!!!! Houston…we now have a problem! First get the kids out of the car..next call AAA for help. Wait a minute…no triple AAA in the jungle! What would survivor man do…hmmm?? Probably run back to Boston and never look back but it’s too late for that…we are all in!
Finally we get a backhoe to pull us out and we are able to take the kids to school. We go to drop off the kids and we find out that school has been cancelled because of the heavy rains. What in the world did we get ourselves into selling everything and moving to CR?
Hey honey hey kids Welcome to your first day of school in Costa Rica!
Nice video showing the beauty of Tambor, Costa Rica and the different options of getting there. If you are limited on vacation time take the puddle jumper from San Jose or Liberia to the local Tambor airport. This gives you easy access to Tambor, and a short drive to the towns of Montezuma, Santa Teresa, and Mal Pais. The flight is 25 minutes from San Jose to Tambor.
The video also shows the beautiful scarlet macaws flying. The scarlet macaws can be seen most days at Los Delfinos in Tambor.
It’s hot off of the press just published. I was recently a guest blogger for Latin America Focus a blog about travel in Central and South America. The post gave me the opportunity to write about Costa Rica and the advantages and benefits of renting a house in Tambor, Costa Rica. I also put together a top 10 list of things to do on your Costa Rican vacation. You can check out my post by clicking here.
We are fast approaching the prime time rental period in Costa Rica. I know that this is true because my hands are freezing as I write this which means all of the snow birds in the Midwest will be leaving soon! There are still good deals out there but weeks are starting to get limited.
If you are ready for hot weather and cold beverages by the pool we have a house in Tambor, Costa Rica that we rent out weekly and monthly. The house is 5 minutes from Tambor Bay. It’s a 3 bedroom 2 1/2 bath house that was built to US standards. It has beautiful valley and ocean view. My favorite part of the house is the indoor/outdoor bar that faces the pool. Below you will find pictures. I hope you enjoy but I also hope you make your way to beautiful Costa Rica.
Tambor Tropical is a small high end boutique hotel located on the beach in Tambor, Costa Rica. Tambor is a small fishing village only 5 minutes from the regional airport. Every year during the holidays the hotel and their guest give small gifts to the local kids. The following article talks about how the hotel and their guest are making a difference.
If you are looking for a romantic getaway in an area that is not a tourist trap Tambor Tropical could be a good option for you.The hotel is made from teak and it’s absolutely gorgeous. The staff is friendly and accommodating. A horseback ride on the beach is pretty cool. I have eaten and had drinks at the outdoor bar numerous times after fishing from the beach.
If you are traveling with your family or a group of friends renting a house could be a better option. Our house is 5 minutes from Tambor Tropical in the hills above Tambor Bay. Depending on your circumstances either option will provide you a relaxing environment surrounded by beauty that is perfect for your Costa Rica vacation.
If you are in Costa Rica looking for things to do Montezuma is currently having it’s International Film Festival. It’s a fun event for all ages that goes until November 20. It’s a group of independent film producers who make there way to Costa Rica to show off their hard work and passion for film making.
The video below from YouTube will give you a good feel for the town of Montezuma. It’s a small town on the water that definitely has a rustic feel and chill vibe to it. You will find people from all around the world that call Montezuma home which makes it appropriate to hold an International Film Festival.
Look for the pet pig in the video. This is the Island mascot for Tortuga Island which is one of our top 5 places to go for a day trip. If you are planning your trip to Costa Rica make sure you also look at 21 tours to consider.
If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica you could be on the verge of going loco trying to figure out if you should stay at an all inclusive resort, hotel, or rent a house.
Many people like the comfort knowing that they are staying at an all inclusive resort. Barcelo hotels and resorts are known world wide. I have stayed at the Barcelo Playa Tambor resort a few different times. I think it’s a great option if your are looking for an all inclusive resort and it gets a high rating on Orbitz with a rating of 4.1 out of 5.
Benefits of staying at Barcelo Playa Tambor all inclusive resort
Tambor regional airport is just a few miles away. Once you arrive at the resort you do not need a rental car unless you decide to do a day trip to Montezuma or Santa Teresa which I highly recommend.
Swimming pool has a good scene and plenty of water activities. Any pool that has a swim up bar is one of my favorites. Throughout the day the staff is organizing events and activities in the pool area to keep it festive.
It’s very kid friendly with plenty of activities and they also offer babysitting. A few of the activities include beach volleyball, miniature golf, and a nice nature walk. My favorite activity after hanging out at the pool is horse back riding on Tambor Beach. My kids really enjoyed the resort and thought it was fun to be able order banana con leche drinks at the swim up bar.
All you can eat and drink. The food is good and the drinks seem to always be flowing. You have your three main meals a day but there is always food pool side. Make sure you take advantage of the fresh fruit in Costa Rica. The pineapple and mango is outstanding.
Not included in the package is additional services, such as massages, day spa, golfing, tours, and other activities. They also have a very small casino that includes some slot machines and a couple of table games.
If your are looking for a family friendly all inclusive resort Barcelo Playa Tambor is an excellent option and if you book early you could save up to 35%. If you are looking for late nightlife, wild parties, or an intimate getaway, there are better options in Costa Rica.
Please send me an e-mail if you have any questions or if you need an insiders view on your trip to Costa Rica.
The lower Nicoya Peninsula is a melting pot of locals (ticos and ticas) and different nationalities that now call Costa Rica home. The diversified backgrounds have brought outstanding restaurants to the area. Below you will find my favorite restaurants on the lower Nicoya Peninsula.
H & B – Tambor The ferry food is not the greatest so there is a good chance you could be hungry as you are driving in your car. This is the first restaurant on our list that you will drive by no matter if you are staying in Tambor, Montezuma, Mal Pais, or Santa Teresa. It’s located in Tambor on the main road just pass Budget Rent a car. The prices are reasonable and my favorite is the ceviche. They also make a good casada and have wifi.
Azucar Restaurant at Frank’s Place – Santa Teresa The owners are Norvis and Morgan. They are wonderful people who take pride in their service and food. Norvis is from Cuba and I love his cheeseburger with a fried egg on it. If you eat at the restaurant you can swim at the pool and they also have wifi.
Cafe Organico – Montezuma It’s a great lunch spot that offers very tasty organic food. The prices are a little expensive but they have a mango smoothie that is outstanding! They also have wifi.
Cocolores – Montezuma This place is on the beach and has a great atmosphere for dinner. They usually have an excellent fish of the day. They serve a garlic ceviche and my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Mary’s Place – Mal Pais This is a great local spot and the food is excellent. They have a variety of food that will not disappoint you. A few of Mary’s recipes can be found in Costa Rican cookbooks.
Playa de los Artistas – Montezuma I think this place is a great option for a late afternoon cocktail and snack. It’s on the beach with a gorgeous view and the menu is always changing.
Florblanca – Santa Teresa If the stars are hanging out in Costa Rica it’s a good chance they are staying here or having drinks at the bar. Tom Brady and Gisele have a house in the area.
Organic Farmers Market – Tambor, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa. This takes place every Saturday morning and it starts in Tambor. It’s an excellent place to get fresh and organic produce. It’s like a traveling flea market once it arrives in Montezuma and Santa Teresa.
These are my favorites but there are tons of other excellent options. Please feel free to comment if you have any questions or recommendations. Also, If you are planning your trip make sure you check out tours in Costa Rica.
1. A day trip to Tortuga Island. This is a tropical island with white sand that also has a pet pig as it’s mascot. Your tour guide will take you snorkeling and provide you lunch and drinks. Some guides can even climb a tree to get you fresh coconut water. Prices usually start around $50.00 per person if you are already on the peninsula.
2. Go fishing in Tambor Bay. Hook up with a local captain and fish around the Tambor Bay. Here you will catch mackeral, barracuda, amber jack, rooster fish, and red snapper. Rates start around $125 for 2 1/2 hours. If budget is not an issue go for either a 1/2 day or full day of off shore fishing. Off shore you will find sailfish, dorado, and yellow fin tuna.
3. Take a surf lesson in Santa Teresa. People travel from around the world to ride the waves here. The beach is gorgeous just be careful of the rip tides. Time it so you can watch the sunset. Prices start around $35.00 for a lesson with board rental.
4. Hike the Montezuma waterfall. It’s an easy hike to the lower falls. We made the trip many times with our young boys. It’s a great place to swim, hang out and escape the sun. It’s easy to find just follow the smell of burning leaves.
5. Rent quads and either go on a tour or explore on your own. You can find quad rental and tours in Tambor, Montezuma, and Santa Teresa. The tour in Tambor crosses a river and goes to the Panica waterfall. Prices vary depending on location.
That’s my Top 5 insider list for the Nicoya Peninsula. Here’s a list of 21 tours to consider with customer reviews and pictures as you travel throughout Costa Rica.
Tambor Costa Rica is located on the lower Nicoya Peninsula on the pacific ocean. It’s a sleepy fishing village but still has great amenities including, the Tambor regional airport (only regional airport on the Southern Nicoya Peninsula) with direct flights from San Jose and Liberia. Two 9 hole golf courses, a small casino and the first all inclusive beach resort in Costa Rica operated by Barcelo Playa Tambor. It also has nice boutique hotels including Tango Mar and Tambor Tropical, small cabinas, and restaurants
Activity wise in the area you have Tortuga island, a gorgeous tropical island with white sand and snorkeling. Make sure you check out the native wild pig that chills under the picnic tables and is the unofficial mascot of the island. The protected bay is good for shore fishing and it’s a short boat ride to world class offshore fishing including tuna, wahoo, dorado, and sailfish. Bring your catch to a local restaurant and they will gladly cook it for you. Other activities in the area include sea kayaking, horseback riding on the beach or to waterfalls, and quad rental/tours.
Curu wildlife refuge has great trails where you will see tons of monkeys and birds including the scarlet macaws. Most people don’t know this but Barcelo Playa Tambor also offers day passes that includes a full day of unlimited food, drinks, and activities.
Our vacation house is up on a hill over looking the horseshoe shaped Tambor Bay. The bay is called Bahia Ballena also known in English as whale bay. The waters in Tambor Bay are calm which makes it good for families. The house is surrounded by nature but still close to the towns of Cobano, Montezuma, Mal Pais, and Santa Teresa that’s perfect for shopping, day trips or a night out.
Cobano is not a tourist destination but it is the hub for the peninsula. It’s the place where people from Tambor, Montezuma, Mal Pais, and Santa Teresa come for all of their basic needs. Here you will find the clinic, bank with 2 ATM machines, there is also an ATM machine in Los Defines in Tambor. There are a couple of grocery stores and specialty stores for fruits, baked goods, and meats. I am also a huge fan of the “meat guy” for a quick snack…he’s the man who sells grilled meat sticks on the street corner across from the bank in Cobano. I know it’s odd but some of the best food I had in Costa Rica was buying it from locals on the streets or out of the trunk of their cars! The ceviche in this area is a must!
Montezuma has a hippie vibe and a party atmosphere. On your day trip to Montezuma make sure you hike the waterfalls. Chicos Bar is the local watering hole that becomes the late night party spot. There’s a good chance on a Friday or Saturday night you could see some impromptu fire dancing.
Mal Pais/Santa Teresa is a surf town known for world class surf and big waves. People travel here all around the world to catch the waves. On your day trip to Santa Teresa…hangout at the beach and take a surf lesson. The sunset at Playa Carmen is beautiful and the beaches are gorgeous. If you decide to go surfing or swimming please be careful and watch out for the rip tides they are strong and can be extremely dangerous. Unfortunately I have witnessed people being caught in the rip tides many times.
Most people when visiting Costa Rica spend at least one night in the San Jose area to be close to the International airport. I’m always getting questions from travelers asking where to stay. If you want to be close to the airport the Alajuela Hampton Inn is a 5 minute shuttle and is walking distance to the casino. There’s plenty of other options at hotels around the airport and in San Jose. If you stay in downtown San Jose it’s at least 30 minute drive without traffic. Early morning traffic can be brutal.
Costa Rica is a beautiful country to spend your vacation. If you make it to the lower Nicoya Peninsula you will find a diversified, slower pace area that has an island feel to it. Give me a hammock and a six pack of Imperial…Costa Rica is calling my name!
My favorite time of the day in Costa Rica is early morning. The air is cool, clear, and invigorating. I can’t think of a better way to start your morning than a good cup of Costa Rican coffee, sunrise, and some bird watching. I love the little humming birds that seem to make their early morning rounds.
A friend of mine lives close by and has a great little farm. We went by to borrow some tools and ended up having breakfast with him and his girlfriend. We had rice and beans, fresh eggs and sausage from his farm, along with coffee from beans he roasted. Pretty freaking cool and a great way to spend your morning. Thank you and good morning Tambor Costa Rica!
