Tamarindo began to be transformed in the eighties while it was still a peaceful fishing village, its fantastic weather and tidal characteristics making it increasingly renowned as a surfing hotspot. Under the wing of century-old traditions and its seafaring roots, new establishments began to spring up to host the new visitors. But increasing demands of tourism called for more. This resulted in the emergence of the all inclusive hotels and resorts in Tamarindo: the perfect option for a stay in paradise away from your routine.

The visitors that for decades have chosen Tamarindo as their all inclusive holiday destination have given the city its distinctive multicultural feel. This town in the canton of Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, is currently a cosmopolitan tourist centre where European, American and Latin American people from a range of different countries live together all year round. Likewise, there are the visitors that come here to stay in the luxurious all inclusive hotels and resorts in Tamarindo. The international success of this place, both as a home and a tourist destination, lies in balanced urban development whereby the area has been modernised while preserving its natural attractions. The Pacific Ocean and surfing are the star attractions of the landscape, but besides riding the waves at Langosta beach or Grande beach, or admiring the stunning sunsets in the bay, there are many more activities to keep you entertained during an all-inclusive holiday in Tamarindo.

For some of these activities, such as savouring the flavours of the most exclusive Costa Rican cuisine, enjoying a relaxing body massage or having a drink while you watch a live show, it is not even necessary to leave the facilities of the exclusive hotels, such as the Occidental Tamarindo. Others, however, require a more adventurous spirit, such as a route on a quad bike through the rain forest, discovering the fascinating mangroves, or paying a visit to the largest turtles on the planet in the Leatherback Turtle National Marine Park.

In Pre-Hispanic times, the indigenous Chorotega tribe were the first settlers in this region of the canton of Santa Cruz. The Kingdom of Nicoya was formed after the arrival of the Spanish and the fusion of several chiefdoms, and important archaeological ruins from this time can still be found in Villareal and to the south of Santa Rosa. Tamarindo is also an important arts centre in terms of the production of handicrafts, partly thanks to the important mix of cultures and partly to its proximity to Santa Cruz, known in Costa Rica as one of the towns with the most folklore in the country.

Those seeking more than just sea and sand during their all inclusive holidays in Guanacaste will find that Tamarindo is the perfect place to discover the roots of the region’s culture, still to be found in the small villages of Huacas and Villareal. These towns are home to much of the indigenous population and for this reason the native flavours, aromas and colours can still be found filling daily life with character and tradition.