Why I’m not going to Envision Festival

If you live in Costa Rica, visited or plan to visit, you have probably heard about Envision, the super earthy, spiritual, yogi, peace loving festival. Many of my friends and people I meet are going. I am not. Being a diehard yogi, when I first heard about Envision I have to admit I was a little curious. However, after looking into it, I was not even close to being sold. Thanks, but no thanks (for that bridge to nowhere). My…

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Oh the places to go!

You’ve made it to Tamarindo and are loving it (how could you not), which means you probably have the travel bug and are dying to see other places. Many people make Tamarindo their home or starting point because it is a great place to connect with other travelers to venture to other parts of the country (or other countries) together. From Tamarindo, many places are within reach.  Here are the top five places to go for mini-trips.   Monteverde – Made…

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The true reason why groceries are so expensive in Costa Rica

It’s a common complaint I hear from tourists and locals alike in Tamarindo. “The groceries are so expensive here I end up just eating out for all my meals. It’s the same price!” Is this some kind of conspiracy backed by Sharkys to keep grocery prices high so that we are forced to eat their delicious wings every night? The basic reason groceries are so expensive in Costa Rica comes down to one group: the government. Also, I want you…

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The Caribbean Costa Rica: the other side of paradise

For reasons I don’t really understand perhaps deep-seated racism or fear of petty theft, the southern Caribbean gets a bad rap. For people who live here and those who have visited, we know these fears are unwarranted.  Costa Rica’s south Caribbean is a magical place that has remained fairly untouched by the commercialism and large chain hotels that you find in the Pacific. For this reason and many others Caribe Sur (South Caribbean) is a picture of true Pura Vida.…

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Why Dad is the best travel buddy

I had the opportunity to travel with my dad recently. A few of my friends have also recently gone on trips with their dads. We all agree there’s something truly great about it. I know what you’re thinking, Dad is so uncool. How will I get to meet people my own age and get in that necessary party time? Dad is cooler than you think. Being in a new place will show you new qualities that you may not have…

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Three things in Tamarindo you won’t find in the US

Living in Costa Rica there are many things I miss about the US. At the same time, I love Costa Rica for the many things that make it so different from the US.  Here are a few of my favorite things that I love about Tamarindo that I can’t find in the US. — I love wine. My go-to is a spicy Spanish Tempranillo but I’m always interested in trying new varieties and blends. Wine stores in the US are dominated…

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Uber and Lyft come to Tamarindo! Sort of…

If you’ve lived in Tamarindo or Costa Rica for any amount of time you know how expensive buying and maintaining a car can be. Fortunately, Tamarindo and many other areas in Costa Rica have an alternative to car ownership called “colectivos”. You could say that Costa Rica had the original Uber and Lyft way before Silicon Valley invented these two popular ride-sharing apps. Colectivos require no smart-phone or credit card. You just have to wave them down. Like Uber and…

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A non-surfer in a surfer town

Many people who visit or live in Tamarindo come for the surfing. It is, after all, one of the best places to learn to surf with several consistent breaks. There are the rare few, myself included, who prefer to skip the surfing. With the whole town consumed with surfing, how could you possibly figured out something else to do, right? Wrong! Here are some of my favorite ways to spend the day in a surfer’s paradise without surfing. –       Kayaking…

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Secrets to a successful sunset cruise

One of my favorite things to do in Tamarindo is go on the sunset cruises. We have 3 great providers in town: Antares, Blue Dolphin, and Marlin Del Rey. I’ve been on all 3, and consider myself somewhat of a seasoned veteran when it comes to sunset booze cruising. If drinking on a boat, snorkeling at a private beach, and taking in one of the most beautiful sunsets of the Pacific were an olympic sport, you could put money down…

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