When
you’re ready to leave the comfort of Sueño del Mar with its
pool, swinging hammocks and leather rocking chairs, within a few steps
you can boogie board, surf, snorkel, swim, sunbathe and search for tropical
shells.
Or consider …
Kayak in the estuary
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| Fishing in Tamarindo Bay |
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| Baby Leatherback Turtle |
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| The jungle, as it can be experienced only in Costa Rica |
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| Waterfall and Pool in Costa Rica |
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| Horseback riding in the Guanacaste countryside |
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| Canopy Tour! |
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| Therapeutic mineral mud baths |
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| Surfing on the Pacific Coast |
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| Bathing in the hot springs |
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| Potter at work in Guaitil |
Just a short walk down the beach from Sueño del Mar is the San Francisco Estuary. Book a two hour tour with a naturalist guide from the local aquatic adventure center, who will lead you into the estuary one hour before the high tide and return about one hour after the high tide. Experience the mangrove forest, as you meander through the salt-water river, gliding silently through the shade of the trees.
The fishing is excellent!
Tamarindo Bay is a mecca for surfers and blue water sport fishermen. Sailfish, mahi-mahi, yellow tuna and marlin are abundant. We can arrange your fishing trip; anything from a few hours in a small boat operated by a knowledgeable skipper to a luxurious fully equipped boat.
Giant Leatherback Turtles Nest on nearby Playa Grande!
From October to March (especially from November to January) visit the Baula National Park on the Matapalo River estuary, just minutes north of Tamarindo village. The guides will take you on an unforgettable tour to watch the giant (800 to 1,000 + pounds) leatherback turtles lay their eggs at night on Playa Grande.
Estuary Tour/Jungle Boat Ride
Also at the Baula National Park you can take a two-hour, guided estuary tour. Most of the land portion of the park is mangrove swamp, containing all six of the mangrove species found in Costa Rica. While touring you may see iguanas, caimans and crocodiles and many bird species, including the roseate spoonbill, or perhaps howler monkeys, coatis, otters, and many varieties of crabs.
Scuba Diving
Experience the diversity of marine life; choose from nearby several diving sites. The Catalina Islands have a large population of whitetip reef sharks and mantas. Around Bat Island enjoy friendly Pacific bull sharks. Lots of options at Agua Rica (www.aguarica.net), our local Dive Shop.
Horseback Riding
See the Guanacaste countryside from horseback. Ride down paths inaccessible to motor vehicles where you’ll see (and hear!) howler monkeys, iguanas, and a variety of birds. Perhaps you’ll pass a pair of yoked oxen. Gallop along the wide, open beach. We’ll arrange your trip for you, according to your ability.
Golfing
There are three golf courses located near Sueño del Mar. Play the new, Ron Garl designed, 18 hole championship golf course near Playa Grande, just a few minutes' drive from Tamarindo. Or try Hacienda Pinilla(www.Haciendapinilla.com), a championship golf course designed by course architect Mike Young. It was designed to blend harmoniously with its surroundings, keeping the environmental impact to a minimum, without sacrificing the pleasures or challenges of a professional golf course.
In the Rincon de la Vieja National Park:
All Day Adventure Tour
Our most popular excursion -- this all day adventure tour is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping! Major volcanic activity occurred in the 1960's, but now the volcano is only gently active and does not present any danger. This is a great place to see lots of nature! Soon after you arrive, your guide will lead you by horseback (or by tractor) to a short trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall. Then, travel by horse to a rustic spa that features therapeutic properties of the famous volcanic mud and the warm mineral waters. You can take a sauna, a mud bath and then sit in the thermal pools - or just sit back and enjoy a cold drink at the spa bar. After your relaxation you will return, by horse, to a full "typical" style buffet lunch at the lodge. After lunch and a short hike, you will be flying 70 feet in the air, riding cables between suspended platforms over one of the principal rivers of the region. Finally, for those who have energy left - there is a 400 meter waterslide down the mountain. This one if not for the faint at heart! (*Note - if there is one activity you don't want to or can't do - we can tailor this excursion for you.)
Pottery in Guaitil
This small pottery-making village is an easy trip from Tamarindo, less than an hour away. It is one of Costa Rica’s best centers for native ceramic handicrafts, where you can see people making pots outside their houses. The pots are made from local clay and the artisans use only natural colors in the pre-Columbian Chorotega Indian style. It is interesting to watch the potters at work, using only ancient techniques. The pots and plates come in a variety of shapes and sizes; many of the huge pots decorating Costa Rican hotels and homes come from Guaitil.
Explore the beaches north and south of Tamarindo
Guanacaste is famous for its spectacular Pacific Coast beaches, which go on for over a hundred miles. The beaches are blessed with sunny days and warm crystalline waters. There are endless possibilities to explore dirt roads and to find quiet, lovely beaches with small restaurants tucked away. Watch out for rip tides on some beaches!
Relax with a Massage
After a day filled with adventure, enjoy a full body massage. Allow us to make the arrangements with our massage therapist, a graduate of the Scherer Institute of Santa Fe, NM.
More than a day trip, but worth visiting while in Costa Rica…..
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Straddling the Continental Divide at 1440 meters (4662 ft.) the Santa Elena and Monteverde cloud forest (www.monteverdeinfo.com )offers some of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica. In this rain forest are found more than 100 species of mammals, over 400 species of birds, including 30 kinds of hummingbirds, and over 2,300 species of plants (420 kinds of orchids). This area is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics.
If you are lucky you may even see the rare and legendary resplendent quetzal, perhaps one of the most dazzling birds of the tropical rainforest. The best time to see the quetzal is when it is nesting in March and April.
Arenal Volcano the Tabacon Springs
The Arenal Volcano (www.arenal.net) is presently the only active volcano in Costa Rica. It produces huge ash columns, explosions and glowing red lava almost every day. There is much to see and do in the area, including a visit to Tabacon Springs (www.arenal.net/tabacon/hot-springs.htm), where you can relax in one of 10 pools filled with natural hot spring water set in beautiful tropical gardens against the backdrop of Arenal Volcano.