Costa Rica

Costa Rica, spanish for "rich coast", is a small Central American country, bordering Nicaragua to the North and Panamá to the Southeast. Its territory covers a total area of 51,100 km², it is bathed in the east by the Caribbean Sea and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. Its capital, political and economic center is San José and its official language is Spanish.

Costa Rica is best known for its natural resources and its political stability. While being 8 times smaller than California, the country holds 5 % of the world’s biodiversity and 25 % of its territory consists of protected forests and reserves. Boasting the greatest density of species in the world along with a wide range of landscapes Costa Rica has become a natural paradise with countless things to offer to visitors as well as locals.

Being the first country in the world to abolish its army, Costa Rica has been an example to many nations and continues. It has also demonstrated 6 decades of uninterrupted democracy. Ex-president Oscar Arias (1986-1990 and 2006-2010) won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1987. This is why Costa Rica is often referred to as the Switzerland of Central America.

Pura Vida! According to the Happy Planet Index, Costa Rica has been ranked as the happiest country in the world in 2010, 2012 and 2016. The index includes 140 countries across the globe, and compares four elements: life expectancy, wellbeing, inequality and ecological footprint.

About the Hotel location 

Capitán Suizo is located on a privileged site, outside of town, at the end of the Tamarindo bay and right in front of the ocean. Our guests can enjoy the warm waters all year round while practicing water sports and activities or just being close to the pelicans in a quiet and picturesque surrounding, just footsteps from the hotel rooms. The long, sandy beach provides a 4 kilometer walk or a lovely place to simply relax and sunbathe on a beach chair; some guests get inspired and build their own castle.

Even though our Four Star Beachfront Boutique Hotel is embedded in a natural environment, tourists do not miss out on the most important infrastructural features such as supermarkets, pharmacies, banks and many other services that you can find in town. Rosa at our concierge desk is here to help you.

You will find historical and cultural information about Tamarindo by clicking on the sustainability link.

THE BEACH

Tamarindo is one of the most popular and beautiful swimming beaches in Costa Rica. Ideal for surfing (beginner-friendly spots), stand up paddling, swimming, kayaking, boogie-boarding and snorkeling. Due to the fact that Tamarindo Bay has some of the most tranquil currents on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica it is considered one of the safest beaches for enjoying water sports.

Walking along Tamarindo beach is beautiful, and during low tide you can also walk south to Langosta Beach.

For those who want to rest and just relax, there is a wide sandy beach with plenty of shaded spots under the preserved beach trees. Right in front of the beach, the hotel offers beach loungers and hammocks.

THE TOWN 

Tamarindo town is a very colorful place enriched with the culture of people from many different places around the world, yet preserves the essence of the Costa Rican lifestyle. Here you can walk and find many little surf shops, souvenirs, ice cream shops, coffees, yoga centers, bike rentals and many more.

We highly recommend visiting the Tamarindo Farmer's and Crafts Market on Saturdays from 8am -2pm. This is an activity managed by the ADIT (Tamarindo Integral Development Association) and a good opportunity to find very special products (local, organic, handmade, among many other added values). You can ask our concierge for the location. It is walking distance from Capitán Suizo.

WHAT TO DO  

Several tours are offered to protected areas, such as boat trips trough the Tamarindo estuary where nature lovers can enjoy this natural paradise which was declared in 1993 by The Ramsar Convention as RAMSAR site (a wetland of international importance for the conservation of migratory water birds) because it is a habitat for more than 174 different species of birds. There are only 12 wetlands in Costa Rica declared as RAMSAR.

Trips to nearby national parks like Palo Verde, Rincón de la Vieja, Barra Honda and Tenorio National Park, among others, are organized daily. Sailboat and catamaran trips are also available; special sunset trips are offered in which the spectacular and renowned sunsets of this bay can be enjoyed.

Golfers can benefit from two beautiful 18-hole golf courses only 20 minutes away from Tamarindo.