Occidental Tamarindo - All Inclusive

“Great first experience in Costa Rica”

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and it was fantastic. We stayed 12 days at Occidental Tamarindo. My husband and I travel extensively to Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc. We read everywhere not to stay at AI's in Costa Rica so I did my due diligence and searched for a local place to ... more

This was our first trip to Costa Rica and it was fantastic. We stayed 12 days at Occidental Tamarindo. My husband and I travel extensively to Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, etc. We read everywhere not to stay at AI's in Costa Rica so I did my due diligence and searched for a local place to stay or an Airbnb. For the price, the Occidental Tamarindo was the best option and yes an AI. We were very satisfied! Was this the fanciest resort we have ever stayed at...NO, in fact it was the smallest with the least amenities. Was it clean, yes! Were the workers/staff nice, yes! We have stayed at other Barcelos and Occidentals in the DR and Mexico as well as other chains. The location is perfect with the town of Tamarindo just down the road (about 1 mile walk) or a two minute uber ride (yes, there is Uber and it is legit as you must use the Uber app) The ride into town was $4.99, cheaper than the $6 taxi ride. It was safe to wander around outside the resort with many restaurants within walking distance. The town of Tamarindo was fun to visit both day and night and felt vary safe to walk around. We arrived at the resort just before 3pm and as expected (Typical AI policy is check in at or after 3pm), the room was not yet ready. We had lunch and were shown to our ocean front room before 4 pm. The room, 9321 was perfect with a filtered ocean view (There are trees). You could hear the waves crashing even with the doors closed! The air and safe worked great! There are only 1-2 channels on the tv that play English versions. We were given 4 bath towels, 2 hand towels, a floor towel and 2 wash cloths upon arrival and these were replenished with each cleaning. The bed was very comfortable, with nice soft pillows. There was a coffee pot with coffee, a frig with 2 waters, 2 beers and multiple sodas that was restocked. There is 1 buffet, one snack bar by pool and two a la cartes (Italian and Japanese). The food was good in all! My favorites included the breakfast omelets made to order, the assortment of fresh fruit daily that included mangos, papaya, watermelon, pineapple, soursop, passion fruit, guava, apples, bananas, and plums. The grilled chicken was fabulous. There is rice and beans served at every meal which is traditionally Costa Rican. The buffet has self serve sodas, beer and coffee machines that make it nice to get what you want without waiting. The wait staff will also bring these items. We visited the Italian twice, both times I had the salmon (medium rare) which came with the best mashed potatoes and veggies. My husband tried the lasagna which was also very good. We ate at the Japanese 1 time having sushi and it was not bad in relation to sushi we have had at other AI's. There was always fresh fruit at the snack bar near the pool which was very refreshing. There are two bars on property, one in the lobby that opens at 6 pm and one at the pool that opens at 10 am. The pool bar has a self serve beer and soda station which helps alleviate some of the line. You can request more alcohol in your mixed drinks if needed. They will fill your insulated cups no matter the size. There are ice water coolers near the pool and in the lobby to refill any bottle or cup that you may have. We never went hungry or thirsty. That being said, we did support the locals by eating in town on a few occasions eating at El Be once and Las Palapas twice. We recommend both! There is one pool on on property that we never had an issue finding chairs regardless of the time of day. We would spend the first half of the day at the beach and move to the pool after lunch. Beach loungers are set up under the shade of the trees but can be moved in the sun or closer to the water if preferred. There is volcanic rock straight out from the resort, but to the left is the river and a long stretch of beach. The river is very easy to cross during low tide (Which is most of the day) and not impossible during high tide. It is amazing to watch the surfers on the beach including the lifeguard who does handstands while surfing! You can walk up the river during low tide to explore as the water is only ankle deep in most places. The shells on the beach look like what you would buy in a store. The volcanic rock is easy to walk on barefoot as it is smooth. You do not need shoes to go in the ocean but the sand does get extremely hot midday so flip flops or water shoes help when crossing the sand to the water. Wildlife: You will see the most amazing colored iguanas (orange and bright green), a variety of birds, howler monkeys and squirrels right at the resort. The sunsets from the beach are some of the most spectacular that you will see with all resort guests gathering at the beach to enjoy each night. We met some great people, mostly visiting from the US and Canada that we went on excursions with and are still in contact with today. We did the sunset catamaran and well as a trip to Hacienda Guachipelin to see and swim in waterfalls, experience hanging bridges and hanging stairs, engage in mud baths, soak in thermal hot springs and see white faces monkeys and the blue morpho butterfly. My husband and I had a fabulous time and will return to Costa Rica.

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