Tamarindo, Costa Rica Christmas

Tamarindo is Costa Rica’s tourist gem that sparkles with inviting azure waters, gorgeous tropical parks and the most pleasant scenaries in the Pacific coast.

Peak tourist season in Tamarindo is during the holiday months as the winter sets in and our colorful gardens turn to white.Those who want the “green holiday experience” pick this tropical alternative dreamland to spend a relaxed holiday season.

Tamarindo’s main attraction is its clear blue beaches and scenic tropical landscape where one can see the biggest turtles, lovely colorful peacocks, and the most vibrant exotic flora and fauna life.

Start the holidays by joining excursions to the Guanacaste area at Tamarindo beach. See incredible diversity of scenic natural wonders as you go on a holiday nature safari. Or you can choose to try horse back riding, scuba diving, deep sea fishing. Treat yourself to the National Park Las Baulas and see something you’ve never seen before like a huge turtle egg about to hatch and newly born “turtle babies”.

Take a canopy tour through the tropical tree tops and slide down a huge water slide. Hike around the wildlife with your guided tour guide and see the Rincon de la Viejo volcano.

Remember that you’re on a Holiday and enjoy at your own pace. Tamarindo lets you choose if you want to go on excursions, or you simply want to spend a soothing holiday by trying the volcanic mud massage and the spa while looking at the calm waters on the beach. Join the Rincon de la Vieja tour and take the curative swim in the crystal clear hot and cold springs. Take a stroll to a majestic waterfall as you talk with the friendly locals.

Locals from Tamarindo are naturally friendly and spiritual. They are predominantly Roman Catholics who celebrate the holidays with the same joyous spirits. EVERYONE celebrates Christmas at Costa Rica with food, fiestas and fun.

From Tamarindo, you can rent a car or ride the bus to San Jose where one can join the week long “Festival de la Luz” which is a parade that marks the start of the Christmas season. This is a parade fest that includes 15 floats, 14 bads, and thousands of light held first week of December.

Most families of locals celebrate Christmas with a religious and western mix. Thus, it isn’t uncommon to find a plastic Christmas tree in homes and hotels with the traditional Nativity Scene called the “potals”.

The star of the Christmas celebration is the baby Jesus. Yet, there are hotels and malls that also have their Santa Claus giving kids candles and little gifts.

Christmas Eve is the biggest night of the year as the Church bells ring to invite everyone to the midnight mass(“Misa de Gallo”) declaring “peace on earth” and the birth of the Savior. Churches blaze with colorful lights as the choir sings. Though the popular local dish is the “tamale”. Tamarindo has several restaurants and resorts which can offer you the traditional western Christmas Turkey or the Spanish equivalent of Chicken Gallantine, roasted pork, Ham, pastiles for the “Noche Buena” celebration after the midnight mass.

Navidad, or Christmas day is celebrated just like any western country. Christmas dinners are offered in most resorts and restaurants at Tamarino. New Year’s Eve is celebrated at every resort and hotel all night long at Tamarindo. “Anioviejo”, is a grand celebration of the year’s end and a new beginning. Major event is midnight where there is feasting as everyone wishes each other good luck and most television and radio stations broadcast “El Brindis del Bohemio” which is a story of celebration of friends during the New Year.

A holiday at Tamarindo enriches the spirit, renews your energies and gives you back your zest for life. It is the perfect antidote for the winter blues and holiday annoyances.