Dirt Roads ~ High Heels: Snorkeling and Sunshine in Tamarindo

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Snorkeling and Sunshine in Tamarindo

Our time in Tamarindo was definitely one for the books. From wandering around the touristy areas finding those perfect photo-op spots, to grabbing souvenirs from the local shops, and sipping cocktails beach-side, there is something for everyone. The beaches are gorgeous and we loved just sitting under the palm trees, soaking up the sun, and listening to the sounds of the waves. We even managed to ditch the suits for a fancy dinner out one evening. Now, if you are like us and want to expand your adventures, I recommend two things; snorkeling and/or diving and mingling with the locals to find their off-the-beaten-path hang-outs. Plus, everyone here is super friendly so don't be afraid to get out and about!

After a bit of research, we decided to set up a day of snorkeling with the Pacific Coast Dive Center. It was the perfect set-up too! After being picked up from our hotel, we had a few stops to make but were on the boat in under an hour. They had snacks and beverages for us, gave us a quick low-down on the day, the staff was super chill and funny, and in no time we were off to swim with the fishes! A quick 30 minute boat ride off the coast to the Catalina Islands and located in the Guanacaste Province within the Bat Islands, this is the perfect spot to snorkel and dive. The island chain is actually a group of rocky islets where the water visibility is up to 75 feet and offers beautiful views. We went to two different locations and spent about 40 minutes at each site enjoying the underwater world. We saw many different colorful fish and my two favorites, starfish and deep down below, reef sharks. It was amazing.

Tamarindo is such a colorful, vibrant, and friendly beach-side town. It is definitely worth the visit. I recommend flying into Liberia, a smaller airport located 90 minutes North of Tamarindo. Costa Rica could just be that place I find myself later in life, owning that surf shop and taking in the ocean breeze and amazing sunsets.