This is Tamarindo: A Day in Costa Rica’s Laid-Back Surf Town
Bekah Bottone shares a real glimpse of family life, community, and pura vida on the coast.
My goal has always been to live a life I don't need a vacation from—and I found it here in Tamarindo, on the gorgeous Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
I can get to the beach in less than eight minutes from my front door, transporting myself into the world of sunshine and crystal-clear blue water—where I can see my feet no matter how deep I wade, monkeys swinging overhead, a local mariachi band playing in the distance, and a man using a machete to open my agua pipa (coconut water)… this is living!
Looking back, it’s pretty cool to realize that even as a 17-year-old, I knew exactly what I wanted in life… and that was a tropical existence. When I was in high school, the following were my senior quotes:
"The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." ―Isak Dinesen
"If you want to look me up, I'm under a coconut tree." ―Barefoot Man Band
Tamarindo is a different part of the country than I fell in love with back in 1997, when I studied here as an exchange student. Those days, I lived in a city and never heard people speaking English on the street.
But here on the beach, I’m surrounded by expats and visitors from around the world.
You can totally get by without speaking Spanish here.
But assimilating into the Tico (local Costa Ricans) world was how I fell in love with this country. When I realized my local friends called me mae, Costa Rican slang for dude, I knew I’d been accepted.
The pace of life is another joy of living here.
Waking up at sunrise is now my jam, even though I was a night owl in my past life. Living on the beach changes you; it helps you slow down and connect to the earth's energy.
I start my day by sitting outside on my front porch for some “me time.”
Depending on how I feel, I drink cacao, tea, or coffee, and enjoy the natural light while writing my morning pages or reading.
After getting my kids ready for school, I love heading to the beach.
Sometimes I meet a friend for a walk at 7 a.m. with my dog. The calming waves start the day in the most peaceful and tranquil way.
Although the sun’s out, the breeze keeps things cool.
I like to surf twice a week either in the morning or afternoon, depending on the tide. Being out on the water is detoxifying and good for the soul, and I love when the sun kisses my skin, bronzing my body.
After hitting the beach to walk or surf, there’s nothing better than a tasty, healthy lunch.
Tamarindo has a wide variety of delicious lunch options; I love to grab a sushi roll at the Bamboo Sushi Club ($14), a salad at El Chiringuito Tamarindo ($12), or maybe an empanada from Pasta Casera Tamarindo (under $3) when I’m out and about.
Monday to Thursday, I teach online English conversation for about five hours a day. Then in the afternoons and evenings, I write.
I share stories about life in Costa Rica as a correspondent here at International Living, and help a digital market firm increase its reach and revenue by creating SEO content.
The internet here’s reliable, so working remotely like this is a breeze.
Sunset is the time to get outside and reflect on the day. Sometimes my kids and I take our beagle Maya for a walk in the neighborhood, and other days, we head to the beach to sit on the sandy shores, explore low-tide pools in the rocks, or take a dip in the ocean.
I also love to garden around sunset, the magic hour, when the world changes to a pink or yellow hue, depending on the day. Getting my hands in the dirt and being surrounded by plants brings me joy.
Slowing down can be challenging, but being an observer and enjoying the little things (like the vibrant pink bougainvillea flowers or the bright blue butterflies) brings me into the present moment.
And here in the present, I can appreciate everything I have. I sure do love my community and home in Tamarindo.
Editor’s Note: If Bekah’s day-in-the-life in Tamarindo has you dreaming of Costa Rica, here’s more local insight to inspire you:
Dive deeper and see if Pura Vida Living is your next chapter.