We were looking for a quiet beach town with a good vibe. We definitely found it!
The remote-ish location of the house was close enough to town to be convenient and far enough a way to feel like we were alone. Everyone felt very safe in the town and on the beaches and there were added security measures on the property.
The house was cozy and perfect for days spent out and about with comfortable and welcoming spaces for settling in during the evenings. It is a little dated, but is very well maintained and we did not have any issues. We were very happy with our choice.
Brenda is incredibly responsive and an excellent communicator. The information she provided up front was very helpful and she was efficient and thorough in helping us set up massages at the house (great!) and dinner prepared for us by a local chef on Sunday night before we left (delightful). Hector the grounds-keeper was also super pleasant, very helpful and an expert Google Translate user when I hit the extent of my Spanish - lol
The local restaurants were fantastic! Soul Shine, Il Rustica, Cafe Playa Negra, and La Vida Buena Wood Fire Pizzaria were all awesome. Seriously delicious fare. Also, at the entrance to the beach there are two restaurants - Lola's on the right and a smaller place on the left. We really enjoyed the service and food at the place on the left. On Sundays they have a BBQ definitely worth checking out!
We rented a car and were VERY glad we did. The roads are rough, but it allowed us to easily enjoy some of the surrounding areas while coming back to our cozy spot at the end of the day. The trip to Tamarindo was well worth the drive. The market was excellent and we enjoyed the town tremendously. A very different beach vibe than Playa Avellanos. It was great for getting more of a small city vibe. There is a ton of shopping, of course, but if you are looking for high-quality, local jewelry, I would highly recommend EK Art Jewelry. The artists are a wife and husband duo and their work is absolutely incredible.
While in Tamarindo, we decided to eat at Portofino right on the beach for a light lunch. The view and drinks were good, but the food was really disappointing.
We might recommend having a few more ice trays available, a small cooler for day trips, or even some beach chairs (with a fee if they are broken or stolen) but the absence of these things were not at all a hinderance to enjoying our stay.
A really great experience!!