How to Relax to the Max on Your Tamarindo Vacation… Without Breaking the Bank!

Discover the best Costa Rica vacation cost hacks that’ll ensure you soak up the best relaxation vibes without spending a fortune.

Ever heard of International Relaxation Day? It’s totally a thing! The global de-stressing celebration began almost four decades ago. The date is set for August 15 and the aim is to plan the most blissfully relaxing experiences. We don’t know about you, but that’s the kind of annual tradition we could get used to! Here in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, vacation ideas that infuse plenty of relaxation don’t have to cost a lot. In fact, the most priceless experiences – like watching the sun set on our breathtaking beach – costs nothing at all. 

Celebrate International Relaxation Day in Paradise! 

Sure, you could book in for a therapeutic massage, have a morning yoga class, curl up with a good book after work or go for an evening dinner with friends. But let’s be honest: decompressing from a hectic life schedule is not as easy as all that, right? Relaxing for an hour or two cannot possibly undo months of piled on stress. But a week or two might!

In order to really, truly celebrate International Relaxation Day, why not make a trip of it and come have the time of your life in Costa Rica? No matter what your ideal relaxation situation is, there is no better place to do it than in Tamarindo. All of your relaxing beach fantasies can become reality – and once you’re here, there are a number of ways to relax to the max without spending much, if anything at all! 

Here are some cool Costa Rica vacation ideas to inject some serious R&R to your trip.

Spend the day in one of the world’s most spectacular beaches – Tamarindo!

Well, it may not be a ‘secret’ to anyone but spending a day relaxing on a world-class beach is our Costa Rica vacation idea #1 for a hassle-free, and cost free, experience.

The beach and the ocean are two of the most relaxing and healing places in the world. Vacation in Tamarindo and you will have both easily accessible. They are among the many wonderful and free things to do in Tamarindo! The town has a beautiful, long beach so finding a quiet spot where you can relax without worrying about anything (except maybe remembering to reapply sunscreen) is simply a breeze. Just bring a towel, some water, and perhaps a good book, and you’ll be ready for a wonderfully relaxing afternoon that won’t cost you anything.

If you’d love a bit more comfort, though, you could also spend just a few dollars to rent a beach umbrella and lounge chair for the day. Renting one is dead easy: simply pop your bum on a lounge chair and someone will come up to you. Expect to pay around $15 for an umbrella and two chairs for the whole day. Not free…but priceless! And when you’re ready for a refreshing drink or delicious bite to eat, just come on up to Breakfast Grinds, Iguana Surf’s very own beachfront café. With a seaside terrace, welcoming bunch of local and visiting surfers, and a menu brimming with tempting treats like Nutella French toast and iced coffee, BG is about the bestest way to take your International Day of Relaxation to the next level. 

This Costa Rica vacation cost hack is an absolute steal: enjoy a perfectly indulgent day on a dreamy beach and a sumptuous lunch for a quarter of the price of a day-pass at a private beach resort. This kind of relaxation can’t be beaten!

Head off on a day excursion to discover new places 

While for some, perfecting the art of ‘doing sweet nothing’ is relaxation personified, others enjoy the inspiration and invigoration that comes from experiencing something new. If you are more of the latter, and would love to get out of town and explore a new place, head to Playa Flamingo. 

The area around Flamingo is more upscale than Tamarindo, so you’ll find a world-class marina, luxury hotels, shops, and restaurants, and several gorgeous beaches. The most popular is the main beach, Playa Flamingo, undoubtedly because it is easily accessible and boasts postcard-perfect white sand and turquoise water. But there are also a number of other smaller beaches around the area that are just as enticing but less crowded, if not completely empty. 

Flamingo is quite a unique town in Costa Rica, most of it comprising a protected mangrove reserve. So, rather than a central town right alongside the beach, you’ll find clusters of shops and restaurants at either end and a stunning one-mile-long stretch of unspoiled beach in the middle. This gives Flamingo a much quieter and more ‘remote’ feel. A perfect Costa Rica vacation idea is to gather your travel buddies and share a taxi there and back. Pack a picnic lunch and some drinks and transport is the only expense you will have Oh, unless you want to splurge for ice cream in Flamingo, which is something we’d highly recommend! The brand-new Cremrica in the marina (on the northern end of the beach) has an exquisite array of flavors and Coco Loco in the plaza area. Or head to La Plaza shopping center and make a beeline for Pan de Azucar for artisanal ice cream served in a donut-like brioche cone. Say no more!

The best news? Pan de Azucar also has a branch in Tamarindo.

Lounge by the pool at Mar Vista

A great way to mitigate your Costa Rica vacation cost is to stay somewhere affordable but splurge for a day pass in a luxury hotel. If your idea of relaxation is to chill by an amazing infinity pool, then head to the luxury Mar Vista luxury complex and spend an afternoon at Gracia Restaurant, which has one of the most beautiful swimming pools you will ever see. The gated community is located on a hill about 20 minutes outside of Tamarindo, in the direction of Playa Flamingo. Mar Vista is magical, and its infinity pool offers sweeping views of the ocean. Pay for a day pass (about $10) and you will receive that amount in credit at the restaurant or bar. In essence, you get to use the pool for free if you buy a drink or snack – how fabulous is that? 

The restaurant is open from 12pm Tuesday to Sunday, closed all day Monday.

Enjoy a relaxing massage 

Spending a day in an upscale spa might be relaxing but it can also get a little pricey.

Many of the spas and massage places in Tamarindo have prices similar to those in the United States. However, an insider tip and fab Costa Rica vacation cost hack is to look out for women with massage tables set up on the beach who offer affordable beach massages. You can specify the type of massage you want or the areas you want them to focus on, pay them in cash (usually around $30 for half an hour or $50 for an hour), and they will start the massage. 

A beach massage in Tamarindo is one of the most beautiful and relaxing experiences you could enjoy. Rather than be in a (lovely but) insulated wellness center, you’ll enjoy an outdoor experience, complete with refreshing sea breeze and sound of crashing waves.

If you’re heading to Tamarindo as a couple, you can also take it up a notch and 

Shop for goodies at the Tamarindo Farmers Market

I really enjoy grocery shopping, especially at the Tamarindo Farmers Market, which takes place every Saturday in town. It’s a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere, and a great way to start the day. You can grab a cup of local coffee, get a fresh-baked pastry, and stock up on fresh produce for beach snacks. You’re sure to meet kind people and learn something new.

Enjoy a yoga practice on the beach

All yoga enthusiasts know about the rejuvenating and calming effects of a great yoga session. In Tamarindo, there are several wonderful studios offering daily classes in different styles at very reasonable prices. Soul Space, ReFLEXion, and Om Shanti are among the most popular studios in town that are definitely worth a visit.

At Iguana Surf Camp, we actually incorporate yoga in our surfing workshops because of its intensely relaxing effects. Yoga can also help improve surfing by working on balance, mindfulness, full-body strength and flexibility. 

Speaking of surfing…

Tackle the waves at Tamarindo

Surprisingly, surfing is also an oddly relaxing sport and a great way to take your mind off things. You must be entirely concentrated and in the moment to focus on what you are doing and watch the waves, so it is a great way to clear your mind. Although you might get a little tired physically (which is good for you!), you are sure to come out of the water calm, clear, and refreshed. It is also a fantastic activity to try with friends or family. 

Surfing in Tamarindo is very popular, so the prices are affordable and you can easily find something that will work with any budget. Come and visit us at Iguana Surf – we are Tamarindo’s oldest surf shop and offer beaming friendly smiles fantastic deals on surf camps and surf lessons.

Iguana Surf Camp + Add-ons: the ultimate in relaxation!

For many people, busy with hectic schedules back home, the most relaxing vacation is the one where everything is planned ahead of time. Removing the daily stress of finding a place to stay and something to plan is the ultimate indulgence. That’s undoubtedly why our Tamarindo Surf Camp packages are so popular. 

Join us on a 5-, 6-, or 7-night surf camp and you don’t need to stress about anything. Enjoy overnight accommodation in our upscale beachside hostel, daily breakfast, daily personalized service and the free use of all the surfing gear you need. What’s more, we also offer several add-ons to help you create a truly bespoke vacation in paradise. For the ultimate in relaxation and if travelling with your partner, opt for the Romantic Add-on which includes blissful couple massages. Or choose the Surf & Yoga package to personally experience the benefits of yoga on your surfing game.

No matter the itinerary for your Costa Rica vacation, you are sure to head home more relaxed than you have ever been, ready to take on the world with fresh motivation. There is no better way to relax than spending time at the beach, pool, or even trying a new sport like surfing! And of course, nothing is more calming than a classic Tamarindo sunset. Your only worry will be that you won’t want to leave.

So why not come see for yourself?!