Hotels in Tamarindo/Portrero/Hermos

deeolivia · April 26, 2013

Hi everyone! I am trying to decide whether to have my wedding at a small hotel, or rent a private villa. Right now, I have decided on either a private villa at Hacienda Pinilla, or some boutique hotels- Bosque del Mar or Bahia del Sol. I'm also considering Diria Tamarindo even though it's a bit larger. Does anyone have any information on those hotels, or opinions on doing a hotel wedding vs. a private villa wedding? Any info would be much appreciated!

Billandstina · April 27, 2013

I lived in Costa Rica for 6 months a year ago and I can highly recommend the Tamarindo Diria!! The resort is beautiful and unique and you can walk into town...there's great excursions available and even though its more westernized than other Costa Rican options, it's still a great place. Depending on your familiarity with Costa Rica (and your guests' familiarity) you may want to stay here just for the simple fact that it is slightly more westernized than other options! Costa Rica is a pain to travel in thanks to their roads (or lack thereof) and you're smart to get married around that area because you have the option of flying into the airport near there vs. San Jose and driving forever to get there. Let me know if you have any other questions...I can try and help you...I have a friend who owns a bar in Tamarindo as well.

deeolivia · May 7, 2013

Hi Billandstina! Thank you so much for your reply. We ended up deciding to go with a private villa instead, since we really wanted to maintain that intimacy factor at our reception. We also felt we'd have more customization options in terms of food, decor, etc. However...I will highly recommend the Diria to any guests who are not staying at the villa. FI and I have been to Costa Rica, as have my sister and her husband, so some of us are okay with going a bit more off the beaten path. I still wanted to have options for those who were a little less adventurous though. Thanks again!

Billandstina · May 8, 2013

Hi Billandstina! Thank you so much for your reply. We ended up deciding to go with a private villa instead, since we really wanted to maintain that intimacy factor at our reception. We also felt we'd have more customization options in terms of food, decor, etc. However...I will highly recommend the Diria to any guests who are not staying at the villa. FI and I have been to Costa Rica, as have my sister and her husband, so some of us are okay with going a bit more off the beaten path. I still wanted to have options for those who were a little less adventurous though. Thanks again!

No problem!! Glad I could help!

Can't wait to see pics from your wedding! Another fun thing at the Diria is they have a webcam with live broadcast so you can go stand on the beach right there and wave at your friends! Lol! My mom called me when I was sunbathing there and told me what I was wearing (she knew we were staying there)...freaked me out...til I looked up and saw the camera! Lol! She was able to watch Bill taking surf lessons all the way from Texas...hysterical! Lol! When you go into town I may ask you to look at the name of an amazing macramÃ© jewelry store on the Main Street past the Diria on the left. I can't for the life of me remember the name of it and I can't find it online! Lol!