Nestled on the Southeastern coast of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a small seaside town with a horseshoe bay is lined with wild sprouted palm trees and abandoned coconuts bobbing in the high tide. Welcome to Tambor.
One arrives by turboprop plane from San José (SJO), flying over a bare sandy shore, landing on a short tarmac that leads to a tin shed that doubles as a taxi stand. For most travelers, the Tambor Airport (TMU) is a stepping stone to nearby Santa Teresa, Malpais or Montezuma.
Just 18-minutes away however, Tango Mar – a unique beach resort on 150-acres of private reserve land, offers services and amenities unique to this region. A nine-hole golf course, two tennis courts, horse stables, and trails to lookout points and hidden waterfalls, keep guests of this tucked away property amused in between dozing off on hammocks and frolicking on the beach.
Tango Mar offers a variety of accommodations, including their new Deluxe Beach Front Suites and stunning 3-story Beachfront Royal Villa, which is ideal for families seeking warmer destinations for holiday celebrations or groups traveling together. With 5 oceanfront bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, private plunge pool and maid service, this home away from home, is priced as a steal with rates starting at $975 per night.
The friendly staff of Tango Mar is eager to help guest plan their time on the resort where the options are plenty. Book a tour of the property on foot or horseback to visit the greenhouse, chicken coop, and orchards, which provide the two on-site restaurants (Cristolbal and Tango Bar) with a fresh harvest. Ask for directions to the cascading waterfall, which offers picturesque vistas from a cliff high up above and natural pools to cool off in down below. It is best to bring water shoes for safety and comfort.
For an easier and more contained dip, the hotel’s pool lounge comes equipped with a swim up bar and nearby restaurant serving lunch insight of playful monkeys in the trees.
For ideal weather on the Pacific coast, visit from mid-December to April (high-season) to avoid the rainy season, or during June and July, when the rain pauses briefly to allow the sun to shine on the lush forest and jungles of Costa Rica. For more information on rates and packages, visit www.tangomar.com.
Pura Vida!
Fly into: Tambor Airport (TMU) – Nature Air or Air Sansa
Recommend length of time: 2-3 days
Where to stay: Tango Mar Beach Resort (www.tangomar.com)
What to do: horseback ride, sunset yoga, tennis court, hike to waterfall, play tennis