Beachfront Suites by Hotel Capitán Suizo

From the reception team to the restaurant staff and gardeners, everyone was friendly and accommodating. Our garden-view room was so relaxing, and we could still hear the ocean. We had several lunches at the hotel and liked both the quality and the value. This is the kind of place where you check in and don’t want to leave. We’ll definitely be back!

The desk team was phenomenal. They even packed breakfast for our 6:45 AM free diving trip, and Tiffany, the concierge, was great for restaurant tips and bookings. Surfboards are available to rent on site when the waves are up. The hotel feels safe and is just off the main drag, close to restaurants and the local grocery store but away from the chaos. Rooms are very clean, have excellent A/C, and no TVs. There’s beach access and a large pool that’s kid friendly. Breakfast is included and decent, though I’d like more protein choices. There’s no quick coffee or espresso machine in the room, and the fridge only had one bottle of water. The food on site is good, but the bar can get overwhelmed at night with limited staff. Still, great service, location, and a relaxed Costa Rica vibe.

We felt well looked after, including on the tours, where the company they arranged had safe drivers. Tiffany and Katherine, the concierges, set up some really fun family-friendly activities. Nubia was attentive at breakfast, and manager Tom was professional and friendly. Everyone from the bar and wait staff to reception and the massage therapists was kind, accommodating, and thoughtful. There’s wildlife all around, from birds and monkeys to iguanas and raccoons, and on Thursdays you can play soccer with staff on the beach. Such fun. We had an amazing weeklong family stay. The hotel is very well managed and great for kids. It feels like an exclusive retreat, yet Tamarindo is close enough to walk to for restaurants, bars, and day trips around Guanacaste. The beach in front is ideal for beginner surf lessons. Four-star hotel, five-star service. We’ll try to come back and recommend it to friends and family.

The people are the main reason guests keep returning to Capitan Suizo. The family who owns it treats the team like family, and it shows. Maricella, Nubia, Yerlyn, Brittany, Marco, Angel, Keylore, and Katherine all gave us exceptional service this past week. We’ve already decided to come back, and can’t wait. This was our second stay. Last January we spent four nights here as part of a longer Costa Rica trip, which worked well alongside a more active part of the holiday. This time we stayed a week to get away from winter. The hotel sits on the quiet southern end of Tamarindo beach, and it’s easy to see why couples have been coming for years. The pool area is a lush tropical oasis, carefully tended. We saw howler monkeys there three times, and my Merlin Bird ID app picked up 14 bird species, all of which I spotted with binoculars. We walked the 2.5 mile beach route to the Estuary and back each day, watching pelicans, terns, and magnificent frigate birds fishing for breakfast. In the afternoon, we watched sunsets from the loungers in front while novice surfers practiced in the small waves. Just lovely. We enjoyed our Superior Balcony room on the first visit, tucked into the greenery. This time we had the new Beachfront Terrace Suite for the whole week. It was incredible, with a private jacuzzi we used every day, a large patio with room for yoga mats from the concierge, and ocean views and sounds while we worked out there daily. The finishes are beautiful. The A/C is very efficient, and we liked having three ceiling fans inside and one on the patio. Breakfast is included each day, and we especially liked the omelette bar. We had lunch every day, the salads were great, and enjoyed the Beach BBQ and one other dinner. Sofias, Fish and Cheeses, and El Sapo were among the good dinner options within easy walking distance.