Tropical Flowers

The antorcha flower (or golden torch flower) is one of our all-time favorites here at our beachfront bed & breakfast. Not only does it grow in our gardens, but it’s also the perfect splash of color in vases around our property. The antorcha is part of the heliconia family which makes it related to the banana or ginger plant. There are over 100 species of heliconia, but the golden torch shows smaller, thinner flower bracts with colors of reds and yellow. Sometimes this flower is even called a Parrot Beak flower.

The flower bracts of the Golden Torch flower are shaped like small boats ranging from all different colors from golden yellows to deep, dark reds. You can tell the resemblance to the bird’s of paradise blooms and ginger torch flowers. (The word antorcha is Spanish for torch.)

 

This bright flower means pride and sunshine because of it’s spectacular color and it’s height. The flowers can grow from 1-3 meters in height. We like to keep these blooms around our property not only for their beauty and color they add to the room, but also because they attract some of the most beautiful butterflies! Come visit us at our beachfront bed & breakfast in Tamarindo, Costa Rica and see our beautiful gardens and flowers for yourself! You will not be disappointed!

Huevos Rancheros!

When you wake up here in Tamarindo, Costa Rica at our boutique bed & breakfast, we will welcome you to our breakfast terrace and treat you to a three-course meal prepared thoughtfully by our amazing cook, Lili! One of the favorite dishes that guests always rave about is our huevos rancheros. The dish is created with handmade tortillas, local eggs and avocados, and house-made sauce.

While you’re enjoying the huevos rancheros, don’t forget to try out our house-made hot sauces! We have both a green and red hot sauce - both the perfect amount of flavor and spice to add a little extra kick to your breakfast.

This dish paired with our fresh-brewed coffee will definitely start out your day in paradise perfectly! We are excited to welcome you to a breakfast with us even if you don’t stay with us. We are open to the public every day from 7-11am.

Sueno del Mar Sweet & Sovory Breakfast Options!

If you’re looking for sweet and savory breakfast options to start your morning, here at Sueño del Mar Bed & Breakfast we offer you both! When you first step onto our breakfast terrace we will greet you with a cup of Costa Rican coffee or herbal tea. Our very own in-house chef Lili will prepare your meal, starting you out with a plate of fresh tropical fruit. Here at Sueño del Mar we always have the freshest selection of local produce with an assortment of fruit usually including mango, banana, papaya, watermelon, and pineapple.

 

Following your first course of fresh fruit is usually the savory portion of our breakfast. Each morning is different, but one of our favorite savory dishes is a typical Costa Rican breakfast plate of fried eggs, gallo pinto (beans and rice dish), and fried plantains and cheese.  

Remember to save room for a third course of breakfast, as Lili likes to send out something sweet to complete the meal. The dessert portion of our breakfast is always homemade and fresh out of the oven and can include anything from cream cheese-stuffed french toast to warm fruit pastries. One of the yummy options is also a fresh banana pancake, which never disappoints! 

When deciding on a place to stay for your Tamarindo, Costa Rica vacation, consider our boutique bed and breakfast where we can spoil you every day with a three-course breakfast on our breakfast terrace tucked in our gardens overlooking the beach!

Photography Katherine Stinnett Photography

  

Costa Rica Coffee Production

 A major benefit of visiting our boutique bed & breakfast is the gourmet breakfast you are served each morning accompanied by a cup of Costa Rican's finest coffee! There's a reason artisan coffee shops in other countries offer Costa Rican coffee, and that is because it is some of the best in the world. Starting in the 19th century, coffee became one of Costa Rica's major exports and to this day keeps Costa Rica ranked as the 13th-largest producer of coffee worldwide.




So what sets Costa Rican coffee apart? First of all, more than half or the 70,000 coffee farmers in the country are part of cooperatives involved with fair trade organizations. These fair trade organizations help secure better rights and salaries for small farmers and promote economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Along with being fair trade, the flavor of Costa Rican coffee will definitely entice you to have more than just one cup! The classic Costa Rican cup of joe is usually described as being softly acidic and mild.

So come stay with us at our boutique bed & breakfast in Tamarindo, and you will be welcomed to the breakfast terrace with a fresh cup of coffee! You can see for yourself why we are proud to serve you our local brew and why you'll want to take a few bags home with you when you go.

 

Our beachfront hotel in Playa Langosta is the perfect setting for your next Costa Rica vacation.

Photo: KATHERINE STINNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
www.katherinestinnett.com

Guanacaste Tree

 When driving to our Bed & Breakfast in Tamarindo, Costa Rica you will definitely pass some of our beautiful vegetation including many fruit trees, flowering shrubs, fields of sugar cane, and some incredible shade trees. One tree that stands out among the rest is the guanacaste tree, the tree for which our region of Costa Rica is named. In fact, the guanacaste tree was declared Costa Rica's national tree in 1959.

The guanacaste tree is said to symbolize stability and growth, as well as the power of Mother Nature.

The guanacaste tree is easily identified by it's very large crown of leafy branches and it's permanent green color. The term guancaste tree means ear tree because the curled seed pods on the trees resemble ears.

The guanacaste tree is important to Costarrican culture because the wood of this tree is water-resistant and easy to work with, which makes it a popular wood for making everything from furniture to oxcart wheels. Medicinally, the tree has been used to treat various ailments such as lung infections and colds, and the extract from the bark has even been used as a soap substitute.

Here at our Bed & Breakfast we are proud to have our rooms shaded by one of these magnificent trees!

Our beachfront hotel in Playa Langosta is the perfect setting for your next Costa Rica vacation.

It's Time To Surf!

Right down the road from our Bed & Breakfast is one of the best beginner surf breaks in the world!
Along with steady waves, our town also has a large selection of surf shops willing to set you up with a professional for surf lessons. Most places offer 90 minute surf lessons for beginners and can help you with a board rental and rash guard as well. Our favorite local surf instructors are Bryan and Maria, we can set up surf lessons for you here at our boutique hotel. If surfing is on your Costa Rica vacation itinerary, here are 5 things you need to know before your first surf lesson:

1. How to Prepare - Surfing is a physical activity because catching waves requires paddling. Remember to stretch and warm up your upper body before you run for the waves, as this will help cut down on soreness the next day! Another way to prepare is to make sure you are a comfortable swimmer before taking the plunge.

2. It's OK to stay in the white water - When you are watching the surfers on Tamarindo Beach you will notice a lot of the surfers beyond the white water past where the waves are breaking. Don't be in a rush to join them when you are learning. It's better to stay in the white water and learn the feel of your board and how to handle it first.

3. You will fall - It's not a matter of whether or not you will take some falls, it's when. You may drink some saltwater and even have water go up your nose. But relax! This is all part of learning to ride the waves!  When you fall, try to stay calm and find your board attached to your ankle with the leash to ensure it doesn't bump into you or any other surfers.

4. Become familiar with rip currents - A rip current is a strong narrow current of water that travels away from the shore and back out to sea. If you happen to find yourself in a rip current, do not panic. Don't try to paddle against the rip current but to swim parallel to the beach instead until you are out of the rip current and can swim safely back to the beach.

5. Have fun - Learning to surf can be strenuous and difficult at times, but don't let this keep you from enjoying your time in the ocean! Don't worry about what you look like and just focus on having a good time while you learn something new!

Our team at Sueno del Mar will be happy to arrange your daily activities for you during your stay with us at our luxurious beachfront Bed and Breakfast.

You will feel right at home at our beachfront Bed and Breakfast located near Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Photo: KATHERINE STINNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
www.katherinestinnett.com