Tamarindo  
     Tamarindo Beach is located on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula which is part of the northwest province of Guanacaste.  It is one of the most popular beach destinations for foreigners, many of whom seem to have decided to become permanent residents and make a living off selling folksy jewelry to the new tourists!  As can be seen in the photo, the beach is quite deep when the tide is out, at which time you can see that it has sections that are also quite pebbly.  Another problem that can be encountered is the riptides.  So, please, NEVER swim alone.
    Our reason for going to Tamarindo (named so because of the many tamarind trees which line the coast) is the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge which includes the Guanacaste Marine Turtle National Park.  We will see the "baulas" (giant leatherback turtles) come ashore during the night to lay eggs in holes they dig in the beach close by where the vegetation begins.  This is an awesome (some might even say religious)  as well as a heartbreaking experience when one realizes that only a few turtles appear now a days.  In other times the beach would be covered with turtles laying eggs.  One can sometimes see baby turtles struggling to get to the water after digging themselves out of their eggs.
    We will be staying at the Hotel Tamarindo Diria which is right on the beach in the village of Tamarindo.