My birthday lunch at El Tamarindo’s Hole 9 restaurant was perfect in every way.  We took  a taxi from the village, just 8 kms away and then another 8 kms from the road into the resort.  Cost?  $10.

The restaurant setting at the 9th hole lived up to expectations.  Overlooking the beautifully groomed course and the occasional players, the splashing turquoise waters of the bay below, provided an idea place to linger over a meal.  I was glad that we were there for lunch though, and not just taking a quick break from 18 holes of golf, as I wanted to take time to enjoy – and relish – the scenery.

View of Hole 9, El Tamarindo

I had ceviche of shrimp and octopus, followed by fish tacos – soft tortillas filled with delicious grilled fish, with guacamole, the best salsa yet (tomatoes, onions, cilantro, salt, fresh lime and small hints of fresh japaleno,  home-made potato chips and salad.  Not my usual choice, but nonetheless delicious, the food was freshly prepared, delicious, colourful and enough to fill our growling tums.  For drinks, we celebrated my day with margaritas (just two, on the rocks) and declared them to be the best we had tasted this trip.  The secret must be the quality of the tequila and also to ask for ‘rocks’ rather than ‘mix.’

Prices were reasonable by Canadian standards and  quality/price ratio excellent.  Service was professional yet friendly.  Our friendly dining companions – albeit on different tables – consisted of two golfing couples  from Florida and two Brits who live in San Francisco and who own a property next to where we are staying, 10kms away in a small fishing village.

During our visit, we learned that the restaurant and the hotel are separately owned and it can, therefore, be challenging if one wishes to visit the hotel from the restaurant or vice versa as the distances between them are vast.  We found a way, however, and were able to explore the areas where a few very beautiful casitas were located, each with its own exotic name, colour palette, own swimming pool and set in lush, tropical gardens boasting colour and texture, and comfortably back from, but nonetheless facing, the beautiful private beach and splashing ocean.  I was told that prices are about $7,000USD per night.  As we walked through the jungle, winding side-paths led to other, very private casitas that were completely hidden from view and identified only by a number.

Beauty everywhere at El Tamarindo

As we passed through the secluded gardens, perpendicular with the beach and its intimate bay setting, we passed the resort’s isolated palapa spa and a divine infinity pool that fronted a lovely structure – the clubhouse.

Infinity pool at El Tamarindo

Beautiful glass light-fittings, bright yet tasteful furnishings and abundant fresh air (there were no outside walls) filled the space with a sense of tasteful freedom.  A well-equipped gym was accessible from upstairs as well as a pro-shop (although they could probably use a little help with merchandising.)  All this under a huge and very well crafted palapa roof.

Unlike the day before, where we had seen huge orange iguanas in the trees, we saw no wildlife other than the occasional colourful bird.  Nonetheless, this was a wonderful way to spend my birthday and better still, I can now describe the resort first hand to my clients who are seeking luxurious isolation and/or golf.