Expat Exchange
Free MembershipSign In

Costa Rica Expat Forum

7 years ago

Expat Family Considering Tamarindo or Nosara area for 10 months...

7 years ago
Hello!
Hoping I can get some guidance on a great spot for a small family for a 10-12 month stay.
We are currently in Samara (going on 1 month) While I love it here and see the allure of calm waters and beachside dining, we are not seeing a visible community of families gathering at the beach etc... (other than those we have met a Spanish camp, and they are just visiting.)
Is there a place near Tamarindo where families with kids are abundant? I am considering a long stay with my two young kids, age 2 and 7. Obviously, schools for the 7 year old are important and he is not bilingual (english only). Alternately, I could homeschool if I found a community where he could make friends of similar age that enjoy being active and outside. (I have been told by a couple locals here in Samara that all the kids stay inside to watch TV or play video games That's pretty much the same in the current US city we live in and part of my desire to change things up a bit!)

Requirements:
Safe location, both in terms of crime and waves/rip tides
near beach (10 minute walk)
Walkable town with cafes, groceries, and a decent school (bus okay for school, but reasonable amount of time, 15 minutes)
Lots of kids, international backgrounds would be ideal!
Ideally a non traditional school that does not require children to sit for hours (my son can't do that, he goes bonkers, but is super bright when he is allowed to move while learning. I have read about some expectations at some Costa Rican private schools, and taking away his recess time as discipline sounds bad!)

Any ideas? Tamarindo? Langosta? Playa Del Coco? Brasilito? Potrero?

Samara seems to have an expat community somewhere, but the local private school is one room with little outside time...

Also, ideas on how to secure a long term rental (we will go home for the high season/holidays so that might be appealing to owners so as to not lose out on the big money months!)

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Living in Costa Rica GuideLiving in Costa Rica Guide

Our Living in Costa Rica Guide is a primer on everything about living in Costa Rica: best places to live, cost of living, pros and cons, healthcare and insurance, and more.

Costa Rica Forum Costa Rica Forum
Join our Costa Rica forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Costa Rica.

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Best Places to Live in Costa Rica Best Places to Live in Costa Rica

If you're dreaming about living in Costa Rica, here are the 15 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica in 2023.

Healthcare in Costa RicaHealthcare in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has both public and private healthcare systems. When you become a resident, you must enroll in the public healthcare system (CAJA). Many expats use the public system for routine healthcare and have private expat health insurance for specialists, surgeries and emergencies.

Cost of Living in Costa RicaCost of Living in Costa Rica

If you're moving to Costa Rica, you'll want to understand the cost of living in Costa Rica. Lifestyle, location and health insurance are part of the formula.

Moving to Costa RicaMoving to Costa Rica Guide

Moving to Costa Rica has become more popular among expats. Making this choice requires a lot of research to ensure the expat experience you hope for will be realized.

Real Estate in Costa RicaReal Estate in Costa Rica

Real estate listings in popular cities and towns in Costa Rica.

Pros Cons of Living in Costa RicaPros & Cons of Living in Costa Rica

Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Costa Rica.

Retiring in Costa RicaRetiring in Costa Rica

Advice for people retiring in Costa Rica.

Visa and Residency Costa RicaCosta Rica Visa & Residency Guide

Applying for residency in Costa Rica can be a daunting process. Which type of residency is right for me? Do I need an attorney? Do I have to leave the country every 90 days? What is a cedula? This article answers these and many other questions.

10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica10 Tips for Living in Costa Rica

If you've recently arrived in Costa Rica, here are 10 tips for digital nomads living in Costa Rica.

GeoBlue
GeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

GeoBlueGeoBlue

Top-quality coverage for people who live, work, study and travel internationally.
Get Quote

Contribute to Costa Rica Network Contribute
Help others in Costa Rica by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Costa Rica.

Allianz Care
Allianz Care

Copyright 1997-2024 Burlingame Interactive, Inc.

Privacy Policy Legal