Refugio Surf Lodge

Amazing place to stay. The staff were incredibly warm and friendly, and the whole setup is brilliant: café, bar, restaurant and accommodation all together, with a really relaxed independent feel. The manager messaged us before we arrived with everything we could possibly need, including parking information and a Google Maps list of recommended places to eat, drink and visit around Tamarindo. Our room was huge, with two large double beds, air conditioning, plenty of storage and a nice bathroom. The pool was perfect for cooling off in the heat, and there were lots of comfortable places to sit around the property. Breakfast and a coffee were included and the food was fresh, tasty and felt pretty healthy. We ended up having lunch and dinner there too, and everything was consistently great. Guests also get 10% off, and their casado and drink deal was particularly good value for Costa Rica. They even provide free water for guests. The café is also a lovely air-conditioned place to read or get some work done. We originally came to Tamarindo as a last-minute escape from bad weather in Monteverde and ended up wishing we could have stayed longer. We absolutely loved it here. A huge thank you to Agustín and all the staff.

A couple of sun loungers around the pool would be a nice addition if you wanted to lie out rather than sit. We also really appreciated the coffee included with breakfast, although the café has proper barista-made coffees, so might be nice to have the option of swapping the included coffee for a discount on one of those instead? Both are very minor suggestions though, very much plucking at straws here.

The lodge is centrally located, just a 5-minute walk from Tamarindo Beach. The staff were super friendly and always welcoming. Augustin was helpful, always sharing great tips about the town and surroundings and answering our questions promptly. Our only small observation was that the upgraded room, while offering a private porch by the pool, was noticeably smaller than the other rooms, so we weren’t sure the extra cost was fully worth it. That said, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely recommend this place if you want to be close to everything in Tamarindo!

The room was huge and the pool area was so relaxing - the perfect spot to unwind. The on-site café has amazing coffee and a great vibe, and breakfast was delicious and excellent value for money. The AC worked brilliantly, the WiFi was fast, and there was even a proper workspace/desk area for getting some work done - plus both the lodge staff and cafe staff were absolutely fabulous. Generally just loved the vibe and hanging out here.

Really very little to fault. The shower wasn't the most high-end, but it worked perfectly well for us and was never an issue. Everything else was spot on.

The place is great however it is not my taste because it was loud music due to night activity. For people seeking "liveliness" is is a great place to stay; for those of us that desire a more quite and tranquil nature loving stay in Costa Rica, I advice not to stay at this location.

Loud music