# 10 Feet Traveling: A Family Guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

> 10 Feet Traveling is the family blog of Matt and Erin Sampson and their three kids. It began in 2010 while they planned their move from Colorado to Tamarindo, Costa Rica, follows the family's arrival in December 2011, and covers the years the kids went to school there and grew up between the two countries. Alongside the stories it holds an insider's guide to Tamarindo, written from first-hand experience: restaurants, surfing, groceries, health care, school, weather, transport and where to stay.

## Tamarindo guide

- [Guide to Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/): start here. The Sampson family's story (Colorado to Tamarindo in December 2011, three kids at TIDE Academy from 2012 to 2023), every guide page, an interactive map of Tamarindo with restaurants, places to stay and grocery stores, and an FAQ. Updated October 2026.
- [Where to eat in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/dining-in-tamarindo/): 31 restaurants re-checked October 2026, with a map, top picks and food delivery (BM Express on WhatsApp, plus Naans & Curries and Little Lucha).
- [Traveling to Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/traveling-to-tamarindo/)
- [Liberia airport (LIR) to Tamarindo shuttle](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/shuttle-service/): private shuttle through EcoTrans, $125 each way for up to 6 people, $200 for 7 to 12, paid to the driver in cash, no deposit. The drive is about an hour and a half. Tamarindo and Playa Langosta are included; other destinations are quoted.
- [Renting a car](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/renting-a-car/)
- [Where to stay in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/where-to-stay-in-tamarindo/)
- [What to bring](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/what-to-bring-to-tamarindo/)
- [Tamarindo weather](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/tamarindos-weather/)
- [Surfing in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/surfing-in-tamarindo/)
- [Beach tips](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/some-beach-tips/)
- [What to do in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/what-to-do-in-tamarindo/)
- [Dining in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/dining-in-tamarindo/)
- [Top casual restaurants](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/top-casual-restaurants/)
- [Top sunset restaurants](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/top-sunset-restaurants/)
- [Top dinner restaurants](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/top-dinner-restaurants/)
- [Top pizza restaurants](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/top-pizza-restaurants/)
- [Groceries and shopping](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/groceries-shopping-in-tamarindo/)
- [Health and wellness](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/health-and-wellness-in-tamarindo/)
- [Internet and cell phones](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/internet-cell-phones/)
- [Everyday tips](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/everyday-tips-for-tamarindo/)
- [Schools in Tamarindo, with 2026-27 tuition](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/going-to-school-in-tamarindo-costa-rica/): TIDE Academy, Journey School, Educarte, CRIA, La Paz Community School and Pacifico Internacional (Waldorf), each with tuition from the school's own fee sheet, checked October 2026.
- [Cost of living in Tamarindo for a family](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/cost-of-living-in-tamarindo/): sample monthly budget for a family of four (October 2026), rent from current listings, 2026 electricity tariffs, groceries, car, health care and residency costs, every number sourced and dated.
- [Family photography in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/guide-to-tamarindo/family-photography-in-tamarindo/)

## Family stories

- [Making the decision to go](https://10feettraveling.com/2010/08/23/making-the-decision-to-go/)
- [Reflections on day one in Tamarindo](https://10feettraveling.com/2011/12/06/reflections-on-day-one-in-tamarindo/)
- [Bringing a dog to Costa Rica, part one: airlines](https://10feettraveling.com/2014/04/03/bringing-a-dog-to-costa-rica-part-one-airlines/)
- [Bringing a dog to Costa Rica, part two: forms, vets and prep](https://10feettraveling.com/2014/04/12/bringing-a-dog-to-costa-rica-part-two-forms-vets-prep/)
- [Bringing a dog to Costa Rica, part three: travel day](https://10feettraveling.com/2014/04/12/bringing-a-dog-to-costa-rica-part-three-travel-day/)
- [Educating our kids in Costa Rica and the United States](https://10feettraveling.com/2016/10/12/educating-our-kids-in-costa-rica-the-united-states/)
- [The turtles at the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge](https://10feettraveling.com/2018/09/22/the-turtles-at-the-ostional-national-wildlife-refuge/)
- [Has it really already been 10 years in Tamarindo?](https://10feettraveling.com/2021/10/28/has-it-really-already-been-10-years-in-tamarindo/)
- [All stories](https://10feettraveling.com/our-latest-writings/)

## About

- [About](https://10feettraveling.com/about/)
- [Contact](https://10feettraveling.com/contacting-us/)

## Related sites by the same family

- Casa Colorado, the family's vacation rental in Tamarindo: https://casacoloradocr.com/
- Five Parks Yoga, Erin's free online yoga classes: https://fiveparksyoga.com/
- Five Parks Life, Matt and Erin's travel channel: https://fiveparkslife.com/