Architect-designed villa, infinity pool, 19 guests
Entire villa in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
- 16+ guests ·
- · 7 bedrooms ·
- · 12 beds ·
- · 7 baths
New listing
New
Hosted by Thomas
- 1 month hosting
Listing highlights
Your very own spa
Relax with the rain shower and outdoor shower.
Beautiful area
This home is in a scenic location.
Ocean and beach views
Soak up the views during your stay.
Architect-designed luxury villa above Tamarindo Bay, built for groups and families up to 19. Five bedrooms plus a bunk suite, infinity pool, jacuzzi, theater room, gym, spa pavilion, and a vine-covered bar terrace with Pacific sunset views. Multiple covered terraces give every generation room to spread out. Antique Thai carved panels and an original canvas by the architect make this villa one of a kind.
The space
Villa Luciérnaga was designed by Costa Rican architect Abraham Valenzuela as a single continuous experience -- indoors flowing to outdoors, every level connecting to the next, the Pacific always visible somewhere in the frame.
The heart of the villa is the great room: a single open space where the living area, dining table for ten, and gourmet kitchen share no walls and no boundaries. Sliding glass doors open directly to the pool terrace, where the infinity pool meets Tamarindo Bay. The Guanacaste natural-edge wood slab table seats eight to ten for outdoor dining right at the pool's edge. The gas barbecue and bar counter sit at one end; covered couch seating lines the terrace. Indoors and outdoors are barely distinguishable.
The great room is anchored by two of Valenzuela's signature elements: a reclaimed wood installation spanning the full wall behind the television (leftover construction lumber transformed into art), and a large colorful abstract canvas he painted himself on the opposite wall. Two Matapalo vine chandeliers -- made from the dried hollow shells of a local vine -- hang above the dining and living areas. Forty-four colored-glass niches set into the walls cast jewel-like dots of color throughout the day as sunlight moves through them.
The gourmet kitchen opens directly to the great room and pool terrace. Copper stove hood, gas range, panel-front French door refrigerator, dark marble island with bar stools, and its own Matapalo vine chandelier. A separate cook's kitchen -- with its own cooktop, range, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher -- serves as a back-of-house space for professional chefs or traditional Costa Rican meals. Andrea, the villa concierge, can arrange an in-villa chef. Yerlin, the housekeeper, and her sister can prepare traditional Tico meals for guests on request.
The stone ceilings throughout the villa are Valenzuela's own invention -- a hand-applied patterning technique, Arabic and Moroccan in influence, that produces a different geometric design in every room. No two are alike. Every bedroom door is hung with an antique Thai hand-carved wood panel, sourced in matched pairs and split across separate doors when installed. The front door frame is antique carved wood from India, surrounding a copper door set into a volcanic rock base. Hand-cut firefly figures -- the villa's namesake -- appear in the iron gate panels, the post-tops along every glass railing, and throughout the property's metalwork.
Don Carlos Valenzuela -- Abraham's brother -- created four major works on the property. The powder room is one of the most unexpected rooms in the villa: an immersive floor-to-ceiling botanical mural on every wall, sky-blue background, monstera leaves, lily pads, golden vines, and a golden sun above heavily veined grey marble. The theater room corridor has an entirely different character -- bas relief carved stone running from wall to ceiling, three black wall sconces, and a sense of arrival before you reach the room itself. Two bas relief fountain walls anchor the property exterior.
The theater room runs two modes: lower the motorized blackout shades behind the linen curtains and the room goes pitch black for proper cinema; open the French doors and watch with the Pacific Ocean behind you. Full white U-shaped sectional, Moroccan-arch coffee table, teal woven rug, and a Matapalo chandelier array above. The French doors connect directly to the jacuzzi terrace and fire pit area -- the two spaces work together naturally in the evening.
The property descends across multiple levels, each with its own character. The lowest level of the upper property holds the bar: bamboo ceiling, free-flowing vines, seating for ten, separate refrigeration and ice maker, and its own restroom. A great place to catch a game, enjoy a cigar, or watch the sunset with a glass of wine while the charcoal barbecue gets set up nearby.
A garden path descends from the jacuzzi terrace through tropical plantings, stone steps, a covered pergola, and a curved exterior staircase to Calle Soles and the lower garage below -- the most convenient route to the beach and into Tamarindo. A natural grass lawn adjacent to the jacuzzi terrace has wheeled chaise lounges that can be moved onto the grass for sunbathing.
The covered massage area sits next to the workout room, behind the cascades of the upper-story fountain. Three copper spigots feed water down into three large ceramic urns in a stone courtyard below. The private gym has a weight bench, free weights, bars, yoga ball, and jump rope.
The entire property runs on a Savant smart home system -- lights, audio, and climate controlled from any room. The audio system covers every major zone: kitchen and main floor halls, pool terrace, workout room, lower terraces, breakfast nook and bar. Starlink satellite internet (with local fiber as failover) keeps the full property connected. A dedicated VPN WiFi network in the theater room and throughout the villa allows US-based streaming -- Netflix, HBO, Amazon, and Apple TV should normally bypass geo-restrictions on any connected device. Eighty solar panels handle most of the villa's power, with a diesel generator on backup.
Tesoro -- a large grey iguana -- lives on the property and is occasionally spotted on the walkways. He doesn't like company and will scurry out of your way as you approach. Howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and other Costa Rican wildlife visit regularly.
Housekeeping, maintenance, and landscaping staff are on the property Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. Property Manager Brian King lives in Tamarindo and is available by phone or text. Concierge Andrea arranges airport transfers, tours, in-villa chef, massage services, and anything else the group needs.
Please note:
- Please note, bookings during holiday periods are not refundable past cancellation deadlines
- The villa is fully staffed and comes with amenities for your comfort,. However, Sundays and local holidays are a well-deserved day off for our team. House staff and breakfast will not be available on these days to ensure they enjoy their rest
- Complimentary breakfast is served daily (Sundays and holidays excepted). Ask your concierge for breakfast options
- Only the guests listed in your booking are allowed to stay. Outside guests must be pre-authorized.
- Check in for New Year 2026 must be by December 27th unless otherwise approved.
Guest access
The guard station at the El Tesoro gated entrance will provide newly arriving guests with a gate and garage door opener, allowing direct vehicle access to the upper garage (fits two cars). A separate walk-up gate on the upper level provides pedestrian access for guests arriving on foot or by taxi.
Guests arriving during business hours will be met at the property by Property Manager Brian King or Concierge Andrea for a full property tour.
The property also connects to Calle Soles at the lower level via the lower garage, with pedestrian access available. This entrance is considerably more convenient for walking to the beach and into Tamarindo.
Villa Luciérnaga is a multi-story property built into a hillside -- guests should expect stairs between levels. That said, guests staying in the main-floor primary suite can access the great room, dining room, gourmet kitchen, pool terrace, barbecue area and infinity pool entirely without stairs, making it the most accessible bedroom in the villa for guests with any mobility considerations.
Other things to note
OUTDOOR AMENITIES
• Infinity pool with Tamarindo Bay and Pacific Ocean views (unheated -- standard in Costa Rica given the year-round warm climate)
• Jacuzzi (unheated)
• Pool terrace with covered outdoor seating
• Guanacaste natural-edge wood slab dining table (seats 8-10) at pool's edge
• Outdoor gas barbecue with full supplies
• Charcoal barbecue (set up by staff on request)
• Jacuzzi terrace with fire pit area
• Natural grass lawn with wheeled chaise lounges
• Garden path descending to Calle Soles and lower garage
• Covered massage area with massage table, teak vanity, and approximately 20 brass candle holders
• Two-story fountain with copper spigots and large ceramic urns
• Lower bar: bamboo ceiling, free-flowing vines, seating for 10, separate refrigeration, ice maker, restroom
• Two outdoor bathrooms adjacent to breakfast area
• Breakfast nook with seating
KITCHEN AND DINING
• Gourmet main kitchen: copper stove hood, gas range, dark marble island with bar stools, panel-front French door refrigerator, Matapalo vine chandelier
• Separate cook's kitchen: full cooktop, refrigerator, dishwasher, open shelving -- for professional chefs or traditional Tico meals
• Dining table for 10
• Full cookware, utensils, and equipment
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
• Theater room with large screen, full white U-shaped sectional, and Moroccan-arch coffee table
• Motorized blackout shades in theater room (full cinema blackout)
• Private gym: weight bench, free weights, two bars, yoga ball, jump rope, squat cushions
• Sonos multi-zone audio: kitchen and main floor halls, pool terrace, workout room, lower terraces, bar
• "Luci" VPN WiFi network for US-based streaming (Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Apple TV -- should normally bypass geo-restrictions)
• Smart TVs throughout
TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS
• Savant smart home system: controls all lights, built-in audio, and climate throughout the villa
• Starlink satellite WiFi (primary) with local fiber ISP failover -- full property coverage
• 80-panel solar array (primary power) + diesel generator (backup) + grid (tertiary)
• Electronic motorized sheers in lower-floor bedrooms
• Air conditioning in all rooms
• Ceiling fans throughout
SERVICES AND STAFF
• Housekeeping (Yerlin) -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Maintenance (Gerald) -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Landscaping staff -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Property Manager Brian King (King by the Sea) -- available by phone or text, lives in Tamarindo
• Concierge Andrea -- arranges airport transfers, tours, in-villa professional chef, massage services, and other experiences; available by phone or text
• In-villa traditional Costa Rican meals available on request (Yerlin and her sister)
PRACTICAL AMENITIES
• Two full laundry rooms: lower (4 LG front-load washers and dryers) and upper (LG washer and dryer, utility sink, cabinetry)
• Pool towels provided (on pool terrace)
• Linens and towels provided
• Upper garage (fits 2 cars) with automatic opener provided at arrival
• Pedestrian walk-up gate on upper level
• Walk-up access from lower garage on Calle Soles (convenient for beach and town)
• Gated El Tesoro community with guard station
SAFETY
• Beachside Clinic, Huacas -- 24-hour, bilingual, emergency-capable, approximately 15 minutes away
• Full hospital -- CIMA Guanacaste and Hospital San Rafael Arcangel, Liberia, approximately 60 minutes away
• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit
The space
Villa Luciérnaga was designed by Costa Rican architect Abraham Valenzuela as a single continuous experience -- indoors flowing to outdoors, every level connecting to the next, the Pacific always visible somewhere in the frame.
The heart of the villa is the great room: a single open space where the living area, dining table for ten, and gourmet kitchen share no walls and no boundaries. Sliding glass doors open directly to the pool terrace, where the infinity pool meets Tamarindo Bay. The Guanacaste natural-edge wood slab table seats eight to ten for outdoor dining right at the pool's edge. The gas barbecue and bar counter sit at one end; covered couch seating lines the terrace. Indoors and outdoors are barely distinguishable.
The great room is anchored by two of Valenzuela's signature elements: a reclaimed wood installation spanning the full wall behind the television (leftover construction lumber transformed into art), and a large colorful abstract canvas he painted himself on the opposite wall. Two Matapalo vine chandeliers -- made from the dried hollow shells of a local vine -- hang above the dining and living areas. Forty-four colored-glass niches set into the walls cast jewel-like dots of color throughout the day as sunlight moves through them.
The gourmet kitchen opens directly to the great room and pool terrace. Copper stove hood, gas range, panel-front French door refrigerator, dark marble island with bar stools, and its own Matapalo vine chandelier. A separate cook's kitchen -- with its own cooktop, range, refrigerator, microwave and dishwasher -- serves as a back-of-house space for professional chefs or traditional Costa Rican meals. Andrea, the villa concierge, can arrange an in-villa chef. Yerlin, the housekeeper, and her sister can prepare traditional Tico meals for guests on request.
The stone ceilings throughout the villa are Valenzuela's own invention -- a hand-applied patterning technique, Arabic and Moroccan in influence, that produces a different geometric design in every room. No two are alike. Every bedroom door is hung with an antique Thai hand-carved wood panel, sourced in matched pairs and split across separate doors when installed. The front door frame is antique carved wood from India, surrounding a copper door set into a volcanic rock base. Hand-cut firefly figures -- the villa's namesake -- appear in the iron gate panels, the post-tops along every glass railing, and throughout the property's metalwork.
Don Carlos Valenzuela -- Abraham's brother -- created four major works on the property. The powder room is one of the most unexpected rooms in the villa: an immersive floor-to-ceiling botanical mural on every wall, sky-blue background, monstera leaves, lily pads, golden vines, and a golden sun above heavily veined grey marble. The theater room corridor has an entirely different character -- bas relief carved stone running from wall to ceiling, three black wall sconces, and a sense of arrival before you reach the room itself. Two bas relief fountain walls anchor the property exterior.
The theater room runs two modes: lower the motorized blackout shades behind the linen curtains and the room goes pitch black for proper cinema; open the French doors and watch with the Pacific Ocean behind you. Full white U-shaped sectional, Moroccan-arch coffee table, teal woven rug, and a Matapalo chandelier array above. The French doors connect directly to the jacuzzi terrace and fire pit area -- the two spaces work together naturally in the evening.
The property descends across multiple levels, each with its own character. The lowest level of the upper property holds the bar: bamboo ceiling, free-flowing vines, seating for ten, separate refrigeration and ice maker, and its own restroom. A great place to catch a game, enjoy a cigar, or watch the sunset with a glass of wine while the charcoal barbecue gets set up nearby.
A garden path descends from the jacuzzi terrace through tropical plantings, stone steps, a covered pergola, and a curved exterior staircase to Calle Soles and the lower garage below -- the most convenient route to the beach and into Tamarindo. A natural grass lawn adjacent to the jacuzzi terrace has wheeled chaise lounges that can be moved onto the grass for sunbathing.
The covered massage area sits next to the workout room, behind the cascades of the upper-story fountain. Three copper spigots feed water down into three large ceramic urns in a stone courtyard below. The private gym has a weight bench, free weights, bars, yoga ball, and jump rope.
The entire property runs on a Savant smart home system -- lights, audio, and climate controlled from any room. The audio system covers every major zone: kitchen and main floor halls, pool terrace, workout room, lower terraces, breakfast nook and bar. Starlink satellite internet (with local fiber as failover) keeps the full property connected. A dedicated VPN WiFi network in the theater room and throughout the villa allows US-based streaming -- Netflix, HBO, Amazon, and Apple TV should normally bypass geo-restrictions on any connected device. Eighty solar panels handle most of the villa's power, with a diesel generator on backup.
Tesoro -- a large grey iguana -- lives on the property and is occasionally spotted on the walkways. He doesn't like company and will scurry out of your way as you approach. Howler monkeys, scarlet macaws, and other Costa Rican wildlife visit regularly.
Housekeeping, maintenance, and landscaping staff are on the property Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings. Property Manager Brian King lives in Tamarindo and is available by phone or text. Concierge Andrea arranges airport transfers, tours, in-villa chef, massage services, and anything else the group needs.
Please note:
- Please note, bookings during holiday periods are not refundable past cancellation deadlines
- The villa is fully staffed and comes with amenities for your comfort,. However, Sundays and local holidays are a well-deserved day off for our team. House staff and breakfast will not be available on these days to ensure they enjoy their rest
- Complimentary breakfast is served daily (Sundays and holidays excepted). Ask your concierge for breakfast options
- Only the guests listed in your booking are allowed to stay. Outside guests must be pre-authorized.
- Check in for New Year 2026 must be by December 27th unless otherwise approved.
Guest access
The guard station at the El Tesoro gated entrance will provide newly arriving guests with a gate and garage door opener, allowing direct vehicle access to the upper garage (fits two cars). A separate walk-up gate on the upper level provides pedestrian access for guests arriving on foot or by taxi.
Guests arriving during business hours will be met at the property by Property Manager Brian King or Concierge Andrea for a full property tour.
The property also connects to Calle Soles at the lower level via the lower garage, with pedestrian access available. This entrance is considerably more convenient for walking to the beach and into Tamarindo.
Villa Luciérnaga is a multi-story property built into a hillside -- guests should expect stairs between levels. That said, guests staying in the main-floor primary suite can access the great room, dining room, gourmet kitchen, pool terrace, barbecue area and infinity pool entirely without stairs, making it the most accessible bedroom in the villa for guests with any mobility considerations.
Other things to note
OUTDOOR AMENITIES
• Infinity pool with Tamarindo Bay and Pacific Ocean views (unheated -- standard in Costa Rica given the year-round warm climate)
• Jacuzzi (unheated)
• Pool terrace with covered outdoor seating
• Guanacaste natural-edge wood slab dining table (seats 8-10) at pool's edge
• Outdoor gas barbecue with full supplies
• Charcoal barbecue (set up by staff on request)
• Jacuzzi terrace with fire pit area
• Natural grass lawn with wheeled chaise lounges
• Garden path descending to Calle Soles and lower garage
• Covered massage area with massage table, teak vanity, and approximately 20 brass candle holders
• Two-story fountain with copper spigots and large ceramic urns
• Lower bar: bamboo ceiling, free-flowing vines, seating for 10, separate refrigeration, ice maker, restroom
• Two outdoor bathrooms adjacent to breakfast area
• Breakfast nook with seating
KITCHEN AND DINING
• Gourmet main kitchen: copper stove hood, gas range, dark marble island with bar stools, panel-front French door refrigerator, Matapalo vine chandelier
• Separate cook's kitchen: full cooktop, refrigerator, dishwasher, open shelving -- for professional chefs or traditional Tico meals
• Dining table for 10
• Full cookware, utensils, and equipment
• Coffee maker
• Dishwasher
ENTERTAINMENT AND RECREATION
• Theater room with large screen, full white U-shaped sectional, and Moroccan-arch coffee table
• Motorized blackout shades in theater room (full cinema blackout)
• Private gym: weight bench, free weights, two bars, yoga ball, jump rope, squat cushions
• Sonos multi-zone audio: kitchen and main floor halls, pool terrace, workout room, lower terraces, bar
• "Luci" VPN WiFi network for US-based streaming (Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Apple TV -- should normally bypass geo-restrictions)
• Smart TVs throughout
TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS
• Savant smart home system: controls all lights, built-in audio, and climate throughout the villa
• Starlink satellite WiFi (primary) with local fiber ISP failover -- full property coverage
• 80-panel solar array (primary power) + diesel generator (backup) + grid (tertiary)
• Electronic motorized sheers in lower-floor bedrooms
• Air conditioning in all rooms
• Ceiling fans throughout
SERVICES AND STAFF
• Housekeeping (Yerlin) -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Maintenance (Gerald) -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Landscaping staff -- Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings
• Property Manager Brian King (King by the Sea) -- available by phone or text, lives in Tamarindo
• Concierge Andrea -- arranges airport transfers, tours, in-villa professional chef, massage services, and other experiences; available by phone or text
• In-villa traditional Costa Rican meals available on request (Yerlin and her sister)
PRACTICAL AMENITIES
• Two full laundry rooms: lower (4 LG front-load washers and dryers) and upper (LG washer and dryer, utility sink, cabinetry)
• Pool towels provided (on pool terrace)
• Linens and towels provided
• Upper garage (fits 2 cars) with automatic opener provided at arrival
• Pedestrian walk-up gate on upper level
• Walk-up access from lower garage on Calle Soles (convenient for beach and town)
• Gated El Tesoro community with guard station
SAFETY
• Beachside Clinic, Huacas -- 24-hour, bilingual, emergency-capable, approximately 15 minutes away
• Full hospital -- CIMA Guanacaste and Hospital San Rafael Arcangel, Liberia, approximately 60 minutes away
• Smoke detectors
• Fire extinguishers
• First aid kit
Where you’ll sleep
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What this place offers
Garden view
Ocean view
Shared beach access – Beachfront
Kitchen
Wifi
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Where you’ll be
Tamarindo, Provincia de Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Tamarindo is the most accessible beach destination in Costa Rica's Guanacaste province — a genuine town with a full range of restaurants, bars, shops, and services, built around one of the country's most consistently beautiful beaches. It sits on the Pacific coast of northwest Costa Rica, about 60 minutes from Liberia International Airport (LIR) and roughly 4 hours from San José (SJO). Most guests fly into Liberia.
Villa Luciérnaga is in El Tesoro, a gated residential community in the hills above Tamarindo, with unobstructed views of the town, the beach, and Tamarindo Bay. The beach and the center of town are 7–20 minutes on foot. Taxis and ATVs are available for the uphill return. Calle Soles, the unpaved road at the lower garage, connects directly into the lower part of town and is the most convenient walking route.
The Beach and Town
Tamarindo Beach is a long, crescent-shaped stretch of Pacific sand popular for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and sunset watching. Playa Langosta, a quieter beach, is a short walk south. The town has a well-developed restaurant and bar scene ranging from casual beachside spots to upscale dining, with a concentration of international cuisine. Grocery shopping is easy — Auto Mercado, a full-service supermarket, is approximately 750 meters from the El Tesoro gate.
Surfing
Tamarindo is one of the premier surf destinations in Central America. The main beach break is consistent and well-suited for beginners and intermediates. Advanced surfers typically head by boat to Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point inside Santa Rosa National Park — two of the most famous surf breaks in Costa Rica. Surf schools and board rentals are abundant in town.
Outdoor Activities
The Guanacaste region offers an extraordinary range of activities within a few hours of the villa. ATV and UTV tours run through jungle and coastal terrain. Zip-line canopy tours are available nearby. Sport fishing charters depart from the Tamarindo estuary — sailfish, marlin, dorado, and roosterfish are common catches. Horseback riding along the beach and through the hills is a popular option. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are available on the estuary and along the coast.
Wildlife and Nature
Guanacaste is one of the best regions in Costa Rica for accessible wildlife. Howler monkeys are heard throughout the hills and are regularly seen in the trees above and around the villa. Scarlet macaws — brilliant red, yellow, and blue — fly in pairs and are a near-daily sight. White-faced capuchin monkeys, white-tailed deer, coatis, and iguanas (including the villa's own resident, Tesoro) are common. From October through March, the beaches of Las Baulas National Marine Park — minutes from Tamarindo — host the world's largest leatherback sea turtles nesting at night.
Day Trips
Rincon de la Vieja National Park, home to an active volcano, mud pots, and hot springs, is approximately 90 minutes away. Rio Celeste, a startling turquoise-blue river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, is about 2 hours. Llanos de Cortez waterfall — wide, dramatic, and rarely crowded — is roughly an hour. Coffee and chocolate plantation tours are available throughout the region. Day trips to Nicaragua (crossing at Peñas Blancas) are possible for guests interested in exploring a different country.
Getting Around
Taxis and rideshare are available throughout Tamarindo. ATV and UTV rentals are popular for exploring the area and for the uphill return to the villa. A two-car upper garage is included. Note that the HOA restricts golf carts seating six or more persons on the steep hills of El Tesoro — smaller golf carts and ATVs have no such restriction.
Weather and Seasons
Guanacaste has two distinct seasons. High season (December through April) is dry, sunny, and warm, with very little rain and reliably calm surf. Low season (May through November) brings the green season — daily rain showers (typically in the afternoon), lush vegetation, fewer crowds, and lower rates at most local businesses. Temperatures are warm year-round, typically 80–90°F during the day. The Pacific sunset is visible year-round from the villa terraces, every evening without exception.
Practical Notes
USD is accepted everywhere in Tamarindo. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, bars, and shops. Carry small-denomination USD (ones, fives, tens) for parking attendants, small vendors, and tips — large bills may return change in Costa Rican Colones. There are no street addresses in Costa Rica. The villa is Lote 7, El Tesoro — El Tesoro guards will direct arriving guests from the gate. The nearest medical facility is Beachside Clinic in Huacas, approximately 15 minutes away — 24-hour, bilingual, and emergency-capable.
Plan Your Trip
The Villa Luciérnaga website has tools to help you plan before you arrive:
Activities and Experiences — find things to do based on your group's interests
Restaurant Guide — tailored recommendations based on what you like to eat
Plan Your Itinerary — build a day-by-day schedule based on your dates, interests, and dietary needs
Villa Luciérnaga is in El Tesoro, a gated residential community in the hills above Tamarindo, with unobstructed views of the town, the beach, and Tamarindo Bay. The beach and the center of town are 7–20 minutes on foot. Taxis and ATVs are available for the uphill return. Calle Soles, the unpaved road at the lower garage, connects directly into the lower part of town and is the most convenient walking route.
The Beach and Town
Tamarindo Beach is a long, crescent-shaped stretch of Pacific sand popular for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, and sunset watching. Playa Langosta, a quieter beach, is a short walk south. The town has a well-developed restaurant and bar scene ranging from casual beachside spots to upscale dining, with a concentration of international cuisine. Grocery shopping is easy — Auto Mercado, a full-service supermarket, is approximately 750 meters from the El Tesoro gate.
Surfing
Tamarindo is one of the premier surf destinations in Central America. The main beach break is consistent and well-suited for beginners and intermediates. Advanced surfers typically head by boat to Witch's Rock and Ollie's Point inside Santa Rosa National Park — two of the most famous surf breaks in Costa Rica. Surf schools and board rentals are abundant in town.
Outdoor Activities
The Guanacaste region offers an extraordinary range of activities within a few hours of the villa. ATV and UTV tours run through jungle and coastal terrain. Zip-line canopy tours are available nearby. Sport fishing charters depart from the Tamarindo estuary — sailfish, marlin, dorado, and roosterfish are common catches. Horseback riding along the beach and through the hills is a popular option. Stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking are available on the estuary and along the coast.
Wildlife and Nature
Guanacaste is one of the best regions in Costa Rica for accessible wildlife. Howler monkeys are heard throughout the hills and are regularly seen in the trees above and around the villa. Scarlet macaws — brilliant red, yellow, and blue — fly in pairs and are a near-daily sight. White-faced capuchin monkeys, white-tailed deer, coatis, and iguanas (including the villa's own resident, Tesoro) are common. From October through March, the beaches of Las Baulas National Marine Park — minutes from Tamarindo — host the world's largest leatherback sea turtles nesting at night.
Day Trips
Rincon de la Vieja National Park, home to an active volcano, mud pots, and hot springs, is approximately 90 minutes away. Rio Celeste, a startling turquoise-blue river inside Tenorio Volcano National Park, is about 2 hours. Llanos de Cortez waterfall — wide, dramatic, and rarely crowded — is roughly an hour. Coffee and chocolate plantation tours are available throughout the region. Day trips to Nicaragua (crossing at Peñas Blancas) are possible for guests interested in exploring a different country.
Getting Around
Taxis and rideshare are available throughout Tamarindo. ATV and UTV rentals are popular for exploring the area and for the uphill return to the villa. A two-car upper garage is included. Note that the HOA restricts golf carts seating six or more persons on the steep hills of El Tesoro — smaller golf carts and ATVs have no such restriction.
Weather and Seasons
Guanacaste has two distinct seasons. High season (December through April) is dry, sunny, and warm, with very little rain and reliably calm surf. Low season (May through November) brings the green season — daily rain showers (typically in the afternoon), lush vegetation, fewer crowds, and lower rates at most local businesses. Temperatures are warm year-round, typically 80–90°F during the day. The Pacific sunset is visible year-round from the villa terraces, every evening without exception.
Practical Notes
USD is accepted everywhere in Tamarindo. Credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, bars, and shops. Carry small-denomination USD (ones, fives, tens) for parking attendants, small vendors, and tips — large bills may return change in Costa Rican Colones. There are no street addresses in Costa Rica. The villa is Lote 7, El Tesoro — El Tesoro guards will direct arriving guests from the gate. The nearest medical facility is Beachside Clinic in Huacas, approximately 15 minutes away — 24-hour, bilingual, and emergency-capable.
Plan Your Trip
The Villa Luciérnaga website has tools to help you plan before you arrive:
Activities and Experiences — find things to do based on your group's interests
Restaurant Guide — tailored recommendations based on what you like to eat
Plan Your Itinerary — build a day-by-day schedule based on your dates, interests, and dietary needs
Meet your host
Born in the 60s
Speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese
We built Villa Luciérnaga as the kind of place we always wished existed -- a private world above Tamarindo Bay where an architect's artistry meets the sound of the Pacific, and where three generations can be together without ever being on top of one another.
Host details
Response rate: 100%
Responds within a few hours
To help protect your payment, always use Airbnb to send money and communicate with hosts.
Things to know
Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 10:00 AM
No pets
Safety & property
Pool/hot tub without a gate or lock
Nearby lake, river, other body of water
Carbon monoxide alarm
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