Breaking News: Stay in Tamarindo Named Airbnb Host of the Year 2025 as Forbes Ranks Guanacaste Among

It has been an extraordinary season for Stay in Tamarindo and for Guanacaste as a whole. This month, our team was recognized by Airbnb as the Host of the Year 2025 for Mexico and Central America, a distinction that honors the care and dedication we bring to every guest experience. At the same time, Forbes has named our own Guanacaste, Costa Rica, among the top travel destinations for 2026, recognizing the same beauty, warmth, and authenticity that define our home and our work.

These two milestones speak to a larger story about what makes travel with Stay in Tamarindo so special.

Guanacaste has emerged as one of the world’s most inspiring destinations, where culture, community, and nature come together in a rare balance. And at the heart of it, Stay in Tamarindo continues to set the standard for hospitality that feels deeply personal, rooted in genuine care, promising the best place to stay in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, and powered by a team that knows this land by heart.

As we reflect on these achievements, we are reminded that great travel is about connection: between people, between guests and hosts, and between travelers and the places that change them. This recognition from Airbnb and the spotlight from Forbes are not just honors, but affirmations of the passion and purpose that drive us every day.

Stay in Tamarindo was recognized at the Airbnb Host Summit 2025 in Mexico City and received the incredible honor of being named “Host of the Year 2025” among more than 150 companies across Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Airbnb was so inspired by our work that they personally encouraged our team to attend the summit and invited us on stage to share our best practices with the audience. This recognition is not just a professional milestone, but a celebration of a philosophy that began over two decades ago on the shores of Tamarindo: to welcome every guest as a friend, not a reservation.

This award reflects not only our success as a company but also the dedication and heart behind it. It also represents the collective effort of every department: We all work together to deliver unforgettable experiences for you, our guests. It celebrates the passion, care, and personalized service that define our team and recognizes the way we go beyond managing villas. For us, hospitality means creating meaningful connections and lasting memories for every guest who stays with us.

This recognition celebrates what we value most: genuine hospitality, teamwork, and the belief that every stay should feel effortless, warm, and unforgettable. At Stay in Tamarindo, we are proud to embody these principles every day:

Our commitment to hospitality, quick response, and authentic service sets us apart on a regional level. We welcome every guest with care, guide with local insight, and provide support via a dedicated concierge team that personalizes every detail. Whether guests come for a family celebration, a surf trip, or a quiet escape, you find a home that reflects the beauty and spirit of Costa Rica.

Guests consistently highlight how welcome they feel and how every detail is taken care of thanks to our team’s dedication and warmth. The genuine smiles, thoughtful touches, and sense of familiarity that define each stay are the reason so many guests return year after year, not just for our villas, but for the people behind them.

From inspections and maintenance follow-ups to personalized concierge attention, every detail contributes to your five-star experience. Behind every stay is a coordinated team effort that begins long before arrival and continues until the last farewell, ensuring that each guest feels truly at home.

Winning Airbnb Host of the Year also acknowledges our commitment to doing things the right way. We use technology to improve communication and efficiency, but we never lose sight of the human connection that makes great hosting personal.

This award reaffirms what we have always believed: hospitality is not a formula, it is a feeling. And that feeling – the warmth, care, and connection we share with our guests – is what they remember long after they return home.

While we celebrate our team’s success on the Airbnb stage, we are equally proud that our home of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, has been recognized by Forbes  as one of the top travel destinations in 2026. The announcement, based on insights from luxury travel experts at OvationNetwork, reflects what travelers around the world are beginning to seek: meaning, authenticity, and balance.

According to OvationNetwork’s vice president, Zane Bohrer, “the desire for meaningful travel has never been stronger.” As global travelers redefine luxury, they are trading extravagance for connection: experiences that bring them closer to nature, culture, and community. Forbes explains that this new era of travel favors destinations that blend discovery with distinction, where beauty meets authenticity and sophistication lives in harmony with simplicity.

That is exactly what makes Guanacaste stand out. In a list that includes iconic names such as Nikko, Versailles, Kona, Marrakech, and even Antarctica, Guanacaste holds its own as one of the few places that can still offer both adventure and tranquility, both wild landscapes and refined comfort. Our region’s volcanic peaks, tropical forests, and golden beaches invite exploration, while our surf towns, yoga enclaves, and boutique villas offer peace and rejuvenation.

Forbes describes our region as “an adventure drenched in sunshine and natural wonder” – a phrase that perfectly captures the Guanacaste experience. Here, mornings might begin with a walk along a quiet beach or a coffee overlooking the mountains, and afternoons may lead to ziplining through rainforest canopies, chasing waterfalls, or sailing into a pastel-hued sunset.

This recognition is more than a travel trend; it is validation of what both we locals and our returning guests have long known: Guanacaste embodies the pura vida philosophy, where nature, community, and connection come together in everyday life. Tamarindo is a place that invites travelers to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover what truly matters.

Here, time moves differently. Mornings begin with the sound of howler monkeys echoing through the trees, and afternoons end with the sun sinking into the Pacific. Between those moments lies everything that defines pura vida: warm people, open spaces, and a sense of balance between nature and comfort.

Forbes highlights that Guanacaste attracts travelers who seek wellness for both people and the planet. From the mountains of Rincón de la Vieja to the surf breaks of Tamarindo, the region’s energy invites visitors to move, explore, and reconnect. New eco-luxury retreats and low-impact developments are proving that modern comfort can live in harmony with Costa Rica’s wild heart.

Tamarindo, in particular, has become one of Guanacaste’s top travel destinations. Known for its surf culture and cosmopolitan charm, Tamarindo offers a rare mix of world-class dining, wellness, and adventure while remaining deeply connected to our roots as a small coastal town. You can walk barefoot to a café, take a yoga class by the sea, or sail into a pastel sunset on a catamaran — all in a single afternoon.

And then, you can return home to your own definition of the best place to stay in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. It is this balance between vibrancy and tranquility that makes Guanacaste one of the world’s top destinations for 2026.

As Guanacaste continues to shine on the global travel stage, Stay in Tamarindo is proud to be the team that helps guests experience it at its best.

From the beginning, our mission has been simple: to share the magic of Costa Rica through hospitality that feels both professional and personal. We believe that travel should leave you richer in memories and soul, not poorer in patience and spirit.

Stay in Tamarindo was founded on a deep love for this place and the belief that the best stays are built on trust and connection. What started with one home has evolved into a portfolio of exceptional villas across Tamarindo and Hacienda Pinilla, managed by a local team that knows the community, the culture, and the coastline better than anyone.

We are more than property managers. We are storytellers, hosts, and caretakers who understand that every stay represents a moment in your life: a family gathering, a long-awaited getaway, a milestone celebration. That understanding guides everything we do. Here’s what sets us apart:

Every stay with Stay in Tamarindo includes the support of our dedicated concierge team, available before, during, and after your visit to organize everything from airport transfers and surf lessons to sunset sails and in-villa spa treatments. Select luxury and Elite villas also include daily housekeeping, breakfast preparation, snacks, and cocktails prepared six days a week – details that make every stay feel effortless and cared for.

Our team lives here, surfs here, and raises families here. That firsthand experience allows us to share the real Costa Rica: the hidden waterfalls, the best ceviche spots, and the quiet beaches where you can still watch sea turtles lay eggs under the stars.

Our recognition as Airbnb’s Host of the Year is also a promise to our homeowners that their villas are cared for with respect and precision. From maintenance follow-ups and guest screening to quality control and property inspections, every home reflects the highest standards of hospitality and protection.

We are proud to partner with local organizations and initiatives that strengthen our community and preserve the beauty of Tamarindo. Because hospitality, to us, also means the responsibility of caring not only for our guests but for the place we all call home.

Behind every review and recognition is a team of people who love what they do. Our house moms who greet guests with warmth, our maintenance professionals who make sure every detail functions perfectly, our concierge team who crafts personalized experiences: They are the reason guests feel instantly at home.

Winning Airbnb Host of the Year is a tribute to their dedication and a reminder that excellence comes not from systems alone, but from heart.

As we look toward the future, we are filled with gratitude and inspiration. To be recognized by Airbnb as Host of the Year 2025 and to see Guanacaste celebrated by Forbes as one of the world’s top travel destinations for 2026 confirms what we have always known: Costa Rica is special, and the way we share it matters.

Our goal is not just to provide great accommodations but to craft meaningful travel experiences that stay with you. Whether that means waking to the sound of waves, enjoying a private chef dinner under the stars, or discovering the wildlife of a national park, every Stay in Tamarindo vacation is a chance to connect with something real.

We look forward to continuing to raise the bar for hospitality in Costa Rica, one guest at a time, and to welcoming travelers from around the world to experience the beauty, kindness, and pura vida that define our home.

Because in the end, being a great host is about more than perfect villas or flawless service. It is about people. It is about sharing this incredible place with open hearts and open doors.

Stay in Tamarindo: Where hospitality feels like home.

As travelers like you become more intentional about how and where they explore, Costa Rica continues to lead the way as a destination that blends beauty, adventure, and sustainability. Here in Guanacaste, that philosophy comes to life every day, in the sound of the waves, the rhythm of our town, and the care that goes into every Stay in Tamarindo experience.

We are more than a vacation rental company. We are a team of locals, travelers, and hosts who believe that meaningful travel changes lives, not just for guests, but for the communities and environments that welcome them. When you stay with us, you’re choosing a brand that values connection, authenticity, and the preservation of Costa Rica’s natural and cultural heritage.

Whether you are planning a family getaway, a milestone celebration, or a quiet coastal escape, we are here to make it seamless. From finding your perfect villa to arranging private chef dinners, surf lessons, or sunset sails, our concierge team will craft every detail around what matters most to you.

We genuinely care about your experience – before you arrive, while you’re here, and even after you’ve returned home. Because at Stay in Tamarindo, we do not just promise hospitality; we live it.

So go ahead, embrace the experience, live your best trip, and start planning your best-ever vacation. It all begins with getting in touch with our concierge, Cris!