"We weren’t sure what to expect, but it was a perfect location. The beach was really fun, clean and quiet! We had a rental car and went out exploring other beaches both north and south, but Flamingo was the best for hanging out and playing in the waves with the boogie board. Surfing at Tamarindo was fun but the beach itself was very busy. Margaritaville was an easy enough drive from the airport and the national park to go hike the waterfalls and volcano. If you drive yourself, be aware route 911 has a washout and you will have to drive through a small bit of riverbed. It sounds worse than it is, plenty of sedans made it through. It was dark when we first encountered it but once we drove it in the daylight it was no big deal. Traffic can be intense from 4-7 pm on the roads coming in and out of town. If you like setting your own schedule and exploring independently, definitely rent a car. Parking is free at Margaritaville! The staff was lovely, rooms very clean and loved being walking distance to numerous restaurants. Overall it was a great place to stay for our first trip to Costa Rica."