Moving to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

by on 07/27/2010

in Personal Stories

This time next week, I’ll be watching a beautiful sunset over the beaches of Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Except I’m not going for vacation, I’m moving to Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

The motivation to move to Tamarindo, Costa Rica was peaked in early June when I had went there for a one week surf vacation. It was one of the most epic trips of my life.

It’s biggest attraction to me was the laid back and happy feeling you get from all the locals. They are extremely nice and welcoming. Two words some up the people in Tamarindo, “Pura Vida“! Which directly translates into Pure Life.

This was a big decision in my life. I gave up a high paying position at a tech start up in Boston, MA to make this move because that’s not the life I wanted. My primary purpose for getting into internet marketing lifestyle design in the first place. I didn’t spend years of sacrificing to sit at a desk in a city that didn’t interest me.

Moving to Tamarindo, Costa Rica is the first step in designing the lifestyle that I’ve been working towards for so long. I’m ready to escape the hustle and bustle of the big cities, negative news, limiting thoughts from friends and most of all, the lack of surfing.

Moving to Tamarindo, Costa Rica will allow me to focus on my business in a stress free and laid back environment that I need to thrive. I’m a very chill kind of person and the lifestyle in Costa will be a perfect fit with my personality.

Goals

I’ve put together a small list of things I want to accomplish while there:

  • Learn to dance (Latin American Style)
  • Speak fluent Spanish
  • Become a really good surfer
  • See a Volcano up close
  • Experience a new culture and live it
  • Get in the best shape of my life
    • Run everyday
    • Train to fight
    • Go through a surf training program

And that’s what I got so far.

Invitation

My place in Tamarindo, Costa Rica will have an extra bedroom that is open to anyone that’s interested in visiting. We can mastermind business while surfing the perfect waves at Witch’s Rock and drinking Imperials at the bar.

If you’re interested in visiting, just let me know and let’s make it happen. See you soon hopefully.

{ 28 comments… read them below or add one }

Tim Houston July 27, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Brendan,

One of my friends left his nice job/business in Canada and moved to Costa Rica last year to start over. He’s in the process of developing a great business down there as well as enjoying and designing the life he wants. I’m sure you’ll be able to do the same and then some!

Buena suerte mi amigo!

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Adam Struve July 27, 2010 at 1:40 pm

Awesome man! Good luck with the move and learning Spanish. I did pretty much the same thing when i moved to Puerto Rico.

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Keith July 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Wow ! That is huge Brendan ! congrats.

talk about a wild ride, socal, to frigid boston to costa rica.

You must have dusted off your copy of the 4 hour work week. Good for you.

I too have been considering Costa Rica, and have been doing research. I guess I will have to take a trip and see what its all about. Maybe I will take you up on the invite.

Congrats again

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Brendan Wenzel July 27, 2010 at 4:15 pm

Pretty much what happened. Applied a lot of the principles in the 4 Hour Work Week to make this happen. I’ll be looking forward to your visit.

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Chris Hughes July 27, 2010 at 2:55 pm

yo bro, I’ll definitely be interested in spending some time there. I’ll be in the Philippines for Sep-December but would be interested in chillin down there with ya. I’ve been thinking about visiting Costa Rica for a while now so this is a perfect opportunity. I’ll need to chat with you further about it to set a date and stuff :)

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Adam Dukes August 2, 2010 at 9:44 pm

You have inspired me to follow in your footsteps. I just finished the 4HWW and have no idea why I waited so long to read. Tim Ferriss has inspired me to chase my dreams. Brandon, you have as well.

Thank you.

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Brendan Wenzel August 11, 2010 at 9:17 pm

That’s great news Adam. Your dreams are the only thing worth chasing!

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Ben Lang August 5, 2010 at 8:26 am

Cool, enjoy your time there :)

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Brendan Wenzel August 11, 2010 at 9:17 pm

Will do Ben.

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Jason Knouse August 6, 2010 at 10:54 am

Brendan,

My family and arrived in Costa Rica in mid-July (starting in Nosara – GREAT surf, but too remote). We’re now in Tamarindo and it appears you and I may have some complimentary skills which are in great need down here. If you’re interested in talking over a couple beers, let me know (though I’ve become a convert from Imperial to Tona cerveza).

A tiny bit on me…11 years working in television marketing & advertising (creative front and client consulting side), documentary filmmaking, writing and most recently local business online marketing consulting and design service.

Again, if interested, shoot me a note, brother. And, congrats on your decision to head down – I moved a family of five here for the same reasons! Great to read your story.

Jason

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Omkar August 13, 2010 at 6:44 pm

Congrats on making this move! We visited a few years back and loved it as well. It would be great to get some updates from you in the future. If you have links regarding ‘how to move to Costa Rica’, that would be helpful (ie buying a place, visa, etc).

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Brendan Wenzel August 13, 2010 at 8:05 pm

I’m actually developing a Costa Rica blog right now. I’ll make sure to cover those details for you.

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D rock August 23, 2010 at 8:34 pm

Hey Congrats B, doing the same move in January. Leaving Jupiter Florida and heading to tamarindo. GOOD LUCK n see u there!!!!!!!

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Brendan Wenzel August 25, 2010 at 7:37 pm

See ya in a few months!

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jay ferreira October 22, 2010 at 1:52 pm

i will be there in 2 weeks. im making the move for all the same reasons. could you give me some info on a good place to look to rent an apt. as cheap as they come, i need real apts. not luxury vacation rentals. i will be staying with a friend while i look for a place to live. thanks and see ya soon.

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Brendan Wenzel October 22, 2010 at 2:50 pm

Cool dude. I used craigslist to find my place. You can also check out Alliance Realty and RPM Services. Prices will probably be a little higher now due to high season being right around the corner. Good luck finding a place!

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Thomas Grow December 18, 2010 at 7:35 am

So Brendan, how far down on the list did you get? Comprende espanol?

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Jerry Higgins May 28, 2011 at 7:48 pm

Believe it or not Brendan I hung out at Tamarindo in June of 1973! I’m sure it’s changed. We waited 4 weeks for some waves but there was only a small swell at the time. Finally packed up and went further south to Puntarenas and then to La Libertad, El Salvdor where the surf was awesome.

Even though the waves were small at Tamarindo Bay we could see the amazing potential that it held for some great surfing.

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Brendan Wenzel June 1, 2011 at 12:34 am

You wouldn’t even recognize it now. Everyone I talked to told me that it’s completely different from what it was just 10 years ago.

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Tica Chica June 19, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Yo Brendan,
Moving for good in September after 7 trips to do research, yeah, I know-DORK!! How’s it going so far?

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Richard Camp August 19, 2011 at 5:18 am

Hey Brendan, are you still in Tamarindo?

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Brendan Wenzel August 19, 2011 at 5:22 am

Man, I wish. Hoping to move back soon.

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Lee Alan Martin August 19, 2011 at 7:11 am

Love Tamarindo! Hope you take more advantage than I did.

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Sarae Bernal September 12, 2011 at 3:34 am

Hi Brendan, we need an update…did you move? If so, how are things?

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Tammy Ledden December 17, 2011 at 12:12 am

Good luck!! Totally jealous!!!

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Dmitri Haines December 25, 2011 at 6:17 am

I'll see you down there

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Casey Laredo February 14, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Hey dude, Im looking for a place to crash/work in April/May…. Im pretty clean for your average surfer, no dishes in the sink type dude… Im coming in for a month on vacation but im looking to land some connections for work while im down there…. holler at me if your still around…. ill be there APril 12th- May 20thish…. my email is hoopheavy@gmail.com Thanks!

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Casey Laredo February 14, 2012 at 10:03 pm

"Train to fight" = awesome…. im thinking van damme style training ala bloodsport

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