Toddler running on the beach during golden hour in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.

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Beach Family Vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica || Pondelik Family:

For two little girls from the desert in Phoenix, Arizona, it didn’t take long for Cassie and her little sister Heidi to fall in love with the Pacific Ocean. Less than one look at the breaking waves was all it took for Cassie to throw off her swimsuit coverup and get her feet wet. As much as Cassie and Heidi were drawn to the water, their mother Tiffany was mesmerized by Costa Rica’s magical sunsets. And rightfully so, as Tiffany, a family member of mine, just so happens to see my daily sunset posts via my Instagram (@sambatothesea)!

Mother and daughter spinning on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica during golden hour. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Silhouette of father throwing his daughter into the air during a gorgeous sunset in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Young girl playing in the sand in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Father holding his baby girl on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Mom and young daughters playing on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.
Toddler on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Mom and daughter spinning on the beach during golden hour in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Father and young daughter on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Toddler playing on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.

Tiffany, my cousin-in-law, had been chatting about her family trip to Costa Rica ever since I moved to Tamarindo over four years ago. And finally four years later, Tiffany and my cousin Miles got the ball rolling on a family vacation to come visit me!! For a little over a week, the Pondelik family had a great time exploring and relaxing. If I had to guess, the highlight of their trip were surf lessons by my good surf amigo Eric at Salty Sols and who else, me!

Young girl playing in the sand in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Mom and young daughters playing on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Silhouette of mother and daughter during a gorgeous sunset in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Portrait of young girl on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Mom and young daughters playing on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Young girl running into the ocean in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.  PhotographeBeach family vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. d by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.

Mom and young daughters playing on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Mom playing in the ocean with her daughters in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.

For complete first timers, Tiffany, Miles, and their baby sitter Erin did amazing. But y’all, my little four year old niece was a complete natural! After a quick dry land surf lesson, Cassie and I hopped in the water and she was popping up and surfing every single wave! I think she only wiped out four or five times and caught about 30 waves! To say I’m so stoked to have another surfer in the family – – Cassie’s mom and I had been chatting about Cassie’s first surf lesson since she was a week old!! After almost two hours of surfing, I had to drag Cassie out of the water. I was blown away by her athleticism, energy, and stoke — she commented during her lesson that she wanted to surf everyday! Heck yea!

Family holding hands walking on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Beach family vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Beach family vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Toddler playing in the wet sand in Costa Rica. Toddler is wearing a purple flower crown. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Beach family vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Silhouette of husband and wife during a gorgeous sunset in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography. Sunset silhouette of family walking on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.

Given that my family was in town, their vacation wouldn’t be complete with at least one family photo session. Add in some precious lifestyle photos of Tiffany and her girls playing on the beach in the afternoons, and the Pondelik’s without a doubt have beautiful images to remember their Costa Rica family vacation. I’m beyond stoked they came to visit! 🙂

Pura Vida,
Kristen

P.S. Love these family photos on the beach in Tamarindo, Costa Rica? Check out my Family Photography portfolio!

P.P.S. Are you planning a family vacation to Tamarindo, Costa Rica? You’re in the right place – – sign up to receive my FREE family guide to Tamarindo!

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P.P.S. You’re ready to chat? YESSSS!!! – – I’m so stoked 😁😎🙌🏻!! Fill out the form below & my assistant Gidget the Chihuahua will let me know it’s time to catch a wave in from surfing!

(I'm based in Tamarindo in the Guanacaste region.)

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Beach family vacation in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photographed by Kristen M. Brown, Samba to the Sea Photography.