Playa Langosta, Tamarindo, Guanacaste, 1150, Costa Rica
resort comparison guide

Occidental Tamarindo vs Ocho Artisan Bungalows

Choosing between Occidental Tamarindo and Ocho Artisan Bungalows? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which stay is the best fit for your next getaway.

Occidental Tamarindo resort
Occidental Tamarindo
All-Inclusive • Playa Langosta • Family-Friendly

Best for families, surfers, and nature lovers who want an all-ages all-inclusive resort on Playa Langosta near Tamarindo.

Ocho Artisan Bungalows resort
Ocho Artisan Bungalows
Bungalow-Style • Intimate Stay • Independent Feel

Better for travelers who want a smaller bungalow-style stay and a more intimate, independent-feeling alternative to a full resort.

Quick Verdict: Occidental Tamarindo vs Ocho Artisan Bungalows

If you want the ease of an all-inclusive plan, pools, organized entertainment, kids’ facilities, and on-site dining in a Playa Langosta setting, Occidental Tamarindo is the more complete resort choice.

If your priority is a quieter bungalow-style base with less emphasis on resort programming, Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the better fit for a simpler, more private stay.

Bottom line: choose Occidental Tamarindo for the all-inclusive resort experience; choose Ocho Artisan Bungalows for a smaller, more low-key bungalow stay.

Occidental Tamarindo vs Ocho Artisan Bungalows – At a Glance

Category Occidental Tamarindo Ocho Artisan Bungalows
Overall Vibe All-ages all-inclusive resort with pools, family facilities, entertainment, and a convenient Playa Langosta location. Smaller bungalow-style stay for travelers who prefer a more intimate alternative to a larger resort setting.
Location On Playa Langosta, about 2 km south of Tamarindo town center and adjacent to Las Baulas National Park. Best framed as a boutique-style Tamarindo-area stay, suited to guests who do not need a full all-inclusive resort setup.
Rooms & Suites 198 air-conditioned guestrooms in a traditional resort layout, with optional Premium Level perks available for an added nightly charge. Bungalow-style accommodations that appeal to travelers looking for a smaller-scale stay rather than a conventional resort room block.
Dining All-inclusive meals at the buffet, domestic drinks, snacks, and limited included à la carte dinners depending on length of stay. Better for guests who are comfortable with a less resort-driven dining experience and plan around the local dining scene.
Pools & Beach Two pools, including a kids’ pool area and hot tub; Playa Langosta is scenic, but the rugged surf is not ideal for swimming. A quieter bungalow base rather than a large pool-and-beach resort experience.
Kids & Family Kids’ club, children’s pool area, babysitting services, and nightly kids’ entertainment make it the stronger family choice. Better for independent travelers or couples who do not need extensive children’s programming on-site.
Price & Value Best value if you will use the all-inclusive meals, drinks, pools, entertainment, and family-friendly facilities. Best value if you prefer a more intimate lodging style and do not need bundled resort amenities.

Rooms & Suites: Resort Guestrooms vs Bungalow-Style Stays

Occidental Tamarindo – Room Style

Occidental Tamarindo has 198 air-conditioned guestrooms and a classic resort setup, making it the more straightforward choice for travelers who want amenities bundled into the stay.

  • Air-conditioned guestrooms in an all-inclusive resort setting
  • Optional Premium Level upgrade with perks such as priority à la carte bookings and spa discounts
  • Better for guests who want a full-service resort base rather than a small lodging property

Occidental Tamarindo is the better pick if your room is part of a larger vacation setup that includes pools, meals, drinks, and entertainment.

Ocho Artisan Bungalows – Room Style

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the more intimate option, with a bungalow-style identity that suits travelers who want a smaller and less conventional hotel feel.

  • Bungalow-style lodging rather than a large resort room block
  • Best for travelers who prioritize a quieter, more personal-feeling stay
  • A stronger fit if you do not need all-inclusive resort infrastructure

If you want a smaller lodging experience and a break from the rhythm of a larger resort, Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the more natural choice.

Dining & Drinks: All-Inclusive Convenience vs Independent Flexibility

Occidental Tamarindo – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Occidental Tamarindo is built around its all-inclusive plan, with daily buffet meals, snacks, domestic alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and select à la carte access based on stay length.

Expect:

  • Langosta Restaurant for buffet-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • À la carte options such as La Fontana and Kyoto tied to minimum-stay/reservation rules
  • Snack bar and lobby bar options, with bars operating into the evening

Ocho Artisan Bungalows – Restaurants & Bars

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is better suited to travelers who do not need every meal bundled into the room rate and prefer the flexibility of a smaller stay.

  • Less of a packaged all-inclusive dining model
  • Better for guests who want to plan meals more independently
  • Ideal if local dining flexibility matters more than resort-style meal scheduling

If all-inclusive convenience matters most, Occidental Tamarindo is the clearer choice; if you prefer independence, Ocho Artisan Bungalows will feel more flexible.

Pools & Beach: Resort Pool Scene vs Low-Key Bungalow Base

Occidental Tamarindo – Pool & Beach Scene

Occidental Tamarindo has two pools, including a kids’ pool area and hot tub, plus loungers and poolside activity programming. The Playa Langosta setting is beautiful, but the rugged surf limits swimming.

  • Two pools, including a children’s pool area
  • Pool activities such as dance and aerobics classes
  • Scenic Playa Langosta location, though the beach is not a calm swimming beach

Ocho Artisan Bungalows – Pool & Beach Scene

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is better understood as a low-key bungalow stay rather than a large-scale pool resort, making it a better fit for travelers who do not need extensive pool programming.

  • More intimate setting than a full resort complex
  • Better for guests who want a quieter base
  • Not the obvious pick if your priority is a large resort pool scene

If pools, organized activities, and built-in family facilities matter, Occidental Tamarindo has the stronger resort setup.

Kids & Family: Resort Programming vs Independent Stay

Occidental Tamarindo – Family Programming

Occidental Tamarindo is the stronger family option, with facilities for children, a kids’ club, babysitting services, and entertainment that includes a nightly kids’ show.

  • Kids’ club with scheduled daytime activities
  • Children’s pool area and family-friendly resort facilities
  • Nightly entertainment with separate kids’ and adult shows reported

Ocho Artisan Bungalows – Family Programming

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is better for travelers who do not require a resort-style kids’ program and are comfortable planning their stay more independently.

  • Better for couples or independent travelers than families seeking built-in programming
  • A quieter alternative to an all-ages resort environment
  • Best when simplicity and privacy matter more than organized activities

For families who want children’s facilities and entertainment built into the stay, Occidental Tamarindo is the safer choice.

Price & Value: Which Tamarindo Stay Feels More Worth It?

Occidental Tamarindo – Value Snapshot

Occidental Tamarindo offers the most value when you plan to use the all-inclusive meals, domestic drinks, pools, kids’ facilities, entertainment, and on-site resort services.

  • Best for families who will use the kids’ club and pool areas
  • Good fit for travelers who want meals and drinks bundled into the stay
  • Strongest value if you want a resort experience on Playa Langosta

Ocho Artisan Bungalows – Value Snapshot

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the better value if you want a smaller stay and do not need the bundled structure of an all-inclusive resort.

  • Best for travelers who prefer boutique-style lodging
  • Stronger for couples or independent guests who want a quieter base
  • Worth it if privacy and simplicity matter more than resort amenities

Who Wins? Best Tamarindo Hotel by Travel Style

Best for All-Inclusive Convenience
Occidental Tamarindo resort

Occidental Tamarindo

Choose Occidental Tamarindo if you want an all-ages all-inclusive resort with pools, family facilities, organized entertainment, and on-site dining in Playa Langosta.

Best for Boutique-Style Simplicity
Ocho Artisan Bungalows resort

Ocho Artisan Bungalows

Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the better pick for travelers who want a smaller, more intimate bungalow-style stay without the feel of a full resort.

Best for Families & Resort Amenities
Occidental Tamarindo resort

Occidental Tamarindo

For families, surfers, and nature lovers who want resort amenities and easy access to the Tamarindo area, Occidental Tamarindo is the more complete option.

Best for Couples & Independent Travelers
Ocho Artisan Bungalows resort

Ocho Artisan Bungalows

If you want a quieter lodging experience and prefer independence over all-inclusive structure, Ocho Artisan Bungalows is the better match.

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Occidental Tamarindo

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

Questions? Contact Us!

Close