Ask a local

Join Our Facebook Community

Still have questions or want local tips straight from our team? Join our Facebook community. That’s where we share updates, answer questions, and help you plan your Costa Rica trip the smart way.

Facebook group, insider tips

Tamarindo Overview: Getting There, Safety and Which Day to Do What

Liberia airport is around 65 to 77 km from Tamarindo. The drive takes 1.25 to 1.5 hours, or up to 2 hours in heavy traffic. Most tours include free pickup in Tamarindo and Playa Langosta. You won’t need a car in town.

Rip currents are common, and there aren’t many lifeguards. Swim where other people are swimming, and stay out of the water at the river mouth. Car break-ins happen at beach parking areas, so take your bags with you.

A few things only happen on certain days, so it helps to plan your week around them:

• Monday: Rincón de la Vieja’s Las Pailas sector is closed, so pick a beach day.
• Tuesday and Thursday: The Moonlight Market is on in the evening.
• Saturday: The TamaMarket is on in the morning.
• Every day: Surf lessons and estuary tours are timed with the tides. Book them a day ahead.

15 Best Things to Do in Tamarindo

1. Take a Surf Lesson on Playa Tamarindo

Tamarindo is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to learn to surf. The waves break over sand, not rock, so falling off is part of the fun. You start with a short practice on the sand. Then the instructor stays with you in the water and pushes you into the waves.

A group lesson costs around $50 to $60 plus tax and lasts 90 minutes. At one of the biggest schools, there are up to 4 students per instructor. The soft board, rash guard, showers and lockers are included. Private lessons cost around $80 to $100 plus tax.

Lessons start at times like 8 AM, 10 AM, 1 PM and 3 PM. The school picks the best slot for the tide. Arrive 15 minutes early. At the big schools, kids 12 and under need a private instructor.

Group lessons cost around $50 to $60 plus tax for about 90 minutes. Kids 12 and under usually need a private instructor at the bigger schools.

2. Watch the Sunset and Walk to Playa Langosta

Sunset is the big daily moment in Tamarindo, and it’s free. Depending on the month, the sun goes down at around 5:15 to 6 PM. Lots of people walk down to the sand to watch it, and the middle of the beach gets busy.

For a quieter spot, walk south along the sand to Playa Langosta. It’s a calmer beach with rocks at the end, and at low tide there are rock pools to look into.

Check the tide times before you go. The river mouth between the two beaches can be deep at high tide. Plan the walk for low tide, and come back before it rises. Bring a headlamp or your phone light for the walk back after dark.

The sun sets around 5:15 to 6 PM, depending on the month. Check the tide before you cross the river mouth between the beaches.

3. Take the Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour

The Tamarindo estuary is a mangrove river between town and Playa Grande, inside Las Baulas National Park. A covered boat takes you into the mangroves for 2 hours. You can see crocodiles, iguanas, herons, kingfishers and howler monkeys.

Our pick costs around $52. A local bilingual guide, water and pickup in Tamarindo and Langosta are usually included, with a minimum of 2 people. Boats leave at high tide, so the start time changes each day.

The tour goes out rain or shine. Crocodiles are likely, but nobody can promise them. Bring bug spray and a refillable bottle.

Tours follow the tides, so ask for the schedule when you book. Free pickup usually covers only Tamarindo and Langosta.

4. Sail on a Sunset Catamaran

A sunset catamaran is one of the most popular things to do in Tamarindo. You sail along the coast on a big catamaran and stop once to swim and snorkel. A barbecue meal and an open bar are included, and the afternoon trip comes back at sunset.

Our pick costs around $133. There are two sailings a day, at 8 AM and 1:30 PM, and each takes around 4 hours. The morning sail needs 15 people to go out.

There’s no dock in Tamarindo, so you wade out to the boat. Wear sandals, and keep your phone in a dry bag. In September and October, the morning trip is the safer pick, because afternoon rain is common.

5. Join a Night Turtle Tour

A night turtle tour is a guided walk on a dark beach, looking for sea turtles that come ashore to nest. The Playa Grande night tours stopped some years ago, so today’s tours go to quiet beaches farther north. Leatherbacks are rare now, so expect olive ridley or green turtles. Sometimes you see hatchlings too.

Shared tours cost around $45 to $75 and take 4 hours or so. Most meet at 5:30 PM in Tamarindo and are back by 9 or 10 PM. Turtles nest all year, but November to April is the best time.

Expect long, quiet waits on the sand, and no tour can promise a turtle. Wear dark clothes and closed shoes, and bring bug spray. Flash and flashlights aren’t allowed, and kids under 5 can’t join.

Leatherbacks are rare on Playa Grande now, and that beach is closed at night. Expect olive ridley or green turtles on quieter beaches farther north, and never promise a sighting.

6. Browse the Moonlight Market and the TamaMarket

Tamarindo has two markets, and both are free to visit:

• Moonlight Market: An evening fair with crafts, street food and live music, with more than 100 stalls. It’s held on Tuesday and Thursday, 5 PM until 9:30 PM, at Plaza Palmas.
• TamaMarket: The Saturday farmers market, 8 AM until 2 PM at Oneida Park, next to the skate ramps. Stalls sell fruit, fish, coffee and crafts, and there’s live music. The town’s community association organizes it.

The Moonlight Market is a good plan for dinner, as you can try a few stalls. Go to the TamaMarket early, before the heat builds up around midday. Bring cash in small bills to both, since that makes buying a snack or a gift much easier.

Bring cash in small bills for the Moonlight Market. For the Saturday TamaMarket, go early before the heat builds.

7. Spend a Morning on Playa Grande

Playa Grande is a long, wild surf beach across the estuary from town. It’s part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, and it feels much quieter than Tamarindo. The waves are bigger, so it’s a better beach for surfers with some practice than for beginners.

You can take a short boat ride across the estuary mouth, or drive around in 30 minutes. Never wade across, because crocodiles live in the estuary.

There’s little shade and few services on the sand. Go early or late in the day, and bring water, snacks and sunscreen. The beach closes at night to protect nesting turtles.

Never wade the estuary to cross; crocodiles live there. Take the short boat or drive around by road instead.

8. Swim at Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo

Playa Conchal is a beach made of tiny crushed shells, with clear, calm water on good days. Playa Flamingo, just north, has white sand and a marina. The drive to Flamingo is around 21 km and takes 35 to 40 minutes.

Conchal is public and free. Park in Brasilito and walk along the sand, over a small rocky point, in 15 to 20 minutes. The water is often calm enough for snorkeling near the rocks, so bring a mask.

Go in the morning, before the wind picks up, and bring shade and water. Conchal and Flamingo are two of the best places to visit in Costa Rica, and both work well for a half day of calm water and white sand.

Walk into Conchal from Brasilito in about 15 to 20 minutes along the beach. The drive from Tamarindo to Flamingo takes around 35 minutes.

9. Go Snorkeling or Scuba Diving at the Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands are rocky islets off Playa Flamingo, around 35 minutes by road from Tamarindo. Rays, turtles and reef fish are seen on most trips. Giant mantas show up in some months, and the dry season is the best time for them.

A two-tank trip for certified divers costs around $85 to $150 plus tax, depending on the scuba shop and the harbor. A snorkel trip from Flamingo costs around $50 plus tax. Fruit, snacks, water, tanks and weights are usually included, and gear costs extra.

Weather and group size decide if the boat goes. Give the shop two or three possible days. Bring your scuba card. New to scuba? You can try it for the first time with an instructor.

Two-tank dives from Flamingo start around $85 plus tax. Giant mantas are more likely from about December to April.

10. Go Beach Hopping at Avellanas and Playa Negra

Avellanas and Playa Negra are surf beaches south of Tamarindo. They’re much quieter, and they make a nice half day of beach hopping by car.

Avellanas has a well-known beach restaurant called Lola’s, which makes it a good stop for lunch. Playa Negra has a reef break. It’s better for strong surfers than for beginners, but it’s fun to watch them from the shore.

You’ll need a car to get there. Bring cash, water and sunscreen, as there are few shops, and third-party liability is mandatory when renting a car in Costa Rica.

Avellanas has Lola’s on the sand for lunch. Playa Negra is a reef break best left to experienced surfers.

11. Spend a Day at Rincón de la Vieja

Rincón de la Vieja is a volcano park with steaming vents, bubbling mud pots and waterfalls. The Las Pailas sector is around 95 km away, and the drive takes 2 to 2.5 hours each way.

Entry is $16.95, and kids pay $5.65. Tickets are sold online only. Las Pailas is open Tuesday to Sunday, 8 AM until 3 PM, and it’s closed on Mondays. The crater trail is closed, so check the SINAC website the day before.

Hacienda Guachipelín, next to the park, has ziplines, river tubing and hot springs. From Tamarindo, a full-day tour there costs around $145, with pickup at 6:30 AM and a buffet lunch. Tubing needs kids to be at least 8 years old.

12. Take a Palo Verde River Safari

Palo Verde is a wetland park on the Tempisque River. A boat trip there is a great way to see crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and lots of wetland birds. The boat part takes around 1 hour 20 minutes.

Shared tours from Tamarindo cost around $120 and up. They take around 7 hours, with pickup at 7 AM and a return at 2 PM. Hotel pickup, a guide, lunch and water are included, and some tours stop at a pottery village on the way back.

It works well on a cloudy day, or when the sea is too rough for a boat trip. Bring a hat and a refillable bottle, as the boat is open to the sun.

13. Fly the Superman Zipline at Diamante

Diamante is a full-day park north of Tamarindo, near Matapalo. Its Superman zipline is close to a mile long, and you fly face-first with views over the ocean. There’s also an animal area, a garden with coffee and chocolate demos, and a private beach with kayaks and paddleboards.

The all-day pass costs $125 for adults and $98 for kids aged 5 to 10, with a buffet lunch. A zipline-only pass costs $80 and takes around 1.5 hours.

For the full course with the Superman line, riders need to weigh at least 85 lb. Transport isn’t included, so plan a car or a taxi. It suits families who want lots to do in one place.

The Adventure Pass is around $125 for adults and $98 for ages 5 to 10 on the park’s own rates. Pack a swimsuit if the day includes beach time.

14. See the Turtle Arribada at Ostional

Ostional is a beach 1.5 to 2 hours south of Tamarindo. A few times a year, thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore to nest over a few nights. This mass nesting is called an arribada.

Tours with Tamarindo pickup cost around $90 to $150. On your own, refuge entry is $13.56, and a local guide is required for around ₡18,000.

Arribadas follow the moon, and nobody can promise one on a set date. Ask a local operator about the next one before you plan. It’s a long drive, so it’s an easier trip with a tour. Ostional is between Tamarindo and Nosara, so keep going south if you want more things to do in Nosara.

Park entry is around $14, and a local accredited guide is required. Arribadas follow the moon and aren’t guaranteed, even in peak months.

15. Swim at Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

Llanos de Cortés is a wide waterfall with a sandy pool below it. It’s just off Route 1 near Bagaces, south of Liberia, which makes it a good stop on an airport day.

Entry is ₡4,000, or around $9, and kids aged 7 to 12 pay ₡2,000. It’s open 8 AM until 4 PM, with last entry at 3:30 PM. Pay in cash, in colones or dollars.

Go early, before the tour groups arrive. Don’t leave bags in the car. The falls can close after heavy rain, so check their Facebook page before you go.

Entry is around ₡4,000 for adults (about $9), cash only, 8 AM to 4 PM. Don’t leave bags in the car, and check ahead after heavy rain.

Tamarindo FAQ

How Many Days Do You Need in Tamarindo?

Three to four days is a good amount of time in Tamarindo. That’s enough for a surf lesson, a boat trip and a day on the nearby beaches.

Add one full-day trip into the hills or the wetlands. Plan the volcano park for any day but Monday.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Tamarindo?

Mid-November or December to April is the dry season, and Guanacaste is the sunniest part of the country. Strong Papagayo winds blow in the first months of the dry season. They make the sea choppy some days.

May to November is the green season, with fewer people and lower hotel prices. September and October are the wettest months. December to April is the dry season and the best time to travel to Costa Rica for beach days here. September and October are the wettest.

Do You Need a Car in Tamarindo?

Not in town, as you can walk to the beach, the restaurants and most tour pickups. Many tours include pickup in Tamarindo and Langosta.

A car helps for beach hopping and day trips on your own schedule. Flying into the capital means a longer transfer. Options for getting from San José airport to Tamarindo include the shuttle, a short flight and the drive.

Is Tamarindo Good for Families?

Yes, Tamarindo is a good beach town for families. The waves in the middle of the beach stay small on most days, and kids can take private surf lessons.

Calm boat trips, markets and a waterfall pool all suit kids. Pick a hotel within walking distance of the beach, so you won’t need to drive.

Is Tamarindo Worth It?

Yes, Tamarindo makes sense as a first beach stop in Guanacaste. It’s easy to get around on foot, and you can learn to surf on your very first day.

It’s busier than other beach towns nearby. For a quieter stay, pick a hotel in Langosta. Day trips from here also show up among the best tours in Costa Rica when you want ideas beyond the beach.

Where Should You Stay in Tamarindo?

Stay near the main beach if you want to walk to restaurants, surf schools and the markets. It’s the liveliest part of town.

Playa Langosta, just south, stays much quieter at night, and most of the quieter hotels in Tamarindo are there.