Tamarindo, Costa Rica: travel guide
Guanacaste's most popular Pacific surf-and-beach town — a lively strip of restaurants, surf schools and bars fronting a golden-sand bay near the Las Baulas turtle beaches.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- TNO
Top places to visit in Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo
Beach · about 2 h
The town's golden-sand main bay, ideal for beginner surfing, swimming and sunsets.
Playa Langosta
Beach · about 1.5 h
Quieter upscale beach just south of town with tide-pools and a river-mouth surf break.
Playa Grande
Beach · about 2 h
A long, undeveloped surf beach across the estuary, protected inside Las Baulas National Park.
Las Baulas National Marine Park
Wildlife · about 2.5 h · entry USD 12
Marine park protecting a key leatherback (baula) nesting beach; ranger-guided night tours Oct-Feb.
Tamarindo Estuary
Nature · about 2 h
Mangrove-lined river mouth alive with howler monkeys, crocodiles, herons and iguanas.
Playa Conchal
Beach · about 2 h
A dazzling beach of crushed shells and turquoise water near Brasilito, ~18 km north.
El Mercadito
Market · about 1 h
Open-air food-court market in the town centre with international stalls and a lively vibe.
Tamarindo Nightlife Strip
Nightlife · about 1.5 h
The heart of Tamarindo's beach-bar and live-music nightlife along the main strip.
Playa Avellanas
Beach · about 2 h
Renowned surf beach ~15 km south ("Little Hawaii"), home to Lola's beach bar.
Playa Flamingo
Beach · about 2 h
Upscale white-sand beach and marina ~22 km north with calm swimming water.
Playa Ventanas
Beach · about 1 h
Secluded cove just north of Playa Grande with tide-pools and quiet sand.
Things to do
- Tamarindo Surf Lesson Surf · 2 h · from USD 50 per person
- Tamarindo Estuary Mangrove Boat Tour Wildlife · 2 h · from USD 45 per person
- Tamarindo Sunset Catamaran Cruise Boat · 5 h · from USD 110 per person
- Las Baulas Leatherback Night Tour Wildlife · 2.5 h · from USD 35 per person
- Tamarindo ATV Tour Adventure · 3 h · from USD 95 per person
- Catalina Islands Snorkeling Tour Water · 4 h · from USD 105 per person
Day trips and tours
- Tamarindo Surf & Sunset Sail 7 h · from USD 150
Where to stay in Tamarindo
- Town Center / Beachfront about CRC 100 per night
Main strip with most bars, surf shops and the swim/surf beach.
- Playa Langosta about CRC 200 per night
Quieter upscale residential beach ~2 km south with boutique hotels and tide-pools.
Hotels
- Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort 4-star · USD 180 to USD 320 per night
- Hotel Capitán Suizo 4-star · USD 260 to USD 420 per night
- Hotel Pasatiempo 3-star · USD 110 to USD 170 per night
- Selina Tamarindo 2-star · USD 18 to USD 65 per night
- Pura Vida Mini Hostal 2-star · USD 14 to USD 48 per night
- Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas 5-star · USD 260 to USD 500 per night
Where to eat
- Patagonia Argentinian Grill Argentine, Steakhouse · about USD 30 per person
- Nogui's Seafood, Costa Rican · about USD 24 per person
- Green Papaya Taco Bar Mexican · about USD 14 per person
- Falafel Bar Middle Eastern · about USD 12 per person
- Surf Shack American, Burgers · about USD 15 per person
- La Bodega Cafe, Healthy · about USD 16 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shuttle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Rental-car break-ins
Beach and trailhead parking
Windows are smashed and valuables grabbed from cars left at beaches and trailheads.
How to avoid it: Never leave anything visible in the car and use guarded parking where available.