Tamarindo, Costa Rica: travel guide
Pacific surf town on a golden bay in Guanacaste
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.
About Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a beach town on Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast, curved around a wide golden bay that faces the Pacific sunset. It began as a surfer's hangout and has grown into a lively resort strip of restaurants, shops and surf schools.
Surfing lessons are the obvious activity, and the town has gentle waves for beginners. Nearby beaches such as Playa Langosta, Playa Grande and Playa Conchal offer quieter stretches of sand, and Las Baulas National Marine Park protects a turtle nesting beach. The estuary is good for a paddle at dawn, and evenings centre on beachfront bars.
Tamarindo suits surfers, beach lovers and social travellers. The dry season, from December to April, brings reliable sun, while the green season has afternoon showers and a quieter atmosphere.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- TNO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The town's golden-sand main bay, ideal for beginner surfing, swimming and sunsets.
Playa Langosta
Beach · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Quieter upscale beach just south of town with tide-pools and a river-mouth surf break.
Playa Grande
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A long, undeveloped surf beach across the estuary, protected inside Las Baulas National Park.
Las Baulas National Marine Park
Wildlife · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Marine park protecting a key leatherback (baula) nesting beach; ranger-guided night tours Oct-Feb.
Tamarindo Estuary
Nature · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Mangrove-lined river mouth alive with howler monkeys, crocodiles, herons and iguanas.
Playa Conchal
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A dazzling beach of crushed shells and turquoise water near Brasilito, ~18 km north.
El Mercadito
Market · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Open-air food-court market in the town centre with international stalls and a lively vibe.
Tamarindo Nightlife Strip
Nightlife · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The heart of Tamarindo's beach-bar and live-music nightlife along the main strip.
Playa Avellanas
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Renowned surf beach ~15 km south ("Little Hawaii"), home to Lola's beach bar.
Playa Flamingo
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Upscale white-sand beach and marina ~22 km north with calm swimming water.
Playa Ventanas
Beach · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
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 to Tamarindo
Airport: Tamarindo (TNO)
How visitors arrive in Tamarindo
- Fly into Liberia, then transfer By air from Liberia (LIR) · common
The guide recommends flying into Liberia International Airport and continuing by taxi, private transfer or shared shuttle. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from San José By road from San José · common
Buses leave San Jose's Alfaro station for Tamarindo, stopping often along the way. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Bus from Liberia By road from Liberia · common
Local buses run between Liberia and Tamarindo, stopping in villages on the way. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Domestic flight to Tamarindo By air from San José · possible
Domestic airlines fly between San Jose and Tamarindo's own airstrip. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Private transfer from Liberia airport
Most visitors fly into Liberia (LIR) and take a taxi or private transfer to Tamarindo. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Shared shuttle from Liberia airport
Shared shuttles run from Liberia airport to Tamarindo; book ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Use licensed taxis; unlicensed pirate taxis are probably not insured. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Bus from Liberia or San Jose unconfirmed
Buses reach Tamarindo from Liberia and from San Jose and stop at the village loop; check the current timetable. Source: roughguides.com
- Use licensed taxis; unlicensed pirate taxis are probably not insured. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
Cars, bicycles and a few scooters can be rented in Tamarindo for getting around the area.
- Shuttle
Private transfers and shared shuttles run between Liberia airport and Tamarindo, and can be booked in advance.
- Taxi
Licensed taxis are available in Tamarindo for local trips and airport transfers, and can also be hired for longer journeys.
- Walking
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.
Best time to visit Tamarindo
- Jan 33°C
- Feb 34°C
- Mar 36°C
- Apr 36°C
- May 33°C
- Jun 31°C
- Jul 31°C
- Aug 31°C
- Sep 30°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 30°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions about Tamarindo
- What are the main places to visit in Tamarindo?
- Places covered in our Tamarindo guide include Playa Tamarindo, Playa Langosta, Playa Grande, Las Baulas National Marine Park, Tamarindo Estuary.
- Where should I stay in Tamarindo?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tamarindo: Town Center / Beachfront, Playa Langosta.
- How do I get around Tamarindo?
- Ways to get around Tamarindo covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Tamarindo?
- Scams reported to us for Tamarindo include Rental-car break-ins. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Tamarindo?
- Average daytime highs in Tamarindo run from 29°C in Oct to 36°C in Apr.
- Which airport is nearest to Tamarindo?
- The nearest airport to Tamarindo has the code TNO.