Out of all the famous beaches in Costa Rica like Nosara and Santa Teresa, you’re also thinking about visiting Tamarindo in Costa Rica, eh? You’ve made a great choice! This little town is full of adventure, relaxation and some of the best food you’ll ever eat.
With so many things to do in Tamarindo, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why I’ve put together the ultimate guide to the best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
In this guide, I’ll tell you about all the must-see sights, the best restaurants, and how to make the most of your trip to Tamarindo.
After all, I’ve been in Tamarindo multiple times over 2020 and 2022 and even became best friends with a local from there, Selassie. Remember the guy I recommended for surfing lessons there? That’s him!
Langosta Beach, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Yup, I’m such a fan of Tamarindo I can’t stop talking about it. Get ready for an epic road trip across Tamarindo!
JUMP TO: 6 Best Tours In Tamarindo, Costa Rica [2024 GUIDE] 12 Hotels in Tamarindo, Costa Rica I Personally Recommend (And Don’t)! 25 Best Restaurants in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Best Tamarindo Tours At A Glance
| Activity | Price | Booking Link |
|---|---|---|
| Surfing | Starts from USD 45 | Book Now |
| Canopy Zipline | Starts from USD 65 | Book Now |
| Sunset Tour | Starts from USD 95 | Book Now |
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Top 22 Best Things To Do In Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure or laid-back beach days, this guide’s got you covered. Ready to start planning your trip? Let’s go!
1. Surfing
Surfing in Tamarindo
Tamarindo has great surfing beaches and is particularly suitable for beginner surfers. There are great surfing conditions that will catch you each day. This is where I took up surfing lessons and got proper decent at surfing. I was surfing every day, TWICE a day!
There are a number of beaches nearby that give lessons and offer surfing holidays. Group lessons are USD 50 for 2 hours.
The board rental cost is USD 20 per 24 hours in some cases.
Because the beaches are great for beginners and there are waves almost every summer, the surf has become one of my favourites in Tamarindo!
“Whenever I visit Tamarindo, I always rent a motorbike with a board rack to quickly cruise around and find other surf breaks,” says Matthew Engelage of Chin Mounts.
Book a private lesson in advance here.
2. Canopy Zipline
Among the best zipline trips in Tamarindo is Black Stallion Estate. They have fun zip lines in a mountain near Tamarindo. A few other services include horse riding, gourmet barbecue meals that are perfect for a family or a group and more.
You can take a zip line to the Diamantes Eco Adventure Park approximately 1 hour from town. It’s the shortest superman zipline! In addition, there are wildlife sanctuaries, botanical gardens and cultural homes for a whole-day entertainment experience.
The canopy excursions give the feeling of flight. We swear it isn’t dramatic. You should be aware that Costa Rican canopy tours have a long history. They are both fun and educational.
Book a guided zipline tour here.
3. Sunset Sailing
You can’t visit the Costa Rican coast without sailing it by boat! Take an ocean-going catamaran with snorkelling activities, an open bar, 4 plates of gourmet food and more for the most exciting day.
On your tour, you can see dolphins and whales. Costs vary depending if you want an open tour or a private tour.
I highly recommend checking out my friends at Why Not Oceanic Adventures. They have a relatively new and spacious catamaran with plenty of onboard activities such as stand-up paddleboarding when you go on a tour with them, not to mention an in-house chef!
I even got to stay overnight on their catamaran a couple of times when I was last in Tamarindo!
Book your cruise across the Costa Rican coast here.
4. Go Boogie Boarding
Even if you don’t feel like surfing, boogie boarding is so much fun and easier plus there are great waves in Tamarindo.
Stay on the beach to enjoy a fun ride in the water with some boogie boards at a local rental rate of USD 10-15 per day.
5. Standup paddleboarding
How can we test if we have a good balance? Go paddle boarding! This great sport is so much fun to do with friends and is a great way to enjoy the coast of Tamarindo.
An all-around, part-saddling great sport to do in Tamarindo as you can do it basically every day. Just watch out for the wind.
6. Watch The Sunset On The Beach
One of the nicest things in Tamarindo is enjoying the sunset from the shore, especially paired with watching sea turtles.
Watching sunsets at the beaches is one of the free activities in Tamarindo and the sunsets in Tamarindo are incredibly spectacular! For real, when you get to them, you’ll want to see it every day.
Usually, around 5:30 pm, people walk onto the sand and have a camera in their hands. Rainy season sunsets are extremely intense as the clouds increase, transforming the sky with flames.
And if you’re lucky, you get to see the leatherback turtles!
Book a sea turtle watching tour in Playa Minas here.
7. Scuba Diving
There are plenty of scuba diving trips from Tamarindo. Just 30 minutes from Tamarindo, you can find the marina, Flamingo, which offers access to a number of scuba diving sites, including Catalina’s Island. The most common diving stop is Catalina’s Island which is about 50 minutes of boat drive.
You may obtain a diving certification or just take a discovery dive. They offer a half-hour instruction before taking you out for a 2-tank dive and guide you throughout.
Alternatively, you can also do freediving. If you’re not confident yet, you can enrol on a freediving course first.
Book a freediving course here.
8. Try Your Catch Of The Day
There are several fishing tours in Mauritius that offer exceptional sport-fishing experiences, taking you to the top fishing spots around the island.
These tours cater to both novice anglers and experienced sport fishers, though even amateurs can enjoy a thrilling time out at sea.
The crew is well-acquainted with the local waters and are skilled in guiding you to the best spots for a memorable fishing adventure.
Expect to watch various animals, such as turtles, dolphins and many types of fish jumping. You have the likeliest chance of catching yellowfin tunas and mahi-mahi. If you’re lucky, you can catch other rarer species such as sailfish.
My friends at Sea Breeze organize daily tours that are worth checking out.
Book a fishing tour in Mauritius here.
9. Sample Local Brews At Volcano Brewing Company
Celebrate Tamarindo’s history with local beers at Volcano Brewing Company. This company specialises in brewing local craft beer and is situated near the town.
You don’t only come for the drink. The bar section offers a huge beach patio with amazing views, making it an ideal location for catching stunning sunsets with a great beer on hand. The brewery has an onsite restaurant serving a variety of delicious dishes as well.
Join the official beer tour of Costa Rica here.
10. Paddle The Ocean
Set out to the Pacific by snorkelling, swimming or enjoying an exhilarating run at sunset.
Take it easy by cruising near the shore, or raise the thrill with a boat trip, kayak or paddle board to Capitan Island which is in front of Tamarindo. It’ll be a two-way trip with challenging paddles from the beach to the island.
If adrenaline is high, we highly recommend many other activities like jet skiing.
Book a Tamarindo Kayak Estuary Mangrove tour here.
11. Watch A Game Over Cold Beer At Sharky’s Sports Bar
With 9 screens and serving the finest hamburgers and wings, Sharky’s Sports Bar offers an excellent way to watch sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball and more.
The bar provides an excellent ambience and with daily promotions going on, so be assured that there’ll be plenty more to drink in the evening as you watch the football matches.
12. ATV Tours
If anyone wants to experience an exciting trip on ATVs, Tamarindo offers exactly just that.
ATV tours are available across all terrains, offering the best way to explore the roads lesser travelled. They typically bring you to the back roads leading to the most impressive views.
Book and explore beaches around Tamarindo on a ATV here.
13. Go Shopping At Tamarindo Markets
The Tamarindo Night Market is a market with eateries & clothes stores that only operates on Thursdays from 6 pm. Here, you can do many things like buying local souvenirs, eating and drinking, or just having a seat and enjoying some live music.
The Tamarindo Saturday Farmer’s Market runs between 8 am to 2 pm and offers local produce and artisans’ items. I enjoyed capturing the season’s fruits and vegetables and shopping for locally-made soaps!
14. Go Dolphin & Whale-Watching
Tamarindo’s Pacific waters are rich in marine life. Embark aboard a ship, grab a camera, and prepare yourself for a visit to see whale humpbacks, a number of species of dolphin and even mating sea turtles.
Whale-watching tours are only available at a certain time of the year when the humpback whales are passing through.
Book and go on a private guided dolphin watching here.
15. Estuary Boat Ride
Tamarindo is more than mere beaches. There’s a big river mouth filled with mangroves full of life. Locals have created boat trips to Marino Las Baulas National Park to visit the estuaries.
The estuary boat ride is relatively cheap compared to other activities when you visit Tamarindo.
Book a guided Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari tour here.
16. Kayaking The Mangroves
Sometimes you’re just looking for some peaceful water sports tours.
Take a look at mangrove kayaking tours which starts at Tamarindo near the estuary and then goes on into the mangroves.
You will find many different bird species and animals on this tour. Just be sure not to fall in as the place is filled with crocodiles!
Book a Kayak Mangrove tour here.
17. See Big Cats, Up Close & Personal
Located just outside Tamarindo Costa Rica, Las Pumas Rescue Center is a good place to see wildlife species such as pumas, jaguars and more.
This animal rescue centre cares for sick, wounded and orphaned animals, providing first-hand experience of animal recovery, along with some amazing animal encounters!
18. Explore Another Volcano
Are there any more opportunities to experience the best natural beauty in Costa Rica? Aplenty!
In the province of Guanacaste, there are 3 nearby volcanoes From Tamarindo that are very prominent. Besides Oriosi and Miravalles Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja is another worthwhile volcano to visit. It’s an outdoor park filled with 5 magnificent falls, natural pools, volcanic waste, fumaroles and craters that’s just a two-hour drive away.
19. Play Some Golf
If you’re looking for a leisurely activity, golf is another option. Guanacaste is home to some of the best golf courses in Costa Rica. So tee off and enjoy the scenery!
20. Visit Rincon De La Vieja National Park
This national park is perfect for hiking and birdwatching enthusiasts. Rincon de la Vieja National Park offers many different trails, ranging from easy to difficult. And with over 300 species of birds, you’re sure to see something new and exciting.
The park is open year-round.
Book a Rincon de la Vieja adventure hike here.
21. Take A Cooking Class
Trying new food is one of the best parts of travelling. And what better way to experience a country’s cuisine than by learning how to cook it yourself?
There are many cooking schools in Guanacaste that offer classes for all levels, from beginner to expert. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to cook!
Book a 2-hour cooking class in Nosara here.
22. Take A Horseback Ride On The Beach
Have you ever always wanted to ride a horse on the beach at sunset?
This is a great activity for family or groups of friends. There are many ranches in Guanacaste that offer horseback riding. So saddle up and explore the beautiful countryside!
Book a Tamarindo Horseback riding experience here.
Best Time To Visit Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Some people like to call Costa Rica a country of eternal spring, and there’s obviously a reason for that, with its lush rainforests and many rivers.
The average temperature in San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city, clocks 25ºC or 77 ºF during the dry season from December until April, perfect for those who want to escape crowds while they visit this paradise on earth! On the beach, the temperature will be slightly higher.
However, if you’re looking not only for beautiful scenery but also somewhere affordable where your stay won’t break the bank, it might be worth considering visiting here sometime between May to November when prices drop significantly due to fewer travellers around. Be prepared to brave the rains, at least for a little in the afternoons during the rainy season.
Where To Stay In Tamarindo, Costa Rica
There are plenty of places to stay in Tamarindo, but the best places to stay in Tamarindo are definitely the resorts. They offer great amenities such as pools, restaurants, and bars, as well as beautiful views of the ocean.
Here’s a quick lowdown of the recommended places to stay in Tamarindo:
Luxury Hotels
The Occidental Tamarindo
The Occidental Tamarindo is a resort that offers visitors an all-inclusive experience with attractive decor throughout the rooms and shared areas.
Alongside being located on one of Costa Rica’s most popular beaches, Playa Langosta Beach faces Las Baulas National Park, which provides guests access to deep sea fishing or kayaking among other things – making this hotel great if you’re looking to stay fit while away!
The two beautiful large swimming pools at The Occidental provide relaxing places where people can enjoy taking headers into the water up past their necks. There are also plenty more activities available nearby, and Tamarindo is 5 minutes away.
Book here.
Mid-Range Hotels
Sunrise Condos Tamarindo
While not a hotel in the strict sense, you can still rent this condo for as long as your stay lasts. I personally didn’t get to experience it myself because my friend who lives there and stays constantly let me know how great his place is!
Starting with an always vigilant 24/7 guard at the entrance who ensures guests are allowed entry before they allow them into their homes; he made sure that mine was approved too when we went out one night onto the beach, which is very close, and if you are lucky from your room you can have a gorgeous view from many angles.
Book here.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
Hotel Mar Rey
Hotel Mar Rey is located just across the road from Tamarindo Beach and offers an outdoor pool surrounded by tropical gardens.
Each room features air conditioning, satellite TV (with cable) as well a balcony overlooking one of many gorgeous pools at this hotel that guests can enjoy during their stay here!
In addition to having access not only for bathing but also relaxing in nice weather outdoors with family & friends, I think this is the place you need for your perfect vacation in Tamarindo.
Book here.
How To Get To Tamarindo Costa Rica
By Bus From San Jose
From San Jose, you’ll have to grab an Uber or taxi for 25 minutes to the bus terminal, before catching your 6-hour bus ride.
The ticket costs UDS 10 and there are seat reservations available online here, or you can just buy it at the terminal upon arrival in San Jose but there’s a chance it might be full.
It’ll leave you conveniently in Tamarindo town centre. Be mindful to never leave your bags and things unattended when travelling in public transport as we’ve seen belongings being robbed in daylight before.
By Plane From San Jose
If you want a flight from San Jose to Tamarindo or vice versa, there are national flights available. This will be definitely faster than the bus and taxi and similar in price to a taxi.
You can also take international flights to Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia. It’s home to many flight services in North America such as Toronto, New York and Miami.
Tamarindo is located only a short 1-hour drive from Liberia International Airport.
You can then hire cars, use taxis and shuttle buses or take public bus rides from there. The easiest way of course is to just book a private one-way transfer from Liberia airport to Tamarindo online.
Where To Eat In Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo offers many restaurants and all kinds of food since the people that visit are from everywhere. There’s a little of everything.
Don’t forget to try traditional Costa Rican meals as well. There are great options that’ll fill you with energy for the next adventures.
FAQs About Visiting Tamarindo
No schema found.I hope this guide was helpful in planning your trip to Tamarindo in Costa Rica! There are so many great things to do in this little town, I’m sure you’ll have a blast no matter what you end up doing.
Just remember to relax, enjoy the amazing food, and soak up all the beautiful sights. And if you need any more help planning your trip or want some insider tips, feel free to contact me!
