Tamarindo travel guide
Tamarindo Tourism | Tamarindo Guide
You're Going to Love Tamarindo
Known for its beautiful beaches and peaceful atmosphere, Tamarindo is a tropical idyll on Costa Rica's Pacific coast.
Stunning surf spots, unbeatable fishing, and plenty of infrastructure for luxury travelers make Tamarindo a popular spot with visitors young and old from around the world.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Tamarindo
1. Spectacular Beaches
Costa Rica is epitomized in Tamarindo, which boasts stunning tropical beaches like Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo that unfurl up and down the coast.
2. Blue Water Fishing
Fishermen and women from around the world come to Tamarindo for its stunning fishing grounds and its fleet of ships captained by locals.
3. Surf's Up
Surfers have seen Tamarindo in their dreams. With perfect breaks dotting the region, there's no better place to catch a wave.
4. Small-Town Atmosphere
Tamarindo is entirely walkable and offers a welcome respite from crowded city life.
5. Great Restaurants
While visitors can expect plenty of great Costa Rican specialties, the town also has a French bakery, La Panaderia de Paris.
Top activities & attractions in Tamarindo
Where to Eat in Tamarindo
Top-rated restaurants in Tamarindo include Longboards BBQ and Pangas Beach Club. The average cost of dinner for two in the city is about ₡50,000 at a low-key restaurant.
When to visit Tamarindo
Tamarindo is tropical, so the weather is pleasant all year long. Mid-November through August will provide the best weather, while September through March is leatherback turtle season.
How to Get to Tamarindo
Plane
The Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), located in Liberia, is about 45 minutes from town. Taxis and shuttles abound, but a local bus from Liberia is the best way to see the countryside and costs about ₡2,000.
Car
The city is connected to the rest of the country by the 155. Although hilly, the route is fine for driving and reaches San Jose in about four hours.
Bus
Buses operate throughout the country. A 6-7 hour ride from San Jose with Alfaro bus company costs approximately ₡5,700. Do note that tickets can sell out two months in advance.
Airports near Tamarindo
Airlines serving Tamarindo
Where to stay in Tamarindo
Both budget and luxury hotels can be found in Tamarindo. Budget-friendly options include Blue Trailz, which also has a surf camp. More upmarket options such as Hotel Jardin del Eden are popular among luxury travelers.
Popular neighborhoods in Tamarindo
Calle Central - the main beachfront avenue is filled with shops and restaurants and plays host to a farmers market on the weekends.
Playa Langosta - this area, a bit off the main drag, borders the Las Baulas National Park and contains numerous resorts.
Playa Grande - just north of town, this area is home to a wonderful beach and some more laid-back hotels and restaurants.
Where to stay in popular areas of Tamarindo
Most booked hotels in Tamarindo
How to Get Around Tamarindo
The Cost of Living in Tamarindo
Shopping Streets
While Tamarindo does not have any malls, there are many shops and local vendors in town, especially along the waterfront in the town center. Costa Rican crafts are a popular purchase. Those looking for a summer dress can expect to pay about ₡25,000.
Groceries and Other
Tamarindo's grocers are plentiful and well stocked. The cost of a dozen eggs in town is about ₡1,500, while a loaf of bread will run about ₡1,000.