The beach town of Tamarindo has grown quickly in response to its popularity with tourists to Costa Rica, and is a far cry from the sleepy fishing village that was once located here. The resort’s proximity to the international airport in Liberia also makes it attractive as a destination.
Nowadays, there are a great number of restaurants offering international and local cuisine, hotels to suit every taste and budget, and some of the best nightlife options on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
The beach is a long stretch of volcanic grey sand with a fringe of palm trees and swooping pelicans. Beach loungers can be rented, drinks are served from local restaurants and beach vendors offer souvenirs. The ocean is clear and inviting — just watch out for the rocks on the seabed.
Activities
There’s plenty to do in Tamarindo, especially for the active visitor:
- Horseback riding: take a tour along the beach and through the mountains on horseback for a view of Tamarindo with the wind in your hair.
- Sports fishing: head out for the day to catch your dinner!
- Snorkelling and diving: kayak or sail out to Capitan Island for glimpses of reef life and colorful fish.
- Surfing: Playa Grande is a popular beach for beginners and experienced surfers alike due to its consistent waves, but there are breaks on Tamarindo’s beach too: to the north, El Estero has a right break that is suitable for long boarders, and to the south, experts can take to the waves by the small island. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are also available.
- ATV rental: available for zooming around the dusty roads or touring nearby mountains.
- Catamaran cruise: a fantastic way to enjoy the spectacular sunset.
Nearby
Playa Langosta is another spot for keen surfers, Langosta appeals to those who want out of the hustle and bustle of Tamarindo’s party scene.
Playa Grande is all about the wildlife (and the surf!). The beach is protected as part of the Las Baulas National Park which is an important nesting site for the Leatherback turtle. Buildings must adhere to strict lighting codes to preserve the area’s prime conditions as a nesting site. Night access to the beach is only possible with a guide.
Vehicle choice for Tamarindo: the roads in the area surrounding can be hard going, especially in the green season and so a mid-sized to full-sized SUV is recommended to allow for comfortable travel and high clearance.
How to get to Tamarindo
From Liberia: Take Route 21 and drive the 20 miles past Filadefia and onto Belen. About 2 miles after Belen, take the turning signposted to Tamarindo on Route 155 for approximately 10 miles. At the Huaces T-junction, turn left and drive the 4 miles to Villa Real. At the fork here, turn right and drive the last 2 miles to Tamarindo. Approximate journey time: 1.25 hours.
From San Jose: Take Route 27 from San Jose to Orotina, then onto Route 3 in the direction of Jaco and then onto Puerto Caldera. Continue towards Liberia and join the Pan-American Highway to Limonal. Follow Route 18 to the Puente Amistad, and cross the bridge to reach the Nicoya Peninsula. Continue on Route 18 to the T-junction which joins Route 21 and take the right towards Nicoya. Continue on this road through Nicoya and Santa Cruz to Belen. From here, take Route 155 to Villa Real. At the fork in the road, turn right and drive the last 2 miles to Tamarindo. Approximate journey time: 6 hours.