Costa Rica

Tamarindo Activities

ATV Tours

Splash through streams and climb mountains on all terrain vehicles. Tour operators offer guided sunset tours and full-day adventures along scenic backcountry roads. Safety equipment and ATV driving instructions are included.

Bird & Wildlife Watching

The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is rich in biodiversity; visitors will likely encounter howler monkeys, crocodiles, coatimundis and a variety of waterfowl. Travelers can kayak through the saltwater estuary with a naturalist guide, or take a hike throughout the 1,200-acre refuge.

Boating & Kayaking

Naturalist guides specialize in kayak and boat excursions through the Tamarindo Estuary. Look for herons, egrets, white ibis and kingfishers as you paddle through the mangrove-lined canals.

Canopy Tours

Visitors can fly high above the trees on a traditional zip-line canopy tour. The course features eleven cables totaling ¾ of a mile in length – the longest of which lasts 35 seconds – along with three suspension bridges and a wildlife farm full of snakes, butterflies, and monkeys. This guided tour includes transportation to and from Tamarindo.

Caving

Go spelunking in Costa Rica's only subterranean park – Barra Honda National Park. The caverns are over 70 million years old, and are home to incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations, as well as cave-dwelling wildlife and fossilized relics. Full-day tours depart daily from Tamarindo, and include a bilingual guide, transportation, park entrance fee, and lunch. Note that the hour-long hike to the caves is challenging, and hiking shoes are required.

Day Spas

Relax and unwind with an exfoliating facial or a full-body Swedish massage. Several beachfront hotels feature luxurious spas, offering travelers irresistible opportunities to indulge in coffee body wraps and other blissful treatments.

Golfing

Hacienda Pinilla, just a short drive from Tamarindo, features a world-class golf course developed by Mike Young. Also located nearby is the impressive Garra de Leon – a stunning 18-hole, par 72 course at Playa Conchal.

Horseback Riding

Beginner and seasoned riders can arrange half or full-day horseback excursions. Popular trips traverse surrounding hills and pastures. Tours can be arranged with local tour companies, but be wary of outfits offering rock-bottom prices as they may overwork their horses.

Mountain Biking

Lightweight mountain bikes can be rented cheaply in downtown Tamarindo. Local cycling shops specialize in guided mountain bike tours, offering single and multi-day trips – including a surfing and biking combo excursion. There are trails to accommodate both beginner and experienced riders. Tours include round-trip transportation, drinks, a guide and technical support.

Safari Float

For a tame river adventure, explore the Corobici River on a safari float. Navigate gentle Class I-II rapids – the perfect pace for leisurely fun. The Corobici vivisects tropical dry forest, home to basilisk lizards, white-faced monkeys, iguanas, river turtles, and other native wildlife. Full-day tours depart from Tamarindo and include transportation, bilingual guides, and lunch.

Sailing

Beautiful catamarans and yachts set sail on a daily basis from Tamarindo Bay. Sunset tours feature appetizers and a champagne toast. Many half-day cruises include snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin watching and a fresh seafood lunch.

Snorkeling & Scuba Diving

Scuba diving and snorkeling tours are popular in Tamarindo – especially during the rainy months of May-October, when visibility is at its best (between 30-80 feet). Local dive shops offer affordable day trips and standard PADI certification courses to adventuresome visitors. Morning or afternoon excursions aboard catamarans may also include dolphin watching and lunch.

Boats depart twice per day for the Catalina Islands, an archipelago located 20 minutes offshore. Here, divers can observe a myriad of aquatic life – spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks and colorful schools of tropical fish. Whales frequent the area from September-March, and large schools of cow-nosed and devil rays can be spotted from January-March. Orcas, whale sharks and nurse sharks are also known to visit these waters on occasion.

Sport Fishing

Sport fishing is world-class in Tamarindo, with common catches including blue, black and striped marlin, wahoo, sailfish, yellow-fin tuna and mahi mahi. Marlin can be caught year-round, but December through February are the best months. Luxurious boat charters and multi-day packages are available. Some outfits offer catch-and-release trophies that are handmade according to the weight and dimensions of each catch, and can be shipped to nearly any country in the world.

Study Spanish

In the last few years, a several Spanish immersion programs have sprung up in Tamarindo. Students can study the language while living with a local family, and learn about typical traditions and culture. Programs generally run from one week to two months.

Surfing

Surfing is an integral part of Tamarindo culture. Warm waters and year-round breaks make this beautiful beach ideal for both beginners and pros. The town is chock full of surf shops that offer board rentals, lessons and ding repair. Amateurs prefer Tamarindo’s somewhat smaller breaks, while more experienced locals surf the larger, often desolate waves of neighboring Langosta or Playa Grande. Several surf camps feature multi-level programs that include surf tours to all of the best local hotspots. Multi-day trips to nearby Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point are also available.

Turtle Tours

Nearby Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback sea turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs. Guided evening turtle tours can be arranged in Playa Grande at the Las Baulas ranger station, or with the Local Guide Association at Tamarindo's satellite station (Tel. 2653-1687).

Ultralight Flights

Take flight on a two-person ultralight plane, also known as a gyrocopter. Daily tours depart from Tamarindo and soar along the coastline, introducing passengers to the Pacific's gorgeous beaches and amazing views of mountains, tropical dry forest and neighboring beach towns. On a clear day, passengers may even spot humpback whales, dolphins, and marine turtles in the ocean.

Whitewater Rafting

Brave Tamarindo's cool mountain rivers, where gorgeous scenery blends with twisting, turning waters that race over rocks and around bends. During a lull in the action, rafters often spot howler monkeys, iguanas, white-faced monkeys, and other indigenous wildlife. Beginners can book a full-day tour on the Colorado River (Class II-III), while experienced rafters will love spending an entire day on the Tenorio River (Class III-IV).

Yoga

An hour of beachside yoga is the ultimate way to regain peace and tranquility after an exhilarating day zip-lining or sport fishing. Classes cost $10-15 per session.

Tamarindo Travel Guide