Costa Rica

Tamarindo Attractions

Beaches:

Tamarindo and Langosta

Tamarindo’s steady waves and warm waters attract both novice and seasoned surfers. The broad beach curves gently around Tamarindo Bay and is bordered by Langosta beach and the Tamarindo Estuary. Visitors will find its wide shores nearly deserted in the early morning, an ideal time for a leisurely stroll. Swimmers should use caution, as strong riptides are common along certain parts of the beach. Tamarindo is brimming with surf schools, and its popular beach breaks are often crowded with beginners. Experienced locals often go for the bigger and less crowded waves in neighboring Langosta. 

Playas Negra and Avellanas

Located nine miles south of Tamarindo, these laid-back beaches are favored by surfers for their consistent waves. Avellanas’ prevailing reef break, dubbed “Little Hawaii”, can even be a challenge for seasoned surfers. South of Avellenas’ white sand beach is Playa Negra, a darker beach dominated by a rocky coastline. Negra is famous for its reef point breaks and excellent barrels. Visitors can anticipate steady breezes and ideal surfing conditions between the months of December and April. Both beaches are relatively undeveloped and are geared towards the surfing community.

Playa Grande

Just a few miles north of Tamarindo lies Playa Grande, another Gold Coast favorite among surfers. Flanked by the Tamarindo Estuary, the beach is a 25-minute roundabout drive from Tamarindo. Playa Grande is renowned for its consistent breaks. Boarders can surf the beach break at high tide or try the Tamarindo rivermouth when it’s low. Playa Grande caters to the surfing crowd and has a few inexpensive and mid-range hotels. The town has a small supermarket and a few restaurants and hotels.

National Parks and Refuges:

Las Baulas Marine Park

Located on Guanacaste's Gold Coast, Las Baulas Marine Park encompasses the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas and Langosta, and includes the Tamarindo Estuary. Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs. These Jurassic reptiles, the largest of all sea turtles, can weigh upwards of 1,500 pounds and measure six feet in length. Although the beaches encompassed by Las Baulas Marine Park support over 800 nesting sea turtles annually, the leatherback remains highly endangered and at risk of extinction in the Pacific.

Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge 

The saltwater jungle of Tamarindo Estuary lies in the heart of this wildlife refuge. Spanning 1,200 acres, the mangrove estuary serves as the natural border between Tamarindo and Playa Grande. Its winding canals are home to ospreys, herons and kingfishers in addition to howler monkeys and coatimundis. The refuge lures visitors with beautiful beaches and a variety of water activities. Guided boat tours and kayak trips are an excellent way to spot local wildlife.

Monkey Park

Located in Portegolpe, a 20-minute drive from Tamarindo, this park cares for many endangered species. Volunteers and staff help raise orphaned and injured monkeys and other local wildlife. The park has trails and a butterfly garden in addition to its wildlife refuge. (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Sun. $15 guided tour. 2653-8032)

Day Trips:

Guaitil

Just 30 minutes from Tamarindo, the community of Guaitil houses one of Costa Rica's largest remaining Chorotega indigenous populations. The Chorotega people are well known for their skill at crafting exquisite pottery, and day trips to Guaitil usually feature a demonstration of artisan pottery techniques – clay mining, natural colors, sun-drying, and more. This is a wonderful place to purchase a meaningful souvenir of Costa Rica; most pieces costs $15-$150.

Palo Verde National Park

Palo Verde may host up to 250,000 birds at once, making it one of the region's top birding destinations. Half-day trips depart from Tamarindo, and include peaceful canal trips through the park's wetlands. Experienced guides point out many resident and migrant bird species, including egrets, ibis, herons, and storks. White-faced monkeys, armadillos, iguanas and toucans are also commonly spotted. Some tours make a stop at Guaitil on the ride back into town.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is home to an active volcano, hot springs, boiling mud pots, waterfalls, steaming fumaroles, and other unique attractions. Day trips from Tamarindo may also include horseback riding, waterfall canyoning, or a canopy tour through a river canyon.

Tamarindo Travel Guide