About Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Just as Costa Rica is unique in the world, Tamarindo is unique in Costa Rica. As Costa Rica’s premier tourist destination, Tamarindo Beach is where people from all over the world come to relax, have fun, rejuvenate, and enjoy delicious food.

Located about an hour drive from Liberia International Airport and four hours from Juan Santamaria Airport in San Jose, Playa Tamarindo and its beautiful beaches are easy to reach. While each visitor has their own reasons for loving Tamarindo, there are some common things that draw people to this fascinating beach town.

It’s Always the Best Time to Visit Tamarindo

Tamarindo Bay is located on the North West Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It sits in a “tropical dry forest”, which is a truly unique climate that boasts an abundance of tropical gardens and natural beauty. Rain has no place here, during the dry season, from December to April, and during this time the prevailing winds are offshore and very arid. Although it is hot, the breeze always saves the day and nights can be cool and pleasant.

The rainy season lasts from May to November and is entirely different, but don’t expect too much rain. The atmosphere is usually dominated by sunny mornings and afternoon showers that lead to spectacular sunsets and refreshing evenings. Amazing surf is to be had year-round, Tamarindo positioning itself in the “swell window” for both North and South swells. Furthermore, manysurf breaks await within one hour drive to the north or south.

Fun Things to Do

Tamarindo Bay is a perfect half-moon bay with a gorgeous tidal estuary, family-friendly beaches, and plenty of options to have fun. At low tide, the beach is expansive, and you can ride your beach cruiser from one end to the other. Book a kayak or a paddleboard tour to Isla Capitan and search for shells. Cruise out to Langosta Beach and snorkel in the beautiful tide pools.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can go diving off Playa Langosta – here you’ll have access to one of Costa Rica’s best underwater wrecks or book snorkeling tours to discover the local coral reefs! And don’t forget about adventure tours, such as hiking through Tamarindo’s rainforest; experience all kinds of exotic flora & fauna while getting up close & personal with nature! If you want to take things slow, try your hand at beach volleyball or simply sip a cocktail at the local beach bar and do some people-watching. 

Natural Beauty

Tamarindo is located in the center of a beautiful half-moon bay. Bordered by Playa Grande to the North and Punto San Francisco to the south, Tamarindo boasts impressive white sand beaches. The hills surrounding Tamarindo create an amphitheater effect as the surrounding rainforest gives a tropical perspective to Tamarindo’s skyline.

It is here that you’ll get to admire the most beautiful sunsets in Costa Rica while enjoying quality time on popular beaches on the shores of the Pacific Ocean or partying until the early hours with your friends. Tamarindo can be your starting point for various trips to discover Costa Rica’s amazing nature and wildlife sanctuaries, including Marino Las Baulas National Park, Corcovado National Park, Playa Grande, and Playa Langosta National Parks.

Unforgettable Experiences

Tamarindo is home to many different kinds of wildlife, including sea turtles. The beach of Tamarindo offers some of the best nesting sites for endangered sea turtles in all of Costa Rica. Every year, thousands of green and leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs between the months of June and November. It’s a breathtaking experience to watch these majestic creatures make their way up onto the beach from the waves.

After laying their eggs, they slowly creep back into the ocean with effortless grace, leaving behind tracks that are sometimes visible for days afterward. During nesting season there are plenty of conservation programs available for visitors who wish to observe this incredible natural event in its full glory. Not only does it give nature lovers a chance to learn about how important conservation efforts can be but also how magical it is when nature takes its course without any interference from human activity or development. It’s truly a humbling experience that everyone should have at least once in their life!

Amazing Waves

Tamarindo was made known to the world through the cult classic surf film The Endless Summer II. For advanced surfers, the consistent swells and frequent offshore winds are the ideal setting to pursue their passion. For those looking for more relaxed surfing experiences, there are several spots located along the coastline that offer calmer waters ideal for learning or just enjoying a leisurely ride on the water. 

The surf culture permeates the entire town creating a young, upbeat, relaxed vibe. You’ll find surf shops everywhere you look and surf schools ready to teach you the art of riding the waves and pinpoint the best surf spots for your level of experience. Non-surfers enjoy the welcoming pura vida attitude and everyone enjoys the fit, well-tanned bodies that inhabit Tamarindo’s streets.

International Flare

Tamarindo attracts interesting people from all over the world. Fortunately, many of them are chefs who opened restaurants where they put their spin on the local cuisine and offer a wide range of dining options. Tourists and digital nomads from Europe, North America, South America, Asia, and Australia can be found enjoying Tamarindo’s beauty and stunning beaches while bringing their own customs and traditions along with them.

At night there are restaurants featuring global cuisine, like Italian pasta dishes or Mexican street tacos alongside traditional Costa Rican fare like ceviche or empanadas de platano maduros (fried plantain turnovers). There are also bars offering live music performances ranging from Latin jazz fusion to reggae beats.

Walking down the street in Tamarindo it would not be unusual to hear people speaking Spanish, English, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, or Hebrew. With so many cultures and expat communities blending together in one place, it’s no wonder why Tamarindo continues to draw travelers from all around the world looking for a bit of international flare and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean!