Ever since we give up our jobs and left our 9-5 lives, we’ve got semi-based ourselves in Costa Rica, simply 20 minutes south of the city of Tamarindo in Guanacaste province.
It’s an space the place Max grew up and the place his household nonetheless lives at present. For us, this area seems like dwelling, and whereas we don’t stay in Tamarindo full-time, we go to the city and the realm each few months.
Tamarindo, the Hub of Tourism in Guanacaste
You might be shocked to be taught that Tamarindo, Costa Rica is a comparatively youthful city. Simply 30 years in the past, it was nothing greater than a small fishing village with no roads and no tourism infrastructure. With a inhabitants of underneath 7,000, it’s not essentially the most populated place within the nation, however it attracts greater than its justifiable share of tourism.
Over time, Tamarindo has established itself as a hub of tourism in Guanacaste. The shore of Playa Tamarindo presents nice surf and attracts loads of surfers for the waves, its fashionable seashores attract households, and the colourful city vibe attracts loads of solo vacationers trying to find the Pura Vida life-style and an incredible social gathering city scene.
Sure, Tamarindo is a vacation spot beloved by all!
For us, Tamarindo is a lifeline. It’s a central hub for retailers, eating places and actions, so we all the time have loads of issues to do in Tamarindo.
We’ll be trustworthy, we’ve got a love/hate relationship with Tamarindo.
Within the off-season, we love taking a visit out to Tamarindo. We hang around on the seashore, refill on groceries, and deal with ourselves to some tacos or sushi whereas we’re there.
However when vacationers flock to Tamarindo Seaside within the busy season (December- March), our weekly journeys grow to be extra of a trouble than a deal with. The crowds grow to be an excessive amount of to deal with, the parking – too difficult to search out, and the sweetness appears to lose a little bit of its attraction.
There’s a purpose why the locals have nicknamed the city “Tamagringo.”
Is Tamarindo Price Visiting?
In case you are planning a visit to Costa Rica, Tamarindo Seaside is probably going a cease in your itinerary and for good causes.
Whereas it may be busy and touristy, Tamarindo does provide a handy strategy to expertise the Guanacaste area and a few of its prime actions, so that you’ll by no means be questioning what to do in Tamarindo.
Tamarindo is thought for its beautiful white sand seashores which can be a hotspot for surfers, households, and vacationers from everywhere in the globe. Folks additionally flock to Tamarindo Seaside for the superb water sports activities obtainable within the space, like kayaking, SUP and fishing. It’s positively value visiting should you’re trying to absorb the Costa Rican sunshine or strive browsing for the primary time.
Try our Featured Video
Is Tamarindo Secure?
Sure! Tamarindo is comparatively secure and even has a fame for being one of many most secure locations to go to in South America. The town has a relaxed ambiance, and the locals are very pleasant, although you continue to want to make use of good journey sense (as you need to wherever you go!). The city has a low crime fee for pickpocketing and different minor crimes, and something past that’s unlikely.
Listed here are just a few security suggestions you should utilize in your journey:
- Don’t flaunt any valuables! When in vacationer areas, it’s higher to mix in than carry round flashy gadgets that draw consideration.
- At all times lock your doorways. Simply because the city is laid again doesn’t imply it’s okay to go away vehicles and resort rooms unlocked.
- Take warning on the street. Be careful for potholes, stray canines or herds of cows!
- Faucet water is taken into account secure to drink. Nevertheless, in case you have a delicate abdomen or are used to high-quality faucet water, it might be safer to search for different choices.
Unsure in regards to the water security in Tamarindo? The answer doesn’t should be shopping for plastic water bottles. We suggest this nice private filter straw that can be utilized as a straw by itself or with the included filter bag. It makes use of carbon media to filter 99.9% of micro organism and different pathogens in water. It’s an incredible eco-friendly various to purchasing bottled water and an ideal strategy to ensure you by no means have to fret about water security once more!
Greatest Time to Go to Tamarindo
In relation to Tamarindo climate, there are 2 seasons: the dry season and the inexperienced season.
Dry Season
The dry season runs from December till April. Opposite to fashionable perception, the dry season isn’t the very best time to go to as a result of it coincides with an inflow of vacationers. It’s scorching, actually scorching… and crowded, which, in our opinion, takes away all of Tamarindo Seaside’s attraction.
Temperatures hover simply shy of 30 levels Celsius and take note it’s a dry warmth. So, drink loads of water to remain hydrated.
Nevertheless, within the dry season, Tamarindo Seaside is a good place to go to for these in search of a celebration spot. Tamarindo tourism is busy and buzzing with actions.
Busy day on the seashore in Tamarindo
Inexperienced Season
The wet season runs from Might to November, and it is usually referred to as the inexperienced season as a result of the rain makes the countryside a deep, verdant inexperienced.
Don’t be afraid to go to Tamarindo within the wet season. It’s quiet, lush, and actually laid again. Most mornings are vivid and clear, and the rain clouds don’t roll in till the afternoon.
It may be slightly muggy presently of yr, however temperatures hover within the comfy mid-twenties.
Shoulder Season
We suggest planning a Tamarindo seashore trip within the shoulder season. The months of November, in addition to June/July/August, are a lot quieter and extra nice if you wish to benefit from the seashore and the environment.
These months expertise much less rainfall than in the course of the peak of the inexperienced season. You’ll miss the crowds and received’t should pay premium high-season costs.
The best way to Get to Tamarindo
Tamarindo is conveniently positioned with quick access to Liberia airport within the coronary heart of Guanacaste area in Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.
By Air: If you wish to arrive by air, fly into Daniel Oduber Worldwide Airport (LIR) in Liberia. This airport has many flights from main cities in North America, like Toronto, New York, and Miami.
Tamarindo city is positioned simply 1-hour drive from the Liberia Airport or the Guanacaste Airport. You may lease a automotive, take a taxi or shuttle bus, or take a 2-3 hour journey on the general public bus for US$2.50.
By Automotive: For essentially the most comfort, attending to Tamarindo by automotive is the very best guess. With a automotive, journey can occur by yourself schedule; you received’t have to depend on public transportation schedules. You may plan your schedule extra fastidiously, take extra day journeys, and save on the switch from the airport. Relying on the yr and the way packed Tamarindo Seaside is a automotive additionally means you possibly can keep farther from city. As a result of belief us, within the excessive season when the city swells past capability, staying within the coronary heart of time may be fairly exhausting!
The primary disadvantage of renting a automotive is that parking in Tamarindo could be a actual problem!
Because the city was not designed for the tourism numbers, avenue parking and visitors in Tamarindo could be a actual nightmare… even within the off-season! So should you do determine to lease a automotive, we suggest discovering a resort with on-site parking and being ready for a brief stroll into city on most days.
By Shuttle Switch: Should you plan to base your self in Tamarindo at some stage in your journey or desire to make use of shared transport, you’ll have to e-book a shuttle to get to Tamarindo from the airport or from many different locations. Sadly, Tamarindo isn’t very nicely linked to different tourism hubs, so getting round by public bus is kind of difficult.
Distance From Tamarindo to Widespread Costa Rican Locations
- To San Jose: 4-5 hours masking 260km (160mi). A well-paved street makes for a reasonably straightforward drive to San Jose. Alternatively, there are additionally each day flights that may take you to San Jose.
- To Monteverde: 3-4 hour drive throughout 162km (100mi). The drive is comparatively straightforward, although foreigners must be aware of slender roads and native drivers who are likely to drive quick.
- To Santa Teresa: About 5.5 hours masking 200km (124mi). The drive is clean alongside the paved highways of Route 21. Count on fairly coastal views as you go by the sleepy seashore cities.
- To Manuel Antonio: About 5 hours to Manuel Antonio, that’s 300km (186mi) away. The route passes by means of well-maintained highways which can be comparatively traffic-free when you get out of town.
- To La Fortuna: 4 hours masking 210km (130 mi). There are good, paved roads forward, although it is likely to be higher to drive in the course of the day because the roads are unlit and winding.
- To Liberia: 1.5 hours to Liberia Metropolis Centre or over 1 hour to the airport, that’s 80km (50mi) away. Because the route passes by means of a serious street, the journey is mostly clean.
- To Nosara: 2-hour drive masking 70km (44 mi). You’ll be driving alongside Route 160, a nationwide street that’s maintained nicely and is in good condition.
- To Samara: 2 hours masking 94km (58mi) on the paved Route 21/Route 150 freeway. These main roads are clean, flat, and are straightforward to navigate with signages. Alternatively, you possibly can take the coastal route that provides 4km (2.5mi) to your journey and takes you thru the stunning cities and seashores in between, although this may take for much longer as a result of poor street circumstances.
- To San Juan: Many guests join from Puerto Rico to different Latin American nations. The flight from San Juan takes about 6.5 hours over the Caribbean sea.
To check all transportation choices and to e-book a minivan, automotive, bus or flight from and to Tamarindo, take a look at Bookaway.
Prime Issues To Do In Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a seashore city and one of many few that gives the whole lot from white sand seashores and snorkeling to horseback using and climbing.
1. Get pleasure from Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica (Tamarindo Seaside)
The primary attraction in Tamarindo is a pleasant, lengthy, sandy white seashore that stretches for 3.5 km alongside the principle street. The seashore is nice for swimming, at low tide and excessive tide, stress-free, and sunbathing, and presents loads of good waves for newbie surfers seeking to give it a strive.
Extra skilled surfers will take pleasure in wonderful surf breaks simply exterior of Tamarindo at Playa Negra and Avellanas (25 minutes away by automotive), Playa Grande (25 minutes away by automotive), or Witch’s Rock (1 hour by automotive after which 30 min by boat).
Tamarindo Seaside can also be a preferred spot for seashore volleyball, an informal soccer match and different actions. There are many eating places on the seashore, so you possibly can take pleasure in ocean views with a cocktail in hand. The seashore can also be the very best place to catch a Tamarindo sundown!
Tamarindo Seaside at sundown
2. Get pleasure from Different Seashores within the Space
There are a number of stunning seashores in and round Tamarindo, so should you’re touring with seashore lovers, you’ve come to the precise place!
Playa Langosta
Playa Langosta is a quieter various to the busy shores of Playa Tamarindo. Head south simply 2 km (1.2 miles) away, and also you’ll get to Playa Langosta, a wonderful seashore with its personal surf tradition. It’s a preferred seashore identified for superb browsing waves, surf faculties, and a picturesque shoreline.
Langosta is named one of many extra luxurious, stunning seashores and even has the one all-inclusive resort within the space. It’s shut sufficient to city that you are able to do some seashore hopping and hop on a ship journey to go to each Playa Tamarindo and Playa Langosta in a day.
Playa Langosta (Langosta Seaside), Tamarindo
Playa Avellanas
Playa Avellanas is a wonderful swimming and browsing seashore positioned a 30-minute drive from Tamarindo that gives a pleasant break from the hustle and bustle. We is likely to be biased, however Playa Avellanas is our favorite Guanacaste seashore to chill out, surf, play seashore volleyball, and benefit from the spot of vibrant sea creatures.
There are additionally some nice eating places within the space, together with the well-known beachside restaurant known as Lola’s, dwelling to 2 pigs that simply love the seashore!
Playa Avellanas
Playa Grande
Playa Grande is one other stunning seashore vacation spot north of Tamarindo in Marino Las Baulas Nationwide Park. It is without doubt one of the greatest browsing seashores in Costa Rica, identified for its nice waves amongst native Guanacaste surfers.
However good surf breaks aren’t its solely attraction—the seashore can also be well-known for being a nesting web site for leatherback sea turtles. Should you go to from October to Might, you would possibly see the nesting turtles throughout an evening stroll or tour.
Playa Grande
3. Take A Browsing Lesson
As considered one of Costa Rica’s premier browsing locations, Tamarindo is teeming with surf outlets.
Tamarindo browsing is at its greatest in the course of the inexperienced season, between Might-November, when the South Pacific brings sizable, long-period swells towards this area. That is the perfect browsing time for skilled wave riders. Surf outlets on the town will present you the very best spots to surf round Tamarindo and take you out to fashionable browsing spots close by, like Witches Rock or Playa Negra – featured within the well-known browsing film Countless Summer season.
Good newbie circumstances ideally suited for small-medium-sized surf may be loved from December – April in Tamarindo. March is named a very nice time to go to for Tamarindo browsing. Newbie surf classes may be organized at any of the surf outlets on the town, and if you’re seeking to decide to browsing and are in search of a very good surf camp, Tamarindo presents just a few nice choices.
- Iguana Surf is a surf store, surf camp, and tour company mixed into one, with easy group classes, week-long surf camps, and the whole lot in between. For individuals who don’t thoughts having firm whereas they be taught, group classes begin at $45. However browsing isn’t all that’s on provide. Should you aren’t certain what you wish to do in Tamarindo, in addition they provide quite a lot of different excursions, together with ATV, boat, and diving excursions. Should you’re feeling extra adventurous, in addition they provide zip-lining, snorkeling, horseback using, and white water rafting, amongst different issues.
- Salty Sols Surf Faculty is a good possibility for households seeking to do one thing enjoyable with the youngsters at Playa Tamarindo. The college presents classes for newbies by means of superior, in teams or one-on-one. The instructors are nice with youngsters and make newbies really feel comfy whereas offering the enjoyable and nice coaching one would count on. Group courses begin at $50 and supply the whole lot that you must catch your first wave within the Pacific Ocean.
- Surf Each Day Academy’s Leandro Van Megroot presents each day group browsing classes and quite a lot of courses for individuals who wish to enhance their browsing expertise or those that wish to be taught from scratch. Taking a extra holistic method, Surf Each Day Academy encourages college students to reinforce their expertise by means of surf observe and skateboarding, mindfulness, power coaching, and adaptability coaching. Classes begin at $69.
Surfer having fun with a sundown in Tamarindo
4. Take A Sundown Boat Cruise
Quite a few crusing journeys and boat excursions depart each day, taking Tamarindo guests to stunning bays and nice snorkeling spots. Many run as full-day excursions, however half-day and sundown excursions are additionally obtainable. These are two of essentially the most well-known sundown crusing excursions.
- Marlin del Rey Sundown Crusing and Snorkeling Tour. This 4.5-hour sundown cruise sails from Tamarindo Seaside and follows the shoreline alongside the Pacific Coast. The boat stops at a secluded seashore for a swim, however the spotlight of the expertise is an opportunity to take pleasure in just a few drinks whereas watching the sundown. Mild lunch, snacks, and an open bar make it further particular. The corporate is skilled and has been in operation for years.
- Dream Chaser Catamaran Sundown Cruise. Get pleasure from a 5-hour sundown crusing journey aboard a 40-foot Dream Chaser catamaran with sailings from Tamarindo. Get pleasure from stress-free lounge areas, an open bar, a lunch buffet, snorkeling gear, and paddleboards.
You should definitely e-book by means of the hyperlinks above or immediately by means of the supplier. There are various boat rides and tour suppliers providing most of these excursions on the town. All of them kind of sound the identical, however the consolation degree of the boat, the standard of meals/drinks and the ambiance could make an enormous distinction in your expertise, so select fastidiously.
Sundown Tamarindo
5. Go Kayaking
Kayaking excursions are additionally fashionable and provide a good way to discover the mangrove ecosystem of Tamarindo Bay and the close by estuary waterways. From the water, you might even see a few of Costa Rica’s various wildlife, starting from howler monkeys, caymans, and iguanas to tropical wading chook species. Excursions often final 2-3 hours and are a good way to discover the pure panorama.
Kayak Membership Tamarindo presents an estuary tour, in addition to snorkeling excursions, fishing excursions, and sundown excursions. They provide kayaks and gear and provide transient paddling classes so even newcomers can absolutely recognize the great thing about a kayak.
Whether or not it’s the 3-hour guided estuary tour by means of the mangrove forest to stand up shut with the howler monkeys or the less-structured fishing tour or sundown tour, you’re certain to have a very good time. Don’t overlook to deliver a digital camera with you.
6. Attempt SUP In Tamarindo Estuary
One other various is stand-up paddle boarding (SUP); it’s a bit extra distinctive the place water sports activities are involved. The water within the estuary could be very calm, so even newbies can take pleasure in a peaceable paddle by means of the jungle. You’ll get an opportunity to see lots of the animals and tropical fish that decision this space dwelling.
Should you aren’t certain the place to start out, take a look at Costa Rica Stand Up Paddle Adventures. They provide SUP classes for newbies or for anybody who’s solely aware of paddleboarding in flat water reasonably than the ocean. As soon as you realize what you’re doing, there are a variety of guided SUP excursions to different seashores close to Tamarindo, starting from 2-4 hours. Classes begin at $85, whereas excursions begin at $135.
Prepared for SUP!
7. Go Snorkeling Or Scuba Diving
One other strategy to discover the Pacific Ocean is thru scuba diving or snorkeling excursions, each of which may be organized from Tamarindo. Snorkeling in Tamarindo Bay isn’t nice, so snorkeling excursions are sometimes mixed with crusing excursions (see above). These excursions cease at a secluded seashore for swimming and snorkeling, then cruise alongside the coast to catch the sundown, and may even embrace meals, snacks, and an open bar.
Scuba diving journeys that depart from Tamarindo go to Catalinas Islands or Bat Island, the place you possibly can have an opportunity of recognizing bull sharks. Various scuba diving firms function on the town and provide 2 dives + gear packages for about $250/particular person.
Catalinas Island, Costa Rica
Starfish in Catalinas Island
8. Go On A Ziplining Tour
In order for you an opportunity to expertise the longest and coolest cover tour in Costa Rica, you’ll should go to Monteverde. However those that don’t plan to journey that far can expertise the fun of zip lining not too removed from Tamarindo.
It’s vital to notice that there aren’t any zip-lining programs proper in Tamarindo, so it doesn’t matter what tour supplier you select, be ready to journey anyplace from half-hour to 2 hours to get to your remaining journey vacation spot.
Most cover excursions in Guanacaste happen in Rincon de la Vieja, positioned about 1.5 hours from Tamarindo. Right here, the cover is thick, the rivers are flowing, and journey excursions are supplied by quite a lot of journey operators. These Zipline Tamarindo excursions provide transfers to Rincon de la Vieja, and most embrace different actions within the bundle to make it into enjoyable Tamarindo excursions.
Max zip lining in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Zip lining in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park in Costa Rica
Adventures at Guachipelin in Rincon de la Vieja
Zip Lining in Rincon de la Vieja
- Zip-Line and Rafting Full Day Journey Tour at Canyon Lodge: Embrace your ardour for the outside by becoming a member of this full-day 8-in-1 journey journey to Canyon Lodge. This action-packed tour consists of zip-lining, horse using, canyoning, rafting, mountain climbing, and extra!
- Zipline and Sizzling Springs Day Tour at Blue River Resort & Sizzling Springs: This 9-hour adrenaline and leisure tour takes place at Blue River Resort & Sizzling Springs. They’ve an elaborate zip line course with 9 thrilling zip strains, a Tarzan swing, and hanging bridges. Get pleasure from lunch and end the day soaking within the scorching spring swimming pools of the Blue River Resort.
- Zip Line, Horseback Driving & Pure Spa Day Tour at Buena Vista Lodge: This full-day tour takes place at Buena Vista Lodge and Journey Centre. The tour features a cover tour with zip strains and hanging bridges, in addition to a horseback journey, a soak within the volcanic mud bathtub and leisure time within the swimming pool. Lunch can also be included as is transportation.
- Canyon Cover Tour at Hacienda Guachipelin: though this tour doesn’t embrace transportation, it’s our favorite zipline tour within the Guanacaste space. This tour takes place at Hacienda Guachipelin and features a 2-hour cover tour by means of the beautiful blue canyon. You’ll rappel, rock climb and swing from the 12 cable rides, 24 cover platforms, two climbing partitions, hanging bridge and swing seats, in addition to absorb of the unique wildlife. There’s a restaurant on-site the place you possibly can take pleasure in lunch afterwards, in addition to different actions, like Rio Negro Sizzling Springs and some stunning waterfalls. If in case you have your individual automobile and may drive to Guachipelin for the day, that is the very best zip-line tour to hitch!
Zip Lining Close to Tamarindo, Guanacaste
- Rainforest Cover Zipline Tour– this is without doubt one of the shortest Tamarindo zipline excursions that permits you to expertise 11 zip strains on the totally different cover ranges. Regardless of the identify, the tour solely lasts about 3.5 hours and consists of transport to and from Tamarindo to a close-by cover course.
- Pinilla Cover Tour – is one other supplier providing zip line excursions close to Tamarindo. Their zip line course consists of 8 cables, a Tarzan swing, a dangling bridge, and slightly bungee soar. You may’t e-book this tour on-line, however any journey centre on the town will be capable of organize this exercise for you.
9. Go Horseback Driving
Horseback using is a well-liked strategy to uncover the again roads of Tamarindo and the encircling areas. Excursions can vary from just some hours to full-day adventures and may be organized on the town.
For the very best expertise – take a look at Guti Excursions in Playa Lagartillo/Playa Avellanas, about half an hour away from Tamarindo. Born and raised on this space, Andrei and his group are true locals with loads fo nice tales to share. They provide morning and afternoon horseback excursions of Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra, permitting you to get that iconic expertise of using a horse on the seashore in Costa Rica.
The surroundings on this a part of Guanacaste is beautiful; it’s not too crowded and really an escape into nature. The value is cheap, with excursions beginning at $70. Sundown excursions are additionally obtainable and are extremely really useful to catch the gorgeous sunsets!
Horseback journey on a seashore
10. Go Fishing
Tamarindo is conveniently positioned near a number of the best fishing grounds on the earth. Relying on the time of yr, Billfish and different giant species may be discovered as shut as 3 miles off the shores of Playa Tamarindo. Non-public Tamarindo fishing charters may be organized by means of Tamarindo Constitution Firm or Tamarindo Sport Fishing.
Most operators have a strict catch-and-release coverage, however you possibly can often hold a smaller catch and organize to have one of many eating places on the town prepare dinner it for you for dinner.
Fishing Constitution, Costa Rica
11. See Turtle Nesting on the Seaside
Las Baulas Nationwide Park, positioned only a brief 25-minute drive from Tamarindo in Playa Grande, is a well-known vacation spot for Sea Turtles Nesting Excursions. It is without doubt one of the few locations on the earth the place Large Leatherback Sea Turtles come to put their eggs. To witness this distinctive pure prevalence, you’ll have to hop on a tour departing from Playa Grande.
The distinctive excursions happen within the evenings, simply after nightfall, and are led by rangers concerned within the conservation tasks within the park. The excursions are extremely regulated due to the conservation efforts by the Leatherback Belief in collaboration with Earthwatch.
Customer interplay with the leatherback turtles could be very restricted (no cameras are allowed), however in case you have by no means seen turtles nesting on the seashore earlier than, it’s a really cool and academic expertise and among the finest issues to do in Tamarindo. The leatherback turtles’ nesting season is from October to February. Your resort or quite a lot of companies on the town can assist arrange Turtle Nesting Excursions.
Turles on the seashore in Ostional, Costa Rica
Turles on the seashore in Ostional, Costa Rica
Turtle nesting in Guanacaste
12. Hire Your Personal Gear
If excursions aren’t your factor and also you’re questioning what to do in Tamarindo, you too can lease some gear to discover the realm at your individual tempo. Bicycles, surfboards, boogie boards, SUP boards and different gear can be found for lease from quite a lot of shops.
There may be all the time an possibility of renting your individual gear
13. Go to The Tamarindo Evening Market
Each Thursday evening from 6pm-9pm, the city of Tamarindo comes collectively on the Tamarindo Evening Market. The market has stay music performances, hearth dancers, and family-friendly enjoyable and options quite a lot of stalls with meals, artisan items and native hand-crafted souvenirs. There may be additionally a skate park on-site fashionable with native youngsters of all ages. It’s a enjoyable place to be on a Thursday evening and a good way to really feel the vibe of the city.
or the…
14. Tamarindo Farmers Market
Tamarindo Farmers Market is an occasion not only for the vacationers however for the whole neighborhood. It’s notably fashionable among the many locals.
The market takes place each Saturday morning, simply beside Oneida Park. Stalls on the market vary from recent produce, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, private care merchandise and souvenirs.
Downtown Tamarindo, Costa Rica
15. Go to A Spa
Coco Spa Tamarindo is our favorite place to chill out and unwind after a day on the waves. It’s a full-service spa providing quite a lot of companies starting from massages to nail therapies and waxing.
The spa is skilled, makes use of pure native substances and has a stunning workers. We frequent the Spa after we are on the town and would extremely suggest a cease right here on a go to to any Tamarindo journey.
16. Go Purchasing
Whereas not essentially the most cultural of Tamarindo actions, buying across the bustling seashore city could be a enjoyable strategy to spend a day. In any case, Tamarindo is without doubt one of the few locations with distinctive outlets value exploring.
Except for the standard memento outlets that promote $10 tank tops, flip-flops, and sarongs, there are a variety of distinctive boutique-style outlets in Tamarindo which can be positively value a cease whilst you’re visiting Tamarindo.
Testing the outlets in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Clothes & Memento Retailers
Clothes shops are peppered alongside the downtown space, alongside the principle avenue in Tamarindo, so it’s straightforward to pop into just a few shops as you make your approach round city. The next are the most well-liked ones:
- Papaya con Leche – for custom-fit swimsuits and in-house handcrafted footwear
- Morena Beachwear – stunning, sustainably locally-made swimwear. My favorite bathing go well with retailer on the town.
- Con Mucho Gusto – for artisan merchandise and distinctive clothes
- Azul Profundo Boutique – for inexpensive beachwear, footwear, baggage, bikinis, jewellery, and souvenirs
- Lydia Beech Artwork – for useful artwork and custom-made clothes
- Diamante Boutique – for distinctive swimwear, footwear and extra
- Buena Nena – for bohemian vibes and handmade hippy types
- Del Toro Bikinis – for enjoyable and flattering bikinis in fashionable cuts and patterns, for quite a lot of physique varieties
- Guana Beachwear – for cozy and informal garments to put on on the seashore or round city. Designed and made in regionally, this can be a accountable and higher various to these $ 10 t-shirts you’ll see in all different memento outlets.
Natural Merchandise
For pure, natural Costa Rican merchandise, head to the Natural Merchandise store proper subsequent to the Coco Spa Tamarindo.
One other good spot for natural goodies is Almacén Orgánico, a bulk store just a few blocks down the road from the spa. They’ve an incredible number of pure meals, bulk items, specialty gadgets and a lust-worthy checklist of organically grown teas. Make a cease right here for substances you received’t discover in neighbourhood grocery shops. The store additionally hosts yoga courses in its on-site studio.
Natural store in Tamarindo
Grocery Purchasing
To refill on groceries (not essentially the most thrilling buying on the town, however very needed), head to the Auto Mercado on Calle Central. There may be additionally one other grocery retailer known as Mega Tremendous, a bit additional out of city. The latter is a extra native various, however the former is your greatest guess for any Western substances or meals you would possibly miss from dwelling.
Day Journeys From Tamarindo
Should you plan on spending various days in Tamarindo, it’s value contemplating taking just a few day journeys for a change of surroundings. Listed here are just a few enjoyable day journeys we suggest.
Playa Avellanas
Positioned about 20 minutes south of Tamarindo, it’s a stunning 3km seashore fashionable for swimming and browsing and a spot to keep away from the crowded, fashionable seashores in Tamarindo. It’s the type of place you could possibly come to for the entire day, park up within the shade within the hammock or garden chairs on the seashore restaurant Lola’s and revel in a calming day. Lola’s serves up nice meals for breakfast and lunch, and yummy cocktails are on provide till 5pm.
Notice: The street to Avellanas isn’t paved and could be very dusty within the dry season. It’s satisfactory for any automobile and doesn’t require a 4×4, however if you’re touring in a smaller automotive, the journey may be fairly uncomfortable and bumpy.
Rincon De La Vieja
Positioned about 1.5 hours from Tamarindo, Rincon de la Vieja is the closest Nationwide Park to city and an incredible vacation spot for hikes and journey actions. The park is called after a dormant volcano positioned contained in the park. Though this volcano isn’t fairly as spectacular as Arenal, the encircling space nonetheless presents a pleasant change of surroundings from the seashore and is a must-see for nature lovers.
There are just a few trails contained in the park, some waterfalls to discover, and the Rio Negro Sizzling Springs, the place you possibly can soak your sore muscle tissue after a day of actions. Plenty of journey centres within the park provide actions like zip lining, tubing, horseback using and extra (see above for tour solutions).
Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Oropendola Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Admiring an enormous fig tree in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Rio Celeste In Tenorio Nationwide Park
The turquoise waters of Rio Celeste have made this an interesting vacation spot to go to on a day journey from Tamarindo. The well-known Rio Celeste waterfall is positioned inside Tenorio Nationa Park, about 3 hours inland from Tamarindo. The hike to the waterfall is straightforward to reasonable problem and will take underneath 2 hours. Nevertheless, the journey to Tenorio makes for a protracted day journey!
Should you don’t have time to go to Tenorio for an in a single day journey, we suggest becoming a member of a tour and letting another person do the driving for you.
Rio Celeste Waterfall at Tenorio Nationwide Park
Greatest Eating places In Tamarindo
In relation to the very best locations to eat in Tamarindo, there isn’t any scarcity of eating places. Tamarindo presents one thing for everybody with a big number of cuisines and nice eating choices. Here’s a checklist of some of our favorite meals joints.
- Bamboo Sushi Membership is positioned within the middle of city and is a good spot to have one thing slightly bit totally different if you’re rising bored with rice and beans. The ambiance is sweet and stress-free, and within the night, the restaurant can function a great place for a romantic dinner. That is by far the greatest sushi spot in Tamarindo and is well worth the hype. Attempt their Tico Roll – it’s not like something you’ve ever had earlier than!
- Nogui’s Restaurant has been serving Tamarindo since 1974 and might be the very best identified native restaurant on the town. They provide scrumptious desserts and a extremely recent Tuna Poke proper on the principle seashore!
- Latitude Blue. They provide native flavours with a western flare. A superb place to catch some nighttime leisure in a pleasant setting. Great place for a romantic dinner in a central location on the principle strip on the town.
- Inexperienced Papaya Taco Bar has scrumptious and wholesome tacos, salads and extra! They even provide vegan-friendly choices.
- Falafel Bar has the very best hummus in Tamarindo! They provide a tasty Mediterranean menu in a laid-back restaurant setting.
- Sprout: Has lunch & dinner made solely from recent, natural, & regionally sustainable substances. Oh, and it’s scrumptious!
- Mercadito De Tamarindo: (Tamarindo Market) is an enormous hit in Tamarindo. The open-concept market opened in February 2018. It homes fashionable meals stalls and clothes outlets, which all face middle stage. The meals is affordable and cheerful, so don’t count on something too fancy, however it’s a pleasant spot to seize a chew to eat whereas exploring the city. Dwell music acts carry out usually. The Tamarindo Market is open day by day from 11 a.m to 11 p.m.
- Dragonfly Bar and Grill: A protracted-time favorite in Tamarindo, it’s an informal restaurant with romantic mood-lighting and a full of life ambiance. They’re identified for his or her constant service, scrumptious seafood, sandwiches, and salads, in addition to wines, cocktails, and craft beers. They’re open nightly from 5:30pm to 10:00pm.
- La Oveja Surf Home is a good spot to seize a chew pre or post-surf, with filling burritos, seafood, poke bowls, and extra. Their breakfast menu can also be a good way to start out the day.
Oksana in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Scrumptious fish dish at a seashore aspect restaurant in Tamarindo. $10/meal
Pulled pork tacos at Inexperienced Papaya
Searching for Bars/Golf equipment in Tamarindo?
Tamarindo has lengthy been identified for its vibrant nightlife. Nevertheless, over time, particularly for the reason that pandemic, the social gathering scene in Tamarindo has taken an enormous hit. Plenty of locations have shut down, and those nonetheless in operation have grow to be more and more seedy. Listed here are just a few suggestions, however be warned – choose for your self and proceed with warning.
- Sharky’s Bar is a taking place sports activities bar and membership and an incredible place for some drinks and pub grub all through the week. This is without doubt one of the extra rowdy native bars in Tamarindo, so be cautious when visiting. Sharky’s is especially fashionable on Saturdays or anytime there’s a sporting occasion on TV.
- Pacifico Bar is an open-air bar proper on the seashore. Good spot for Tamarindo nightlife; they’ve fashionable reggae and Latin music nights.
Greatest Accommodations In Tamarindo
There are a plethora of Tamarindo resorts and trip leases to select from on the town. Choices vary from low-cost hostels, inexpensive B&Bs, mid-range resorts and luxurious resorts.
Our suggestions beneath embrace just a few of the most sustainable, environmentally pleasant choices.
Selina Tamarindo Hostel Should you’re visiting Tamarindo on a funds, a keep on the Selina Tamarindo Hostel is the best way to go. Widespread for digital nomads and backpackers, Selina Hostel is positioned within the coronary heart of the bustling seashore city simply steps away from bars, eating places, and the seashore. It’s among the finest locations to remain for backpackers.
Selina Hostels are scattered throughout Latin America and give attention to selling native tradition by means of actions and neighborhood engagement. These glad to share a room with as much as 10 individuals can snag a mattress for simply $25 an evening or go for a non-public suite with a toilet for $100+. Plenty of actions can be found on web site, together with yoga courses, surf classes, and coworking areas.
Commonplace Room. Picture by: Selina Hostel Tamarindo
Sabanero Eco Lodge. This Tamarindo boutique resort is positioned about 20 minutes exterior of the city centre. Sabanero Eco Lodge contains 15 air-conditioned chalets constructed from native teak bushes, with a porch overlooking the Cañafistula valley.
Their onsite restaurant makes use of regionally grown produce for meals, and the place is run with a dedication to supporting the area people. Each day yoga courses can be found.
El Sabanero Eco Lodge, Tamarindo
Tamarindo Diria Seaside Resort is without doubt one of the oldest Tamarindo resorts and arguably essentially the most iconic resort on the town. Diria has existed in Tamarindo for the reason that city was nothing greater than a fishing village. It has continued to maintain up its grounds to hold a 4-star certification.
That is a kid-friendly spacious resort, with 240 air-con rooms, ocean view lodging, 3 swimming swimming pools, 5 eating places, 4 bars, and far more! Regardless of its dimension, Diria Resort is working in the direction of being carbon-neutral by means of eco-friendly practices and the assist of ongoing reforestation efforts within the nation.
Tamarindo Diria Seaside Resort in Tamarindo. Picture by Tamarindo Diria Seaside Resort.
Jardin Del Eden, Costa Rica, is a boutique resort positioned just some steps away from the favored seashore and is surrounded by stunning tropical gardens. Jardin del Eden Boutique Resort presents company a calming, eco-friendly ambiance.
The resort has applied a long-term sustainability administration system, committing to utilizing native supplies, photo voltaic heating, and eco-friendly toiletries. That is one other adult-only resort, with 46 rooms starting from $180-$450 USD an evening.
Jardin Del Eden, Tamarindo. Picture by Jardin Del Eden Resort.
How A lot Time Do You Want In Tamarindo?
Plan to spend no less than 2-3 days in Tamarindo to present your self time to take pleasure in totally different seashores and make the most of some actions and excursions within the space.
With that stated, although, should you don’t like touristy locations, overpriced eating places (as a result of they don’t seem to be low-cost in Tamarindo), and nightlife isn’t excessive in your bucket checklist, take into account skipping a go to to Tamarindo altogether.
There are quieter seashores to take pleasure in all alongside the Pacific Coast and cities that include much more Costa Rican flare and cultural vibe than Tamarindo.