Tamarindo Beach
Playa Tamarindo
Guanacaste's liveliest surf town, with a long golden beach whose gentle waves suit beginners and sunsets over the Pacific.
Tamarindo lies on the northern stretch of the Nicoya Peninsula in the northwestern province of Guanacaste. It was once a small fishing village but is now one of Costa Rica's most popular beach destinations, lined with surf schools, bars, restaurants and hotels in every price range. The roughly 3 km arc of sand has consistent breaks that suit beginners well. Surf lessons cost about USD 50–70 for 2 hours, and board rentals about USD 15–20 per day. Other activities include sunset boat cruises and snorkeling, and paddling through the mangroves of the estuary to spot crocodiles and birds. Playa Grande, across the river to the north, is part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, where from October to March you can join a guided night tour to watch leatherback turtles nest. To the south, Playa Langosta and Playa Avellanas are quieter. Getting there: it is about 1–1.25 hours' drive from Liberia International Airport (LIR), about 4.5–5 hours' drive from San José, and small planes also fly into the town's airstrip. Note: there are crocodiles in the estuary, so swimming there is prohibited. Watch out for rip currents. Beach security at night is only average, so do not leave valuables in your car or on the sand.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Tamarindo Estuary Wildlife Refuge
- Playa Langosta
- Las Baulas National Marine Park (Playa Grande)
- Playa Avellanas
- Playa Conchal
- Playa Negra
- Playa Flamingo
- Catalina Islands Diving