Planning to go to Tamarindo as your home base in Costa Rica? This beach town of Guanacaste, Costa Rica has tons of things to offer all travelers and despite its more touristy nature, Tamarindo’s convenient location, gentle surf breaks, and laid-back vibe are not to be missed. Today we will take you to discover the best things to see and do in Tamarindo.
Surf
Tamarindo is one of the best surfing beaches in Costa Rica, especially for beginners. There are constant waves on the beach, so you can catch a wave every day. If you’ve never been on the board before, don’t worry. There are many surf shops in town that teach lessons and offer surf camps and vacations.
We took a surf vacation with Iguana Surf and it was a lot of fun. I also gained more confidence and enjoyed learning to surf a lot more than my first lesson in Jaco! A group lesson costs approximately $ 50 per person for 2 hours. You can also book a private lesson.
Boat ride on the estuary
Tamarindo is not just a beach, it is in fact a large mangrove and estuary within the Las Baulas Marine National Park. Residents organized boat trips and kayak rentals so visitors could explore the estuary and see monkeys, birds, crocodiles, and other wildlife.
Ziplining
One of the best runs in Tamarindo is the Black Stallion Estates. They have a nice zipline through the mountains just outside of town. They also offer horseback riding and exquisite barbecue dinners, perfect for families and groups.
For a more exciting zipline ride, head to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, approximately 1 hour away. It has Superman’s longest zipline overlooking the ocean! Plus, they have a wildlife sanctuary, botanical garden, and community center for a full day of fun. It is about 1 hour drive from Tamarindo.
Sail at sunset
What better way to experience Costa Rica’s Pacific coast than aboard a boat? Get out on a catamaran for the morning (best snorkeling conditions) or a sunset excursion to enjoy the open ocean.
Go snorkeling
The Catalina Islands are a chain of 20 islands, all surrounded by crystal clear waters. This, combined with its rich nature, makes it one of the best snorkeling and scuba diving destinations in Costa Rica.
The islands are only a 30-minute boat ride from Flamingo Marina, but it feels like you’ve stepped into another world and seen what’s underwater.
You can often see stingrays, turtles, whitetip sharks, octopuses and many other wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might even see dolphins.
If you are a water boy, we highly recommend you snorkel or scuba dive here while in Tamarindo.
Explore Rincon National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park has so much to see. We cannot stress this enough, which is why it is considered to be one of the best national parks in Costa Rica.
There are breathtaking waterfalls, volcanic chimneys, boiling mud cauldrons, and breathtaking views.
Along the miles of hiking trails, you may be able to spot a variety of animals including coatis, monkeys, and toucans.
Rent a villa to sleep in
If you are planning a trip to Tamarindo surely an unmissable experience is to sleep in one of the magnificent luxury villas that are located in this place, Luxury Tamarindo Villa Rental is very popular and you will have a wide choice of villas based on how you want it. We recommend this experience because it will make your holiday suggestive and pleasant.
Go horseback riding through the jungle
Exploring the jungle can be fun, but exploring it on the back of a horse is much more memorable.
Whether you’ve never ridden before or are a keen rider, you can still join a Tamarindo Horseback Riding Tours that will take you on the trails of your own private jungle ranch. Your guide will lead you through pastures and forests on the way to waterfalls, spectacular viewpoints, and natural springs.
Enjoy Tamarindo’s vibrant nightlife
In addition to being a paradise for surfers and beach lovers, Tamarindo has a fairly well-known party reputation.
After 8pm, the streets come alive and people make their way to one of Tamarindo’s many bars. If you are a big sports fan, go to Sharky’s or if you feel like dancing until dawn, find your way to the Pacific.
With all the bars closed, the parties often spill out onto the beach where the fun continues.
