15 Best Things To Do In Tamarindo
With a great location, beach town vibes, restaurants, shops, and tons of activities, Playa Tamarindo along Costa Rica’s North Pacific Coast is one of the top destinations in the large province of Guanacaste. Located just an hour’s drive from the Liberia International Airport and several other beaches, many people choose Tamarindo as a base for their Costa Rica beach vacation.
The Best Things To Do in Tamarindo
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Take a Surf Lesson
Taking a surf lesson is one of the top things to do in Tamarindo, and for good reason. Known as the best place to learn how to surf in all of Costa Rica, you can’t plan a visit to Tamarindo without taking a beginner surf lesson! The waves at Playa Tamarindo are mellow with a soft, sandy bottom, making it ideal for the beginner who tends to fall off their board more often than pop up on it.
While there are several places to learn how to surf in Tamarindo, two of the most popular are found right in front of the main beach. Iguana Surf Camp and Witch’s Rock Surf Camp have been around for a couple of decades, in fact, one of them has been operating in Tamarindo since 1989, when Tamarindo was barely on the map!
As one of the most popular Tamarindo activities, you can take part in a group or private surf lesson every day of the week. The cost is about $50 for two hours and they will supply a rash guard and the surfboard that is right for you. They’ll even provide transportation from Playa Grande, Conchal, or Flamingo if needed.
Check Out the Tamarindo Market
Tamarindo has an impressive farmer’s market, or feria, which is held twice a week during the busy tourism season from December to May. There is a Saturday market and a Moonlight Market, which is held on Thursday evenings. The Tama Market on Saturday features tropical fruit and vegetables from local vendors, as well as homemade goods such as natural sunscreen, canned, frozen, and ready-to-eat food, kombucha, and plenty of arts and crafts. There is usually some live entertainment as well. This takes place by the skate park (Oneida Park), next to the Green Papaya Restaurant from 8 am to 1 pm.
The Tamarindo Night Market is best described as part entertainment, part dining, and part market. With live entertainment and food trucks, cocktails, and locally crafted beers, you will almost forget that you’re at an outdoor market, that is until you see the sparkling handcrafted crystal jewelry and paintings made from coffee! This lively event takes place Thursdays from 6 to 9 pm at Plaza Palma.
Hang Out at the Beach
Playa Tamarindo is a great beach for people-watching. There are surfers, and vendors selling everything from pipas fria (cold coconuts) to bracelets, not-to-mention a good mix of tourists and locals on the tan sand beach. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a game of futbol played by youngsters right on the beach, using two sticks to mark their goal line.
The shore of Playa Tamarindo is long and wide, making it perfect for beach walks and, on most days, swimming. You can even rent chairs and umbrellas if you plan to spend the day lounging at the beach.
Taco Tuesday
It’s the place to be every Tuesday for lunch for those who are in the know. Little Lucha Taqueria serves up $2.50 tacos every Tuesday and frosty margaritas. These authentic Mexican-style street tacos can be mixed and matched to try all 10 flavors. We recommend the tinga de pollo, picadillo, and, of course, the fish taco.
The small restaurant near the skate park is decorated with Mexican wrestlers (lucha libre) and draped with sugar skull wallpaper. With a very social atmosphere, you will feel like part of the gang when you come for taco Tuesday at Little Lucha’s.
Sunset Dinner at the Beach
While there are several restaurants along Playa Tamarindo, one of our favorites has to be Pangas Beach Club. The restaurant is on a quiet part of the beach near the estuary with tables right on the sand.
A peaceful place to see the sunset and enjoy the ambiance, the food is incredible here, too! Picture prime-cut beef served rare on a sizzling volcanic rock heated to 500 degrees, where you can cook each slice at your table, to whatever temperature you prefer. While the beef here comes highly recommended, don’t forget the seafood! Fresh yellowfin tuna, whole snapper, and Mahi-Mahi “your way” will not disappoint.
Live Fire Show
You can’t come to Tamarindo without taking in one of their live fire shows on the beach, and one of the best spots to watch these mystical and daring fire dancers is TamaOnda Beachfront Restaurant.
You can keep your feet in the sand all while indulging in the freshest yellowfin tuna tartar and daily drink specials as you watch the fiery entertainment. The live fire show takes place nightly on the beach from 7 to 7:30 pm.
Boat Ride on the Mangrove
Take a guided tour of one of the most endangered and important ecosystems on earth – the mangrove forest. This is a chance to see the Tamarindo Estuary and Las Baulas National Marine Park up close and personal during a two-hour guided tour to see unique flora and fauna endemic to the mangrove forest. Howler monkeys, crabs, large wading birds, and even crocodiles are just some of the animals you will see on this safari boat tour. This tour comes highly recommended.
For a more peaceful experience, try gliding through the mangrove on a kayak. This guided tour will also give you a chance to get out of the boat and walk in the national park.
Horseback Ride on the Beach
Watch surfers and sunset over the sea from atop the saddle during a horseback ride on the beach. You can ride along the coastline of Tamarindo Beach to next door Langosta Beach with a rocky and wooded terrain in between where sometimes howler monkeys can be seen.
This trek will take you to viewpoints where your guide will stop so you can take in the vista or snap photos. There are several options for horseback riding tours on area beaches, depending on how long you’d like to ride and where you’d like to go. Neighboring Playa Flamingo is also popular for rides. Whichever tour you choose, you will feel a connection to nature you can’t get by exploring in a vehicle.
Sunset Boat Tour
One of the best things to do in Tamarindo for couples or even families is a sunset sail on the Pacific Ocean. A typical sailing tour from Tamarindo takes you to a secluded beach for snorkeling, kayaking, SUP, and sunbathing. Here you will be served lunch right on the beach, often over an open fire. Don’t be surprised if you see a group of curious coatis! While sipping cocktails on board, you can be on the lookout for dolphins, rays, turtles, and even whales at the right time of year. You will be dropped back off at Tamarindo Beach just after sunset.
The most popular catamaran tours in Tamarindo include the Blue Dolphin and Marlin del Rey. These cruises last about five hours. For something different, take a cruise on the ocean aboard a real sailboat! The Antares is an 80-foot schooner that offers gourmet meals and beanbag chairs on deck.
Half-Day Tours From Tamarindo
ATV Tour to Nearby Beaches
One of the top Tamarindo activities for tourists is an ATV tour to nearby beaches, and for good reason! This is a great way to check out the area up close and personal and discover the beaches close by. Some tours even stop to snorkel at one of the beaches in the area, like the beautiful and secluded Playa Conchal.
An ATV tour will take you off the beaten track and allow you to see secluded beaches and rural areas you wouldn’t get to see otherwise. You can take a two-hour ATV tour directly from Tamarindo where you will drive your own ATV through mountains, small beach towns, and the tropical dry forest. Riders often report seeing howler monkeys, iguanas, and several species of tropical birds. This is a very popular tour for families.
Swim in a Waterfall
Swimming under a waterfall is one of the top things on every Costa Rica traveler’s list, and thankfully one of the best spots for this is less than two hours away from Tamarindo. Llanos de Cortez Waterfall is easy to access and cheap to visit. And while you can’t swim directly underneath the falls for safety reasons, there is a lovely and fresh natural pool below the falls that is perfect for a cool dip on a sunny afternoon.
You can spend a half-day at this oasis or opt for a full day of touring for a chance to see one of the most famous waterfalls in Costa Rica. Rio Celeste is known for its surreal turquoise hue and makes for an unforgettable sight and photo opportunity. After a two-hour hike in the Tenorio National Park, you will reach the falls and even get a chance to see where two rivers meet to help create this natural phenomenon. After leaving the park, you’ll get a chance to swim in the blue waters further down the river. Next, you’ll take a tour on an organic farm to a sloth and frog sanctuary – two animals that rely heavily on a pure ecosystem. After lunch at the farm, you’ll head to swim the falls at Llanos de Cortez.
Zipline through the Canopy
Zip through the canopy of the tropical dry forest of Guanacaste on a zipline tour. This thrilling tour takes you 100 feet above the forest floor into the treetops where you can view monkeys, iguanas, and a host of tropical birds.
This adrenaline-fueled experience is fun for the whole family and will be the highlight of your trip. This tour takes place away from the crowds of Playa Tamarindo and into the mountains and woods, where you will get to experience nature from a different perspective – from the treetops! There are many zipline tours to choose from in the area.
For a really unique experience, you can try Costa Rica’s longest Superman zipline with a vast view of the sea! This zipline takes place at Diamante Eco Adventure Park, which also features an animal sanctuary, cultural casa, and butterfly garden. The park is located about an hour outside of Tamarindo. Consider their full day pass for the best value.
Full-Day Tours From Tamarindo
Scuba Diving
One of the most sought-after things to do around Tamarindo has got to be scuba diving, and one of the best spots in the country is just a short boat ride away at Las Catalinas Islands. These islands are home to white-tip reef sharks, giant manta rays, turtles, dolphins, puffer fish, and silvery schools of jacks. Humpback whales come to give birth during August and September and can be seen from the dive boats, with divers hearing their haunting whale song almost every day.
You do not have to be a certified diver or have any experience to dive this spot. You can learn the basics and take an introductory course that includes two dives at Las Catalinas on this tour.
Sportfishing Trip
One of the most thrilling experiences for any fisherman is the chance to reel in a 400-pound blue marlin. This can certainly be a reality during a deep-sea fishing experience off the coast of Playa Tamarindo.
After reaching the Continental Shelf on a charter fishing boat, enjoy a full day of deep-sea fishing where you can get the chance to reel in blue and striped marlin, Mahi-Mahi, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, and more. Most charters accommodate a group of six, with lunch and drinks included.
Our recommended fishing charter companies, Dream on Sport Fishing and Gonazalez Sport Fishing, are based north of Tamarindo in Playas del Coco but will pick up at the Flamingo Marina. Be sure to mention Let’s Travel Costa Rica when you reach out to book!
Visit an Active Volcano
Hike the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste and soak in natural hot springs in a nature lover’s paradise. At Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, you will hike the wild volcanic landscape, passing bubbling mud pools and fumaroles before cooling off at one of the volcano’s most beautiful waterfalls – Oropendola. Here you will get a chance to see not only howler monkeys but white face capuchin monkeys, in their natural habitat. After a typical Costa Rican meal, you get a chance to indulge in a volcanic mud bath and relax in the natural hot springs, heated by the awesome power of the volcano.
