Tamarindo

What is Tamarindo like?

Tamarindo is Guanacaste's best-known beach town. The beach is about 2.5 km of wide, pale sand, and the town runs right behind it: restaurants from taco stands to fine dining, beach bars, shops, supermarkets and surf schools, almost all within walking distance. Sunsets draw a crowd to the sand every evening, and there's a night market on Thursdays.

At the north end, the beach meets the estuary of Las Baulas National Park, a mangrove-lined river mouth, with Playa Grande on the far side. At the south end, a rocky point separates Tamarindo from Playa Langosta, which is quieter. Tamarindo has grown fast (locals joke about "Tamagringo"), and it's the busiest beach on this coast, but that's exactly why many people love it: you don't need a car, and there's always somewhere new to eat.

Is it safe to swim at Tamarindo?

Tamarindo is a surf beach first, and not the best place for an easy swim. Know these before you go in:

• Avoid the north end. Rip currents form near the river mouth, and the estuary is crocodile habitat; crocodiles are sometimes seen near the beach there. Never swim near the river mouth, and don't try to wade across to Playa Grande: take the water taxi.
• The water is often choppy, with waves breaking along most of the beach. On calm days, swim with others and stay where you can stand.
• If a rip current pulls you out, don't fight it. Swim parallel to the shore until you're free, then swim back in.
• Lifeguards are scarce on Costa Rican beaches, so don't count on one being nearby.

For calm water, Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal are about 35 minutes north. With young kids who mostly want to paddle, one of those makes a better base, with Tamarindo for dinners out.

Where to stay in and around Tamarindo

• Friends and couples who want nightlife: the center of town, near the beach, where you can walk to dinner and back.
• Couples who want it quieter: Playa Langosta, just south of the rocky point, is a short ride or walk from town but much calmer in the evening.
• Families: a condo or hotel a short walk from the beach, away from the busiest blocks, or a place at Hacienda Pinilla, down the coast next to Avellanas, with a golf course and more space.
• Nature lovers: Playa Grande, across the estuary, is peaceful and part of Las Baulas National Park, with Tamarindo a short water-taxi ride away.

Compare Tamarindo with the other beach bases in where to stay in Guanacaste.

Day trips from Tamarindo

• The estuary boat tour: about two hours through five species of mangrove in Las Baulas National Park, with birds and crocodiles.
• Leatherback turtles at Playa Grande (October 20 to February 15): guided night tours in small groups; the beach closes to other visitors at 5 p.m. in nesting season.
• Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal (about 35 minutes): calm swimming, crushed-shell sand, snorkeling and sunset sails from Flamingo's marina.
• Playa Avellanas (about 15 km south): a long, wide beach with a mangrove estuary and very little built on it, locally called "Little Hawaii" for its waves.
• Nosara (1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours): the yoga and surf town down the coast; better as an overnight in the rainy season, when low-lying stretches of the road can flood.
• Rincón de la Vieja (2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes each way): a long day for the volcano trails and the hot springs and mud baths. Río Celeste (2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours) is better with a night there.

When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?

December to April is the dry season: sunny almost every day and the busiest time in town. Christmas to New Year and Semana Santa (Easter week) are the most crowded weeks, when Costa Rican families fill the beach, so book early for those dates. Leatherback season at Playa Grande runs from October 20 to February 15.

May to November is the green season: afternoon rain, quieter streets and usually sunny mornings. September and October are the wettest months, and some businesses close or shorten their hours. See the best time to visit Guanacaste for month-by-month detail.

Getting to Tamarindo from Liberia airport

Tamarindo is 65 to 77 km from Liberia airport, typically 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, and up to 2 hours in peak traffic. The road is paved and reliable all year. With a private transfer, your driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, and up to an hour of stops is included, so you can stop for groceries or lunch on the way. Thinking of driving? Compare a rental car or private driver.

Can you learn to surf in Tamarindo?

Yes, and it's the easiest place in Guanacaste to try. The waves in front of town are beginner-friendly, and surf schools line the beach, with group and private lessons for adults and kids. Instructors usually time lessons for the best part of the tide, roughly two hours before high tide. Book a lesson rather than renting a board and heading out alone, and stay well away from the river mouth.

For every beach on this coast, by drive time from the airport, see our Guanacaste beaches guide.