Your Perfect Costa Rica Beach Getaway

Located on Costa Rica’s northwestern coast and bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Tamarindo is a town of beauty and relaxation. It’s the largest beach town in Guanacaste Province, and while surfers have been well aware of the spot for ages, it has remained under the typical tourist radar.

“Tamarindo is popular for its spectacular sunsets and the vibrant colors that follow,” said Hernán Imhoff, president of the Tamarindo Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, in an interview with Travel + Leisure. “It’s a place where you can encounter a rich blend of cultures while enjoying the warmth of Costa Rican hospitality.”

Tamarindo is home to beautiful sandy beaches, marshes and mangroves, forested trails, amazing boutique shops, cool art galleries, and a national park, among other interesting attractions. Wildlife abounds here, and you’re likely to spot turtles, birds, and monkeys, so keep an eye out.

Whether you’re looking to ride some waves, sunbathe, enjoy the great outdoors (think horseback riding, surfing, and hiking), or just enjoy the views, Tamarindo is a must-visit beach town. It promises to set your soul afire with pura vida—the local go-to motto, which translates to “pure life,” symbolizing Costa Ricans’ take on maintaining a simple, easy, stress-free lifestyle.

Best Hotels and Resorts

Jardín del Edén: This adults-only boutique hotel is nestled within spectacular gardens. Located in the heart of Playa Tamarindo, you won’t want for anything—breakfast and a three-course dinner are included in the room rate, and the views are breathtaking.

Occidental Tamarindo: The only all-inclusive resort in the region, Occidental Tamarindo features three restaurants and two bars with plenty of food and beverage options. The hotel also has a spa, and offers fitness classes, activities like volleyball and tennis, and access to two swimming pools and the beach. The rooms have views of the ocean or Las Baulas Marine National Park.

The Coast: A super-cute boutique hotel with beach access, The Coast offers an intimate and cozy stay with superior service that’ll have you rebooking your next visit as soon as you leave. Read on the beachfront hammocks or lounge by the pool if you’re not into spending all your time at the beach. The rooms also have kitchenettes, so you can stay in if you wish. 

Five Star Luxury Collection Rentals: While there are a great number of vacation home rentals available in this area, you can also coordinate a stay through the Five Star Luxury Collection, which offers (you guessed it) luxury homes for short-term stays. Expect tropical garden villas, houses with infinity pools, and big mansions that’ll fit the whole family.

Best Things to Do

Surf: There’s no question that Tamarindo is known for its surfing. “It’s an excellent destination for learning how to surf, catering to both beginners and professional surfers on its super sandy beaches,” Imhoff said. Playa Tamarindo is the main destination for tourists who want to hang by the beach. Surfing opportunities can be found at Playa Grande, perfect for beginners and known for turtle spotting, and Playa Langosta, a quieter stretch of beach with great waves for the more experienced set. Many hotels can coordinate surfing lessons as well.

Visit Las Baulas Marine National Park: Located in Tamarindo Bay in Guanacaste Province, this national park comprises just over 1,900 acres of beach and coastline, plus roughly 42,000 marine acres. The land portion is nearly double the size of Central Park in New York City.

Explore Estero de Tamarindo: Part of Las Baulas Marine National Park (along with Estero de San Francisco), you can explore these water channels with plenty of mangrove forests by kayak, canoe, or by booking a boat tour. You’re sure to see different types of birds, including pelicans and parrots, and hear the sounds of wildlife, like monkeys, hovering above.

Check out Monkey Park: Don’t let the name fool you, there’s more to see than just monkeys here. This animal sanctuary is about a 45-minute drive from the heart of Tamarindo, but you’ll get to see tons of different animals who have been rescued and are being rehabilitated. You can also hit some of the hiking trails, go on a night walk, or give bird watching a try, among other activities.

Go horseback riding: Horseback riding is a popular activity in Costa Rica due to the abundance of beautiful trails that are available through the wilderness and along the beach. There are plenty of horseback riding tours, and most hotels can arrange them for you.

Best Restaurants

Pangas Beach Club: One of Imhoff’s go-to spots, this beautiful restaurant is located in front of an estuary and offers something for everyone, though you’d be remiss not to order one of their seafood dishes. Whether you want to grab a beer and enjoy the view or treat yourselves to a romantic meal as the sun sets, Pangas does the job.

Patagonia: An Argentine-inspired restaurant, Patagonia offers amazing cuts of meat cooked to perfection, alongside classic cocktails. (They also have a great selection of beer and wine.) “If you have a craving for exquisite meat dishes, Patagonia is the place to visit,” Imhoff insisted.

Dragon Fly Bar & Grill: This Tamarindo favorite has been open since 2005 and is a short walk from the city center. Their menu centers around local, fresh ingredients, while dishes often feature an Asian-fusion spin. They’re known for their meat, vegetarian selections, and sushi, so there’s something for every palate.

Derecho Sagrado Specialty Coffee: When you’re searching for a good cup of coffee, look no further than Derecho Sagrado, located near a skate park and a five-minute walk from Tamarindo Beach. The specialty coffees made here are tasty and use only local and organic ingredients.

Best Time to Visit

December to April is the high season in Tamarindo, as the temperatures tend to be in the low-to-mid 80s. “There are plenty of activities to enjoy [during this time], from music festivals for every taste to charming small markets featuring organic and handmade products,” Imhoff said.

While the Green Season (read: the rainy season) is from May to November, Imhoff also recommended coming in September and October. Costa Rica’s Independence Day falls on Sept. 15, and there are a ton of cultural festivities and parades centered around it.

Tamarindo, it should be said, receives the least amount of rainfall in comparison to the rest of Costa Rica. March and April are the hottest months on record. If you’re going specifically for surf, the high season (December through April) usually has great winds, and the waves are smaller but still good for all levels. April to November tend to have bigger waves, great for more experienced surfers.

How to Get There

To get to Tamarindo, you’ll want to fly into Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). This airport is serviced by 16 airlines, including American, Alaska, Delta, JetBlue, United, and Southwest Airlines. Some routes run nonstop from New York City, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and a few other U.S. cities (you can also find flights with connections from other parts of Latin America, Canada, and beyond).

You can then rent a car or take a private or shared shuttle to make the roughly 90-minute drive from the airport to Tamarindo. Double-check with your hotel to see if airport transfers are included in your hotel rate. If not, you can book transportation online. Note that while there are public buses available, they’re not always the cheapest (or most efficient) option.

How to Get Around 

The town of Tamarindo is largely walkable; strolling from the Occidental Tamarindo to the town center takes about 25 minutes. Bikes are available at many properties, and there are several bike rental stores in town, where you can pick up some wheels for your stay (or just for a couple of hours) for a fee.

Taxis are also available from the center of town (or you can ask your hotel concierge to call one), but be sure to ask how much the ride will cost upfront. If you want to stray from Tamarindo and explore the national park and greater Guanacaste Province, it’s beneficial to rent a car, especially if you’re coming from the airport. But if you plan on staying within the radius of your resort, the beach, and downtown Tamarindo, a car is probably not necessary.