Tamarindo’s popularity as a destination for surf, yoga and eco-tourism gives it a unique mix. Attracting travelers primarily from the Americas and Europe, the streets and shops are bustling with diversity and activity. Local artisans selling their wares, transplanted ex-pats running restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world, adventure tourists traveling in packs on ATVs and sun-baked surfers crossing the road barefoot are all common sights.

The city has roughly two thousand full-time residents but hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, and changes from season to season, week to week, and even within a day. Surfers come according to the waves, the wellness crowd is strongest on the weekends to visit the local farmers market, and the nightlife kicks off around sunset.

Tamarindo’s 1.5-mile-long stretch of uninterrupted white sand stands out in a country rich in beautiful coastlines. Once a hidden gem is known only to locals and surfers, you’ll understand why the secret got out once you see Tamarindo’s beach. The water is the right mix of surfable yet swimmable, making it great for lounging by the ocean, parasailing, paddleboarding, or catching waves.

Enjoy ceviche and cervezas at one of the many food options lining the shore as you gaze into the pacific or catch the sunset. Tamarindo’s long stretch of straight, flat sand makes for the perfect romantic stroll for those who love long walks on the beach.

Costa Rica is home to a thriving community of local and international DJs, giving the nightlife an energy and vibrance that’s hard to beat. Beach parties, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants offer something different to match your mood. The buzz starts shortly before sunset, and if you plan to get a good view from one of the many restaurants dotting the shoreline, it’s best to get seated early.

If late nights are more your speed, Tamarindo is the place to be in the Nicoya Peninsula, with plenty of parties and music stretching into the night. More interested in a calm evening with wine and friends – there is no place better for fine dining and worldly cuisine in Costa Rica outside San Jose.

Tamarindo is located near the Las Baulas National Marine Park, a protected national parkland and home to the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge, the largest and most important nesting area in the Americas for the critically endangered leatherback turtle.

The estuaries to the north are part of the largest mangrove swamp in Latin America, a perfect nesting ground for the nearly 140 species of birds that can be found in the area and pushing out a vital source of nutrients to the ocean, attracting rays, dolphins, and humpback whales to the region.

The options for dining in Tamarindo are abundant. As a tourist hub and the home of a thriving ex-pat community, you’ll easily find not only typical Costa Rican and American restaurants but French, Italian, Mediterranean, Peruvian, Indian, Middle Eastern and Asian food to satisfy any craving.

A thriving health and wellness community makes finding healthy options easy, from organic food and granola to acai bowls and smoothies. Local agriculture infuses each meal with a freshness and flavor that will have you going back for more.

The fresh sushi and ceviche use locally sourced seafood, often caught that morning, are second to none and make a refreshing option after a day in the sun.

A hotspot for tourism, Tamarindo offers enough activities to keep your itinerary packed, no matter the length of your stay. The headline and catalyst for the tourism boom was surfing, and Tamarindo has stayed true to its roots. The main strip along the beach is dotted with several surf shops offering kits, rentals, and lessons for tourists of all skill levels.

The town has grown into more than just a surf destination. Water-based activities like fishing, diving and leisure cruises are all available. For those looking to stay dry, eco-tourism, zip lines, ATV tours, horseback riding and nature hikes are all great options to explore Costa Rica by land.

If you have something specific in mind for your trip, let us know, and we’ll be happy to arrange it. We’re here to help you build an unforgettable vacation!