Tamarindo

Travel Guide

Tamarindo showing shopping and street scenes
Tamarindo featuring a sandy beach as well as an individual male
Tamarindo which includes a sandy beach
Tamarindo
Tamarindo featuring a sandy beach as well as a large group of people

This former fishing village has developed into a popular destination for holiday makers seeking surf breaks, a lively nightlife and coastal scenery.

Tamarindo is the most lively and developed part of the picturesque Guanacaste province. Rolling surf breaks, miles of beaches and an array of restaurants and nightclubs make the town a hit among surfers, families and partygoers. Spend relaxing days at the beach and visit a stunning marine park to discover mangrove swamps and giant turtles.

Walk along the 3.5-mile (5.6-kilometre) stretch of white sand on the beach. Take your board out on the rough ocean waves and hit the world-renowned surf. The city’s nickname is Tamagringo, in a playful reference to the “gringo” revellers and surfers who visit from overseas. Pico Pequeño and El Estero are two acclaimed surfing spots in the area. 

Go on a daytrip to Las Baulas National Marine Park to see the gigantic endangered turtles that come ashore. Learn about the plight of the magnificent creatures in the site’s museum. Explore the mangrove swamps to see monkeys and other wildlife.

There are many activities in the area for families. Take the kids to Bolas Locas Mini Golf to play rounds on a creative course with volcano holes, tidal wave spirals and rocky mazes. Take in gorgeous beach views while riding a horse from the Painted Pony Guest Ranch. Visit the church, where locals hold mass and musical concerts in English.

Dine at one of the restaurants in the heart of the town and enjoy local delicacies, such as pork skins or shrimp and onions. There are also many bistros serving international cuisine. Dance at a salsa club or enjoy drinks at a sports bar until the early hours of the morning.

Fly to Liberia International Airport and take the 41.9-mile (67.5-kilometre) journey southwest to Tamarindo by taxi or airport shuttle. It is easy to get around the small beach town on foot or by taxis.

The lively vibe in the built-up town of Tamarindo offers a fun-filled contrast to the serene destinations in Guanacaste.

Wyndham Tamarindo
Wyndham Tamarindo
3.5 out of 5
200m Al E Y 800m Al N Del, Bco, Ncal. De Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Guanacaste
The price is S$199 per night from 9 Jul to 10 Jul
S$199
9 Jul - 10 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star beach hotel in Tamarindo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Nice room and view. Hotel restaurant menu was very limited in healthy options and over priced"

Reviewed on 4 Jul, 2025

Wyndham Tamarindo
Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
4 out of 5
Tamarindo Beach, Tamarindo, Guanacaste
The price is S$287 per night from 17 Jul to 18 Jul
S$287
17 Jul - 18 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach resort in Tamarindo. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"Beautiful resort with everything close by."

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Occidental Tamarindo - All Inclusive
Occidental Tamarindo - All Inclusive
4 out of 5
Playa Langosta, Tamarindo, Guanacaste
The price is S$260 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
S$260
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach property in Tamarindo. Enjoy free breakfast, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Everything was average, but the service is poor, but it’s my first time in Costa Rica. Perhaps, it’s that way everywhere in CR. The restaurant had less than half of the staff than other places all inclusive that we have stayed in Mexico. The bar by the pool didn’t allow people to go get a drink if ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jun, 2025

Occidental Tamarindo - All Inclusive
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Casa Nahua Hotel in Tamarindo
Casa Nahua Hotel in Tamarindo
4.5 out of 5
Av Central, Tamarindo, Provincia de Guanacaste
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tamarindo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (75 reviews)
"Nice property with a great little pool and room has all the space you need. Walking distance from beach and downtown area. Staff were friendly."

Reviewed on 9 May, 2025

Casa Nahua Hotel in Tamarindo
The mVillas with Exclusive Beach Club Access
The mVillas with Exclusive Beach Club Access
5 out of 5
Marisol, Tamarindo, Provincia de Guanacaste
Stay at this 5-star luxury villa in Tamarindo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Tamarindo Beach and Hacienda Pinilla Golf ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (19 reviews)
"The villa was wonderful!! It was quite modern with many amenities, including everything needed to cook in the kitchen, plenty of towels for the private pool & bathing, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, washer/dryer, and more. It was close to town & the beach but still felt like you were surrounded ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun, 2025

The mVillas with Exclusive Beach Club Access
Selvatico Tamarindo Villas
Selvatico Tamarindo Villas
3.5 out of 5
C. Cardinal, Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Stay at this 3.5-star villa in Tamarindo. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and private pools. Popular attractions Tamarindo Beach and Hacienda Pinilla Golf Course ...
"Villas muy bonitas, limpias y con lindos detalles, en una zona cerca del centro y la playa, pero tranquilla para un buen descanso por la noche. La cocina tiene lo necesario, condimentos básicos, café y aceite de oliva. La piscina es perfecta para refrescarse y pasar un buen rato."

Reviewed on 20 Apr, 2025

Selvatico Tamarindo Villas
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tamarindo

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
4
5 - Excellent 40%
4 - Good
5
4 - Good 50%
3 - Okay
1
3 - Okay 10%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

An Americanised surf town. If you like surfing and drinking it’s great - if you don’t, then this may not be the place for you.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The hotel operates a regular shuttle service to the town centre and the beach club throughout the day, last drop off in to town 8pm. There are limited sunbeds, and no entertainment or activities. Can get bored staying there all day.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lot of night live, plenty of restaurants to eat or drink, nice shops with lots of art crafts. A bit noisy at night depending of your location. There was a local night market on Thursday, with local food and art crafts.