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An update from Evaneos
Tamarindo

Tamarindo (Costa Rica)

Practical information on Tamarindo

  • Beach / Seaside Resort
  • Water Sports
2 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
4 hours by bus from San José
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days

Expériences inoubliables à vivre Tamarindo

Reviews of Tamarindo

Seasoned Traveller
181 written opinions

The most popular of the Nicoya Peninsula beach resorts and a famous surfing spot..

My suggestion:
If you're a surfer, check out the Langosta beach, to the south of Tamarindo - you won't be disappointed!
My review

Tamarindo used to be a small fishing village, but over the years it's become a favorite beach destination, mainly for Americans. With its long, sandy beach, bordered by tropical vegetation, this comes as no surprise. One thing that did surprise me was the road that leads there - it's in really good condition, unlike the others on the peninsula.

It's true I prefer areas that are remote and you'll quickly realize as you travel around Costa Rica that the country has little 'gems' and places where time seems to stand still...for example the natural reserves that the Ticos (Costa Ricans) are so proud of, which is easy to understand.

So as you know, I love Costa Rica, but Tamarindo...let's just say its OK. This is a laid back, surfer's paradise; you've got shops, surf schools run by tanned, bleach-haired dudes and, of course, awesome waves. It's also a place to party (there are 10 times more people during the vacations) and everything that comes with having a good time. Apart from surfing, there are still other things to do a la playa and the horseback rides are fun, even if expensive.

So yeah, it could be worth a visit. But if you don't have much time, I suggest you head further south on the Nicoya Peninsula, where you'll come across villages that are 'Edensesque'.   

Sunset at Tamarindo beach
Seasoned Traveller
27 written opinions

Tamarindo isn't the most beautiful town on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. On the other hand, it has everything you need for an enjoyable stay.

My suggestion:
Among other activities there are: the surf school, boat trips down the river to look at the local crocodiles, and the cocktail bars!
My review

Perhaps it wouldn't be the first town you would chose if you wanted to discover the wild, natural side of Costa Rica. But it's a town that's easy to get to by bus!

Once you are there it's easy to find a hotel or youth hostel to stay in, and there are lots of things to do. There's a fairly big beach where a novice surfer like me can enjoy an ocean with quite small waves.

If you walk up Tamarindo beach you'll get to various cocktail bars with sun loungers that let you enjoy your cocktails while you've got your toes in the sand. A bit further on I got to the river estuary and hired a local to take me up it in a boat - and they don't just have reeds along the riverbanks there...they have crocodiles!

The beach at Tamarindo