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'.
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!