25+ Best Things to Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

While not as well known as San Jose, the beach town of Tamarindo is a wonderful town to experience. I had never heard of this town before visiting and was determined to make the most out of a week’s visit. Turns out, Tamarindo hits all the things that you could want in one vacation – outdoor excursions, art, mouthwatering food, nightlife, and of course- wildlife!

We had such an incredible time in Costa Rica! If you’ve got time to spare in Tamarindo, then why not stay a few nights at one of these budget hotels in Tamarindo?

In this guide, I’ll tell you about all the must-see sights and best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

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How to get to Tamarindo

To get to Tamarindo, you’d fly into Liberia airport and rent a car or driver to drive the hour to the city. Liberia flights tend to be cheaper than flying into San Jose since it’s a smaller airport! It’s easy to get an airport transfer from Liberia to Tamarindo. There are also some great budget-friendly hotels in Tamarindo so you can save your money for experiences!

Sunset in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Best Things to do in Tamarindo

1. See sea turtles

A massive sea turtle migration occurs near Tamarindo every April. You can spot thousands of turtles who migrate back to lay their eggs nearby. Most hotels and companies have tours that guide you and show you how to not disturb the turtles. Throughout the rest of the year, turtles still come, but they are far and few between. We were lucky enough to be there for it in late November.

While the hotel our condo was associated with offered a tour, my family had other plans. For the record, I don’t condone this behavior, but it was also an adventure and I didn’t feel like I’d be out too much money if it didn’t work out. My father befriended a man on the beach whose “brother” could drive us to turtles for only $40 each. A smaller tour with a local for less than half the price – sounds great. He did also have a legit business card which made me feel better, but we were all still skeptical. That night we squeezed into his car and traversed the windy, bumpy roads of Tamarindo to the first beach which only had one turtle. Since she didn’t even start digging yet (which could take an hour) we went to a different beach.

If you don’t want to take this risky way of seeing sea turtles (which I don’t blame you for), this Sea Turtle Watching Tour comes highly recommended.

Seeing sea turtles lay eggs in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
A turtle laying eggs.

The second beach included a nice hike (they didn’t inform of us this, so I was stuck doing it in flip flops) through some forest, along a small cliff to a tiny beach where two turtles had just started laying their eggs. Preservationists put a red light to not disturb the turtle, and flash photography is strictly prohibited. The groups that were there rotated and everyone got to take pictures of the eggs.

Scientists come to research the turtles, and some of them move the eggs to protect them from predators and humans who may dig up eggs for food (some consider it a delicacy). Turtles are endangered, so please do your best not to disturb them.

Read More: Best Things to do in Costa Rica

2. Canopy Zipline

I feel like a canopy zipline is a quintessential Costa Rican experience. There are a variety of places and experiences. This one includes horseback riding and a natural spa in their day tour. It’s a great way to experience the breathtaking nature of Costa Rica.

3. Enjoy a sunset on a Catamaran cruise

Tamarindo is really well known for being an ocean town – lots of surfing, beautiful beaches, coconut drinks, all of it. There are a number of Catamaran cruises that bring you around, but honestly, the sunset is breathtaking. Most of the cruises include an open bar and appetizers. This one also included snorkeling before sunset.

Costa Rica Sunset

4. Go Dolphin and/or Whale watching

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica is rich with wildlife so when you’re on a boat, keep an eye out for fins in the water. Dolphins are known to frequent the waters almost year-round. Humpback whales are typically seen during their migration (July-March), so whale-watching tours are only available during this time.

Dolphins, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
A small pod of dolphins decided to grace us with their presence!

5. See Big Cats

There are six different types of wild cats that call Costa Rica home. Located near Tamarindo, the Las Pumas Rescue Center gives travelers the opportunity to see pumas, jaguars, and more up close! The animal rescue cares for wounded, sick, and orphaned animals. Seeing these big cats is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo, hands down! This is considered an ethical animal encounter.

6. Go Tubing down the Blue River.

The Blue River is called that because of its color. Dad and I did a full-day tour which we HIGHLY recommend – it was tubing, horseback riding on a ranch, lunch, milking a cow, and touring a chocolate “factory” (it’s in quotes because it was literally someone’s house and back yard – but some of the best chocolate ever). You can book your tour here. It’s a small group tour, but we were lucky and it was a private tour. We got to tour a local’s ranch and meet his family, milk his cow, and even help put the cows back in their pens. This was such a unique tour that we got to see how local ranchers live!

Read More: Famous Landmarks in Costa Rica

7. Scuba dive (or snorkel) at the Catalina Islands

The Catalina Islands are some of the best scuba diving in Costa Rica. They’re also one of the most famous landmarks in Costa Rica. The islands are far enough offshore to be home to amazing wildlife – such as the Pacific manta ray, sea turtles, and Oceania white tip sharks! I was only lucky enough to see a shark who quickly hid from us. There are plenty of dive shops that are willing to take you to the islands – do your research. Since the islands are filled with animals, you want a dive company that is familiar with them.

After posting on dive sites and groups, I decided to use Pacific Coast Dive Center. Reviews were great and personal recommendations sealed the deal. They did NOT disappoint. It has been a little while since I had been in the water, which I told my diver and partner, and they stayed with me (for the record – I took a refresher course before heading to Costa Rica – safety is paramount).

Our guides were knowledgeable about nature, could read the water and tides so we wouldn’t end up where we didn’t want to be, and pointed out creatures that we may have missed. Scuba diving on these incredible islands is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo.

Some of the fish I saw while scuba diving, and a Pacific white tip shark playing hide and seek with us.

8. Enjoy local brews

While Costa Rica isn’t on many people’s lists for great beers, it’s got an up-and-coming microbrewery community. Volcano Brewing Company is located just outside Tamarindo. It has a huge patio facing the beach, so come for happy hour and enjoy the sunset. They also have a restaurant on site.

9. Go beach bar hopping

If beer isn’t your thing, no sweat! There are plenty of beach bars to find something you’ll enjoy. Tamarindo’s nightlife is colorful and you’ll find a mixture of tourists and locals at each of the bars. Many have live music and a karaoke night. Check out Sharky’s Sports Bar (live music, karaoke, ladies’ nights), Crazy Monkey Bar (dancing all night), and Nogui’s Restaurant (famous for sunset cocktails!)

10. Head into the jungle

There are more than just beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. Get inland and explore Palo Verde National Park with more stunning wildlife to observe. A half-day jungle river cruise introduces a variety of wildlife and gives you the opportunity to see crocodiles, monkeys, and plenty of birds!

11. Go fishing for Mahi Mahi

The Pacific coast of Costa Rica has amazing wildlife, including fish. Mahi Mahi is one of the most popular sportfishing in this area. They can be up to 5 feet long! Even if you don’t want to eat the fish, the experience of pulling one of these massive fishes is an experience worth having. Many of the restaurants in town will take your catch and cook it for you – we opted for the sample – grilled, fried, and baked – which were all delicious. Palapa Restaurant had beachfront seating, a great bar, and a very talented chef. I’m personally not even a huge fish fan, but there is something to be said about catching a fish at noon and eating it on the beach at 7 pm.

Fishing is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Me reeling in my first Mahi Mahi!

12. Take a Cooking Class

One of my favorite things to do when I travel is taking a cooking class. It introduces me to the local flavors and style of cooking (and I can remake the recipes at home!) You get to choose what you make in this cooking class. It’s a great way to learn about the local culture.

13. Surfing

If you’re into surfing, or you want to learn to, Tamarindo is the place to be! The beaches here are amazing and perfect for beginners. You’ll catch some awesome waves every day. Plus, there are plenty of nearby beaches that offer surfing lessons and even surfing holidays! Group lessons are only USD 50 for 2 hours and you can even arrange for private lessons. Board rental is also available for only USD 20 per 24 hours. Trust me, with the great surfing conditions here, it’s no surprise that surfing is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo.

Tamarindo is packed with surf shops because it’s one of the top surfing destinations in the country. If you’re an advanced surfer, head to Witches Rock and Playa Negra (both are featured in the movie Endless Summer)

Surfing in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Surfer in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Photo from Flickr.

14. Standup paddle boarding

This is one of those things that I wish I could do, but every time I do it I fall straight into the water. However, one day I’ll be able to do it! I wouldn’t recommend doing this at the main beach in Tamarindo as it’s pretty popular and has surfers, but there are plenty of beaches near Tamarindo with less people.

Travel Tip: Keep cash on you so you can be sure to tip your guides! Check out this guide to tipping in Costa Rica for more information!

Tamarindo beach at sunset

15. Boogie Boarding

If you don’t have balance on the surfboard or paddleboard, you can still enjoy the water with boogie boarding! It’s much easier than surfing! You can rent boogie boards for between 10-15 USD per day.

16. Explore the mangroves

In Marino Las Baulas National Park, there is a large mangrove and estuary. You can go on a boat tour or go kayaking through the mangroves! Keep an eye out for monkeys, birds, and crocodiles.

17. ATV’ing

A great way to get your heart racing is to take an ATV tour! They’re offered on all terrains, so you get to see a different view of the area. You’re often on back roads, which lead to the most impressive views. This ATV tour brings you from the hills to the beach!

ATVing selfie - Spencer and me. ATV-ing is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Spencer and me (My dad and brother behind us) ATV’ing in Tamarindo!

18. Go Shopping at the Night Market

Every week on Thursdays, Tamarindo Night Market is open for business. Local eateries and clothing stores put out their displays around 6 pm. You can find the perfect souvenir to take home, try some local delicacies, or just enjoy live music.

19. Enjoy the Farmer’s Market

Saturday mornings feature the Tamarindo Farmer’s Market from 8 am to 2 pm. Enjoy fresh & local fruits and vegetables, handmade artisan items, and even locally-made soaps!

20. Go Caving in Barra Honda National Park

Located just outside Tamarindo, Barra Honda National Park has over 40 caves! Spend the day exploring it. This day tour allows you to descend deep into caves dating back to 60 million years ago!

21. Explore a waterfall

Le Leona waterfall is a breathtaking cascade definitely worth a day trip. Cross rivers and climb canyons on the hike to the waterfall. Cool off with a swim in the pool of the waterfall. There are also waterfalls around La Fortuna to explore.

Exploring waterfalls is one of the best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
A waterfall near La Fortuna. Photo from Flickr.

22. Explore a Volcano

While Arenal is more well-known, it’s a bit far from Tamarindo. Luckily, there are a few nearby volcanoes. Oriosi volcano, Miravalles volcano, and Rincon de la Vieja volcano are near by. Rincon de la Vieja has waterfalls, natural pools, volcanic waste, and crates – only two hours away from the beaches of Tamarindo.

23. Go sloth-spotting

While sloths can be spotted on roads and pathways, they can also be easily missed! These sweet slow-moving animals are all over Costa Rica. However, if you don’t have the skill to notice them from the road (they are surprisingly camouflaged in the trees), you may miss them. Luckily there are a number of national parks and slot sanctuaries to see them! You can take this day tour which features the stunning Rio Celeste and a Sloth Sanctuary so you’re guaranteed to see these animals.

24. Enjoy Local Art

I told you – Tamarindo has a bit of everything. Tamarindo Art Gallery and Junior Rodriguez Art Gallery are two of the most popular galleries. You’ll find a variety of styles from local artists and some around the world. Junior Rodriguez’s art tends to focus on vibrant colors and surf art! You can pick up a great souvenir from either one of these places.

25. Relax on the Beach

Don’t forget to relax on the beach! The mountains surrounding Tamarindo are beautiful! Enjoy a drink and just let your worries melt away!

Beach, Costa Rica
Relaxing on the beach with a beer!

26. Head out to other beach towns

Yes I know, you want to learn about Tamarindo – but there are so many beautiful beaches in Costa Rica that you’ll want to explore other options. Same salty water and waves, but different views and potentially completely private. Some of the beaches we visited were just us enjoying the water and views!

More info about our trip:

Where we stayed: We rented a condo near the Hotel Diria (which had privileges at the Hotel like beach and pool access, but not breakfast). I recommend staying in town because the roads aren’t super smooth and Uber isn’t always available.

Our favorite places to eat: Palapa Restaurant, El Mercadito Gourmet Food Court (which had a lot of variety of food!) and Nari which satisfied our pizza craving!

Read More About Costa Rica

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Best Things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Have you visited Tamarindo? What were your favorite things to do?

13 thoughts on “25+ Best Things to Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica”

  1. My #1 thing to do on arrival would be to take the zipline adventure. Then I would grab a brew and head out to the beach to decide when I book the other 24 adventures.

  2. Costa Rica has the most beautiful landscape and your post confirmed this for me again. I want to see the amazing waterfalls and coastline which it offers. Learning about cooking Costa Rica food too is very interesting to me. I have only snorkelled before but scuba diving would be an unreal experience in Coat Rica too. Great post.

  3. Costa Rica sounds like heaven for anyone interested in animals. There seem to be so many experiences – turtles, whales, sloths, sharks. All of the above for me, but good to know about the options for setting the turtles. I would probably go the official tour route but I’ve definitely done the “random local with a van ” tour before too. The volcano visit also sounds perfect to me. love that this is somewhere you hadn’t thought about before and not the main place where everyone goes

    1. I loved Costa Rica and this post just made me want to go back. I tried to arrange a surf lesson when I was there but they needed a minimum of 2. I’m a solo traveller. I did get to the Rincon volcanoes hot springs and waterfalls. I absolutely loved it.

  4. There is so much to do here and all sound marvellous. I would need a couple for months stay here as I would love to do them all. The zip wire sounds like my favourite. A close second would be tubing down the river and stopping off at the chocolate maker’s place to taste the delights (I adore chocolate – my waistline confirms this!).
    Sounds like you had a wonderful adventure here with all these attractions.

  5. The more I read about Costa Rica the more I’m dying to go!! Tamarindo sounds right up my street! I love adventures and there’s no shortage of that in Tamarindo. Surfing would be my number one activity followed by volcano hiking! But I can also see myself just chilling by the beach during the day, watching the sunset from a boat and bar hopping in the evenings! What more can one ask for!

  6. Costa Rica is on my dream list, and I want to visit it because of its extraordinary nature, especially the jungles, waterfalls, and toucans. I am also planning to see Tamarindo, and I will gladly use your tips on how to spend time there. I especially like the idea of seeing sea turtles and dolphins. I would also like to go to the jungle and catch Mahi Mahi.

  7. I would love to visit Costa Rica one day, but don’t know too much about it in terms of specific places to visit. The posts I’ve read in the past showcased Costa Rica as a whole and I’m sold on the surfing, the beaches, hikes and wildlife. Tamarindo seems to have it all and I had to look up boogie boarding. Another fun activity for the list for sure.

    Carolin | Solo Travel Story

  8. With so many interesting activities, surely the hard part is choosing.
    Costa Rica has an immense biodiversity that makes the country unique in the world, it must be a dream for those who like animals…like me!
    It is on my list of places to visit soon and this post will be saved to serve as a guide for my trip 🙂

  9. Tamarindo has so much to see and do, so I understand why it’s so popular. The top thing for me would be the sea turtle migration; it’s exciting to think this is happening now. I love fishing and would love to catch something and have it cooked for me that evening. I didn’t realize there were mangroves there, too.

  10. Excellent post, whetting my appetite to go to Costa Rica even more. It was on our radar before deciding on Mexico.

    Everything looks so stunning and adventurous! I would absolutely love to go tubing down Blue River. What a cool experience with the fishing trip as well, and getting your catch cooked up for you.

    What an incredible experience you had and so much nature!

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