Tamarindo
A big, easy-going Pacific beach town where the river-mouth sandbars groom swell into tidy beginner waves virtually year-round — warm water, board shorts, howler monkeys in the trees behind.
- Best forSurfers · Beach lovers · Groups of friends
- In September29°C · 28 rainy days · sea 30°C
- Ideal stayA week
- Approx. flying time~5h 35m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyCRCCosta Rican colón
- LanguageSpanish
- Local time06:107h behind the UK
- PlugsType A / BBring an adapter
- Drive on theRightOpposite to the UK
- Dialling code+506
Why go
A wide Pacific bay in Guanacaste where sandbars at the river mouth groom incoming swell into long, forgiving waves. The town itself is busy and unpretentious, geared to surf schools, taco counters and early nights before early sessions. Water is warm enough for a rash vest rather than a wetsuit, and howler monkeys keep up an unreasonable racket in the trees behind the beach at dawn.
Liberia's airport is around ninety minutes away, which keeps transfers short by Costa Rican standards. A week suits it, with days out to neighbouring beaches and a volcano. The dry season from December to April is hot and reliable; the green season from May brings afternoon rain, glassy mornings and better prices. Anyone wanting quiet should look at the smaller beaches just north and south.
- Ideal stay
- A week
- The vibe
- Warm, salty, board-and-taco
From our guides
Progress fast and Playa Grande's more serious walls are next door. The dry season, December to April, is classic; the green season brings afternoon rain and morning glass.
Featured in Ten surf beaches where beginners actually stand up
Things to do
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Beginner surf at the river mouth
Sandbars shape mellow, repeatable waves that work most of the year, which is why so many people learn here. Boards and lessons are available everywhere.
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Playa Grande
Across the estuary, a longer and more serious beach break with far fewer people, backed by a national park protecting leatherback turtle nesting grounds.
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Playa Avellanas
A short drive south, a quieter beach with several breaks along its length and a low-key surf scene. The obvious next step once you can stand up.
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Estuary boat trip
Mangroves behind the beach hold crocodiles, herons and howler monkeys, best seen from a small boat at first light or late afternoon.
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Rincón de la Vieja
An active volcano about two hours away with bubbling mud pots, hot springs and forest trails. The standard day out when the surf goes flat.
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Sunset on the sand
The bay faces west, so the entire town drifts down to the beach for it. Casados and ceviche follow at the stands behind.
Getting there
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Fly to
Liberia (LIR)
Nearest airport to Tamarindo, about 46km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Tamarindo
Liberia (LIR) is the practical gateway, about an hour and a quarter by hire car or shared shuttle south west to Tamarindo. Nosara (NOB) is a small domestic strip further down the coast.
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On the ground
Getting around
Tamarindo is walkable end to end, with small boats across the estuary to Playa Grande and shuttles running to the other Guanacaste beaches.
Public transport: Public buses connect the Guanacaste towns slowly; tourist shuttles are the usual compromise, and a car helps if you want to beach-hop.
Flights
Los Angeles Tamarindo, Costa Rica
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Roughly 5h 35m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 28°C in November to 33°C in March. Driest January to March; wettest in October, with rain on about 30 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 31°C, coolest at 29°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
September29° · rain 28 days · sea 30°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2020–2024 at this location (ERA5 reanalysis). Highlighted months are warm and mostly dry — December to March. Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Surf hostels and lodges, condo rentals with pools and a few mid-sized beachfront hotels. Nothing very grand, and all-inclusives are rare on this stretch.
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Best base overall
Tamarindo
The town itself, where the surf schools, restaurants and board hire line one road behind the beach. Convenient and sociable, though the main strip is noisy and touts are persistent.
Find stays in Tamarindo -
Quietest
Playa Langosta
A short walk or drive south, with condos and small hotels on a rockier beach and far less traffic. You will walk back into town for dinner.
Find stays in Playa Langosta -
Best for couples
Playa Grande
Across the estuary, a protected turtle-nesting beach with a few low-key hotels and a more serious wave. Undeveloped, dark at night and a long road loop by car.
Find stays in Playa Grande -
Best value
Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra
Half an hour south along a rough road, with surf lodges and cabinas at gentler rates and near-empty beaches. A four-wheel drive is sensible in the green season.
Find stays in Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra
Worth knowing before you book: The December to April dry season books out weeks ahead at peak rates, and many hotels quote in dollars with card surcharges, so ask before arriving.
Search everything else in Tamarindo by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Safety
- Rip currents run beside the river mouth, and crocodiles live in the estuary, so never wade or swim across it. Use a boat.
- Timing
- December to April is dry, hot and busiest. The green season brings mornings of clean surf and afternoon downpours, with lower prices throughout.
- Sun
- You are ten degrees off the equator with little shade on the sand. Reef-safe cream, a rash vest and a hat are all worth packing.
- Cash or card
- Colones and US dollars both circulate and cards are widely accepted, though small stands and beach vendors prefer cash.
- Driving
- Main roads are paved but the coastal tracks to nearby beaches are rough and often need a high-clearance vehicle, especially in the wet months.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Nosara
Costa Rica · 42km away →
Tortuguero
Costa Rica · 63km away →
San Juan del Sur
Nicaragua · 100km away →
Santa Teresa
Costa Rica · 103km away →
Zip-lining the cloud forest
Monteverde, Costa Rica · 112km away →
Ometepe
Nicaragua · 135km away →Elsewhere in Costa Rica
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
For warm, mostly dry days, December to March. That means highs of 20–34°C with rain on six days a month or fewer. Daytime highs run from about 28°C in November to 33°C in March. Driest January to March; wettest in October, with rain on about 30 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 31°C, coolest at 29°C.
How long should I spend in Tamarindo?
Our suggestion: a week.
How do I get to Tamarindo?
Liberia (LIR) is the practical gateway, about an hour and a quarter by hire car or shared shuttle south west to Tamarindo. Nosara (NOB) is a small domestic strip further down the coast.
Do I need a car in Tamarindo?
No. Public buses connect the Guanacaste towns slowly; tourist shuttles are the usual compromise, and a car helps if you want to beach-hop.
What currency and language are used in Tamarindo?
Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC). Language: Spanish. Plugs: type A and B.
Who is Tamarindo best for?
Best for surfers, beach lovers and groups of friends. In a phrase: warm, salty, board-and-taco.