Best Clothing & Surf Shops in Tamarindo (2026)

Updated October 2026

Looking for a Tamarindo surf shop or a good clothing store? We ranked the shops in town by the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. Club 33 Surf Shop comes first, followed by Papaya Con Leche and Ollies Surf Shop.

The list mixes surf shops that rent boards, teach lessons or make boards with boutiques that sell swimsuits, linen clothes and T-shirts. It’s a quick guide to shopping in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, from a new board to a gift to take home.

How we ranked these

These are the clothing and surf shops in Tamarindo with the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year. Recent reviews tell you what visitors think right now, not years ago. Every business here fits the category, is in or near Tamarindo and shows recent signs of being open.

When a category is small, we fill the last spots with businesses that have fewer reviews this year but a strong rating overall, 4.3 stars or more. You’ll see “Also recommended” under their names.

Kayak Club Tamarindo is listed on Google as a surf shop, but its recent reviews are about kayak tours, so we describe it that way.

Every business in Tamarindo is listed free on Tamarindo Guide. Featured businesses, the ones that support the guide, are usually included when they fit the category, and we always label them.

1. Club 33 Surf Shop

See Club 33 Surf Shop on Tamarindo Guide

164 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Club 33 Surf Shop is more surf school and board rental than clothing store, and reviewers keep mentioning the free extras: lockers, water, coffee and sunscreen, plus outdoor showers. Instructors explain wave reading, safety and how to stand up, and one uses a private room with slide shows. Guests also mention a large choice of rental boards at fair prices.

It’s a great fit for first-time surfers, solo travelers who want to meet people, and anyone renting a board for a few days. Staff share tips on surf spots outside town, some of which need a 4×4. One beginner felt the waves were too big for their level, so tell your instructor exactly how much you’ve surfed.

2. Papaya Con Leche

See Papaya Con Leche on Tamarindo Guide

49 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

At Papaya Con Leche, the owner, Kata, designs the clothes herself and alters swimsuits right in the shop, often the same day. Reviewers say she quickly sees which colors and cuts suit your body. Besides swimsuits, guests mention skirts made to order in a day, dresses, custom suits and alterations, and shoes she designed.

Go here if you’ve struggled to find a swimsuit that fits, including larger sizes. One reviewer found suits that hold a breast prosthesis securely. The shop has shipped altered items and back-ordered shoes to customers abroad, though one order took about two months. Allow extra time for your visit, since the personal fitting is the point.

3. Ollies Surf Shop

See Ollies Surf Shop on Tamarindo Guide

15 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Ollies Surf Shop mixes the owner’s own clothing label with other brands, in a store he designed and built himself in Plaza Conchal, a little off the main strip. Reviewers praise quality T-shirts, dressier linen shorts and shirts, women’s clothing and sunglasses. Several say the designs feel different from the usual tourist shops.

It’s a good stop for men’s clothes, or for anyone who needs a nicer outfit for dinner. The owner is happy to chat and share local tips, and some shoppers were sent to a surf instructor they loved. Despite the name, reviews focus on clothes rather than surfboards.

4. Surf Culture Surf Shop

See Surf Culture Surf Shop on Tamarindo Guide

15 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.3 average

Low-cost one-on-one lessons and cheap board rentals are what reviewers point to at Surf Culture Surf Shop, on the road to Langosta. Instructors teach safety and stance on the sand first, and staff push regular renters from a soft beginner board to a hard board. One renter paid $15 for 24 hours in April 2026.

Choose it if you want private coaching at a fair price or a board to take out on your own, with boards suited to Tamarindo and Playa Grande. Some 2026 reviews are negative: one renter was charged for damage they say was already there, and a group felt ignored during their lesson. Check the board and take photos before you leave.

5. Cala Tamarindo

See Cala Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

14 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Natural fabrics are the focus at Cala Tamarindo: linen and cotton clothes for men and women. The shop also sells crystals, natural incense and herbs, and one reviewer mentions mate, the South American herbal tea. Reviewers praise flattering fits, original styles and warm staff who take time to chat.

It’s a good pick if you like relaxed, natural-fiber clothes you’ll keep wearing after the beach trip. Shoppers describe it as a place to slow down and try things on, not rush. It’s also a good place to find a gift that feels different from a typical souvenir.

6. Wanabana

See Wanabana on Tamarindo Guide

13 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Vintage surf-style T-shirts and caps with a Tamarindo theme are what shoppers remember from Wanabana, on the main avenue. Reviewers also mention light, good-quality fabrics for the heat, purses, hats and stickers, at fair prices. Several say it’s a good place to buy gifts and souvenirs.

Stop here for gifts to take home or easy beach clothes you’ll wear again. Repeat visitors say they buy something every time they’re in town. It’s on Central Avenue, so you can add it to a walk through the center.

7. Cheboards

View Cheboards on Google Maps

7 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Cheboards makes its own surfboards and foil boards, so this is where you buy or order a board rather than rent one. It’s on Route 152 across from the Villarreal cemetery, on the way into town. Reviewers praise well-made boards in many shapes, a spacious shop with surf gear, and quick, fairly priced repairs.

It’s the right stop if you want a custom shape, your first board with all the accessories, or a damaged board fixed. One customer ordered a custom board in mid-November and picked it up a few days after Christmas, so plan ahead if you want a new board for your trip.

8. We Stay Lost

View We Stay Lost on Google Maps

5 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 5.0 average

Eye-catching shirt designs and handmade jewelry bring shoppers into We Stay Lost, a small shop on the main avenue. Reviewers mention good materials, cute tops, wave-themed earrings and fair prices. Several single out the friendly, helpful staff as a highlight of their visit.

It’s a good stop for souvenirs that last longer than a typical T-shirt. One reviewer says the quality means what you buy here should hold up long after your trip. It’s in the Blue Water Properties building on Central Avenue, so you’ll pass it as you walk around town.

9. Guana Tamarindo

See Guana Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

Also recommended · 3 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.8 overall from 39 Google reviews

Clearance bins set Guana Tamarindo apart, and one shopper found real bargains there. The beachwear store (ropa de playa means beachwear) is on the main street, across from Walter’s at the traffic circle. Shoppers mention cute T-shirts, good quality and friendly, helpful staff.

Pick it if you need beach clothes or a T-shirt at a fair price without a long shopping trip. It’s right in the center of town, so you can combine it with other stops. Check the clearance section before you buy at full price.

10. Kayak Club Tamarindo

See Kayak Club Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

Also recommended · 3 4- and 5-star Google reviews in 2026 · 4.7 overall from 29 Google reviews

Google lists Kayak Club Tamarindo as a surf shop, but its recent reviews are about guided kayak tours in the estuary, inside the national marine park. Guests praise a funny, knowledgeable guide who explains the river’s ecology and points out howler monkeys, iguanas, raccoons and native plants along the way.

It’s a good fit if you want a calm nature outing instead of a shopping stop. The Google listing also mentions surf lessons, fishing and ATV rentals, but reviews don’t describe those, so ask what’s on offer. One family felt their tour went out in poor tide and weather, so ask about conditions before you book.

Tips for Shopping in Tamarindo

Several of these shops are on or near Tamarindo’s main avenue, so you can visit a few in one walk. Cheboards and Surf Culture sit a little outside the center, on the road into town and the road toward Langosta.

If you rent a surfboard, check it closely and take photos before you leave the shop, so there’s no confusion about damage later. Tell the staff your level so they can help you pick a board that fits.

In the green season, roughly May to November, some shops keep shorter hours, so message ahead if you’re going out of your way to visit one.

Quick comparison

#	Business	4- and 5-star reviews in 2026	Average rating	Best for
1	Club 33 Surf Shop	164	5.0	Lessons and board rentals
2	Papaya Con Leche	49	5.0	Swimsuits that fit
3	Ollies Surf Shop	15	5.0	Locally designed clothing
4	Surf Culture Surf Shop	15	4.3	Affordable private lessons
5	Cala Tamarindo	14	5.0	Natural linen clothing
6	Wanabana	13	5.0	Tamarindo souvenir clothing
7	Cheboards	7	5.0	Buying or repairing boards
8	We Stay Lost	5	5.0	Graphic tees and jewelry
9	Guana Tamarindo	3	4.8 overall	Budget beachwear
10	Kayak Club Tamarindo	3	4.7 overall	Estuary kayak tours

Frequently asked questions

Which Tamarindo surf shop has the strongest reviews?

Club 33 Surf Shop has the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year of any shop on this list. Reviewers praise its rental boards, patient instructors and free extras like water and coffee. To buy or repair a board, Cheboards makes boards locally.

Where can you go shopping in Tamarindo, Costa Rica?

Tamarindo has a good mix of surf shops and clothing boutiques in and near the center of town. Papaya Con Leche is known for swimsuits, Ollies Surf Shop and Cala Tamarindo for quality clothing, and Wanabana and We Stay Lost for gifts and T-shirts.

What does Ollies Surf Shop in Tamarindo sell?

Ollies Surf Shop sells men’s and women’s clothing, including the owner’s own label and other brands, plus T-shirts, linen shirts and shorts, and sunglasses. It’s in Plaza Conchal, a little off the main strip.

Where can I buy a swimsuit in Tamarindo?

Papaya Con Leche is the clothing store on this list with the most 4- and 5-star Google reviews this year, and swimsuits are its specialty. Reviewers say the owner helps you find styles that suit you and alters suits in the shop for a better fit.

Can I buy a surfboard in Tamarindo?

Yes. Cheboards makes surfboards and foil boards locally, takes custom orders and repairs boards. If you only need a board for a few days, Club 33 and Surf Culture both rent boards.

Find more apparel in Tamarindo

Want to browse more stores? See every clothing and surf shop in Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide.

Browse all Apparel in Tamarindo on Tamarindo Guide

Best Clothing & Surf Shops in Tamarindo in 2026