The most popular things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica are surf lessons, sunset catamaran sails, estuary boat tours to see crocodiles and day trips to nearby beaches. From about October to April, you can also join a night tour to watch sea turtles nest on beaches nearby. Most tours pick you up at your hotel, so you won’t need a car for most of this list.
We’re Tamarindo Guide, a free local business directory for Tamarindo. We’ve lived here for over 10 years, and these are the 25 things we suggest when friends and family come to visit. We picked them as residents, for variety and value. They’re grouped by type, not ranked. Prices are rough ranges as of October 2026, with links to compare companies in our directory. For planning help, see our travel guide to Tamarindo.
Water activities: surfing, snorkeling, sailing and fishing
Tamarindo is a water town first. The bay has gentle waves for beginners, and boats go out every day for sailing, diving and fishing. If you only have a few days, start here.
1. Take a surf lesson
Tamarindo Beach is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to learn to surf. The waves in the middle of the bay are usually small and slow, and the water is warm all year. Most lessons last about 2 hours and include the board and a rash guard.
- Price: about $50 to $70 per person for a group lesson and $70 to $115 for a private lesson, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: ask the school to book you for mid to high tide. The waves break more gently, and there are fewer rocks to worry about.
Compare surf lessons and board rentals in Tamarindo, or see our Best Surf Lessons list. Our Best Of lists rank businesses by their 4- and 5-star Google reviews from the past year.
2. Sail at sunset on a catamaran
Catamarans leave in the early afternoon from the beach in town or from the marina at Playa Flamingo, about 35 to 40 minutes north. Most stop to snorkel, serve drinks and a meal, and return after sunset.
- Price: about $75 to $130 per adult, less for children, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: from Tamarindo Beach, you often wade out to the boat. Wear a swimsuit and bring a dry bag for your phone.
See sailing and catamaran tours in Tamarindo, or our Best Catamaran and Sailing Tours list.
3. Snorkel or dive at the Catalina Islands
The water off Tamarindo Beach is often cloudy, so most snorkeling and diving happens at the Catalina Islands. These rocky islands sit off the coast to the north, and boats go from Tamarindo or Flamingo. You can see rays, sea turtles, reef fish and white-tip reef sharks. Giant manta rays are most often seen from about December to May.
- Price: about $80 to $120 per person for a snorkel trip and about $130 to $160 for a two-tank dive, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: visibility changes from day to day. Ask the dive shop how clear the water has been that week before you book.
See scuba and snorkel tours in Tamarindo, or our Best Scuba Diving Centers list.
4. Go sportfishing
Sportfishing boats leave from Tamarindo and Flamingo for half-day and full-day trips. Inshore trips target roosterfish and snapper, and offshore trips go out for sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi and tuna. Sailfish are catch-and-release in Costa Rica.
- Price: about $620 to $1,450 per boat for a half day, plus a fishing license of about $17 per person, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: prices are per boat, so split one with friends, and ask if drinks and the license are included.
See fishing charters in Tamarindo, or our Best Fishing Charters list.
5. Paddle the estuary by kayak or paddleboard
A guided kayak or stand-up paddleboard tour is a quiet way to see the mangroves at the north end of town. Guides point out birds, crabs and iguanas. Tours last about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Price: about $55 to $65 per person for a guided kayak tour, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: start times follow the tide, so they change from day to day. Always paddle the estuary with a guide, and never swim there.
Wildlife: turtles, crocodiles, monkeys and whales
You can see wildlife in Tamarindo without going far. Crocodiles live in the estuary at the edge of town, and howler monkeys live in the trees. Sea turtles nest on beaches nearby, and whales pass offshore in the dry season.
6. Take an estuary boat tour
An estuary boat tour is the easiest way to see crocodiles in Tamarindo. Small boats take you into the mangroves with a guide, and you see the animals from a safe distance. Tours last about 2 hours, and you may also see herons, iguanas and monkeys.
- Where: boats leave from the north end of Calle Central, next to the Las Baulas National Marine Park office.
- Price: about $35 to $65 per adult for a shared tour, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: most tours run in the morning, with start times set by the tide. Mornings are cooler, and birds are often more active.
About the crocodiles: American crocodiles are a normal part of the estuary, and it’s rare to see one on the main beach. Don’t swim or wade near the river mouth, and you’re very unlikely to have any problem.
7. Join a sea turtle nesting tour
Sea turtle nesting tours from Tamarindo now go to other beaches, not Playa Grande. Leatherbacks still nest at Playa Grande, but only a few females come each season. Eastern Pacific leatherbacks have declined by more than 97 percent, according to NOAA Fisheries, and guided leatherback tours there stopped in 2019.
- Night nesting tours: guides take small groups to beaches near Matapalo, about 40 minutes away, roughly October to April. You’ll most likely see black (green) or olive ridley turtles. Cost is about $65 to $70 per person, as of October 2026.
- Ostional arribadas: at Playa Ostional, about 1.5 to 2 hours south, thousands of olive ridley turtles nest together over a few nights. The biggest arribadas usually happen from July to November. Tours cost about $130 to $150 per person.
- Local tip: sightings are never certain. Go with a licensed guide, wear dark clothes, and don’t use flashlights or flash photos near the turtles.
8. Look and listen for howler monkeys
Howler monkeys live in the trees around Tamarindo, Langosta and Playa Grande. You’ll often hear their deep roar early in the morning. Look up in big trees near the beach. You’ll also see iguanas on walls and rocks almost everywhere.
- Price: free.
- Local tip: never feed monkeys or other wild animals. Human food makes them sick, and Costa Rica’s park service asks visitors not to feed wildlife.
9. Look for whales and dolphins from a boat
Humpback whales visit the waters of northern Costa Rica from December to April to mate and have their calves. The Costa Rica Tourism Board’s Northern Guanacaste Tourist Guide lists Tamarindo among the towns where whale watching now happens. Dolphins are seen on boat trips at other times of year too.
- Local tip: sightings are never certain. Ask sailing and snorkel tours if they’ve seen whales that week before you choose a boat.
Adventure tours: ziplining, ATVs and horseback riding
Adventure tours near Tamarindo happen in the hills inland and on quieter beaches. Most take half a day, with hotel pickup. Wear closed shoes.
10. Fly through the trees on a zip line
Canopy (zip line) tours are about 25 to 45 minutes from Tamarindo, in the forest and hills inland. A tour takes 2 to 3 hours with transport. To be honest, the forest here is drier and lower than in Monteverde or Arenal. If you’re going there later in your trip, zip line there instead.
- Price: about $52 to $65 per person, often with transport, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: morning tours are cooler. Check age and weight limits before you book if you’re bringing kids.
See zip line tours near Tamarindo, or our Best Zip Line Tours list.
11. Ride an ATV on back roads and beaches
ATV and side-by-side tours follow dirt roads through farms and hills, often stopping at a quiet beach. Tours last about 2 to 4 hours. Drivers usually need a valid driver’s license, and kids ride as passengers.
- Price: about $80 to $120 per person, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: it’s dusty in the dry season and muddy in the green season. Bring sunglasses, and wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
See ATV tours in Tamarindo, or our Best ATV Tours list.
12. Go horseback riding
Horseback tours ride along nearby beaches and farm trails. Most rides last about 2 hours and are fine for beginners.
- Price: about $65 to $80 per person for a 2-hour ride, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: tell the company your riding experience so they can match you with the right horse.
See horseback riding in Tamarindo, or our Best Horseback Riding Tours list.
Beaches and day trips near Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a good base for beach-hopping. Two quieter beaches are a walk or a short boat ride away, and several more are 30 to 45 minutes by car.
13. Walk to Playa Langosta at low tide
Playa Langosta is the next beach south of Tamarindo. At low tide, you can walk there along the sand in about 10 to 15 minutes. It’s quieter than the main beach, with tide pools on the rocks.
- Price: free.
- Local tip: check the tide table before you go. At high tide, the rocks between the two beaches can be hard to pass.
14. Cross the estuary to Playa Grande
Playa Grande (playa means beach) is a long, wild surf beach across the estuary from Tamarindo, inside Las Baulas National Marine Park. It has very few buildings and bigger waves, good for long walks and experienced surfers.
- How to get there: small boats take you across the estuary from the north end of town for a few dollars, or you can drive around in about 25 minutes.
- Local tip: don’t walk or swim across the river mouth, because crocodiles live in the estuary. The park’s beaches close at night, so ask the boat driver what time the last boat comes back.
15. Spend a day at Playa Conchal or Playa Flamingo
Playa Conchal and Playa Flamingo are about 35 to 45 minutes north of Tamarindo. Both have calmer water for swimming and snorkeling. Conchal’s sand is made of tiny crushed shells, and the water is often clear.
- How to get there: by rental car, taxi or a day tour.
- Local tip: go in the morning, before parking fills up and the afternoon wind picks up.
For day trips on your own, compare car rentals in Tamarindo.
16. Drive south to Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra
Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra are surf beaches about 30 to 40 minutes south of Tamarindo. Avellanas is long and sandy, and Playa Negra has a rocky point with a well-known wave for experienced surfers. Both are much quieter than Tamarindo.
- Price: free, apart from parking or a drink at a beach restaurant.
- Local tip: the last part of the road is dirt. In the green season it can be muddy, so a car with high clearance helps.
17. Take a day trip to Rincón de la Vieja volcano
Rincón de la Vieja National Park is about 2 hours from Tamarindo, near Liberia. It has bubbling mud pots, waterfalls and forest trails, and many day tours add hot springs.
- Price: about $165 to $205 per person for a day tour with transport, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: the Las Pailas area of the park is closed on Mondays, and entry tickets must be bought online in advance. The volcano is active, so trails sometimes close. Check before you go.
Food, nightlife and the night market
Tamarindo has more restaurants and bars than most Costa Rican beach towns, and most are a short walk from the beach.
18. Shop and eat at the night market
The Tamarindo Moonlight Night Market brings food stalls, handmade crafts, jewelry and live music to Plaza Palmas in the evening. It runs on Thursday nights only, from about 6pm to 9pm, as of October 2026.
- Price: free to walk around. Food and crafts cost extra.
- Local tip: bring some cash in small bills, since not every stall takes cards. Days can change in the rainy season, so check the market’s social media pages before you go.
A farmers’ market (feria) also runs on Saturday mornings. Its spot has moved over the years, so ask at your hotel where it is now.
19. Eat a casado at a soda
For a local lunch, eat at a soda, a small family-run Costa Rican restaurant. Order a casado, the classic lunch plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish. For a mix of cuisines in one place, try a food hall like El Mercadito de Tamarindo.
- Price: a casado costs about ₡4,500 to ₡7,700 ($10 to $17) in colones (₡), the local currency, as of October 2026.
- Local tip: restaurant bills include a 13% tax and a 10% service charge, so an extra tip is up to you.
Browse restaurants in Tamarindo, or start with our Best Restaurants in Tamarindo list.
20. Go out for drinks and live music
Tamarindo has the busiest nightlife in this part of Guanacaste. Beach bars fill up at sunset, and most nights at least one bar has live music or a DJ. Weekly bar crawls take groups to several places.
- Price: cocktails at beach bars often cost close to US prices.
- Local tip: walk on lit streets with other people at night, and take a taxi back if you’re staying outside the center. Avoid the beach after dark.
See bars and clubs in Tamarindo, or our Best Bars and Nightclubs list.
Relaxing: yoga, spas and sunsets
Not every day needs a tour. Tamarindo has yoga studios, spas and a golf course nearby, and the sunset is free every evening.
21. Watch the sunset from the beach
The beach faces west, so the sun sets over the ocean every evening. Sunset in Tamarindo is between about 5:15pm and 6:10pm all year. It’s earliest in November and latest in July.
- Price: free.
- Local tip: get to the beach about 30 minutes early, and stay for 15 minutes after the sun goes down. That’s when the sky often has the most color.
22. Take a yoga class or book a massage
Tamarindo has many yoga studios and teachers with drop-in classes, some in open-air studios. For massage, you can choose a spa or a therapist, and some therapists come to your hotel or rental.
- Local tip: book your massage for the day after surfing or a long tour.
See yoga in Tamarindo or our Best Yoga Classes and Studios list. For spas and therapists, see massage in Tamarindo.
23. Play a round of golf at Hacienda Pinilla
Hacienda Pinilla is a resort community about 25 to 30 minutes south of Tamarindo with an 18-hole, par-72 golf course designed by Mike Young. Visitors can book tee times through the club.
- Price: $160 for 18 holes or $85 for 9 holes, with cart included, and club rental from $55, as of October 2026 (club rates).
- Local tip: book an early tee time. By late morning, the heat is strong, especially in the dry season.
Things to do in Tamarindo when it rains
Rain in Tamarindo rarely lasts all day. In the green season (rainy season), from May to November, mornings are usually sunny and showers come later. Plan tours for the morning and keep these ideas for wet afternoons.
24. Climb indoors at TamaRocks
TamaRocks is an indoor bouldering gym in Tamarindo, open to beginners and experienced climbers. It also offers yoga and fitness classes. It’s one of the few indoor activities in town, good for rainy afternoons and active kids.
- Local tip: check the gym’s hours and day-pass options before you go, and bring socks for the climbing shoes.
More rainy-day ideas
- A spa afternoon: a massage or facial is the classic rainy-day plan (see number 22).
- A Spanish class: try a short class at one of the language schools in Tamarindo. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, will appreciate even a few words.
- Art galleries: visit local painters and artisans at art galleries in Tamarindo.
In September and October, the rainiest months, some restaurants and tour companies close for a few weeks. Check that a place is open before you go.
Things to do in Tamarindo with kids
Tamarindo works well for families. The beach is walkable, the waves are gentle in the middle of the bay, and many tours welcome kids. Plan around the midday heat.
25. Play the Tamarindo Scavenger Hunt
The Tamarindo Scavenger Hunt is a self-guided game you play on your phone. Clues lead you around town, with discounts at local businesses along the way. You can race the clock or take up to 7 days at your own pace.
- Local tip: play in the morning or late afternoon, and bring water and sunscreen. Browse more ideas under experiences in Tamarindo.
Other picks from this list that work well with kids
- Surf lessons (number 1): many schools teach children, and kids often stand up faster than adults.
- Estuary boat tour (number 6): short, and kids love spotting crocodiles.
- Tide pools at Playa Langosta (number 13): go at low tide and look for crabs and small fish.
- Catamaran sail (number 2): good for older kids who can snorkel.
Safety notes for families: zip lines have age and weight limits, kids ride ATVs only as passengers, and lifeguards aren’t always on the beach. Watch kids closely in the water.
How to book tours in Tamarindo
You can book most tours at a tour agency in town, directly with the tour company, or through your hotel. In high season (December to April), book popular tours like sunset sails and turtle tours about 1 to 2 weeks ahead. In the green season, a day or two ahead is usually enough.
Booking tips
- Compare prices: many tours are sold by several agencies. Ask what’s included: hotel pickup, drinks, lunch and park fees.
- Expect tax: most tour prices add a 13% tax, so check if the price you see includes it.
- Tip your guide: tips aren’t included. About $10 to $15 per person for a half-day tour and $15 to $20 for a full day is common, as of October 2026.
- Ask about weather: ask what happens if a boat tour is cancelled for rough seas.
Tour offices line the main road. See tour agencies in Tamarindo to compare them.
Find tours and things to do in Tamarindo.
Things to do in Tamarindo FAQ
What should you not miss in Tamarindo?
If you only have a few days, watch a sunset on the beach, take a surf lesson and go on a sunset catamaran sail. If you’re here from October to April, add a night turtle nesting tour.
Is Tamarindo worth visiting?
Yes, Tamarindo is worth visiting for most first-time visitors to Costa Rica. It’s close to Liberia airport, you can walk to the beach and restaurants, and you can book almost any tour in town. It’s busier and more expensive than smaller beach towns.
Is it safe to walk around Tamarindo at night?
Yes, the center of Tamarindo is generally safe to walk at night if you take normal care. Stay on lit streets with other people, and avoid the beach after dark, especially near the estuary.
How many days do you need in Tamarindo?
Most visitors spend 4 to 7 days in Tamarindo. That’s enough for a surf lesson, a sunset sail, a wildlife tour and a beach day trip.
Do you need a car in Tamarindo?
No, you don’t need a car if you stay in the center of Tamarindo. You can walk to the beach and restaurants, and most tours include hotel pickup. Rent a car for a day or two to visit other beaches.
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