I’ll never forget arriving in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. The warm air, glistening blue water, and the phenomenal sunset were the perfect anecdote to a cold Canadian winter.

You’ve probably heard of Tamarindo. It’s a popular beach town on the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Tamarindo is known for surfing and parties. Rather like Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean coast, the party reputation exists but in either town you do not need to be a partier to thoroughly enjoy the experiences. 

Tamarindo’s location makes it a great base to explore further afield. There are many tour operators in Tamarindo offering a wide variety of activities such as sailing, snorkeling, volcano hikes, and ziplining. You can tailor your vacation time in Tamarindo to suit exactly what you love to do. 

1. Go For Long Beach Walks 

The beach at Tamarindo has lovely soft, white sand perfect for walking. It’s a wide beach that stretches for about 1.5 miles. Head out for a refreshing morning walk, listening to the shore break and dipping your feet in the ocean. 

2. Enjoy Spectacular Sunsets At Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Plan a sunset sailing trip, pull up a chair at one of the beach bars, or sit on the sand and just watch the glowing ball of fiery orange drop lower in the sky until it disappears over the horizon. Stunning. Unforgettable.

Silhouettes of sailboats and surfers dashing across the sand make for some spectacular photo opportunities.

3. Learn To Surf In Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo is one of the best beaches for surfing in Costa Rica. It is the perfect place to learn and also challenging enough for advanced surfers. If you are just starting out or need some fine tuning for your technique, there are plenty of surf schools on the beach. 

Even if you aren’t a surfer, you might enjoy watching the activity. While away an hour observing the lessons, full of successes and crashes, and the more advanced surfers riding the waves.

4. Partake In Water Sports To Your Heart’s Content

Tamarindo beach is water sports heaven! Rent a kayak, go stand up paddle boarding or join a tour and go sport fishing. The sky’s the limit! 

5. Spend Time At Langosta Beach (Playa Langosta)

The beaches along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica are spectacular. Just a short 1.5 miles south of Tamarindo is the gorgeous Playa Langosta. Bring a picnic and walk the beautiful beach, exploring tide pools, collecting shells, and watching the surfers.

6. Take A Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari

Hop in the canopied boat with a seasoned guide and explore the mangrove forest in Las Baulas National Park. Keep your eyes open for howler monkeys (my favorite), crocodiles, and exotic birds. Float down the river and immerse yourself in nature. 

7. Go Snorkelling In The Pacific Ocean

When the ocean beckons, I go! Getting on the Pacific Ocean and zipping across the sparkling water to just the perfect snorkeling spot is a very memorable experience. Perhaps it will be your lucky day and you will see dolphins while out on the ocean. 

8. See Leatherback Turtles Nesting

Las Baulas National Marine Park is the largest nesting ground in the world for endangered leatherback turtles. Nesting season is from October — March with many turtles coming ashore. In recent years, the number of leatherback Tturtles returning has decreased. Look for guided tours from Tamarindo or Playa Grande. 

9. See Olive Ridley Sea Turtles Lay Their Eggs 

On the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, the best place to see turtles lay their eggs is in Ostional Wildlife Refuge. About a 2-hour drive from Tamarindo, this wildlife refuge with its 9-miles of protected beach is a haven for Olive Ridley sea turtles. The best time to witness this spectacular event of mother nature at work is from September to December. As with Tortuguero National Park, the only way to visit and see the Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting is with a guide. Organized tours are available from Tamarindo.

Source: https://www.travelawaits.com/2709971/tamarindo-costa-rica-things-to-do/