Getting Here

Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste, is the most accessible location along the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, with an airstrip operated 7 days a week by two airlines from San José: SANSA and Nature Air provide several flights on a daily basis. Private charter services are  also available. A scheduled daily bus service to and from San José, including the surrounding areas, is provided by different companies. There is also a paved highway from San José for those who want to rent a car and drive along the countryside (4-5 hrs. to Tamarindo).

Indise		Grafica
1	Luna Llena Hotel		Hotels
2	El Mono Loco Hotel		Restaurant
3	Capitan Suizo Hotel		Others
4	B&B La Casa Sueca
5	Sunset Inn
6	Cala Luna Hotel
7	Taboo
8	Barcelo Playa Langosta Hotel
9	Big Bazaar Bar/Restaurant
10	Restaurant El Pescador
11	Smilin´ Dog Taco Factory
12	Restaurant Maria Bonita
13	Cala Moresca Restaurant
14	Wayra School
15	Supermarket Langosta

 

The international airport in Liberia, Guanacaste, is open to international flights from a variety of carriers. The airport is just a 45 minute drive from Tamarindo.

A Natural Wonderland

Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas (velas is Spanish for sails, or sailfish). Playa Grande is located in the north of Tamarindo Beach, in the bay. The two beaches are separated by a natural salt water estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay there is another beautiful estuary and beach, Playa Langosta.

Both Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for the giant leatherback turtle, and are part of the Costa Rican national park system. These beaches are the worldwide major nesting areas for the turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs here. Tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible spectacle. Another very special tour is the jungle boat ride. On locally built skiffs small groups are ferried deep into the mysterious mangrove forest, where a breathtaking diversity of birds, mammals and reptiles can be seen.

Accommodations and Services

Tamarindo hosts an excellent variety of hotels, from economy to luxury. Also available are a large selection of cabinas with A/C, some with kitchenettes, all at an economic rate. Tamarindo has several condominiums, private beach houses and B & B's. Maid and laundry services are available to make your stay a comfortable and relaxing one. There are accomodations to fit every budget.

Tamarindo boasts an amazing selection of fine international and typical Costa Rican restaurants. Furthermore it has a French bakery, as well as restaurants managed by health-conscious and vegetarian patrons. You will never grow tired of trying all the wonderful variations of uniquely prepared specialties featuring the abundant supply of fresh local seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Tamarindo also has grocery stores, fresh produce and fruit juice stands, an ice factory, a variety of souvenir and clothing shops, an art gallery, medical clinic, pharmacy, hardware store, a full service bank with ATM machine, real estate offices, laundromats, internet cafés. Our area now has a new school, Country Day School, which is just a 15 minute drive from Tamarindo.

Water Sports and other Activities

Tamarindo Bay has become a Mecca for surfers and blue water sport fishermen. Our sport fishing fleet consists of talented and conservation oriented captains who are the pioneers of the Pacific coast. Their record catches of marlin, sailfish, giant tuna and other species have become a legend. Whether you are looking for deep sea fishing, reef or shoreline fishing: Our fleet can accommodate you. Surf casting and handling in front of your hotel for snook and jack are also popular. And if you do it, you can be sure to have your fresh catch cooked for you at one of the friendly beachfront restaurants.

Warm water surfing can be enjoyed the whole year around and families find that this area offers opportunities for surfers of all levels, so that they can enjoy the great waves that bless this part of the coast. Tamarindo was the first stop on an epic worldwide surf journey in the popular movie Endless Summer II.

Visitors also have access to SCUBA diving, snorkeling trips, beach cruises, water skiing, jet skiing, catamaran journeys, ocean and river kayaking, wind surfing, sailing cruises and horseback riding. Bicycles, beach gear, surfboards, boogie boards and equipment of all types are available to hire from special stores.
Golfers can enjoy two local championship courses, one at Paradisus Conchal and another at Hacienda Pinilla.

Tamarindo's Climate

Tamarindo's climate has two seasons, dry and rainy. The dry season, from November to April, is dry, hot and sunny. The humidity is very low and comfortable.
The rainy season begins in late April or early May and continues until October. A typical day is sunny or partly cloudy until late afternoon or evening, when showers build inland and move offshore, often producing spectacular sunsets. Everything is green and lush during this time of the year. Although there are no hurricanes here, a hurricane or tropical depression in the Atlantic or Caribbean often means rain for Tamarindo. Temperatures in Tamarindo range between 80 and 100 degrees F. the whole year around.