Tamarindo: A Famous Beach in Guanacaste
The town of Tamarindo, Costa Rica, has exploded in recent years, from a tiny collection of shacks back in the 1970s and 80s to a classy, cosmopolitan, and diverse beach town today. It is also the center of Costa Rica's surf culture. Critics of Tamarindo often dismiss the place as "Tamagringo", a nod to the large tourist and ex-pat community here, but they're missing the point.
Tamarindo is so popular because there is so much fun and the beaches are incredible. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be surrounded by amazing beaches, a friendly atmosphere, great restaurants, and beautiful hotels to stay in.
Tamarindo might no longer be off the beaten track, but you still have to try very hard to have a bad time in the center of Costa Rica's beach and surf scene.
Best Time to Travel to Tamarindo
The best time to visit Tamarindo weather-wise would be mid-November through August. The weather is pretty perfect during this time, most of the year. Even the rainiest months of September and October will see plenty of sunshine, although quite a few businesses close their doors at this time so that the town might feel a little dead.
If you're only in Tamarindo for the surf, it doesn't matter how dead the town feels. It's more about how alive the ocean feels, and the best waves around Tamarindo come between June and October. Likewise, wildlife lovers might find Tamarindo worthwhile between September and March, when the leatherback turtles come to nest on Playa Grande.
And then there's the fishing. Yes, Tamarindo is also a fishing hot spot in Costa Rica with excellent, year-round, inshore fishing and offshore fishing that's great from June to October. In addition, Tamarindo waters produce the largest and most numerous yellow-fin tuna from May to November.
For us, Tamarindo is a perfect, year-round destination. One thing we would say is that the Christmas/New Years' period and Easter Week can get very busy and might be best avoided if you don't like crowds. Other than that, come anytime you want and enjoy yourself!
Weather in Tamarindo
Guanacaste is the driest and warmest part of Costa Rica - the best weather for beach lovers. You can expect mid-to-late 80s F (early 30s C) temperatures for much of the year, with humidity lower than elsewhere.
The rainy season is from May to November, but even then, there's not a great deal compared to elsewhere in Costa Rica. Think hot and sunny most of the day with solid afternoon showers. The wettest months are September and October.
Is Tamarindo Safe?
Overall, if you're street smart and careful, Tamarindo is safe. It's a beach town with a transient population and many tourists, so crime happens. The majority of crime in Tamarindo is petty and opportunistic.
Take care if you're out alone, and don't get too drunk. Don't buy drugs and keep your valuables in your hotel. If you have a car, don't leave stuff in it, and don't bring anything to the beach with you that you're not prepared to lose.
Tamarindo Beach is pretty safe, but still, watch out for rip currents if in the water. Also, take double care if you're swimming or surfing in Playa Langosta or Playa Grande, which have big waves and fierce undertows.
Top Restaurants in Tamarindo
Some of our favorite recommendations include:
Antichi Sapori Sicilian Cuisine
Italian restaurant with generous portions and fantastic pasta. Try the seafood linguini.
Waffle Monkey
If you love waffles for breakfast (and who doesn't?), you'll love this place. They do a damn fine cup of coffee, too.
Green Papaya Taco Bar
Tucked in behind the Oveja Negra hostel, this Tex Mex-inspired place will serve you Tamarindo's best tacos and quesadillas.
Santa Rita Cafe
Another top breakfast place in Tamarindo with amazing Gallo Pinto.
NOI Bistro
Whether you're seeking breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this international restaurant will have something delicious for you to eat.
How to Get to Tamarindo
Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR) is the closest international airport to Tamarindo.
Distance & Driving Time to Tamarindo
From LIR Airport: 40 miles (65 kilometers), about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.
If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Tamarindo, give yourself just over an hour's driving time - say 1 hour, 15 minutes to be on the safe side. Then, if you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour or so to sort that out.
Head out of the airport onto the main road, and turn right, heading away from Liberia. Keep following this road through, ignoring traffic turning off to the right towards other beaches. You want to keep going through Filadelfia until you reach Belen. It's here, in Belen, that you take your right turn at the gas station.
Soon, you'll come to Huacas and a V-shaped junction. Take the left hand of the V, heading towards the south. Keep on going, and after passing a couple of supermarkets, you'll find yourself in Villareal, a "suburb" of Tamarindo. There's a big switchback of a right-hand turn here to take, which will lead you directly into town. You'll pass the airstrip, the AutoMercado, and see the Pacific Ocean. Congratulations, you've arrived in Tamarindo!
