TOP 10 THINGS
TO DO IN TAMARINDO
I ventured out to Tamarindo for the first time last summer and was pleasantly surprised at how much the city had to offer. I am not one to stay idle for too long, which is why I look for beaches that provide a myriad of activities. Tamarindo was the perfect mix of relaxing beach time and exhilarating experiences.
1. Surf
Tamarindo is known worldwide for its family-friendly beaches on the Pacific coast. This is a great place to learn how to surf. You can book a surf class or rent boards (cheaper option). If you are not big into surfing, many of the shops also rent out paddle boards and kayaks—great alternatives to surfing.
2. Visit Playa Grande
When I visited Tamarindo, I was actually staying across the estuary at Playa Grande. Getting to this beach is an adventure in itself. You first need to understand that Tamarindo and Playa Grande are separated by an alligator-infested estuary. One option is to drive around the estuary which will take around 40 minutes (and a lot of extra money). Another option is a shorter and cheaper route (also my favorite), and that is by boat. In order to do this, you will need to walk all the way to the north end of Tamarindo Beach. You will then arrive at the dividing estuary. Here you will find locals with boats ready to sail you across the water. It should cost about two colones per person for the boat to take you across. Once you arrive at Playa Grande, it is a beautiful relaxing beach that is world-renowned for surfing.
3. Massages
This was my favorite surprise in Tamarindo. Scattered along the beach are relaxing massage tables. I got a half an hour massage for only $15! You can definitely haggle down the prices as well. The tables I went to had coconuts for me to drink out of for only $1 more. There is no better way to lie down, watch the ocean, and relax.
4. Beach and Pool Crawl
Tamarindo has one of the best bar crawls (literally at pools and beaches!). The crawl starts around noon every Sunday. If you book ahead, you can get tickets for only $40. This event has the best perks including a free drink at each stop, as well as exclusive deals on drinks, transportation, and live music. This crawl will take you to a Pool Party, Beach & Chill, and Sunset & Dance. This is a great way to meet friends and safely get around while drinking.
5. Catamaran
My catamaran excursion was the highlight of my trip to Tamarindo. I discovered Blue Dolphin provides the best booking deals for around $85. There were about 20 other people with us which allowed us to get to know others on board. The boat sails out about an hour away to a remote coast only accessible by boat. Once the boat anchors, you can go swimming, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and kayaking. When swimming, if you yell and wave your arms, they throw you a beer. After swimming, the boat crew makes fresh fajitas. This catamaran experience is worth every penny and I still keep in touch with the people I met from that excursion.
6. Markets
The Tamarindo day-market occurs every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is fresh food and local produce for sale. It is the perfect place to do your shopping in town. They have everything from fresh eggs and bread to handmade crafts. Tamarindo also has a legendary night-market every Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Not only do they have similar booths as the day-market, but they also have performances, DJs, fire dancers, clowns, and dancing. This is a great experience for people of all ages.
7. Sport Fishing
Tamarindo’s location on the Pacific coast near deep sea water makes it one of the best places in Costa Rica for sport fishing. December through April provides the best fishing conditions in this area, with plenty of Billfish to catch. There are a plethora of companies in Tamarindo to book fishing trips through.
8. Horseback Riding
This is a very popular and accessible activity on the braces of Tamarindo. You can always book through a company, but the local horses will be cheaper (especially if you haggle the price down). If you book a horseback riding tour through a company, you might be able to pair it with other activities such as ziplining or ATV rides.
9. Go Snorkeling!
Snorkeling is my favorite activity on any trip. I have seen everything from fish to eels to sharks (and lots of turtles)! Right off the coast of Tamarindo lies Isla Santa Catalina—a great place for spotting wildlife in the ocean. There are tours out of Tamarindo for around $70 that will take you out to the islands and provide snorkel gear. There is nothing better than swimming alongside sea animals and seeing them in their natural habitat. Costa Rica is the leading country in the world for biodiversity which makes it the perfect place to see a variety of sea life.
10. Day Trip
This could be an entire post by itself, but Tamarindo is at the perfect location to take a day trip. My top recommendation would be to go to Rio Celest—a turquoise blue waterfall amidst the rainforest. Other day trips could be ziplining in Monteverde, or exploring the neighboring country of Nicaragua, or even setting foot on the pink sand beaches of Playa Flamingo.
Be sure to check out my “HOW I SPENT THE BEST 3 DAYS IN TAMARINDO” for more tips on this incredible town!