Tamarindo Costa Rica

Beach Combing around Tamarindo:

Playa Tamarindo

Tamarindo Beach

It's only a few steps to get out of buzzling Tamarindo nad out into pure nature with miles of pristine beaches and magnificient views of coastline.

North of Tamarindo: Walk over to the Tamarindo estuary where small boats take you across the Rio Matapalo to Playa Grande, a beautiful swathe of sand beach stretching for around 10 km.
See: Playa Grande

South of Tamarindo

Rio San Francisco on Playa Langosta

South of Tamarindo: Walk around the rocky headland to Playa Langosta where you find tide pools for bathing or watching small sea life trapped in the pools. On this quiet stretch of beach you find tree-shrouded nooks to relax or to read.
A little bit further you arrive at the estuary of the Rio San Francisco with its white-sand dunes. Venture inland along the river banks. Sometimes you can watch locals fishing with hand lines.

Shells in Tamarindo

Puca Shells on the beach in Tamarindo

Around low tide you can cross the Rio San Francisco by wading through waist-high water at the outer edge of the river mouth.
On the other side you can continue your beach walk for miles until Playa Avellanas.

Wandering along the beaches you will find many beautiful shells. Distinctive for the Tamarindo area are the long, cone-shaped Puca shells. When collecting shells keep in mind that Costa Rica's customs don't allow beach treasures to leave the country.

Boat Tours:

Tamarindo Estuary

Tamarindo Estuary of the Rio Matapalo

The salt water mangrove jungle of the Rio Matapalo belongs to the Las Baulas National Park. The thickets give shelter to many species of water birds, crabs and mollusks.
River tours by boat are offered in Tamarindo and on your boat trip you might even spot a crocodile basking on a sand bank, or a pair of watchful eyes peering out of the water. Early hours are the best to see wildlife.

Another option to explore the estuary is on guided or self-guided tour by kayak. By silently gliding through the intricate water jungle you will experience best this other world of the mangrove forest.

A sunset cruise on a sailboat on the ocean will be a memorable experience. Sail off into the Pacific ocean in the afternoon; sometimes dolphins, turtles and even whales can be watched during the trip. From the boat you can take a plunge into the water and snorkel. Cocktails and food are served on board and you return to Tamarindo with the golden sunset.

Sport Fishing:

Regardless of time of the year, fishing buffs can haul in some monster catch in the waters off Tamarindo.

Game fish like marlin, sailfish, giant tuna, roosterfish and wahoo can be fished. Tamarindo's sport fishing fleet offers deep sea fishing, or reef or shoreline fishing. Later your catch can be cooked up for you at one of the beach restaurants in Tamarindo.

Snorkeling:

Snorkeling is most outstanding in the crystal clear waters in front of Playa Conchal, north of Tamarindo.

A sea bottom made up of white coral sand gives a gorgeous turquoise color to the sea. If you are lucky you will spot turtles or manta rays under water.

For a land-bound adventure you can hire an ATV (quad) to explore the surroundings of Tamarindo. Guided tours are available as well. A popular day jaunt leads through the countryside to Playa Avellanas with a stopover for lunch.

A pro tennis court is available near the center of Tamarindo: at the Tamarindo Tennis Club you can rent court time and equipment for playing on two lighted outdoor courts open from 7am to 9pm.

Tamarindo has two world-class golf courses nearby: one to the north of Tamarindo at Paradisus Conchal and the other one south at Hacienda Pinilla. The 18-hole course of Hacienda Pinilla is reputedly the most challenging golf course in Costa Rica.