Places to See in Tamarindo

Great surf, beautiful beaches and a vibrant nightlife are some of the attractions of this growing resort town. Tamarindo beach is part of a bay and is flanked by Playas Grande and Langosta, both protected nesting sites for the giant leatherback sea turtle.

Beaches:

Tamarindo and Langosta
Tamarindo’s steady waves and warm waters attract both novice and seasoned surfers. The broad beach curves gently around Tamarindo Bay and is bordered by Langosta beach and the Tamarindo Estuary. Visitors will find its wide shores nearly deserted in the early morning, an ideal time for a leisurely stroll. Swimmers should use caution, as strong riptides are common along certain parts of the beach.

Tamarindo is brimming with surf schools, and its popular beach breaks are often crowded with beginners. Experienced locals often go for the bigger and usually less crowded waves in neighboring Playa Langosta. 

Playas Negra and Avellanas
Located 15 kilometers south of Tamarindo, these laid-back beaches are favored by surfers for their consistent waves. Avellanas’ prevailing reef break, dubbed “Little Hawaii”, can even be a challenge for seasoned surfers. South of Avellenas’ white sand beach is Playa Negra, a darker beach dominated by a rocky coastline.

Negra is famous for its reef point breaks and excellent barrels. Visitors can anticipate steady breezes and ideal surfing conditions between the months of December and April. Both beaches are relatively undeveloped and are geared towards the surfing community.

Playa Grande

Playa Grande caters to the surfing crowd and has a few inexpensive and mid-range hotels. The town has a small supermarket and a few restaurants and hotels.

Read more about Guanacaste’s Gold Coast Beaches

National Parks:

Las Baulas Marine Park
Located on Guanacaste's Gold Coast, Las Baulas Marine Park encompasses the beaches of Playa Grande, Carbon, Ventanas and Langosta, and includes the Tamarindo Estuary.

Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherback sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. These Jurassic reptiles, the largest of all sea turtles, can weigh upwards of 1500 pounds and measure six feet in length.

Although the beaches encompassed by Las Baulas Marine Park support over 800 nesting sea turtles annually, the leatherback remains highly endangered and at risk of extinction in the Pacific…Learn about Las Baulas Marine Park

Wildlife Refuges:

Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge 
The saltwater jungle of the Estero Tamarindo is the heart of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. Spanning 1200 acres, the mangrove estuary serves as the natural border between Tamarindo and Playa Grande. Its winding canals are home to ospreys, herons and kingfishers in addition to howler monkeys and coatimundis.

The refuge lures visitors with beautiful beaches and a variety of water activities. Guided boat tours and kayak trips are an excellent way to spot local wildlife…Read more about the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge

Monkey Park
Located in Portegolpe, a 20 minute drive from Tamarindo, this wildlife refuge cares for many endangered species. Volunteers and staff help raise orphaned and injured monkeys and other local wildlife. The park has trails and a butterfly garden in addition to its wildlife refuge. Monkey Park offers guided tours and is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Telephone: 506-2-653-8060
Website: www(dot)monkeypark@racsa(dot)co(dot)cr

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