Things to Do in Tamarindo

The booming beach town of Tamarindo is a mecca for surf and adventure aficionados. Visitors can climb hillsides on adrenaline-fueled ATV tours, or spend sunny days golfing award-winning courses. From canopy tours to sunset cruises, this growing resort town offers a unique variety of activities and attractions.

Discover Tamarindo on our travel blog

Air Activities:

Canopy Tours
Visitors can fly high above the trees on a traditional zip-line canopy tour. The course features eleven cables totaling ¾ of a mile in length – the longest of which lasts 35 seconds – along with three suspension bridges and a wildlife farm full of snakes, butterflies, and monkeys. This guided tour includes transportation to and from Tamarindo. Read more about Canopy Tours

Land Activities:

ATV Tours
Splash through streams and climb mountains on all terrain vehicles. Tour operators offer sunset tours and half and full-day adventures along scenic backcountry roads. Safety equipment and ATV driving instructions are included.

Bird and Wildlife Watching
The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is rich in biodiversity; visitors will likely encounter howler monkeys, crocodiles, coatimundis and a variety of waterfowl. Travelers can kayak through the saltwater estuary with a naturalist guide, or take a hike throughout the 1200-acre refuge.

Day Spas
Relax and unwind with an exfoliating facial or a full-body Swedish massage. Several beachfront hotels feature luxurious spas, offering travelers irresistible opportunities to indulge in coffee body wraps and other blissful treatments.

Golfing
Hacienda Pinilla, just a short drive from Tamarindo, features a world-class golf course developed by Mike Young. Also located nearby is the impressive Garra de Leon – a stunning 18 hole, par 72 course at Playa Conchal.

Read more on North PacificGolf Courses

Horseback Riding
Beginner and seasoned riders can arrange half or full-day horseback excursions. Popular trips traverse surrounding hills and pastures. Tours can be arranged with local tour companies, but be wary of outfits offering rock-bottom prices as they may overwork their horses.

Mountain Biking
Lightweight mountain bikes can be rented cheaply in downtown Tamarindo. Local cycling shops specialize in guided mountain bike tours, offering single and multi-day trips – including a surfing and biking combo excursion. There are trails to accommodate both beginner and experienced riders. Tours include roundtrip transportation, drinks, a guide and technical support.

Shopping
Tamarindo has numerous art galleries, boutiques, surf shops and souvenir stands. Hammocks, furniture, wood handicrafts, sarongs, swimsuits, indigenous paintings and folk art are all available. Street and beachside vendors sell inexpensive silver jewelry, pottery and unique trinkets made from local seeds and beans.

Turtle Tours
Nearby Playa Grande is known as one of the largest leatherback sea turtle nesting sites in the world. Every year between October and March, hundreds of leatherbacks come ashore to lay their eggs. Guided evening turtle tours can be arranged in Playa Grande at the Las Baulas ranger station, or with the Local Guide Association at Tamarindo's satellite station (Tel. 2653-1687).  Read more about Las Baulas Marine Park

Yoga
An hour of beachside yoga is the ultimate way to regain peace and tranquility after an exhilarating day zip-lining or sport fishing. Classes cost $10 per session.

Water Activities:

Boating and Kayaking
Naturalist guides specialize in kayak and boat excursions through the Tamarindo Estuary. Look for herons, egrets,white ibis and kingfishers as you paddle through the mangrove-lined canals. 

Sailing
Beautiful catamarans and yachts set sail on a daily basis from Tamarindo Bay. Sunset tours feature appetizers and a champagne toast. Many half-day cruises include snorkeling, kayaking, dolphin watching and a fresh seafood lunch.

Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Scuba diving and snorkeling tours are popular in Tamarindo – especially during the rainy months of May-October, when visibility is at its best (between 30-80 feet). Local dive shops offer affordable day trips and standard PADI certification courses to adventuresome visitors. Morning or afternoon excursions aboard catamarans may also include dolphin watching and lunch.

Boats depart twice per day for the Catalina Islands, an archipelago located 20 minutes offshore. Here, divers can observe a myriad of aquatic life – spotted eagle rays, white tip reef sharks and colorful schools of tropical fish. Whales frequent the area from September-March, and large schools of cow-nosed and devil rays can be spotted from January-March. Orcas, whale sharks and nurse sharks are also known to visit these waters on occasion.

Sport Fishing 
Sport fishing is world-class in Tamarindo, with common catches including blue, black and striped marlin, wahoo, sailfish, yellow-fin tuna and mahi mahi. Marlin can be caught year-round, but December through February are undoubtedly the best months. Luxurious boat charters and multi-day packages are available. Some outfits offer catch-and-release trophies that are handmade according to the weight and dimensions of each catch, and can be shipped to nearly any country in the world.

Surfing
Surfing is an integral part of Tamarindo culture. Warm waters and year-round breaks make this beautiful beach ideal for both beginners and pros. The town is chock full of surf shops that offer board rentals, lessons and ding repair.

Amateurs tend to flock to Tamarindo’s somewhat smaller breaks, while more experienced locals surf the larger, often desolate waves of neighboring Playa Langosta or Playa Grande. Several surf camps feature multi-level programs that include surf tours to all of the best local hotspots. Multi-day trips to nearby Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point are also available. Read more about Surfing

Learn about all of the North Pacific Surf Breaks

Culture and Festivals:

Study Spanish
In the last few years, a handful of Spanish immersion programs have sprung up in Tamarindo. Students can study the language while living with a local family, and learn about typical traditions and culture. Programs generally run from one week to two months.

Fiestas
Held from December through April, small pueblos near Tamarindo host traditional fiestas, including everything from Tico-style bullfights (where the bull is unharmed), to salsa dancing and carnival rides. These lively festivals are usually free to tourists and offer a glimpse into local culture.

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