Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Tamarindo is the most developed beach on the Nicoya Peninsula and one of the prime tourist destinations in Costa Rica.

Playa Tamarindo

The buzzing beach town is a mecca for surfers and the nearby international airport of Liberia makes Tamarindo a first stop for many visitors to Guanacaste's sun-drenched beaches.

The broad, sandy bay of Tamarindo stretches for miles and affords plenty of space for sun worshippers or beach activities. Swimmers however should take care of strong rip currents and rocks at certain sections of the beach.

View across the Tamarindo estuary to Playa Grande

Tamarindo is bordered at both sides by large river estuaries whose extensive mangrove forests are protected biological reserves.

To the north the Rio Matapalo with its estuary forms the Tamarindo Wildlife Reserve. It cuts off the neighboring beach of Playa Grande, one of Costa Rica's National Parks, which protects a major nesting site for the giant leatherback sea turtles.

The sweeping views of pristine Playa Grande curl off towards the north until the wooded promontory of Cabo Velas, Costa Rica's western-most point.

Tamarindo Playa Langosta

Walking south along the beach leads around a headland and on to Playa Langosta. Rocky intersections alternate with pockets of white sand beach, and when tide is out you find pools in the rocks with small fish trapped in them.

At the southern end of Langosta is the wide estuary of the Rio San Francisco. Here, a gorgeous, vast stretch of soft white-sand beach is fronted by an excellent beach break to surf.

The Town of Tamarindo

Over the past decade Tamarindo has quickly developed from a secret spot for surfing nomads and nature seekers into a booming town.

Tamarindo town center

In 1994 the surf-cult-movie "Endless Summer II" brought international fame to Tamarindo. The main reason, however, for the rapid growth is the new international airport nearby. Currently construction activities of condominiums, commercial centers, along with sluggish public services present quite a hassle for visitors.

On the other hand Tamarindo presents an array of amenities which are hard to find in other parts of Costa Rica. There are local newspapers in English, spa and health services, supermarkets, banks, a great variety of shops, and sport activities including 2 nearby golf courses.

Beachfront bar in Tamarindo

Hotels in Tamarindo are plentiful accommodating all budgets and styles from backpacker hostels, to surf oriented, to boutique hotels.

Quite remarkable is the great choice of dining options in Tamarindo, boasting some of Costa Rica's finest restaurants.
And after another one of Tamarindo's famous colorful sunsets over the Pacific ocean there are stylish lounge bars to chill out after a day of surfing, or - for later at night - dancing in music bars and discotheques.