Long ago, Tamarindo was a well-kept secret; a sleepy surfer’s paradise sparsely populated with local fishermen, quaint lodges, and plenty of natural beauty and wildlife. The excellent waves and abundant flora and fauna are still there, although much has changed, and Tamarindo is no longer a secret. There are so many additional features available that can really provide travelers with a phenomenal and unforgettable vacation. It is the ideal place for honeymooners and weddings, couples, families, eco-adventurers and individual travelers. A Tamarindo Costa Rica vacation has something for everyone: world class surfing, sport fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, wildlife tours, golf, tennis, kayaking, boating, jet skiing, horseback riding, yoga, spas, national parks, tours zip-lining, international restaurants, lively nightlife, live music, boutique shopping, art gallery, medical clinic, shopping plazas, banks with ATMs, and the highest-end Auto Mercado supermarket in Costa Rica. Accommodations can range from simple to luxurious, with many options in between. Boutique inns, bed and breakfasts, resort hotels, luxury villas and romantic spa accommodations are scattered along the long white-sand beaches and elegant seaside hills. Even with all this, the area has managed to retain its charm; some places are simply magical, and it’s more than just the location that captures and holds our attention. The energy is vibrant but at the same time balanced with the purely Costa Rican “pura vida”. It is not only the warmth of the tropical sun that you will love, but also the warmth and sincerity of the people.
The city has approximately 2,000 full-time residents, with an eclectic and international flair. The multi-cultural population gives the city a fun mix of influences, and it’s easily seen in the wonderful restaurants and attractive shops. From Italian to vegan to local “typical” Costa Rican, you can find it all. The local seafood is fresh and fantastic; Dorado or Mahi-Mahi are caught fresh daily, as well as red snapper, shrimp, and the ingredients for excellent ceviche. You can have dinner in the evening and then stroll among the hot spots of the night and people watch, dance or listen to live music. During the day the boutiques have an interesting mix of local and imported products, from clothing to handicrafts, ceramics, paintings, jewelry, surf gear, beachwear, etc. The local color and feel is charming and entertaining.
Playa Tamarindo is part of a bay formed by a headland, Cabo Velas, which in Spanish means sail or sailfish. This beach is wonderful; a long stretch of white sand with excellent surf for all levels of surfers, body surfers, wave paddlers and swimmers alike. Right in front of the charming Hotel Capitan Suizo there is a great break for beginners and a very good launch point for sea kayaks. All the local water sports can be accessed from this friendly beach. The famous surf of Playa Grande is located just north of Playa Tamarindo. The two beaches are separated by a natural saltwater estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay is another beautiful estuary and secluded beach, Playa Langosta. World-class Witch’s Rock can be reached by custom or group tours with Witch’s Rock Surf Camp or Iguana Surf for advanced surfers. These companies also provide all levels of instruction at Playa Tamarindo. During the period from December to April when the water turbidity is low, you can fish from the shore with Jack’s, Dorado, Sea Bass and Rooster Fish among the possible catches.
Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for giant leatherback sea turtles, and are part of the Las Baulas National Park that surrounds Tamarindo. These beaches are the main nesting areas worldwide for turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs. Ecological tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible event. Leatherback turtles take over the beach, dig their nests up to a meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the trench with sand, returning to the sea again. After 60 to 90 days, the young emerge and immediately return to the water. Another natural wonder is the jungle boat tour, where an impressive diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles can be seen as you cruise through the deep mangroves of the estuary in locally made boats, in small, intimate groups.
No matter what your interests are, you’ll find plenty of wonderful things to enjoy in Tamarindo!
Tamarindo is the most accessible beach area along the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, located in the Province of Guanacaste 10 degrees 18 minutes North and 85 degrees 49 minutes West. Tamarindo has an airstrip with service 7 days a week from San José and Liberia. Nature Air (natureair.com) offers several daily flights; Tamarindo can be reached in as little as 40 minutes from San José with large panoramic windows providing stunning views of the Central Valley volcanoes and the Gulf of Nicoya along the way, to name a few sights. Headquartered in San José, Costa Rica, Nature Air is Central America’s leading airline for adventure travel, luxury vacations and eco tours, and is the only Costa Rican airline with a fleet of twin-engine aircraft, offering travelers a service reliable, innovative and fun. airline. NatureAir was recently honored by the Rainforest Alliance in May 2008 for being the world’s first carbon neutral airline. Private charter services are also available. For those not pressed for time, it’s a four- to five-hour drive from the main international airport (Juan Santa María) in San José, and a 45-minute drive from the international airport (Daniel Oduber) in Liberia.
