Tamarindo
An abundance of stylish smaller hotels and very dependable surf have made Tamarindo one of the most popular beaches on the Guanacaste coast. Fishing boats bob at their moorings at the south end of the beach, and brown pelicans fish just outside the breakers. A sandy islet offshore makes a great destination if you’re a strong swimmer; if you’re not, it makes a great foreground for sunsets. Tamarindo is popular with surfers, who play the break right here or use the town as a jumping-off place for other breaks near by. Tamarindo is a long beach, with excellent waves near the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be pretty strong, especially on a falling tide. Tamarindo has two main breaks for advanced surfers; Pico Pequeño a rocky point in front of the Hotel Tamarindo Diriá and the excellent river mouth break called El Estero. The rest of the beach breaks are perfect for learning. The biggest waves you’ll ride can get up to 12 feet, although only during November and December.
Only adding to the surf traffic in Tamarindo is the opening of the Liberia International Airport to direct international flights from the United States and Canada. With the Tamarindo only about an hour drive from Liberia, the long drive from San Jose has become a thing of the past, and surfers can land and be in the water on the same day. Most surfers that arrive from San Jose arrive via rental car, giving them added flexability to make it to other breaks in the area like Avellanas, and Langosta. If you don’t have a car, you can hitch a ride by car and boat to Playa Grande for some good waves as well as some of Costa Rica’s largest leatherback turtles.
The nightlife in Tamarindo can be wild as well. The most happening bars in town are Babylon and La Barra. Other popular spots that go on throughout the week include the Monkey Bar at the Best Western Tamarindo Vista Villas, which still brags that they were featured on Wild On E! like ten years ago, and the bar at the Hotel Pasatiempo.If you’re looking to lose some money, head to the casino at the Barcelo Langosta, just to the south of Tamarindo.
If you’re looking for quality food, Tamarindo has too many options to even list; from amazing sushi, to small medeterrenian bistros, your palette can be satisfied pretty much no matter what it desires.
Getting to Tamarindo from San Jose: take a direct bus from Pulmitan de Liberia or change buses in Liberia. Nature Air and Sansa both offer several flights daily from both San Jose and Tamarindo. If you are driving to Tamarindo from San Jose or Liberia, you’d have to be a complete idiot to get lost. Safe Travels!
Tamarindo Costa Rica in a larger map
