Way back in the day Tamarindo was a well-kept secret; a sleepy surfer’s paradise sparsely populated with local fishermen, quaint accommodations, and loads of natural beauty and wildlife. The excellent surf and abundant flora and fauna are still there, however much has changed, and Tamarindo is a secret no more. So many additional features are available which can truly provide travelers a phenomenal, unforgettable vacation. It is the ideal place for honeymoons and weddings, couples, families, eco-adventurers as well as single travelers. A Tamarindo Costa Rica Vacation has something for everyone: world-class surfing, sport fishing, SCUBA, snorkeling, wildlife tours, golf, tennis, kayaking, boating, jet skiing, horseback riding, yoga, spas, National Parks, zip-line tours, international restaurants, bustling nightlife, live music, boutiques for shopping, art gallery, medical clinic, commercial plazas, banks with ATM’s and Costa Rica’s highest-end supermarket Auto Mercado. Lodging can be from simple to luxurious, with many choices in between. Boutique inns, bed and breakfasts, resort hotels, luxury villas, romantic spa lodges are all dispersed throughout the long, white sand beaches and elegant seaside hills. Even with all of this, the area has managed to retain its charm; some places are just magical and what manages to catch and keep our attention is more than just location. The energy is vibrant yet at the same time balanced with the purely Costa Rican “pura vida”. It is not just the warmth of the tropical sun you will love, but the warmth and sincerity of the people as well.
The town has approximately 2000 full time residents, with an eclectic, international flair. The multi-cultural population gives the town a fun mixture of influences, and is easily seen in the wonderful restaurants and inviting shops. From Italian, to vegan, to local “tipico” Costa Rican, you can find it all. The local seafood is fresh and fantastic; Dorado or Mahi-Mahi is caught fresh daily, as well as Red Snapper, shrimp, and the makings for excellent ceviche. You can spend an evening dining, and then stroll amongst the night-time hot spots and people watch, dance, or listen to live music. During the day the boutiques have an interesting mixture of local and imported products, from clothing to crafts, pottery, paintings, jewelry, surf gear, beach wear and so on. The local color and feel is lovely and entertaining.
Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas, which is Spanish for sails, or sailfish. This beach is wonderful; a long stretch of white sand with excellent surf for every level of surfers, body surfers, wave paddlers and swimmers alike. Just in front of charming Hotel Capitan Suizo is a great beginner’s break, and a very nice sea kayak takeoff point. All local water sports can be accessed from this friendly beach. The famous surf of Playa Grande lies just to the North of Tamarindo Beach. The two beaches are separated by a natural salt water estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay there is another beautiful secluded estuary and beach, Playa Langosta. The 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 right on Tamarindo Beach. During the December to April period when the water turbidity is low, fishing may be done from the shore with Jack’s, Dorado, Sea Bass and Rooster Fish amongst the possible catches.
Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for the Giant Leatherback Turtles, and are part of the aptly named Las Baulas National Park surrounding Tamarindo. These beaches are the major nesting areas worldwide for the turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs. Eco-sensitive tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible event. The leatherbacks take over the beach, digging their nests up to one meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the pit with sand, returning once again to the sea. After 60 to 90 days, the hatchlings emerge and immediately make their way back to the water. Another natural wonder is the jungle boat tour, where a breathtaking diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles can be seen as you meander through the deep mangroves in the estuary on locally made skiffs, in small, intimate groups.
No matter what your interests are you will find many wonderful things to indulge with in Tamarindo!
Tamarindo is the most accessible beach area along the Northern 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 serviced 7 days a week from San Jose and Liberia. Nature Air (natureair.com) provides several flights daily; Tamarindo can be reached in a mere 40 minutes from San Jose with large sightseeing windows providing breathtaking views of the Central Valley volcanoes and the Gulf of Nicoya along the way, to name a few sights! Based in San Jose, Costa Rica, Nature Air is Central America’s premier airline for adventure travel, luxury vacations and eco tours and is the only Costa Rican airline with an all-twin-engine fleet of planes, offering travelers a reliable, innovative and fun airline. Recently NatureAir was honored by the Rainforest Alliance in May 2008 for being the world’s first carbon neutral airline. Private charter services are available as well. For those that are not pressed for time, it is a four to five hour drive from the main international airport (Juan Santa Maria) in San Jose, and a 45 minute drive from the international airport (Daniel Oduber) in Liberia.