Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a surf town on Costa Rica's Nicoya coast, known for surf lessons, a long beach and easy access to the Las Baulas turtle park.
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Tamarindo is a surf town on the Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula in Guanacaste province, northwestern Costa Rica. It has a long beach, surf schools, restaurants and guesthouses within walking distance of the sand. The town is about an hour or a bit more by road from Liberia's airport, so arrange your transfer early.
The trip suits surfers, couples and families who want a beach town with services, along with travelers who plan day trips along the coast. Beyond the surf, the estuary behind town has boat tours where guides look for crocodiles and birds. Plan at least three days to cover the beach, a surf lesson and one outing. The dry season, roughly December to April, is the most popular time to visit. The rainy season runs roughly May to November.
Tamarindo in five
- Fly into Liberia and book the transfer aheadDaniel Oduber airport in Liberia (LIR) is the closest airport, about an hour or a bit more by road to Tamarindo. Book a shuttle or rental car before you land so the last leg is arranged in advance.Getting around
- Book a licensed guide for turtle nightsLeatherback turtles nest on Playa Grande in the Las Baulas National Marine Park, roughly from October to March. Night viewing is only with an authorized guide, and flash photography is not allowed near the nesting turtles.
- Carry colones and small billsRestaurants and beach vendors take colones, and many also take US dollars. Small colón notes make taxis and tips easier, so ask for change before you pay.Money and costs
- Check the surf and rip currents before you swimTamarindo's main beach has strong waves and rip currents. Ask your hotel or surf school which stretch is safe that day before you go in.
- Book the estuary boat tour with a licensed operatorThe estuary behind town is home to American crocodiles and many birds. Go early, when it is cooler.Tours and tickets
Need to know
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your nationality on the official list Read more
- Emergency
- 911 for police, fire or ambulance
- Tipping
- Service charge often added to the bill; extra tip is optional
- Time
- UTC-6, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, peak seasonJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, peak seasonFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 5 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, peak season
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Dry, hotMarchClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Dry, hotAprilRain
Good
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Green season startsMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 347 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season starts
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy, greenJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 486 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, green
- JulyRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rain, quieterJulyRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 278 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, quieter
- AugustRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy, quietAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 354 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, quiet
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Wettest, greenSeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 406 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest, green
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Turtle season startsOctoberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 521 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Turtle season starts
- NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Turtles nestingNovemberRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 234 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Turtles nesting
- DecemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, holidaysDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 45 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, holidays
Average daily high and low in Tamarindo, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Tamarindo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
Tamarindo
12:23 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°23°99%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Wed25°23°100%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu24°23°97%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 24°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri26°23°89%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 89%.
- Sat29°23°100%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun29°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 08:12 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 454.9 CRC
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Day trips from Tamarindo, the full guide- Playa Sámaraabout 1 to 1.5 hours by carA calmer, smaller beach town on the same peninsula, useful for comparing bases.Read the guide
- Liberiaabout 1 hour by carThe nearest airport city, with car rental offices and shops.
- Santa Rosa National Parkabout 2 hours by carDry tropical forest and Playa Naranjo, a beach where sea turtles nest.
Before you go to Tamarindo
Rules for Tamarindo, checked
- Check visa-free entry rules for your passport on the official immigration site before you book.Source
- Declare fresh food, plants and animal products on the customs form at arrival.
- Night turtle watching at Las Baulas needs an authorized guide. No flash photography or torches near nesting turtles.
- Do not swim in the estuary or near its banks, where American crocodiles live.
Plan around Tamarindo
Tamarindo FAQ
Is Tamarindo worth visiting?
Yes, for surf lessons, sunset beaches and easy access to Las Baulas, if you want a beach town with plenty of restaurants. It is less suited to travelers who want quiet nights, since the main beach gets busy.
How many days do you need in Tamarindo?
Three days covers surfing, the estuary and one beach day trip. Add a day if you want Santa Rosa National Park, about 2 hours by car, or Playa Sámara, about 1 to 1.5 hours by car.
How do you get to Tamarindo from the airport?
The nearest airport is in Liberia, about an hour or a bit more by road. Buses run but take longer, so a pre-booked shuttle or rental car is the simpler choice.
Is Tamarindo good for beginner surfers?
Yes, many surf schools there run lessons for first-timers. The beach is busy, so book a lesson slot in advance if you want a set time.
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
December to April is the dry season, with sunny days and little rain. May to November is the rainy season, when the hills turn green, and turtle nesting runs from October to March.
Do you need a car in Tamarindo?
The town center is walkable, but a car or taxi helps for beaches to the north and south.