Here, visitors enjoy lovely tropical beaches, grande adventures, the wonders of nature and scintillating culture - all the necessary components of an ideal vacation. At this time of year there has been so little rain that everything starts to turn brown and dried out. Closest International Airport: Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR). ct intro final View All Trips Tempted to visit both San Jose and Tamarindo? My Costa Rica (CostaRica.Org) is a Travel Agency that offers Custom Costa Rica Vacations & Packages Including Hotels, All-Inclusive Resorts and Tours. After youve had your fill of the beaches, be sure to head inland, as theres lots to do beyond the beaches and throughout all of Guanacaste. Onda is perfect for surfers, remote workers, and people just looking for a cool vibe. We hid inside from 1-3 in the afternoon because we were afraid our kids would spontaneously combust on the three minute walk to the beach. Their comprehensive plans offer 24/7 assistance, trip cancellation and interruption coverage, lost baggage coverage, assistance in case of medical issues, as well as the option to add-on adventure activity coverage. It is a very beautiful and clean beach, in part because it is highly protected. *The date of this article may have been updated due to additional content. Shorts, T-shirts, a hat, one pair of jeans and in rainy season a thin long sleeved shirt will usually be enough. One can also enjoy snorkeling, horseback riding, kayaking, and fishing. Tamarindo is one of the most beautiful and modern beach destinations in Costa Rica. Driving from Heredia to Tamarindo - safe? : r/CostaRicaTravel - Reddit There are many convenient ways to get to Tamarindo. For mid-range, we recommend Tamarindo Diria Resort, Tamarindo Bay, Casa Cook and Jardin del Eden. Playa Tamarindo ( Tamarindo Beach), a place to have an unforgettable vacation on a tropical paradise of Costa Rica. Rain can be heavy in September and October. The national park is home to around 170 species of birds, including parrots, and is famous for the worlds largest breeding colony of leatherback turtles, which are called baulas in Spanish and give the park its name. The drive is on main roads the entire way and if you are a somewhat experienced driver you shouldnt have any trouble. The beautiful island can be reached by boat and is about 40 minutes away from Tamarindo. You can even rent a villa for a more home-away-from-home experience. The Tamarindo Night Market is worth a visit, with its many stands and hustle-and-bustle atmosphere. Yes! The content of this article reflects the authors opinions and views. While money can buy it, be prepared for a 4 hour drive in each direction. It is a smooth ride, with paved roads and a bridge that will take you right over a sprawling river. The first is to fly to Liberia International Airport, which is the closest international airport to the town. Beaches are the main draw in Tamarindo, and theres plenty of coastline to enjoy. Pura Vida! Sunrise 18 Another 3 bedroom condo that sleeps 6 guests. You can find out more and get a shuttle price quote here. There are many different styles of hotels in Tamarindo. You should visit Tamarindo if you're in the mood for an alternative to a standard, packaged beach vacation. You think you can do day trips to Arenal Volcano or Monteverde. If you have ever wanted to zip line of lush jungle with stunning views of the Pacific coast in the distance, this is the place to do it! The beach is 1.5 miles long and does not go on forever and is very crowded, way to crowded to safely surf for beginners on most days in the summer months. Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double check before booking. A Bustling Surfing Town With Plenty of Things to Do, Just make sure to select Tamarindo as your, CAR RENTAL DEAL! The Northwest Pacific is one of the driest climates in Costa Rica. Tamarindo is just one of those towns: You love it or hate it. The hotel features an on-site poolside restaurant as well as a spa and wellness center. You are seeking an off the beaten path vacation. Costa Rica has a great place to experience natures wonders with your children; the country is a must for families! Offshore fishing in Tamarindo is great to catch marlin, tuna and sailfish. Keep in mind that it is about a 4 hour drive. Peak hotel prices generally start between December and February. Let me tell you why you should visit Tamarindo in Costa Rica. The public bus from San Jose to Tamarindo will take about five and a half hours. You can take horseback riding lessons in Tamarindo, which feature the added benefit of the beautiful natural scenery. Recognized as home of Arenal Volcano National Park, which boasts 75% of Costa Ricas bird population, the Northern Plains present endless activities for visitors. From here you can easily walk to the Tamarindo Beach or to nearby restaurants. This place oozes luxury and charm. Water sports, exciting nightlife, sightseeing opportunities, and luxuriously pampering experiences await everyone just four and a half hours away from San Jose. By entering your email address, you agree to receive personalized and automatically generated content and offers from us and our selected third parties (we do not pass on your data to these third parties). Tamarindo is relatively safe as long as you use good travel sense. Jenn Parker 27 October 2022 View San Jose and Tamarindo couldn't be more different. The main beach area can become a little crowded in the high season. Located in Costa Rica's northwestern province of Guanacaste, Tamarindo is a bustling tourist town that lures surfers and sunbathers alike. Score! 63. Hotels in Tamarindo are varied from luxurious all-inclusive international hotels to small family run establishments. For more info on Costa Rica seasons check out our guide to the weather by month. After an extensive surf trip, you can end the evening in Tamarindo in one of the local restaurants or bars. Mangroves in Costa Rica: Nature's Shield Against Rising Seas The easiest way of getting to Tamarindo is by flying in to the Liberia International Airport. Tamarindos a bustling beach town on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. I have started calling this area the kids pool of Costa Rica because it is the perfect place to visit on your first trip to Costa Rica to get a feel for the country without being overwhelmed by a different culture. Unlike many other beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Negra's waves tend to be fast and punishing. Usually, there's a big pig that likes to go in the sand called Lola that the restaurant takes care of. If you plan to visit during this time, make sure you always have water with you, and bring plenty of sunblock to avoid getting a sunburn. The river owes its unique color to a chemical reaction triggered by volcanic minerals. The regions rich coastline overlooks small islands, inlets, beaches and beautiful natural wonders. Learn about Tamarindo weather, tours, activities or simply compare lodging options while browsing on a tamarindo map that will show you the location of the different hotels. It is important to bear in mind that Playa Tamarindo has strong currents and rips barely submerged rocks, so be careful when swimming here. Explore with a professional guide to see this unique ecosystem and maybe even some crocodiles! Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour, Guachipelin Adventure Volcano Zipline Horseback River Tubing Combo, Volcano Hike, Waterfall Swim & Hot Springs Combo on Rincon de la Vieja. We usually go for a tamarindo cocktail or something with tamarindo sauce. While some of Costa Ricas beautiful beaches can be difficult to access, Tamarindo has made its roads tourist-friendly! Tamarindo has a regional airport and is therefore very easy and uncomplicated to reach from San Jos, the capital of Costa Rica. It is located in the dry forest, so the rain season is short. Tamarindo, Costa Rica 2023: Best Places to Visit - Tripadvisor You can dine at a local restaurant for a taste of authentic Costa Rica food culture, hike or bicycle down a forest trail, try your hand at horseback riding, or even go golfing! Most costly hotels and B & B are scattered all along the beach at Playa Langosta and south of Tamarindo. The waves at Playa Avellana are usually too strong for swimming, but theyre perfect for some challenging surfing. Especially at sunset. The weather is almost always ideal, so one can enjoy the blue waters and white sand beaches nearly year round. They are the best company and we could rave about them all day. We love sharing our adventures and the lessons we've picked up on the road. To the north, Playa Grande is a great surfing beach and also a famous nesting area of the leatherback turtles. While the main road into town is (mostly) paved, most of the road in town is a rutted, dusty dirt track with constant traffic spewing dust, noise and exhaust. Definitely check this spot out. Its perfect for when you need a break from Costa Rican food. Those who prefer it a little quieter should stop by during the week or go to the less-visited beach Playa Langosta, which is south of Tamarindo. Les Voiles Blanches: This place is located a bit out of the downtown area, so dont stay here if you want to be in the middle of the action. Toll Free: 1-877-281-8515 Costa Rica: (506) 2233-5151, Travel Agencies, after hours andweekends: (506) 2257-4171 Fax: (506) 2233-5284, Tamarindo and its beautiful pristine beaches, The surfing and windsurfing conditions are almost perfect for experienced and beginner surfers. You can check out your domestic flight options here. When it comes to safety, I'll take Costa Rica (JEFF EDELSTEIN COLUMN) Keep in mind that the area is not as pretty come late February through mid-April. Palo Verde National Park Guide to Visiting, ATV Adventures in Costa Rica A Fun Day Trip Choice, Full Guide to Liberia Airport in Costa Rica, Glamping in Costa Rica: 21 Unique Places to Stay, Adult Only Resorts in Costa Rica 7 Great Places, Costa Rica Hostels Read This Before Booking a Place, Costa Rica Villas Booking the Perfect Place, Solo Travel in Costa Rica What to Expect, Costa Rica Highlights Itinerary in Two Weeks, Costa Rica All-Inclusive Resorts What You Need to Know. In the simplest of terms, Costa Rica's seasons are either dry (for 10 months) or rainy (for 2 months). Locals warned us repeatedly to stay away from the beach area near the traffic circle after dark. The locals call it Tamagringo since it is filled with expats and tourists. This beach town lies at the heart of the regions Gold Coast Beaches. Your email address will not be published. Costa Rica has a wholesome environment and is an excellent place for families. If youre interested in seeing more of Costa Ricas varied wildlife, be sure to grab some scuba gear, as the pacific ocean is full of tropical fish and other sea creatures you wont find anywhere else.