Tamarindo in the Green Season: Tours That Shine in the Rain

The Tamarindo rainy season looks very different from the postcard image of the dry months, and for many travelers it is the better time to come. From May to November the forest turns green, the beaches are quieter and sea turtle activity is at its strongest. This guide explains what the season is really like, which tours shine when it rains and what to do on a wet afternoon.

Short answer: the rainy season in Tamarindo, often called the green season, runs roughly from May to November. Rain often falls in the afternoon or evening, so mornings are usually the best time for outdoor plans. Estuary tours run all year, turtle activity peaks in these months and waterfalls carry more water. If the weather makes a tour unsafe, we offer you another date or a refund.

What the Tamarindo rainy season is like

Guanacaste is one of the drier regions of Costa Rica, even in the green season. A typical day starts bright and warm, clouds build after midday and a shower or storm arrives in the afternoon or evening. Some days stay dry; others bring longer rain, especially in September and October.

In July there is often a drier break known locally as veranillo, which coincides with the mid-year school holidays in Costa Rica. November is a transition month, when the rain decreases and the high season begins. For a month-by-month view, read our guide to the best time to visit Tamarindo.

Advantages of the green season

Fewer people. Outside July, Tamarindo is calmer and shared tours often have smaller groups.
A greener landscape. The dry forest and the mangroves are full of leaves and flowers.
Turtle season. Olive ridley nesting increases from May, and the main arribada season at Ostional runs from August to December.
Fuller waterfalls. The rivers that feed La Leona and Llanos de Cortés carry more water than in the dry months.
Cooler afternoons. Clouds and showers soften the heat compared with the dry season.

Best tours for the green season

Estuary boat and kayak tours

The mangroves of Las Baulas Marine National Park are at their greenest in these months. Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, which changes every day, and we confirm the exact time by WhatsApp after you book. Light rain does not usually stop the tour, and herons, iguanas and crocodiles can still be seen along the channels. The shared boat tour costs $40 per person for 2 hours, and the shared kayak tour costs $60 per person for 2 to 2.5 hours.

Turtle tours

The turtle nesting tour ($60 per person) leaves Tamarindo at 5:30 pm for Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, where olive ridley and black turtles nest most often. If we do not see turtles, we reschedule the tour for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.

The Ostional arribada tour ($130 per person, minimum 4 people) visits a beach where more than a thousand turtles a day can come ashore to nest. The main arribada season is August to December, with peaks from September to November, and smaller arribadas are possible from May. Because arribadas follow nature, write to us on WhatsApp to ask when the next one is expected. Read more in our Ostional arribada guide.

Waterfall day trips

Waterfalls are one of the best reasons to travel in the green season. The La Leona waterfall tour ($160 per person, 7 am to 3:30 pm) and the sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall tour ($185 per person, 6:30 am to about 6 pm) both include round-trip transportation, entrance tickets and a Costa Rican lunch, with a minimum of 4 people. They start early, so much of the day happens in the morning, when the weather is often drier. After heavy rain the water can be higher and stronger, and the guide decides whether swimming is safe. See our guide to La Leona waterfall from Tamarindo.

What to do in Tamarindo when it rains

Move outdoor plans to the morning. Choose early tours when possible and keep the afternoon free.
Go anyway in light rain. A warm tropical shower is part of the experience on a boat, and the forest sounds different after the rain.
Enjoy the town. A rainy afternoon is a good time for a long Costa Rican lunch, a coffee or a rest before a night turtle tour.
Keep a flexible day. If you plan a full-day trip, leave one free day in your itinerary in case the date needs to change.

Weather changes and cancellations

If the weather or water conditions make a tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund. If you decide to cancel, you can do so at least 24 hours before departure and we refund the deposit you paid online. The balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.

What to pack in the green season

A light rain jacket or poncho
Quick-dry clothes and water shoes
Insect repellent, which matters more in the rainy months
Sunblock, because the sun is strong between showers
A plastic bag for your phone (a dry bag is included on the kayak tour)

For a full list by tour, see what to wear and pack for tours in Tamarindo.

The green season is a rewarding time to explore with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey. Book the estuary boat tour, the Ostional arribada tour or a waterfall day trip online, or write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan around the tides, the turtles and the weather.

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Frequently asked questions

Do tours in Tamarindo run when it rains?

Yes, most tours run in light rain. If the weather or water conditions make a tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund.

Is the green season a good time to visit Tamarindo?

Yes, if you value fewer crowds, a green landscape and sea turtle activity. Expect showers on many afternoons, especially in September and October, and plan outdoor activities for the morning.

What time of day is best for tours in the rainy season?

Mornings are often drier, and our full-day trips leave early for that reason. Estuary tours follow the high tide, so we confirm the exact time for your date by WhatsApp after you book.

Can I swim at the waterfalls in the rainy season?

Often yes, and the waterfalls carry more water in these months. After heavy rain the current can be stronger, so the guide decides on the day whether swimming is safe.

Which turtle tours can I do in the green season?

The night turtle nesting tour visits Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, and the main arribada season at Ostional runs from August to December, with peaks from September to November. Write to us on WhatsApp to ask when the next arribada is expected.

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