Tamarindo in February is the dry season at its most dependable. From our boat, the change is easy to see: the forest along the estuary turns bare and golden, the water is calm and the January rush of local families is over. This guide covers the weather, the crowds, the wildlife and the tides, and which tours make the most of the month.
Short answer: Tamarindo in February is one of the driest and sunniest times of the year, with hot afternoons, a steady breeze and clear nights. It is still high season, but often a little calmer than January. It is a great month for estuary tours, horseback riding and dry-trail day trips, and turtle tours are still running.
Tamarindo weather in February
By February the dry season is fully established. Rain is very unusual, the sky is clear most days and humidity is lower than at any other time of year. The breeze keeps the coast comfortable in the afternoon, and nights cool down enough to sleep well.
With so few clouds, the sun feels stronger. Midday hours are best spent in the shade, in the sea or on a boat with a roof. For the full year, see the best time to visit Tamarindo.
Clear nights for turtles
February nights are among the clearest of the year. On the turtle tour that means dry sand, no rain jacket and, because the beach is kept dark for the turtles, a sky full of stars.
Crowds and holidays in Costa Rica in February
February is still part of the international high season, which runs from November to Easter week. What changes is local travel: the school year in Costa Rica usually starts in February, so fewer national families fill Tamarindo, especially from Monday to Friday.
There are no national holidays in February, and many couples come around mid-month. Our guide to romantic things to do in Tamarindo has ideas for a slower, two-person trip.
Wildlife in Guanacaste in February: what our guides see
The dry forest opens up
Many trees of the tropical dry forest drop their leaves to save water. The bare branches are exactly what makes February good for wildlife on land: howler monkeys, iguanas and birds are easier to see. The forest walk of the boat tour is the place to look; our guide to monkeys in Tamarindo explains what to listen for.
Late in the dry season, some leafless trees bloom, such as the yellow corteza amarilla, which often flowers for only a few days. The timing varies each year, so treat it as a lucky extra.
Sea turtles
The leatherback season at Playa Grande runs from October to February or March, so February is near its end, and leatherbacks are now rare. Our Tamarindo turtle tour visits Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, where olive ridley and black turtles are seen most often. Hatchlings from earlier nests may still emerge, so ask us on WhatsApp whether releases are running for your dates.
Birds and crocodiles
Migratory shorebirds, warblers and ospreys are still present, joining the resident herons and kingfishers. Crocodiles bask on the banks, and with bright light they are often easy to photograph. Sightings are frequent but never guaranteed.
Tamarindo estuary tour in February: choosing the tide
Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, which arrives about 50 minutes later each day. In February, the hour makes a real difference:
- Morning tides: soft light, active birds and the coolest air of the day.
- Late-afternoon tides: golden light on the mangroves and, some days, the sunset on the way back.
- Midday tides: the hottest. The tour runs normally; bring a hat and a long-sleeved shirt.
Tides are stronger around the full and new moon. We confirm your departure by WhatsApp after you book.
What to pack for Tamarindo in February
- Strong sunblock, sunglasses and a hat
- A light long-sleeved shirt for sun on the boat
- Long pants for horseback riding
- Tennis shoes plus water shoes for Rincón de la Vieja
- Dark clothing and repellent for the turtle night
- Lip balm and moisturizer, because the air is very dry
Best tours in Tamarindo in February
- Tamarindo estuary tour (shared boat): $40 per person, 2 hours, minimum 2 people, children 2 and under free. With the forest bare, the walk is a highlight.
- Tamarindo horseback riding: $50 per person, 1 hour, minimum 2 people, ages 7 and up (younger children ride with an adult). Dry trails and clear ocean viewpoints.
- Rincón de la Vieja tour from Tamarindo: $180 per person, minimum 4 people, from 6 or 7 am to 6 pm, with transportation, entrance tickets and lunch.
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $60 per person, minimum 2 people, pickup in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm.
A sample February week
- Day 1: beach afternoon and sunset to adjust to the heat.
- Day 2: estuary boat tour on the most comfortable tide, then the turtle tour at night.
- Day 3: a slow morning and a horseback ride along the beach.
- Day 4: full day at Rincón de la Vieja.
Planning around Easter week? See Tamarindo in March.
February rewards travelers who want sunshine without the biggest crowds. Reserve with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey online with the deposit and pay the balance on the tour day, or write to us on WhatsApp and we will match each tour to the best tide of your stay.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Horseback Riding Tour$50 per personSee tour and book →
Rincón de la Vieja Combo Tour$180 per personSee tour and book →
Turtle Nesting Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Is Tamarindo in February a good choice for dry weather?
Yes. February is one of the driest months of the year, with sunny days, almost no rain, hot afternoons with a breeze and clear, comfortable nights.
Is February less crowded than January in Tamarindo?
Usually a little. The school year in Costa Rica normally starts in February, so fewer national families travel on weekdays, although the international high season continues all month.
Are there turtles near Tamarindo in February?
Yes. The leatherback season continues until February or March, although leatherbacks are now rare, and our nesting tour sees mostly olive ridley and black turtles. Write to us on WhatsApp to ask how the season is going before your date.
Is February a good month for a Rincón de la Vieja tour from Tamarindo?
Yes. Dry trails make February a comfortable month for the Rincón de la Vieja combo tour, which costs $180 per person with a minimum of 4 people and includes transportation, entrance tickets and lunch.
What is the best time of day for a mangrove tour in February?
The tour always leaves with the high tide, so the time changes daily. Morning and late-afternoon tides are the most comfortable in February, while midday departures are the hottest.
More Tamarindo guides
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in January: Weather, Crowds, Turtles and ToursTamarindo in January: dry, sunny and windy weather, peak season crowds, nesting turtles, how the tide sets the estuary tour and what to pack.
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in March: Heat, Easter Week Crowds and the Best ToursTamarindo in March: hot and very dry, Easter week (Semana Santa) and spring break crowds, nesting iguanas and crocodiles, tides and the best tours to book.
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in April: The Hottest Month, Quieter Beaches and Smart ToursTamarindo in April: the hottest end of the dry season, quieter weeks after Easter, first rains, wildlife in the bare forest and tours timed to beat the heat.
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in May: First Rains, Green Hills and the Start of Turtle SeasonTamarindo in May: the first rains turn the dry forest green, low season brings quiet tours, olive ridley nesting increases and small Ostional arribadas begin.
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in June: Green Season, Fuller Waterfalls and Turtle NightsTamarindo in June: bright mornings and afternoon storms, a lush green estuary, waterfalls filling up, olive ridley nesting and quiet tours before July.
Tamarindo month by monthTamarindo in July: Veranillo Weather, Holidays and Best ToursTamarindo in July: the veranillo dry spell, school holidays and Guanacaste Day, turtle nesting, how rain and tides shape tours and what to pack.