Many of our guests arrive in Tamarindo thinking only of the beach. Then, a few minutes after leaving their hotel, they are watching a crocodile on a mud bank and listening to howler monkeys in the forest across the estuary. Nature tours in Tamarindo start right at the edge of town, and from here you can also reach turtle beaches, waterfalls and a volcano in a single day.
This page is the map: every nature tour we offer, what you see on each, how long it takes, what it costs and which guide to read next.
Short answer: the best nature tour close to Tamarindo is the 2-hour estuary boat tour ($40 per person) through Las Baulas Marine National Park. For something more active, choose the kayak tour ($60). In season, add a turtle tour at night or at sunset, and for a full day in the interior, choose sloths and Llanos de Cortés, La Leona waterfall or Rincón de la Vieja. All are run by Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey with local guides.
Nature tours in Tamarindo at a glance
- Estuary by boat: $40 per person, 2 hours, tide schedule.
- Estuary by kayak: $60 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours, tide schedule.
- Turtle nesting tour: $60 per person, pickup at 5:30 pm, variable length.
- Sunset and baby turtle release: $50 per person, departure at 3:30 pm, from November 12.
- Horseback riding: $50 per person, 1 hour; or the boat and horseback combo, $80 per person.
- Full-day trips: sloths and Llanos de Cortés ($185), La Leona waterfall ($160), Rincón de la Vieja ($180), minimum 4 people each.
- Ostional arribada: $130 per person, minimum 4, schedule set by each arribada.
The estuary: wildlife a few minutes from town
The Tamarindo estuary is where the river meets the Pacific, inside Las Baulas Marine National Park. It combines three habitats in one outing: mangrove channels, the river mouth and tropical dry forest. All boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, so the departure time changes every day; we confirm it by WhatsApp after you book.
By boat
The shared Tamarindo boat tour costs $40 per person, lasts 2 hours and needs a minimum of 2 people; children 2 and under ride free. It includes a bilingual guide, water, seasonal fruit and pickup from Tamarindo or Langosta. Groups can book a private boat for up to 10 people ($800) or up to 16 people ($1,200).
By kayak
The shared Tamarindo kayak tour ($60 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours, minimum 2 people) paddles into the park with the tide and stops for a forest walk. The private kayak tour costs $100 per person.
What you can see
- American crocodiles resting on the banks. Learn about the species in American crocodile facts.
- Herons, kingfishers and birds of prey along the channels.
- Green and spiny-tailed iguanas in the branches and on the logs.
- Howler monkeys and dry forest trees, such as the Guanacaste tree, on the walk. See our guide to the tropical dry forest of Guanacaste.
For a complete overview of the area, read our Tamarindo estuary tour guide.
Turtle tours: seasonal nights on the beach
Turtle tours are the most emotional nature experience on this coast, but they follow the nesting seasons, and sightings are never guaranteed.
- Tamarindo turtle tour: $60 per person, minimum 2, pickup in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm. We go to Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, where olive ridley and black turtles are seen most often. If we see no turtles, we reschedule for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.
- Sunset and baby turtle release: $50 per person, minimum 2, departure at 3:30 pm from Tamarindo, available from November 12. Includes transportation, water and a contribution to the conservation project.
- Ostional arribada tour: $130 per person, minimum 4. Ostional is 2 hours south of Tamarindo; the main arribada season is August to December, with peaks from September to November.
To plan around the seasons, read the best time to see turtles in Guanacaste.
Horseback rides through nature
The horseback ride ($50 per person, 1 hour, ages 7 and up) starts at the estuary, follows trails to ocean viewpoints and finishes along the beach. If you want both land and water, the boat and horseback combo in Tamarindo ($80 per person) adds a guided boat tour through the estuary after the ride.
Full-day nature trips from Tamarindo
When you are ready to leave the coast, our Guanacaste tours take you inland to forests, rivers and volcanic landscapes. These trips include round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, drinks and a Costa Rican lunch, and require a minimum of 4 people.
- Sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall: $185 per person, 6:30 am to about 6 pm, with a guided sloth tour. Sloths are uncommon around Tamarindo, so this is the most reliable way to see them.
- La Leona waterfall: $160 per person, 7 am to 3:30 pm. Bring water shoes and tennis shoes.
- Rincón de la Vieja: $180 per person, departure between 6 and 7 am, return at 6 pm, at one of the active volcanoes of Costa Rica.
Compare the options in our guide to waterfalls near Tamarindo.
How to choose your nature tour
- Most wildlife in the least time: the estuary boat tour.
- Quiet and active: the kayak tour, ideal for birds and mangroves.
- Families with small children: the boat tour by day and, in season, the sunset turtle release.
- Photographers and birders: a private boat or private kayak, so you set the pace.
- A big day out: sloths and Llanos de Cortés, La Leona or Rincón de la Vieja.
Practical details for every tour
- Booking: you reserve online with a deposit; the balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
- Pickup: the estuary boat tour includes pickup from Tamarindo or Langosta. From farther areas there is an extra transportation cost, paid to the driver on the day.
- Times: boat and kayak tours follow the high tide; we confirm the time by WhatsApp.
- Weather: light rain does not usually stop a tour; if conditions are unsafe, we offer another date or a refund.
- What to bring: comfortable clothes, water shoes, a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, repellent and a camera.
Ready to explore the nature of Tamarindo with local guides? Book the Tamarindo estuary tour or any other tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey online with a deposit, or write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you combine tours according to your dates and the tides.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Shared Kayak Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Turtle Nesting Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Which nature tours in Tamarindo are best for a first visit?
Start with the 2-hour estuary boat tour, which shows crocodiles, birds, iguanas and howler monkeys a few minutes from the beach. If your dates match the season, add a turtle tour in the evening.
Can I see wildlife in Tamarindo without a long drive?
Yes. The Tamarindo estuary, inside Las Baulas Marine National Park, is only a few minutes from central Tamarindo, and the shared boat tour includes pickup from Tamarindo or Langosta.
Are nature tours in Tamarindo available all year?
The estuary, kayak, horseback and day trips run all year, with times that depend on the tide for boat and kayak tours. Turtle tours depend on the nesting seasons, so check the dates before you plan.
Which nature tour is best for families with small children?
The shared boat tour is the easiest option: 2 hours, seated, and children 2 and under ride free. In season, the sunset baby turtle release is also a gentle evening activity for families.
How do I pay for a nature tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey?
You reserve online with a deposit and pay the balance in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour. Extra transportation from areas outside the included pickup zone is also paid on the day.
More Tamarindo guides
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeTamarindo Estuary: Crocodiles, Tides and What to BringPlan your Tamarindo estuary tour: crocodiles, herons and howler monkeys in Las Baulas, why the tide sets the time, what to bring, and boat or kayak prices.
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeBoat or Kayak? How to Choose Your Mangrove Tour in TamarindoTamarindo kayak tour or boat tour? Compare shared and private options by effort, wildlife, kids rules, tides and price, from $40 per person.
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeCrocodile Tour in Tamarindo: Where and How to See Wild CrocodilesCrocodile tour in Tamarindo: where to see wild American crocodiles, how they behave, safety rules, the best tide and photo tips. Boat tours from $40.
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeAmerican Crocodile Facts: Meet the Crocodile of the Tamarindo EstuaryAmerican crocodile facts: how big it gets, what it eats, how it lives in salt water, how to tell it from a caiman and where to see one near Tamarindo.
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeTamarindo Mangrove Tour: Why the Mangrove Forest MattersTamarindo mangrove tour guide: the types of mangroves, why they are a nursery for fish and wildlife, and how to explore them by boat or kayak from $40.
Estuary, mangroves and wildlifeMangrove Trees of Tamarindo: Species, Roots and How the Ecosystem WorksMangrove trees of Tamarindo: how to identify red, black and white mangrove and buttonwood, how they survive salt, and why they feed the sea and store carbon.