Tamarindo in April is a month of two halves. Until Easter week the town is still in high season; once it passes, the beaches empty out and the coast slows down, just as the heat reaches its peak. On the estuary, our guides start watching the sky: the first clouds of the year mean the rains are close. This guide explains how to enjoy April, beat the heat and choose the right tours.
Short answer: Tamarindo in April is the hottest month of the year and the end of the dry season, with sunny days and, in some years, a first shower near the end of the month. After Easter week it becomes much quieter. Plan outdoor tours for the early morning, when the high tide allows, and save midday for the shade or a day trip inland.
Tamarindo weather in April
April is usually the hottest month in Guanacaste. The dry season is at its end, the forest is still bare and brown, and the humidity starts to creep back during the month. Many travelers find that April feels hotter than March even when the thermometer is similar, because the air is heavier.
In some years, a few showers arrive in the last days of April and the first green shoots appear almost overnight. In most years, though, the rainy season really begins in May.
Living with the heat
- Start early. Sunrise hours are the most pleasant of the day.
- Stay near the water. A boat on the estuary or a swim in the sea is cooler than any walk at noon.
- Drink more than you think. Water is included on our tours; drink it.
Easter, holidays and crowds in April
Easter week moves every year. In 2027 it falls in March, but in other years it lands in April; in 2028, Easter Sunday is April 16. When Semana Santa falls in April, that week is one of the busiest of the year.
The international high season ends with Easter week, so the weeks that follow are calm. April 11, Juan Santamaría Day, is a national holiday and can create a busy long weekend. Outside those dates, April is one of the easiest months to find space on any tour.
Wildlife in April: what our guides see
A wildlife tour in Tamarindo at the end of the dry season
With almost no leaves in the dry forest, howler monkeys are easy to find, and in the heat of the day they rest in the few shady trees. Iguanas bask on the branches and the banks, and crocodiles spend long hours in the water to stay cool. For the full list of species, see our wildlife tour Tamarindo guide.
Birds on the move
April is the end of the migratory bird season, which runs roughly from October to April. Some shorebirds and warblers are still feeding before their trip north, while resident herons, egrets and kingfishers stay all year. Sightings are frequent but never guaranteed.
Sea turtles
April is one of the quietest months for turtles: the leatherback season is over, and olive ridley nesting increases when the rains begin. If a turtle tour matters to you, consider coming from May onward, or write to us on WhatsApp before booking.
Tamarindo estuary tour in April: picking the right tide
Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, which arrives about 50 minutes later each day, so the hour of your tour depends on the date. In April, the tide calendar is your best tool against the heat:
- Tell us your dates and we will check which days have an early-morning high tide.
- Put the boat or kayak tour on that day. The Tamarindo kayak tour is especially pleasant at sunrise hours.
- On days with a midday tide, choose a full-day trip inland or a beach day instead.
- We confirm your exact departure by WhatsApp after you book.
What to pack for Tamarindo in April
- The strongest sunblock you are comfortable with, plus a wide hat
- Breathable, light-colored clothes and a long-sleeved sun shirt
- A refillable water bottle and electrolytes if you sweat a lot
- Water shoes for the estuary and long pants for the horseback ride
- A light rain jacket only if you travel in the last days of the month
For a full list by activity, read what to pack for Costa Rica tours.
Best tours in Tamarindo in April
- Tamarindo mangrove tour by shared boat: $40 per person, 2 hours, minimum 2 people, children 2 and under free. Shade, breeze and plenty of wildlife.
- Boat and horseback combo in Tamarindo: $80 per person, minimum 2 people. A horseback ride to ocean viewpoints and the beach, then the estuary by boat; the length depends on the tide. Ask for an early start.
- Shared kayak tour: $60 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours, minimum 2 people.
- Sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall: $185 per person, minimum 4 people, from 6:30 am to about 6 pm, with transportation, entrance tickets and lunch. A good escape on a midday-tide day; see our sloth tour in Guanacaste guide.
Thinking of coming as the rains begin? Read Tamarindo in May.
April rewards early risers with quiet beaches and easy wildlife viewing. Book 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 find the coolest tide of your stay.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Estuary and Horseback Combo$80 per personSee tour and book →
Shared Kayak Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Tamarindo in April?
April is usually the hottest month of the year in Guanacaste and the last full month of the dry season. Days are sunny and humid air starts to return, and in some years the first showers arrive in the last days of the month.
Is April a quiet month in Tamarindo?
After Easter week, yes. The international high season ends with Semana Santa, so the weeks that follow are calmer, except for long weekends such as the April 11 national holiday.
What is the best time of day for a Tamarindo boat tour in April?
An early-morning high tide is the most comfortable in April. The tour always follows the tide, so if the high tide falls at midday on your date, we can suggest another day of your stay.
Are there sea turtles near Tamarindo in April?
April is one of the quietest months for turtles, because the leatherback season is over and olive ridley nesting increases only when the rains begin. Write to us on WhatsApp if a turtle tour is important for your trip.
Is April a good month for the sloth and waterfall tour?
It works well as a break from the coastal heat. Waterfalls usually carry less water than in the green season, and the guide decides on the day whether swimming is safe. The tour costs $185 per person with a minimum of 4 people.
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 February: Dry Skies, Clear Nights and the Best ToursTamarindo in February: one of the driest months, fewer local crowds once schools reopen, turtles, monkeys in the bare dry forest and the tours that fit best.
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 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.