Tamarindo in June is the green season in full swing, and it may be the most underrated month on the estuary. The mangroves are deep green, the forest walk is shady again, and on many mornings the water is so still that the trees reflect in it. Afternoons belong to the clouds, and the evenings to the turtles. This guide explains how June works, from the storms and the tides to the waterfalls and the tours that suit it best.
Short answer: Tamarindo in June brings sunny mornings and afternoon or evening showers, a lush landscape and quiet tours before the July school break. It is a great month for morning estuary tours, waterfall day trips as the rivers fill and night turtle tours, with olive ridley nesting on the rise.
Tamarindo weather in June
By June the rainy season is established. The typical day follows a clear pattern: a bright, warm morning, clouds building after midday and a shower or thunderstorm in the afternoon or evening. Some days stay dry from start to finish; others bring a longer rain, especially at night.
The clouds soften the heat compared with April, and the evenings after a storm feel fresh. In some years a short drier spell appears toward the end of June, but it is more often associated with July and is never guaranteed. See our guide to the Tamarindo rainy season for how to plan around the rain.
A greener estuary
After several weeks of rain, the dry forest is fully leafed out and the mangroves look their best. The river also carries more fresh water after heavy rain, so the estuary can look darker on those days. The wildlife is still there; it is simply a different, greener tour from the one in March.
Crowds in Costa Rica in June
June is one of the quietest months in Tamarindo. There are no national holidays, international travel is low and the beaches feel spacious. Shared tours often have small groups, which means more time for questions and photos.
The change comes with the mid-year school break in Costa Rica, which usually falls in July, when national families return to the beach. If your trip runs into early July, book your tours a few days ahead, and read Tamarindo in July.
Wildlife and turtles in June: what our guides see
Turtle nights
June is part of the rise in olive ridley nesting that comes with the rains. Our Tamarindo turtle tour visits Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, where we see mostly olive ridley and black turtles. Smaller arribadas are possible at Ostional, but the main season runs from August to December, with the peak from September to November; see the best time to see turtles in Guanacaste.
On the estuary
Herons, egrets and kingfishers are busy after the storms, crocodiles rest on the banks or float in the channels, and young iguanas from the dry-season nests are growing fast. Howler monkeys are harder to spot among the new leaves, so listen for their calls. Sightings are frequent but never guaranteed.
Tamarindo boat tour in June: tides and storms
Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, which arrives about 50 minutes later each day. In June, a few practical points help:
- Morning tides are ideal. The water is calm, the light is soft and the storms usually come later.
- Stronger tides around the full and new moon bring the biggest difference between high and low water.
- We never go out in lightning. If a storm makes the tour unsafe, we offer another date or a refund.
We confirm your departure time by WhatsApp after you book.
Waterfall season begins
As the rivers fill, June becomes a good month for a day inland. Our La Leona waterfall tour ($160 per person, 7 am to 3:30 pm) and the sloth tour in Guanacaste with Llanos de Cortés waterfall ($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 before the afternoon clouds. After heavy rain the current can be stronger, and the guide decides whether swimming is safe. Compare options in waterfalls near Tamarindo.
What to pack for Tamarindo in June
- A light rain jacket or poncho
- Quick-dry clothes and water shoes; tennis shoes too for La Leona
- Insect repellent, which matters more in the rainy months
- Sunblock and a hat for the bright mornings
- A plastic bag for your phone (a dry bag is included on the kayak tour)
Best tours in Tamarindo in June
- Tamarindo mangrove tour by shared boat: $40 per person, 2 hours, minimum 2 people, children 2 and under free.
- La Leona waterfall tour: $160 per person, minimum 4 people, children 3 and under free.
- Sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall: $185 per person, minimum 4 people, children 3 and under free.
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $60 per person, minimum 2 people, pickup in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm. If we do not see turtles, we reschedule or make it up to you with the estuary tour.
Planning a June week, step by step
- Ask us for the tide calendar and place the estuary tour on a morning high tide.
- Choose one waterfall day and keep a spare day in case the date needs to change.
- Add a turtle night on a day without an early start the next morning.
- Leave afternoons flexible for rest, a long lunch or watching the storm.
June is green, calm and full of life. 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 plan your days around the tides, the turtles and the weather.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
La Leona Waterfall Tour$160 per personSee tour and book →
Sloths and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall$185 per personSee tour and book →
Turtle Nesting Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Tamarindo in June?
June is fully in the green season. Mornings are often sunny, clouds build after midday and showers or thunderstorms usually arrive in the afternoon or evening, although some days stay dry.
Is Tamarindo in June crowded?
No, June is one of the quieter months. Costa Rican families travel more during the mid-year school break, which usually falls in July, so check whether the end of your trip overlaps with it.
Is June a good month for a waterfall tour from Tamarindo?
Yes. As the rains settle in, waterfalls such as La Leona and Llanos de Cortés carry more water than in the dry months. Our day trips leave early, and the guide decides on the day whether swimming is safe.
Can I see turtles near Tamarindo in June?
Yes. Olive ridley nesting continues to increase in the rainy season, and our night nesting tour sees mostly olive ridley and black turtles. Smaller arribadas are possible at Ostional, but the main season runs from August to December.
What happens to the boat tour if there is a thunderstorm?
Light rain does not usually stop the tour, but we do not go out on the water in unsafe conditions such as lightning. In that case we contact you to offer another date or a refund.
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 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 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.