Tamarindo in March is hot, bright and very dry, and in many years it is also the month of Easter week, when Costa Rica goes to the beach. On the estuary we notice it in two ways: the dry forest is completely bare, and the boat is busier than at any time since January. This guide explains what March is like, how Semana Santa changes your plans and which tours work best in the heat.
Short answer: Tamarindo in March brings hot, sunny days with almost no rain, a brown and leafless landscape and good wildlife viewing. If Easter week falls in March, as it does in 2027, expect full beaches and book tours early. Estuary boat and kayak tours run daily with the high tide; turtle activity is low this month.
Tamarindo weather in March
March is deep in the dry season and among the hottest months of the year in Guanacaste. Rain is rare, the sky is clear and the afternoon wind of January and February usually becomes gentler, which makes the heat feel stronger.
The landscape changes most of all. Hills turn brown, pastures dry out and dust rises along the unpaved roads. It is not the green Costa Rica of the brochures, but it has its own beauty, especially in the soft light of early morning.
Flowering trees
Some trees bloom while leafless at this time of year, such as the yellow corteza amarilla and the pink roble de sabana. Flowering often lasts only a few days and the timing changes each year, but if you see a hillside in bloom, stop for the photo.
Semana Santa and spring break: Tamarindo crowds in March
Easter week (Semana Santa) moves every year. In 2027, Easter Sunday is March 28, so Holy Week runs through the last full week of March. In 2028 it moves to April, so check the calendar for your year.
- Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, and many Costa Rican families take the whole week off.
- Spring break brings many North American students and families in March.
- The international high season continues until Easter week.
The result is one of the busiest weeks of the year. Lodging, restaurants and tours on convenient tides fill first, so book ahead. For families and groups, the private boat tour in Tamarindo avoids the rush for shared seats; our guide to the private boat tour Tamarindo for groups explains how it works.
Wildlife in March: what our guides see on the estuary
Monkeys and birds
With the dry forest completely bare, howler monkeys are at their easiest to spot on the forest walk, often resting in the shade of the few green trees. Migratory birds are still present, and toward the end of the month some begin their trip north. Read our guide to birdwatching in Tamarindo for the species to look for.
Nesting reptiles
The dry season is nesting time for two of the most visible animals of the estuary. Female American crocodiles dig nests in sandy or muddy banks, and green iguanas dig tunnels in sandy soil to lay their eggs. Our guides keep the boat at a respectful distance. Learn more about iguanas in Tamarindo.
Sea turtles
The leatherback season ends in February or March, and turtle activity is usually low in March. If seeing turtles is a priority, write to us on WhatsApp before booking; the strongest months start again later in the year.
Tamarindo boat tour in March: tides and heat
Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, which arrives about 50 minutes later each day. In March, three details help:
- Choose morning tides when you can. They are cooler, and the birds are more active.
- Watch the low tide too. When the water drops, wide mudflats appear near the river mouth, and shorebirds feed there. It is worth a look from the beach.
- During Easter week, mid-morning tides sell out first. Tell us your preferred hours and we will suggest the best day.
We confirm your departure by WhatsApp after you book.
What to pack for Tamarindo in March
- Strong sunblock, a wide hat and sunglasses
- A light long-sleeved shirt for sun protection
- A refillable water bottle; drinking water often is essential in March
- Water shoes for the estuary and long pants for the horseback ride
- Repellent for dusk
Best tours in Tamarindo in March
- Tamarindo boat tour (shared): $40 per person, 2 hours, minimum 2 people, children 2 and under free. The roofed boat and the breeze make it a comfortable way to see wildlife in the heat.
- Private boat for up to 10 people: $800 per boat, 2 hours, with a bilingual naturalist guide, coconut water and beers if you like. Ideal for Easter week families.
- Tamarindo kayak tour: $60 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours, minimum 2 people. Best on a morning tide.
- Tamarindo horseback riding: $50 per person, 1 hour, minimum 2 people, ages 7 and up. Ask for an early or late ride to avoid the strongest sun.
Planning Easter week in Tamarindo, step by step
- Confirm the Easter dates for your year.
- Book lodging first, then your tours.
- Ask us for the tide calendar of your stay and pick morning departures.
- Plan the hottest hours for the pool, the shade or a long lunch.
Traveling after Easter? Read Tamarindo in April.
March is hot, lively and full of wildlife on the estuary. 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 with your dates and we will help you find the coolest tides of your trip.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Private Boat Tour · up to 10 people$800 per boatSee tour and book →
Shared Kayak Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Horseback Riding Tour$50 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
Is Tamarindo in March very hot?
Yes, March is one of the hottest and driest months in Guanacaste. Mornings and late afternoons are the most comfortable times for tours, and the breeze on the water helps during the estuary tour.
When is Semana Santa in Costa Rica?
It changes every year because it follows Easter. In 2027 Easter Sunday is March 28, so Holy Week falls in late March, while in 2028 it moves to April. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays.
Should I book tours in advance for Easter week in Tamarindo?
Yes. Easter week is one of the busiest weeks of the year in Tamarindo, and boat tours on comfortable tides fill first. For groups, reserving the private boat early is the safest option.
Can I see turtles near Tamarindo in March?
Turtle activity is usually low in March, as the leatherback season ends in February or March. Write to us on WhatsApp before booking a turtle tour; the main turtle months start again later in the year.
What wildlife can I see on the estuary tour in March?
Crocodiles, iguanas, herons and kingfishers are seen on most tours, migratory birds are still present and the bare dry forest makes howler monkeys easier to spot. Sightings are frequent but never guaranteed.
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 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.