Every week our guides meet first-time visitors at pickup with the same small surprises: a pocket full of large bills, a sunburn from the day before, or a plan to see the mangroves at a time when the tide is out. These Tamarindo travel tips come from Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, a local operator on the Tamarindo estuary, and they cover what we wish every guest knew before arriving.
Short answer: bring some US dollars in small bills plus a card, and do not count on SINPE Móvil, which is for local bank accounts. Respect the sun from late morning to mid-afternoon, plan any estuary tour around the high tide, book a few days ahead in the dry season and keep cash for the balance of each tour.
Tamarindo travel tips for money: dollars, colones and cards
Costa Rica uses the colón, but in Tamarindo the US dollar is part of daily life. Many hotels, tours and restaurants quote prices in dollars, and most places accept them.
- Carry small bills. Large US bills can be hard to change, and torn or damaged bills are sometimes refused.
- Expect change in colones, at the exchange rate the business uses that day.
- Use colones for small things such as buses, local sodas and fruit stands.
- Cards are common in hotels, supermarkets and most restaurants. Ask your bank about foreign transaction fees before you travel.
- ATMs are available in town. Withdraw during the day and be discreet with cash.
Why SINPE Móvil is not for most visitors
You will see “SINPE” signs at many businesses. SINPE Móvil is the instant transfer system Costa Ricans use every day, but it works through a Costa Rican bank account linked to a local phone number.
Most travelers do not have one, so plan to pay with cash or a card.
Tips and service charges
Restaurant bills in Costa Rica usually include a 10% service charge plus sales tax, so check the bill before adding anything. Tipping guides is customary but always voluntary; our guide to tipping on tours in Costa Rica explains what is usual.
Sun and heat: the first-day mistake
Tamarindo is in Guanacaste, one of the driest and sunniest regions of Costa Rica, and close enough to the equator that the sun burns quickly, even through clouds. On our morning tours, the guests who struggle most are usually the ones who spent the previous afternoon on the beach without a hat.
- Plan outdoor activities early in the morning or later in the afternoon.
- Reapply sunblock after swimming; a reef-safe formula is a good choice.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses and light clothing. See what to pack for Costa Rica tours.
- Drink water often. Many visitors prefer bottled or filtered water, so ask your hotel what they recommend.
Tides: the detail that organizes your day
In Tamarindo, the tide shapes the day more than the clock. There are usually two high tides a day, roughly 12 hours apart, and they arrive a little later each day.
- Estuary tours by boat or kayak leave with the high tide, when there is enough water to enter the mangrove channels.
- Tide pools on the rocky points appear at low tide.
- The walk to Playa Langosta is easier at low or medium tide, when there is more sand.
- The estuary mouth, at the north end of the beach, has strong currents when the tide turns and is home to crocodiles. Do not swim there.
Our Tamarindo tide schedule guide explains how to read a tide table.
Booking tours in Tamarindo without stress
- Choose your dates early in the busy months. From December to April and during Costa Rican holidays, book a few days ahead. Full-day trips and the Ostional tour need a minimum of 4 people.
- Pay only the deposit online. With Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, the balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
- Wait for your time by WhatsApp. Boat and kayak departures follow the high tide, so we confirm the time after you book.
- Cancel in time if plans change. If you cancel at least 24 hours before departure, we refund the deposit.
For a first outing, the Tamarindo estuary tour by boat ($40 per person, 2 hours) is the easiest introduction to crocodiles, herons and howler monkeys inside Las Baulas Marine National Park. If you prefer to paddle, the Tamarindo kayak tour costs $60 per person. From November 12, the baby turtle release in Tamarindo departs at 3:30 pm and makes a good arrival-day plan.
Getting around without a car
Central Tamarindo is compact and easy to walk, and taxis cover short trips. You do not need a car for our tours: pickup from Tamarindo or Langosta is included on the shared boat tour.
Farther areas such as Hacienda Pinilla, Conchal or Flamingo pay an extra transportation cost directly to the driver. If you rent a car, drive in daylight when possible, since many rural roads have little lighting. For airport transfers, see how to get to Tamarindo.
Small details that make a big difference
- Plugs: Costa Rica uses the same plug type and voltage as the United States and Canada; visitors from other regions usually need an adapter.
- Rain: from May to November, showers usually arrive in the afternoon, so mornings are best for outdoor plans. See the best time to visit Tamarindo.
- Insects: bring repellent for the mangroves and the evenings.
- Wildlife: never feed monkeys, iguanas or crocodiles. Our guides never do either.
- Belongings: do not leave bags unattended on the beach or visible in a parked car.
Ready to plan your first days? Book the Tamarindo boat tour online with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey and pay only the deposit, or write to us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will tell you which tide works best for your visit.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Shared Kayak Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Sunset & Baby Turtle Release$50 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
What are the most useful Tamarindo travel tips for a first visit?
Carry some US dollars in small bills plus a card, protect yourself from the midday sun, plan estuary tours around the high tide and book tours a few days ahead from December to April. Keep cash for the balance of each tour.
Should I bring US dollars or colones to Tamarindo?
Both work. US dollars are widely accepted in Tamarindo and many tours and hotels quote prices in dollars, while colones are handy for small purchases, buses and local sodas. Change is often given in colones.
Can tourists pay with SINPE Móvil in Costa Rica?
Usually not. SINPE Móvil is a Costa Rican transfer system linked to a local bank account and a local phone number, so most visitors pay with cash or a card instead.
Why does the time of the Tamarindo estuary tour change every day?
Boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, when there is enough water to enter the mangrove channels. High tide arrives a little later each day, so we confirm the exact time by WhatsApp after you book.
How do I pay for tours with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey?
You reserve online with a deposit, for example $15 per person on the shared boat tour. The balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour, and the deposit is refunded if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure.
More Tamarindo guides
Plan your tripBest Tours in Tamarindo: A Local Operator's GuideBest tours in Tamarindo ranked by a local operator: estuary boat, kayak, turtles, horseback and day trips, with the price and length of all 13 tours.
Plan your tripThings to Do in Tamarindo, Costa RicaThings to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica: beach and sunset, the mangrove estuary, sea turtles, horseback rides, day trips and town life, with local tips.
Plan your tripThings to Do in Tamarindo at Night: Turtles, Sunset and TownThings to do in Tamarindo at night: a turtle nesting tour, the sunset and baby turtle release, dinner in town and safety tips for walking after dark.
Plan your tripFree Things to Do in Tamarindo: A Local List with Tide TipsFree things to do in Tamarindo: beach walks, tide pools, the walk to Langosta, birds, surf watching and sunsets, with tide timing and safety tips from locals.
Plan your tripHow to Book Tours in Tamarindo: Deposit, Payment and CancellationsHow to book tours in Tamarindo with a local operator: pay only a deposit online, the balance on the tour day, tide times by WhatsApp, clear cancellations.
Plan your tripOne Day in Tamarindo: An Itinerary Built Around the TideOne day in Tamarindo: two schedules for a morning or afternoon high tide, with the estuary boat tour, beach time, lunch and the sunset, plus real tour prices.