Tamarindo is a lively beach town on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, and the list of things to do in Tamarindo goes well beyond surfing. Within a few minutes of the main beach you can watch crocodiles in a mangrove estuary, see sea turtles at night, ride a horse along the sand and end the day with a sunset over the ocean. This guide from Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey, a local operator on the Tamarindo estuary, covers the highlights, with practical tips and the nature tours we run.
Short answer: the essential things to do in Tamarindo are a beach day with the sunset, a wildlife tour in the Tamarindo estuary, a horseback ride, a turtle tour in season and one day trip inland to a volcano or a waterfall.
Top things to do in Tamarindo
1. Spend a day on Tamarindo beach
The main beach is long and easy to walk, and its gentle waves in some areas make it a popular place to learn to surf; surf schools in town offer lessons and board rentals. At low tide, rocky points reveal tide pools full of small fish and crabs. Walk south and you reach Playa Langosta, quieter and good for an early walk.
One rule matters: do not swim at the mouth of the estuary, at the north end of the beach. Crocodiles live there and the current is strong when the tide changes.
2. Watch the sunset
Tamarindo faces west, so the sun sets over the ocean. Visitors and locals gather on the sand every evening to watch it. The dry season, from December to April, usually brings the clearest skies, but green season sunsets can be just as colorful after an afternoon shower.
3. Explore the estuary and its mangroves
Just north of town, the Tamarindo estuary is part of Las Baulas Marine National Park. On the shared boat tour ($40 per person, 2 hours) you look for American crocodiles, herons, iguanas and hawks, then walk in the dry forest to find howler monkeys. Prefer to paddle? The shared kayak tour ($60 per person, 2 to 2.5 hours) follows the incoming tide into the park. Both leave with the high tide, so the time changes daily and we confirm it by WhatsApp. Our Tamarindo estuary guide explains what you can see.
4. See sea turtles
Guanacaste is one of the main nesting regions for sea turtles in Costa Rica. Our turtle nesting tour ($60 per person) picks you up in Tamarindo at 5:30 pm and goes to Playa Minas or Playa Jesús, where olive ridley and black turtles nest most often. If no turtles are seen, we reschedule for the next night or make it up to you with the estuary tour.
From November 12, the sunset and baby turtle release ($50 per person, departs 3:30 pm) lets you help release hatchlings into the sea, following the rules of a conservation project. Check the best time to see turtles in Guanacaste before you plan.
5. Ride a horse to the beach
The horseback riding tour ($50 per person, 1 hour) starts at the estuary, climbs nature trails to ocean viewpoints and finishes along the beach. Riders 7 and up ride on their own; younger children ride with an adult. Long pants make the ride more comfortable. To see the mangroves on the same outing, choose the estuary and horseback combo ($80 per person).
6. Take a day trip inland
The interior of Guanacaste feels like a different country: Rincón de la Vieja volcano is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away, and waterfalls such as La Leona and Llanos de Cortés make a full day out. Our three full-day trips cost $160 to $185 per person and include round-trip transportation, entrance tickets, drinks and a Costa Rican lunch, with a minimum of 4 people. See day trips from Tamarindo to compare them.
7. Enjoy town life
Tamarindo has a walkable center with restaurants, cafés, shops and nightlife. Try a casado, the classic Costa Rican plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish, at a local soda, along with a fresh fruit batido. Evenings are relaxed, and the town stays busy during the high season and national holidays.
Things to do in Tamarindo by season
- Dry season (December to April): sunny days and the busiest time in town, ideal for day trips and long beach days. Book tours a few days ahead.
- Green season (May to November): greener landscapes, fewer people and afternoon showers. Morning activities work best, and turtle activity grows in the second half of the year.
- All year: estuary, kayak and horseback tours, timed with the tide.
For month-by-month detail, read Tamarindo weather and the best time to visit.
Practical tips for your visit
- Plan estuary tours first, around the high tide, and fit beach time around them.
- Bring sunblock, a hat, insect repellent and water shoes.
- Carry some cash: the balance of our tours is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.
- Pickup in Tamarindo and Langosta is usually included on our tours; farther areas have an extra cost paid to the driver.
- Traveling with children? Read things to do in Tamarindo with kids.
Want to add nature to your trip? Book the estuary boat tour, the kayak tour or the turtle nesting tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey. If you have questions about dates, tides or your group, write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you plan your days.
Book these tours
Shared Boat Tour (Mangrove Safari)$40 per personSee tour and book →
Horseback Riding Tour$50 per personSee tour and book →
Turtle Nesting Tour$60 per personSee tour and book →
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need in Tamarindo?
Three days are enough for the beach, an estuary tour, a turtle tour in season and one full-day trip inland. With five days you can add a second day trip or simply slow down.
Can I see wildlife without leaving Tamarindo?
Yes. The Tamarindo estuary, just north of town, is part of Las Baulas Marine National Park and is home to crocodiles, herons, iguanas and howler monkeys. The shared boat tour there costs $40 per person and lasts 2 hours.
What can I do in Tamarindo when it rains?
In the green season, rain usually comes in the afternoon, so mornings are a good time for the estuary, the kayak or a horseback ride. If conditions make a tour unsafe, we contact you to offer another date or a refund.
What is there to do in Tamarindo at night?
Watch the sunset from the beach, then enjoy dinner in town. In season, the turtle nesting tour picks you up at 5:30 pm to watch sea turtles nest on a nearby beach.
What are some free things to do in Tamarindo?
Walking the beach, exploring tide pools at low tide, a morning walk to Playa Langosta and watching the sunset cost nothing. Just stay away from the mouth of the estuary, where crocodiles live.
More Tamarindo guides
- Best 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.
- 3 Days in Tamarindo: A Nature ItineraryA 3-day Tamarindo itinerary built around the tides: estuary tour, night turtles in season, a full-day trip inland and a 5-day variant, with prices.
- Best Time to Visit Tamarindo: Weather Month by MonthBest time to visit Tamarindo: dry season vs green season, Tamarindo weather month by month, high season dates and which tours fit each part of the year.
- Tamarindo in the Green Season: Tours That Shine in the RainTamarindo rainy season guide: what the green season is like, the best tours for May to November, what to do when it rains and how weather changes work.
- Tamarindo Tides: Why Our Tour Times Change Every DayHow the Tamarindo tide schedule works, why estuary boat and kayak tours leave with the high tide, and how we confirm your exact tour time after booking.
- How Much Does a Boat Tour in Tamarindo Cost?Tamarindo boat tour price: shared estuary tours from $40, private boats, kayak and combo, typical market ranges, what is included and how deposits work.