What to Wear and Pack for Tours in Tamarindo

If you are wondering what to pack for Costa Rica tours, the answer depends on the activity. The right clothes for a mangrove boat tour are not the same as for a night on a turtle beach or a day at a waterfall. This guide gives a packing list for each type of tour we offer in Tamarindo, based on what our guides recommend, plus a few general tips.

Short answer: for most tours in Tamarindo, wear light, comfortable clothes and bring sunglasses, a hat, sunblock, insect repellent and a camera. Add water shoes for the estuary, long pants for horseback riding, dark clothes for night turtle tours, and water shoes plus tennis shoes for La Leona and Rincón de la Vieja. Bring cash for the balance of your tour.

What to pack for Costa Rica tours: the basics

Tamarindo is warm and sunny most of the year, and the tropical sun is strong even on cloudy days. These items are useful on almost every tour:

Light, comfortable clothes that dry quickly
Sunglasses and a hat
Sunblock and insect repellent
A camera or phone
Cash in US dollars or colones for the balance, which is paid on the day of the tour

Bottled water is included on most of our tours, so you do not need to carry much. Leave jewelry and valuables you do not need at your hotel.

What to wear on the estuary tour

For the shared boat tour and the private boats, the recommended list is: comfortable clothes, water shoes, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, repellent and sunblock. Water shoes help when getting on and off the boat at the edge of the estuary, and they work well on the short dry-forest walk that is part of the shared boat tour.

Kayak tour

The kayak tour uses the same list, but expect to get a little wet from the paddles. Choose shorts or quick-dry pants and a light shirt that covers your shoulders. Life jackets and a dry bag for your phone and keys are included. For more about the estuary itself, see our Tamarindo estuary guide.

What to wear for horseback riding

For the horseback riding tour and the estuary and horseback combo, the list is: long pants, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, repellent and sunblock. Long pants protect your legs from rubbing against the saddle on the trails and along the beach. Closed shoes or sneakers are more comfortable than sandals in the stirrups, and a hat that fits well will stay on in the breeze.

What to bring on a night turtle tour

The turtle nesting tour and the Ostional arribada tour share the same list: dark clothing, water shoes or tennis shoes, a camera without flash and repellent.

Dark clothing helps you blend into the night beach and disturb the turtles less.
Water shoes or tennis shoes are safer than sandals on sand in the dark.
No flash. Bright light can disorient turtles, so follow the guide about photos and lights.
Repellent is important, because insects are active at dusk.

For the sunset and baby turtle release, bring comfortable beach clothes and repellent. Learn more in what to expect on a turtle tour.

What to pack for full-day trips

Our full-day trips leave early and return in the afternoon or evening, so pack a small day bag.

Sloths and Llanos de Cortés waterfall (6:30 am to about 6 pm): comfortable clothes, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, repellent and sunblock.
La Leona waterfall (7 am to 3:30 pm) and Rincón de la Vieja (6 or 7 am to 6 pm): the same list, plus water shoes and tennis shoes.

If you plan to get in the water, wear your swimsuit under your clothes and bring a towel and a change of clothes for the ride back. Lunch and drinks are included on these trips. Compare them in our guide to day trips from Tamarindo.

Extra items for the green season

From May to November, showers are common in the afternoon. Add a light rain jacket or poncho and a plastic bag to protect your phone. See the best time to visit Tamarindo for the weather month by month.

What not to bring

Valuables you do not need on the tour
Flip-flops for the forest walks, the horses or the night beaches
Flash photography or bright white lights on turtle tours
Food for the animals: wildlife should never be fed

With the right clothes, you can enjoy every tour with Tamarindo Estuary Tours Mi Rey. Book the estuary boat tour, the kayak tour or the horseback ride online. If you are unsure what to bring for a specific tour or date, write to us on WhatsApp and we will help you prepare.

Book these tours

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear flip-flops on the estuary boat tour?

We recommend water shoes instead. They are safer when getting on and off the boat and more comfortable on the short walk in the dry forest.

Do I need long pants for horseback riding in Tamarindo?

Yes. Long pants are on the recommended list for the horseback riding tour and the estuary and horseback combo, because they protect your legs from rubbing against the saddle.

What should I wear on a night turtle tour?

Wear dark clothing with water shoes or tennis shoes, and bring repellent and a camera without flash. Follow the guide about photos and lights to avoid disturbing the turtles.

Should I bring cash on the tour?

Yes. You pay a deposit online when you book, and the balance is paid in cash, in US dollars or colones, on the day of the tour.

Do I need a swimsuit for the waterfall tours?

It is a good idea if you want to get in the water. Wear it under your clothes and bring a towel and dry clothes; whether swimming is possible depends on the conditions that day.

More Tamarindo guides

See all Tamarindo travel guides →