Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tamarindo?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tamarindo?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Tamarindo, Costa Rica? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Tamarindo during their visit. After all, the chill town will let you swim at the beach, grab some drinks at a bar, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and admire the wonderful scenery.
Tamarindo is a popular beach town in the Guanacaste Province. It has beautiful golden beaches that attract surfers and vacationers. The town is also near Playa Grande Beach, which is where you'll find hatching leatherback turtles during the right season.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Tamarindo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Tamarindo?
One week is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Tamarindo. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Tamarindo as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
How to spend a week in Tamarindo
Don't miss Las Baulas National Marine Park during your trip to Tamarindo, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
This town is very popular for nightlife. After the sun goes down, head out to one of the many popular venues around town. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.
Tamarindo is a very walkable city. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.
The beautiful beaches await you in Tamarindo, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.
A few tour suggestions include:
- BEST Surf Lessons in Tamarindo and Surf funcional, Surf skate, Video Analisis ($65)
- ATV Beach and Mountain Tour ($99)
- ATV & Canopy Tour From Flamingo Beach ($130)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.
Public transit in Tamarindo is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the town quite easily. There are three public bus lines through town.
Shopping in Tamarindo is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.
Tamarindo is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small Group Sunset Sail for the Sophisticated Traveler ($149)
- PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK ( Boat Safari, 1/2 day ) ($149)
- CoralDreams Tamarind-Snorkel Sailing Catamaran Sunset Experience ($103)
After you've explored most of Tamarindo, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Tamarindo. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Tamarindo?
Two weeks provides ample opportunity in Tamarindo to enjoy the beaches, the nightlife, the cuisine, and the beautiful scenery. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options. We have some suggestions below for your trip. Families, couples, and backpackers enjoy the area for its activities, too.
Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
How to spend 2 weeks in Tamarindo
With 2 weeks in Tamarindo, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the town has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this town looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Zip Line and ATV Adventure ($159)
- Small Group Sunset Sail for the Sophisticated Traveler ($149)
- Zipline at Skyline Canopy Tour Guanacaste Costa Rica ($64)
- Ariel Papagayo Views - WRCT Adventures Private Zipline Tour ($115)
- PALO VERDE NATIONAL PARK ( Boat Safari, 1/2 day ) ($149)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Tamarindo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.