Is Tamarindo worth visiting?
Yes, Tamarindo offers many reasons for a visit. It's a town everyone should explore, and our experience here was wonderful. We didn't want to leave.
Whether you're a traveling as a family, a couple, or a backpacker, this town has a lot to offer. Any local will tell you what makes it special is the spectacular nightlife and terrific beaches.
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.
Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
5 Reasons to Visit Tamarindo
1. Nightlife
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.
2. Beaches
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.
3. Food
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.
4. Shopping
You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.
5. The Costs
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Tamarindo might be a very affordable destination for you. Check out the travel costs for Tamarindo here or see if Tamarindo is expensive here.
Is Tamarindo worth visiting in the Summer?
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 28°C (82°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
The low season for travel in Tamarindo is during the summer. This destination is quite touristy, but in the low season you'll see fewer crowds and much better prices.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable town, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, dance the night away, and take in the beautiful scenery.
Summer Weather in Tamarindo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| August | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
Is Tamarindo worth visiting in the Autumn?
Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Tamarindo. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
The weather here is somewhat warm for most of the season, with average temperatures around 27°C (81°F). However, this time of year it's also rainy, so it might not be ideal for many activities.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery and lounge on the beach.
Autumn Weather in Tamarindo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| November | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Is Tamarindo worth visiting in the Winter?
The high season for travel in Tamarindo is the winter, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is quite popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect crowds to be large, and prices to be a bit higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 27°C (81°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the nightlife scene, and the beaches. Also, you'll be able to take in the beautiful scenery.
Winter Weather in Tamarindo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| February | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
Is Tamarindo worth visiting in the Spring?
The weather this time of year is terrific, and averages around 29°C (85°F) through the season. This is one of the main reasons that travelers come, because they are looking for beautiful weather and a fun escape.
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Tamarindo, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This destination is quite touristy, so in the shoulder season you can still find plenty of crowds, but better prices.
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, admire the wonderful scenery, and enjoy an evening out. Also, you can experience the beaches.
Spring Weather in Tamarindo
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Tamarindo
Museums and Attractions: Tamarindo isn't a place that's filled with a huge number of sights and attractions. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.
Related
What is Tamarindo most famous for?
Tamarindo is most famous for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles. The town is very popular for its nightlife and beaches. It's also known for food and shopping. It is often described as laid back, chill, and scenic.
What is the most famous sight in Tamarindo?
The most popular sight in Tamarindo is Las Baulas National Marine Park. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Tamarindo on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Las Baulas National Marine Park and other attractions here.
How touristy is Tamarindo? Is it a popular town to visit?
Tamarindo is a popular town for tourists and travelers. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- ATV Hidden Beaches Tour: $140
- ATV Tours at Riu Palace: $135
- ATV Tour Jobo: $117
- Coffee & Chocolate Tour+Sloths Park & Llanos de Cortez Waterfall: $170
- The Official Craft Beer Tour of Costa Rica: $149
- Adventure in Volcano Hot Spring, Zip Lining, water Slide Cutural: $190
- ATV Tour on Secret Beaches and Mountains in Tamarindo: $76
- Private Jetski Adventure in Goulf Papagayo: $270
How long should I spend in Tamarindo?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Tamarindo is at least three or as many as five days. Since Tamarindo has activities such as nightlife and beaches, many visit for up to five days.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Tamarindo?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Tamarindo?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Tamarindo?.
For guided and organized tour options, check out The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Costa Rica and The Best Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica.
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.
Expert Advice from Local Travelers
We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Tamarindo.
What was your favorite thing about Tamarindo?
I loved the beaches in this part of the country since they are wide with good waves, and with plenty of hotels and restaurants to make everything really active. The bars were fun at night and the experiences were grand, too. Our zipline and tubing tour was awesome.