Tamarindo

Love it, hate it, or never want to leave it, Tamarindo is Costa Rica’s most popular Pacific beach town. Purists say that Tamarindo has lost its authentic charm, whereas other travelers welcome modernity and the familiar, first world comforts. Perhaps more so than any other group, surfers travel from across the globe to ride Tamarindo’s waves—though spots nearby are calm enough for first time surfers to learn. The shopping and nightlife in Tamarindo have exploded in recent years, and a festive, fast paced, late night scene draws partygoers to the coast. If you want some solace away from the crowds—but still want to be close to town—a network of dreamy, coastal villas offer modern escapes just minutes from town and are still surrounded by forest. Speaking of forest, one of the draws of Tamarindo is its proximity to national parks, with Marino Las Baulas National Park just a short drive south of town. Here you’ll find endangered, Leatherback sea turtles hauling up onto the sand, as well as over 170 bird species flitting their way through the mangroves. To the north of town, Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge encompasses 1,000 acres, where you can spend days canoeing through one of Nicoya’s best preserved coastal habitats

Practical Info

Tamarindo is five hours from San José by car, and only one hour from the international airport in Liberia. High season is November-April when days are warm and sunny, with June-September often seeing torrential amounts of rain. If the priority is partying, stay close to town; if it’s quiet you’re after, head for the outskirts.