Tamarindo stretches along the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, where surf culture meets small town life. The curved beach extends 3.5 kilometers, offering waves for every skill level and quiet spots for swimming or sunset watching.

The main street runs parallel to the beach, lined with surf shops, local restaurants, and modern services. International influence mixes with Costa Rican culture here, creating a unique beach town atmosphere where both locals and visitors feel at home. The Tamarindo Diria hotel marks the town center, with most activities within walking distance.

Morning surf sessions start each day as the offshore winds groom the waves. By afternoon, the beach fills with a mix of surfers, swimmers, and people walking to nearby Playa Langosta. The protected Las Baulas National Park borders the northern end of town, where the estuary provides a natural boundary and home to wildlife.

The Busy Area

We start out walk at the south of of Calle Central, where there’s a roundabout and the Welcome to Tamarindo sign. This area is very busy for both tourists and locals, as it allows for direct access to the busiest part of the beach.

Along the beach, you’ll find lots of restaurants with an amazing view. You can expect to pay a bit more for the food and view but it’s well worth it. Alternatively you can bring your own food and have a picnic on the beach. There are horse tours on the beach as well, with a makeshift horse stall at this location on Calle Central.

We’ll walk back to the north along Calle Central, and find many shops for tourist goods, but also several high end clothing/unique items shops. There’s a wide array of restaurants along the street which are an easy distance from the beach to check out during a day in the water.

Walking further, we’ll see Calle Cardinal, which will take you further from the beach towards more hotels. The video should give you an idea of how long the walk will be to the beach.

Back To The Beach

Let’s head back along a path to the sand! We’ll check out Tamarindo Daria, a hotel with a large grassed area facing the beach. It looks like a great place to relax and enjoy the water without being on the sand – if that floats your boat.

We’re going to head back to Calle Central at about Banana Surf Club. Around this area there’s a lot of surf shops where you can buy/rent boards or get surfing lessons. You’ll also find the Sunrise Condos Tamarindo in this area.

Making our final turn back to the beach at the highly reviewed restaurant Agua | Salada, which looks very nice and is directly adjacent to a very well manicured path. At the end of this path there’s a nice fitness construct with some makeshift weights and a kids playground. There’s also two volleyball nets with well maintained sand.

On this part of the beach it’s very busy beach especially on this Friday afternoon. If you look farther to the north you can see Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas which also are known for white sand and surfing. We had stopped in Playa Grande and saw that the waves are much bigger and the beach much less busy.

Tourism In Demand

Tamarindo is an amazing little town that’s very busy, but sure to impress. It would be a great location to book your stay in and journey out from to some of the smaller beaches or inland destinations.

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Tamarindo Beach Town FAQ: Surf & Beach Life Guide

Q: Where is Tamarindo located?
A: Northern Pacific coast in Guanacaste. One hour from Liberia Airport. Main beach road spans 2 km through town. Tamarindo Diria hotel marks town center.

Q: What’s the beach like?
A: 3.5 km curved beach. Multiple surf breaks for all levels. Swimming areas marked. Watch afternoon currents. Beach width varies with tide. Natural shade limited.

Q: What facilities exist?
A: Full beach town services: Large supermarkets, Medical clinics, Banks with ATMs, Surf shops, International restaurants. Regular airport shuttles. Modern infrastructure.

Q: How’s getting around?
A: Walking covers most needs. Local taxis available. Public buses connect towns. Boat taxis to nearby beaches. Car rentals in town. Good road access.

Q: What activities exist?
A: Surfing all levels, Beach walks, Estuary boat tours, Sunset sailing, Sport fishing, National park visits. Water sports rentals available. Surf schools throughout.

Q: When to visit?
A: Dry season (December-April) busiest. Green season has morning sun, afternoon rains. Good surf year-round. Less crowded September-November.

Q: Where’s good for food?
A: Mix of local and international restaurants. Beach bars along shore. Local sodas inland. Fresh seafood options. Markets for supplies. Street food evenings.