Things to do in Tamarindo
The unmissables
Most booked
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: All Levels, 90 Minutes★ 4.93 (2,804) · 1h 30m
Top rated
Tamarindo: Rincon de la Vieja Zipline, River Tubing & Hot Springs★ 4.80 (1,567) · 8h–12h
Best value
Tamarindo: Rio Celeste Hike, Sloth Sanctuary & Waterfall★ 4.62 (1,178) · 12h
Recommended (7)
Snorkeling in Playa Flamingo: Sunset Catamaran with Guide★ 4.85 (1,169) · 4hUS$ 95View ›
Catamaran sailing Tamarindo: Dolphins, snorkeling, sunset★ 4.63 (988) · 4h 30mUS$ 90View ›
Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, Sloths & Coffee Tour Costa Rica★ 4.92 (973) · 6h–8hUS$ 160View ›
Tamarindo & Conchal: ATV or Buggy Beach Tour with Local Guide★ 4.89 (926) · 2hUS$ 95View ›
Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Hike & Hot Springs Tour from Tamarindo★ 4.67 (787) · 12hUS$ 125View ›
Tamarindo: Surf Lesson for Beginners & Stand Up Guarantee★ 4.95 (761) · 2hUS$ 54View ›
Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari: Mangrove Wildlife & Pickup★ 4.60 (757) · 2hUS$ 40View ›Top rated (10)
Tamarindo: Surf Lessons with Video Analysis & Coffee BreakYou’ll start your Tamarindo surf lesson learning technique on land before heading into the Pacific for hands-on practice—wiping out is half the fun here! With a certified local instructor guiding you (and video analysis after), you’ll laugh at mistakes over coffee and leave feeling braver than when you arrived.
Pacific Coast Fishing Charter: Half-Day Mahi Mahi & TunaA half-day fishing charter on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast where you fish for Mahi Mahi, yellowfin tuna, red snapper, wahoo and a rotating list of other species, using mixed techniques matched to what the crew finds biting that morning. The boat carries a trilingual crew (English, Spanish, French), all fishing equipment and bait, bottled water, snacks, fruits and beer; you bring nothing but your appetite and willingness to cast a line. The crew adjusts tactics throughout the four hours to keep the action moving and suit what everyone on board wants to catch.Is it for me?Book this charter if you want to fish in a small group with a trilingual crew who adjusts techniques based on what's biting, rather than committing to a single method for the full day.
Surf Lessons in Tamarindo: Small Groups, All LevelsSALT Surf As Life Therapy offers two-hour surf lessons in Tamarindo for all skill levels, from brand new to intermediate, with personalized instruction and a low student-to-instructor ratio. Lessons begin with 20 minutes of pre-surf coaching on safety, technique and mindset, then move into the water to practice waves during optimal tides. Instructors speak English and Spanish; children as young as 4 are welcome, though kids 8 and under require a private lesson for safety. You choose between group, semi-private or private instruction at checkout.Is it for me?Book a group or semi-private lesson if you want to build skills alongside other surfers and keep the cost down; choose private instruction if your child is 8 or under, or if you want one-on-one coaching to move faster through the fundamentals.
Flamingo & Conchal Beach: Zip Line & ATV Adventure TourYou’ll ride ATVs through real Costa Rican towns, zip line above jungle trees near Flamingo Beach, and cool off at Playa Conchal’s shell-white shore. Expect wildlife sightings (if you’re lucky), laughs with your local guide, and moments you’ll want to photograph—but might forget to because you’re living them.
Liberia Coffee & Chocolate Tour with Sloths & WaterfallThis private 8-hour tour from Liberia combines a coffee and cacao plantation tour, a wildlife park near Bijagua, and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, with a 5-minute walk to the falls and easy jungle trails throughout. The guide speaks English or Spanish, pickup is included, and the day ends with lunch at a local restaurant and time to sample the coffee and chocolate you've learned about.Is it for me?The entire day involves easy walking on jungle paths and a 5-minute stroll to the waterfall, with no strenuous hiking required—this suits anyone who wants to see coffee and cacao production, spot wildlife, and swim in a waterfall pool without the physical demand of a full-day hike.
Rio Celeste, Sloth Sanctuary & Coffee Tour from GuanacasteYou’ll hike through lush rainforest to see Rio Celeste’s surreal blue waterfall, share a local lunch with new friends, spot wild sloths lounging in treetops at a private sanctuary, and catch glimpses of toucans and frogs along easy trails. With hotel pickup included and a guide who brings Costa Rica alive, you’ll leave with muddy shoes—and probably a story or two stuck in your head.
ATV Beach and Mountain Tour near Playa Flamingo: Ride the CoastAn ATV Beach and Mountain tour near Playa Flamingo takes you on a two-hour ride starting from Playa Brasilito, covering white sand beaches and coastal viewpoints with a local guide, helmet and hotel pickup included. The guide speaks English or Spanish, children from age 6 are welcome, and a minimum of two people per booking is required. Hotel pickup serves Conchal, Flamingo, Brasilito and Potrero areas.Is it for me?Ride the Flamingo coastline and mountain viewpoints in a morning—your guide navigates while you control your own pace between stops.
Catalina Islands: 2 Dive Trip for Certified Divers & GearYou’ll join a small group of certified divers for two guided dives at different Catalina Islands sites near Tamarindo, with all scuba equipment provided plus snacks and drinks between dives. Expect friendly guides who handle every detail from pickup to gear checks—leaving you free to focus on underwater moments you’ll remember long after you’re back on shore.
Tamarindo Zipline: 10 Cables & Tarzan Swing for Kids 2+You climb into a Guanacaste tree, zip across ten cables through the canopy, swing on a rope between platforms, and take a 23-meter free-fall jump — all while your kids do the same thing next to you. Safety gear and water are included, and the guides walk you through every step. Plan for a few hours in the forest, and expect to be out of breath and grinning when you're done.Is it for me?Right for families with kids 2 and up who want to do something together without anyone sitting it out. The course is paced so younger kids stay safe and older ones get the adrenaline rush — that's what makes it work for mixed ages in one group.
Cozumel: Try Scuba Diving for Beginners & 2 Guided DivesYou’ll feel your nerves turn into excitement as you learn scuba basics with an easygoing instructor in Cozumel. Dive twice at different sites with all equipment provided, pause for snacks on the boat, and finish before lunch—leaving you with salty hair and a story you’ll want to tell again.
Lowest price (10)
Guanacaste Airport Transfer: Private Ride from Hotel to LIRYou’ll get picked up right from your hotel in Guanacaste by a local driver who knows these roads by heart. Relax in a clean private vehicle with all insurances covered as you head straight to Liberia Airport (LIR). Enjoy small moments — maybe a chat or just watching the scenery slip by — before your trip home begins.
Tamarindo Bar Crawl: VIP Entry, Shots & Games Nightlife TourYou’ll jump right into Tamarindo’s nightlife with VIP entry to lively bars and clubs, welcome shots to break the ice, fun games that get strangers laughing together, and unlimited shots between stops thanks to Mr.Shots. Expect sticky floors, new friends from everywhere, and moments you’ll remember long after your voice is gone.
Tamarindo Estuary: Mangrove Kayak Tour & Wildlife SpottingYou paddle through 1,500 acres of protected mangrove forest with a naturalist guide who knows where the wildlife congregates and how the tides shape the day. You'll spot crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas and over 175 bird species, including a rare endemic hummingbird. The tour includes water, fresh fruit and free pickup from your Tamarindo beach hotel, with timing scheduled around the tides for the best paddling conditions.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see Tamarindo's wildlife and mangrove ecosystem without arranging your own boat and guide—the tide-based scheduling is what makes the paddling safe and the animal sightings reliable. Plan for a half or full day depending on the tide window, and bring sun protection and a camera.
Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: Mangrove Wildlife with GuideThe Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour is a two-hour guided boat journey through mangrove channels within the Baulas marine national park, where a naturalist guide points out local flora and fauna adapted to the tidal environment. The tour includes roundtrip transportation from Tamarindo and Lobster, bottled water, and seasonal fruit; the operator coordinates the exact departure time 24 hours in advance based on tide conditions.Is it for me?The tide schedule means you can't book a fixed departure time in advance, but the operator handles that by calling 24 hours ahead to coordinate—so you don't spend the morning waiting to hear when to show up.
La Leona Waterfall Hike Guanacaste: Cave & River Canyon AdventureYou hike 1.3 miles through forest and cave passages into a river canyon, then swim in turquoise pools beneath La Leona waterfall. The guide meets you at the town bar parking lot, drives you to the trailhead, and leads you through rope sections and water crossings. You get 30 minutes at the waterfall itself, a waterproof bag for your phone, fresh fruit, and a half-day timeline that leaves the afternoon open. Book with at least one other person.Is it for me?Right for hikers with moderate fitness who want more than a waterfall photo — the ropes, caves, and river canyon mean you're actually exploring, not just walking. The fixed half-day schedule and included transport from town make it easy to fit into a day without renting a car or arranging your own logistics.
Sunday Funday Tamarindo Party Bus: Beach and Pool CrawlThe Sunday Funday is a guided beach and pool crawl that departs Tamarindo every Sunday at noon, hitting Flamingo Beach, Playa Potrero and the black sand shores around it, then returns around 8pm. The bus picks you up at Crazy Monkey Tamarindo Pool & Bar, includes a welcome drink at each of three stops, happy hour discounts, live entertainment and a bonfire at sunset; the guide speaks English and Spanish. Minimum age is 18 and the shared bus requires at least 15 people to run—if the group doesn't fill, you get a full refund.Is it for me?The shared Sunday Funday bus suits groups who want the full Tamarindo beach party scene without renting a car or figuring out which bars to hit—the stops, the timing and the bonfire are already locked in. If you're traveling solo or with friends and want to meet other travelers, the shared bus fills that; if your group wants the bus to yourselves and your own schedule, book the private option instead.
Surf Lesson in Tamarindo: Private, Group & Semi-PrivateA surf lesson in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, taught by local instructors in private, semi-private or group format for all ages and skill levels. Equipment, rashguard, leash and water are included. Lessons run two hours and are tailored to beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers alike. The instructor speaks English or Spanish, and safety protocols guide every session.Is it for me?Book a private lesson if you want one-on-one attention and a pace set entirely around your progress; choose semi-private or group if you'd rather learn alongside other surfers and share the energy of the beach. The two-hour window fits a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day, so you can explore Tamarindo's restaurants and shops before or after.
Tamarindo: Beginner Surf Lessons with Local InstructorsYou’ll meet your certified instructor in Tamarindo, practice popping up on land, then paddle out to try real waves with patient coaching. Expect laughter, some splashes, and that wild moment when you finally stand up. Everything’s included — just bring your curiosity (and maybe some humility).
Tamarindo: Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Game & Local SurprisesYou’ll wander Tamarindo solving playful riddles at your own pace, with seven days to explore hidden murals and meet locals along the way. Expect spontaneous moments—like arranging seashells or catching live music—and unlock special discounts through your scavenger hunt app. This isn’t just sightseeing; it’s letting Tamarindo surprise you.
Private Surf Lesson Tamarindo Beach: Local InstructorsA two-hour private surf lesson at Tamarindo Beach pairs you with a local instructor for theory on land, then time in the water catching waves suited to your level. The instructor picks your board and rash guard, coaches you through the fundamentals, and finishes with fresh coconut water on the beach. Children from age 3 are welcome; guides speak English and Spanish.Is it for me?Book a private lesson if you want the instructor's full attention on your technique and goals, or choose the group or semiprivate option if you'd rather share the cost and the energy with other learners on the same day.
