Things to do in Tamarindo
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Tamarindo Canopy Tour: 7 Ziplines, Hanging Bridge & Tarzan SwingA rainforest canopy tour near Tamarindo with seven ziplines, a hanging bridge, a Tarzan swing and an optional controlled free fall, led by a bilingual guide who briefs you on safety before you start. The tour runs one to two hours and welcomes children from age four; a professional guide and bottled water are included. Morning departures leave at 8:30am or 11am, with afternoon options between 1pm and 3pm.Is it for me?The fixed departure times and bilingual guide mean you book a slot and show up ready to move—no arranging transport or figuring out the safety setup yourself. The tour works for families with young children and for anyone who wants to try the free fall without committing to it beforehand.
Rincon de la Vieja: Zipline, Horseback & Hot Springs Day TourYou’ll zipline above rainforest at Rincon de la Vieja, cross hanging bridges with your guide pointing out wildlife, ride horses through forest trails and taste Costa Rican snacks before sliding down a jungle waterslide. After lunch, hike to Salitral waterfall then unwind with volcanic mud baths and hot springs—ending your day feeling both wild and peaceful.
Costa Rica: Tamarindo Monkey Jungle Zipline & Wildlife SightingYou’ll fly through Costa Rica’s jungle canopy on a zipline near Tamarindo, spotting monkeys and birds along the way with a local guide leading you safely through each platform. Expect earthy smells, laughter, and fresh fruit at the finish—plus that little burst of pride when you finally touch ground again.
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.
Playa Flamingo: Rainforest Wildlife & Coffee Making TourYou're picked up at your hotel and driven into the Bijagua rainforest, where a guide shows you sloths (guaranteed), frogs, birds, and other wildlife in their natural habitat. You'll roast and grind your own coffee and chocolate, eat a traditional casado lunch, and swim at Llanos del Cortes waterfall if the season allows. Everything — transport, lunch, water, towels — is included, and you're back at your hotel by afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Playa Flamingo who want wildlife and culture in one morning or afternoon without arranging separate transport or meals. The two-hour-plus drive is part of reaching the closest rainforest, which is what makes the sloth guarantee possible.
Playa Flamingo: Volcano Hike & Hot Springs with Private TransportYou hike through an active volcanic landscape in Rincón de la Vieja National Park, swim at a waterfall, eat lunch, and soak in Rio Negro's natural hot springs — all with private transport and a guide who sets the rhythm. Choose between a full two-hour trail or a shorter half-mile walk through the forest. Transport, lunch, and park fees are included; you're back by late afternoon.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Playa Flamingo who want a full nature day without arranging transport or park logistics themselves. The hike requires moderate fitness; if you're not up for two hours of forest trails, the lite version cuts that to a half-mile walk and keeps everything else intact.
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.
Rio Celeste: Blue River Tubing, Waterfall & Wildlife Day TripYou’ll hike rainforest trails to Rio Celeste waterfall, tube down its bright blue river with fresh fruit breaks, spot wildlife like sloths and monkeys with your local guide, and share a typical Costa Rican lunch before heading home tired but happy.
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.
Costa Rica: Turtle Watching Night Tour with Naturalist GuideYou’ll walk Costa Rica’s wild beaches at night with an expert naturalist guide searching for nesting turtles—maybe leatherbacks or Olive Ridleys—while learning their secrets by moonlight. Includes pickup from Tamarindo, bottled water, and flashlights so you can focus on quiet moments you’ll remember long after you leave.
Tenorio River Rafting: Class III-IV rapids with lunchWhitewater rafting on the Tenorio River near Tamarindo covers 12 kilometers of Class III-IV rapids, including over 22 named rapids and a 12-foot drop at Cascabel Falls, with hotel pickup, transport, lunch and a guide included. The full day runs about 10 hours from pickup to return. A minimum of two people per booking is required, and the activity suits travelers with moderate fitness; those with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health or pregnancy should not book.Is it for me?Choose shared transportation if you're comfortable meeting other rafters and want the standard option; book private transport if you're traveling with a group and prefer to start and finish on your own schedule. Self-drive works if you have a rental car and want to meet the group at the launch point instead.
Sunset Boat Tour Tamarindo: Snorkel, Paddle Board & DinnerA 5-hour guided sunset boat tour from Tamarindo takes you along the coast to a beach accessible only by water, where you snorkel, paddle board or rest on the sand. The tour includes all snorkeling gear, paddle boards, a buffet dinner with chipotle-style burritos and fresh fruit, and an open bar; the guide speaks English and Spanish. You depart at 1pm and return as the sun sets, which happens at nearly the same time each day near the equator.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to snorkel and paddle board without arranging your own transport to a remote beach—the boat does the traveling, and the sunset timing is already locked in so you don't have to chase it.
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.
Palo Verde: Boat Safari, Wildlife & Chorotega Pottery Day TripYou’ll drift down the Tempisque River spotting monkeys and crocodiles with a local guide, then recharge over a traditional Costa Rican lunch before watching Chorotega pottery come to life in Guaitil village. Expect real wildlife moments and warm smiles—plus maybe a lopsided bowl to bring home.
Tamarindo: Turtle Nesting Tour on Hidden BeachYou drive forty minutes from Tamarindo to a car-free beach, walk in darkness following turtle tracks, and sit behind nesting sea turtles for about an hour while they lay eggs—all under strict conservation rules that keep the turtles calm. Pickup, flashlight, water and snacks included. Small groups only, minimum two bookings.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Tamarindo who want to witness sea turtle nesting without the crowds or artificial light of developed beaches. Expect an evening commitment of about three hours total, with a 40-minute drive each way and a 10–15 minute walk on sand—that isolation is what keeps the beach dark enough for the turtles to come ashore.
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.
Tamarindo to Puerto Viejo: ATV Jungle Ride & Beach TourYou’ll ride an ATV straight from Tamarindo into Costa Rica’s wild side—dry forest turns to jungle, river crossings get your heart racing (and your shoes soaked), and monkeys chatter overhead as you follow a local guide toward Puerto Viejo beach. Expect mud, laughter, unexpected animal encounters, and that feeling of freedom only open trails can give.
Tamarindo: La Leona Waterfall Hike & Canyon SwimmingYou hike two hours through volcanic canyons and river crossings to reach a waterfall hidden between the rock walls. The tour includes air-conditioned transport from your hotel and bottled water; lunch in Liberia is separate. Expect steady climbing and wading, not technical climbing—moderate fitness and closed shoes required.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying near Tamarindo or Liberia who want a real jungle hike without arranging transport. Plan for a full morning and early afternoon out—the two-hour hike is steady and involves water crossings, so moderate fitness and closed shoes are essential.
Tamarindo: ATV Beach Trails to Playa Piratas & MinasYou’ll ride ATVs from Tamarindo with a local guide, crossing rivers and winding through small villages before reaching quiet beaches like Playa Piratas and Minas. Expect wildlife sightings—maybe monkeys or iguanas—and plenty of time to soak up sun or just listen to waves. Cold water and showers are waiting when you return, but you might still carry that wild feeling home.
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.
