Things to do in Tamarindo
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Zipline & Hanging Bridges Tour Monteverde Cloud ForestA full-day zipline and hanging bridges tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest combines a guided 1.9-mile walk across eight suspension bridges with an exhilarating 2-mile zipline course through the treetops. Hotel pickup from Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach is included, as are park fees and a live guide in English or Spanish. The tour runs about four hours of activity and operates in all weather; children age 4 and older can zipline, and all ages can walk the bridges.Is it for me?Choose the shared transportation option if you're staying in Tamarindo or Flamingo Beach and want the simplest booking—pickup times are fixed and the guide handles all logistics. Pick private transportation if your hotel is outside the standard pickup zone or if you prefer a dedicated vehicle and guide for your group.
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: Surf Lessons at Diria Hotel with Locals & GearYou’ll paddle out onto Tamarindo’s warm waves with local instructors who actually watch and help you improve — no big crowds here. You get all your surfing gear sorted for you, plus a safety briefing before heading into the water. After your lesson (and probably a few wipeouts), fresh pineapple is waiting as you flop back onto the sand.
Liberia Airport Transfer: Private Mercedes & Welcome DrinksYou get picked up by name at Liberia airport in a private air-conditioned vehicle, with water and beer waiting. The driver tracks your flight in real time, so delays don't mean extra charges or a missing ride. No shared vans, no negotiating at the curb, no wondering if the driver will still be there.Is it for me?Right choice if you're landing at Liberia and want to skip the taxi line and shared shuttle hassle — the driver knows your name and arrival time before you touch down, which is what makes the whole thing feel less like ground transport and more like someone already expecting you.
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.
Catalina Islands Diving Tour from Tamarindo: 2 Dives & PickupYou’ll start early in Tamarindo, suit up at the dive shop, then ride out by boat for two guided dives at Catalina Islands—with snacks between sites and plenty of marine life along the way. Expect close-up views of rays or turtles (sometimes even dolphins), plus friendly local guides who make everything feel easy—even if your Spanish isn’t great.
Rio Celeste Waterfall & Sloths Sanctuary from TamarindoYou hike two to three hours through Tenorio National Park to Rio Celeste's turquoise waterfall, then visit Ranitas sloth sanctuary where sloths and toucans are guaranteed sightings. Lunch at a local restaurant with a butterfly garden is included, plus all park entry fees and hotel pickup from Tamarindo. A private guide leads the whole day, so the pace stays yours.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want to see Rio Celeste and sloths without arranging park tickets, transport, or timing the hike themselves — the private guide and fixed itinerary handle all three, and the small-group format means you're not moving through the rainforest in a crowd.
La Leona Waterfall Hike: Private Canyon Swim & LunchYou’ll hike upriver through shaded canyons near Rincon de la Vieja, swim through cool pools with your local guide pointing out wildlife, and reach La Leona waterfall after a short swim. Expect rocky trails and river crossings before relaxing by the falls and enjoying a Costa Rican lunch — it’s an adventure that lingers long after you dry off.
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.
Snorkeling in Tamarindo: Two reef sessions with a guideHalf-day snorkeling in Tamarindo with a professional guide covers two reef sessions near the Catalina Islands (or Cabo Velas if conditions shift), all equipment and snacks included, departing at 6:40 am and returning around noon. The 5-hour outing leaves your afternoon free; children must be at least 8 years old and accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?The 5-hour morning window—departure at 6:40 am, return by noon—leaves your afternoon free for other plans or downtime. If you need a full day of activity or prefer a later start, look for a longer snorkeling trip or a different outing.
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.
Tamarindo: 3 Waterfalls & Cliff Jumping Private Tour with LunchYou spend the day moving between three waterfalls — tubing, swimming against a current with a rope, cliff jumping at different heights, and hiking through caves and forest. Lunch is included, as are transport, a guide, water and snacks. The main constraint is footwear: you need proper hiking shoes with thick soles, and the tour will turn you away without them. If you show up ready, you're in for a full day of water and rock without the crowds.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full-day waterfall adventure without arranging your own transport, timing multiple stops, or sharing your guide with other groups — the private format and fixed itinerary are what make three separate waterfalls, a rope swim, and a 90-foot jump possible in one day.
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.
Snorkeling in Tamarindo: Catamaran with kayaks and lunchThe Blue Dolphin is a 40-foot catamaran that departs daily from Tamarindo at 12:45 pm for a five-hour snorkeling cruise with kayaking, lunch and an open bar. You'll snorkel in warm water for reef fish, rays and dolphins, paddle out on kayaks, and spot wildlife—sea turtles, flying fish, even breaching whales—while the crew handles the boat and the meal. Snorkel gear and instructions are included; transportation from the Westin Conchal and JW Marriott can be arranged in advance for an extra fee.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary in whichever language works for you. The five-hour window keeps the day compact—snorkeling, kayaking and lunch all fit without a long commitment or an early start.
Private ATV Adventure Tamarindo: Ride Wild TerrainA private two-hour ATV adventure in Tamarindo puts you on a Yamaha four-wheeler over rocks, gravel, rivers and sand on a circular route through hidden trails and multiple towns. A live guide in English or Spanish leads the ride, and hotel pickup is included. The route suits both experienced riders and newcomers.Is it for me?Choose the two-hour private tour if you want to set your own pace on hidden trails and river crossings with a guide who adjusts to your comfort; pick the full-day Ocean to Ski option if you'd rather combine ATV riding with other activities in one outing.
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 Catamaran Cruise: Snorkel, Paddleboard & SunsetA 5.5-hour catamaran cruise from Tamarindo that sails past Marino Las Baulas National Park and stops at the secluded Playa Huevo for snorkeling, paddleboarding and kayaking in turquoise water. The boat carries snorkeling gear, stand-up paddleboards and kayaks; a certified crew leads the water activities. Open bar with margaritas, mojitos, Imperial beer and piña coladas; fresh fruit, chips and a chipotle burrito bar with grilled chicken, black beans and guacamole are included. The route passes mangroves and rocky coves where dolphins, manta rays and sea turtles surface near the boat, and you return to Tamarindo Beach for the sunset.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and Spanish, so you can follow the commentary about the wildlife, the beaches and the water conditions in whichever language works for you. The boat handles everything—gear, food, drinks, safety—so it suits travelers who want to move between snorkeling, paddling and eating without stopping to arrange any of it.
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.
Guanacaste: Catamaran Snorkel Cruise & Pacific Sunset SailYou’ll step barefoot into Guanacaste’s surf to board your catamaran, sail along the Pacific coast with an open bar and snacks, snorkel a quiet bay with included gear, and watch for dolphins or turtles before drifting beneath a wild Costa Rican sunset. Expect small surprises—and maybe a moment you’ll want to remember later.
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.
