Waffle Monkey
Waffle Monkey, In front of Budget In the passage to the beach, 50 Mts from Rotunda, Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica ·Join us right on the beach at Playa Tamarindo where you can sit back, relax and ...
Cafés & Coffee Shops in Tamarindo
5 businesses in Tamarindo
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Tamarindo's café culture is more developed than many Pacific coast beach towns, driven by its large English-speaking expat population and the steady flow of international visitors who demand proper espresso. Waffle Monkey is the local institution, beloved for its breakfast-and-brunch menu and reliably good coffee that draws regulars every morning. Nordico Coffee House brings a Scandinavian-influenced approach to specialty coffee, with single-origin beans and careful extraction in a clean, modern space. Cafe Tico leans into the local identity with Costa Rican-grown beans from the highlands of Tarrazú and Naranjo, offering an authentic counterpoint to the imported café aesthetic. Costa Rica produces some of the world's finest coffee, and drinking it well-prepared here feels like a genuine privilege. WiFi quality varies and the better cafés see remote workers competing for spots by mid-morning. Prices are moderate by international standards, a well-made espresso drink runs $3-5 USD, and the overall quality is significantly above what you'd find in most comparable Central American beach towns.
5 businesses listed
Showing 1-5 of 5 businesses
Nordico Coffee House
Nordico Coffee House, Local 23, 2do Piso, Plaza Tamarindo, Tamarindo, Santa Cruz, Av 0, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica ·NORDICO is a cozy coffeeshop in Tamarindo that serves always freshly roasted bar...
Café Tico
Café Tico, Centro, al lado del Bookstore. En la misma calle del Shrimp Hole, Telefono +506-86304828, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50030, Costa Rica ·Cafe Tico ofrece una gran variedad de desayunos y almuerzos. Cafe orgánico que l... ·
Venezia Gelati & Caffe
Venezia Gelati & Caffe, C. Central, Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo, Costa Rica ·Strawberry, vanilla, chocolate? We have many more flavors to refresh your walks ...
Derecho Sagrado
in front of the Skate park, 20 meters South of Super Compro, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica ·Specialty coffee and brunch in Tamarindo, roasted in-house.
Cafés & Coffee Shops in Tamarindo: common questions
How do I find good restaurants in Tamarindo as an expat? +
ExpatsList features community-verified cafés & coffee shops businesses in Tamarindo, with community reviews and details like language support and dietary options. Filter by subcategory (restaurants, cafés, markets) to find exactly what you need.
Are food and dining options in Tamarindo expat-friendly? +
Many cafés & coffee shops businesses in Tamarindo cater to international visitors and expats. Look for listings marked with language information and expat-owner badges on ExpatsList to find places where communication is easiest.
What should I budget for dining out in Tamarindo? +
Dining costs vary widely in Tamarindo. Check our Cost of Living tool for average meal prices, or browse cafés & coffee shops listings with price range indicators to find options that fit your budget.
Expat tips for Cafés & Coffee Shops in Tamarindo
Order Costa Rican Single-Origin Beans +
Costa Rica's highland coffee regions, Tarrazú, Naranjo, Tres Ríos, produce internationally award-winning beans that are genuinely different from generic blends. Cafe Tico and Nordico Coffee House both stock locally grown options that showcase what Costa Rican terroir actually tastes like. Drinking the local product rather than defaulting to an international brand gives you a much richer connection to the country's agriculture.
Arrive Early for Remote Work Seating +
Tamarindo's best cafés are popular with remote workers and fill by 9am in high season. Arriving before 8:30 secures the best seats, shaded tables with power outlets, before the peak crowd arrives. Waffle Monkey opens early enough for the pre-surf coffee crowd, making it ideal for early risers who want to work before the heat of the day sets in.
Ask About Seasonal Menu Changes +
Several Tamarindo cafés adjust their menus with the seasons, adding cold brew and fruit-forward drinks during the hottest months (March-May) and heavier breakfast options during the cool dry season. Asking what's new or seasonal often surfaces specials not on the standard menu. The local tropical fruit smoothies using Guanacaste-grown produce in particular are worth seeking out.
What locals recommend in Tamarindo
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The White Monkey Golf Club
The White Monkey Golf Club is the most unique and captivating option among the coastal fairways, offering a blend of classic golf with the natural beauty of Costa Rica. It's located just a short drive from Tamarindo, surrounded by lush, tropical forests where white monkeys and colorful birds dart around the course. This setting creates a truly immersive experience that sets it apart from other courses. What makes the White Monkey Golf Club truly special is its location. It's just a short drive from Tamarindo, and its proximity to the beautiful beaches and rainforests makes it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway. The club also offers excellent facilities such as a restaurant and bar, perfect for a relaxing post-round meal or a refreshing drink.
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Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park combines nature and historical heritage. It was inaugurated in 1971 and marked the beginning of the national system of national parks in Costa Rica. The park is home to approximately 335,000 species of land organisms, which represents 2.6% of the world’s biodiversity. You can explore the history of the Battle of Santa Rosa in 1856, where Costa Rica intervened against an American filibuster army under the command of William Walker. To visit, head about 35 kilometers (about 22 miles) northwest of Liberia, in the direction of La Cruz, on Route 1. You can take a private car or look into public transportation options from Liberia to Santa Rosa, and then walk about 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles) to the park’s main entrance. The entrance fee for adult citizens and residents is ¢1,243, and for children, it’s ¢565.
