Tamarindo Starter Pack

Fly into Liberia Airport (LIR), about 1 hour drive to Tamarindo

Tamarindo airstrip: Small planes from San José (Sansa, Nature Air)

Private shuttle from Liberia: ~$100-150. Many companies, book online.

Shared shuttle: ~$25-40 per person from Liberia. Interbus, Grayline.

Rental car: Recommended for exploring. Roads to Tamarindo are paved and good.

Public bus: Cheap option from Liberia but takes longer.

Tip: Unlike Nosara, the road to Tamarindo is paved and easy!

Tourist visa: Most nationalities get 90 days on arrival in Costa Rica.

Border runs: Nicaragua (2-3 hours) or Panama trips to reset visa.

Pensionado: Retiree visa requiring $1,000/month guaranteed income.

Rentista: Requires $2,500/month stable income for 2 years.

Inversionista: Investor visa with $150,000+ investment.

Immigration office: Liberia has the closest office (1 hour).

Many digital nomads work on tourist visas, though technically a gray area.

Dry season (Dec-April): Hot, sunny, no rain. Peak tourism. 85-100°F.

Green/rainy season (May-Nov): Afternoon rains, mornings usually clear. Lush greenery.

Hottest months: March-April. Very hot and dry before the rains.

Best surf: Generally consistent year-round with bigger swells in rainy season.

High season: December-April, especially Christmas and New Year.

Low season deals: May-November offers lower prices and fewer crowds.

Tip: April-May can be extremely hot and dry. The rains bring relief!

Emergency Services

Red Cross

Tamarindo has a medical clinic for basic care.

Hospital Enrique Baltodano (Liberia): Main hospital, 1 hour away.

CIMA Hospital (San José): For serious issues, may need transport.

US Embassy (San José)

Save these numbers to your phone before you need them!

Walking: The main strip and beach are walkable.

Biking: Flat terrain makes biking easy. Rentals available.

ATV/Golf carts: Popular way to explore. Many rental shops.

Taxis: Available in town. Agree on price before.

Car rental: Useful for beach hopping and day trips. Roads are good.

No Uber: Not available, but Tamarindo is small enough to manage.

Nearby beaches: Playa Grande (5 min), Langosta (10 min), Avellanas (30 min).

Tip: Tamarindo is more developed than other beach towns - easier to get around.

Cell carriers: Kolbi (ICE), Movistar, Claro. Good coverage in Tamarindo.

Buy SIM at airport or in town at phone shops.

Home internet: Cable and fiber available in many areas. Check before renting.

Coworking: Selina, Tamarindo Work Center, and several cafes with WiFi.

Starlink: Available for those needing extra reliability.

Cafe WiFi: Many cafes welcome remote workers.

Better than remote areas: Tamarindo has better infrastructure than more isolated beaches.

Currency: Costa Rican Colón (CRC), but USD widely accepted.

ATMs: Several in town. BCR, Banco Nacional, and others.

Credit cards: Accepted at most restaurants, hotels, and shops.

USD: Widely accepted, though colones often get better rates.

Banking: Bank branches in town for basic services.

Better banking: Tamarindo is developed enough to have good banking options.

Tip: ATMs are reliable here, unlike more remote beach towns.

Main strip (downtown): Walking distance to beach, restaurants, nightlife. Can be noisy.

Langosta: Just south of main beach. Quieter, more residential, beautiful beach.

Playa Grande: North across the estuary. Very quiet, surf-focused, turtle nesting.

Hills above town: Mountain views, cooler, more privacy. Need car.

Huacas area: Inland, more affordable, local feel. 15-20 min from beach.

Long-term rentals: $800-2000/month depending on location and amenities.

Tip: Langosta offers the best of both worlds - close to town but quieter.

Great dining scene: More restaurant variety than most Costa Rica beach towns.

Pangas Beach Club: Upscale beachfront dining in Langosta.

Nogui's: Local institution for Tico breakfast and seafood.

Dragonfly Bar & Grill: Fusion cuisine, beautiful garden setting.

El Coconut: Beachfront bar and restaurant, great for sunset.

Sodas: Small local restaurants for authentic casados at low prices.

Nightlife: Tamarindo has the best nightlife on this coast. Bars and clubs downtown.

Groceries: Super 2001, Auto Mercado. Good variety for a beach town.

Tip: Tamarindo has better food variety than most beach towns.

Playa Tamarindo: Main beach. Surf, swim, sunbathe. Can get crowded.

Playa Langosta: Just south. Quieter, beautiful, great for walks.

Playa Grande: North across estuary. Famous surf break, leatherback turtle nesting.

Playa Avellanas: 30 min south. Less developed, great surf, Lola's beachfront restaurant.

Playa Negra: 45 min south. Excellent surf, rocky coastline, local vibe.

Playa Conchal: 20 min south. Shell beach, beautiful water, all-inclusive resorts.

Tip: Rent a car and explore! Many beautiful beaches within an hour.

Surfing: Great waves for all levels. Many surf schools and board rentals.

Sunset sailing: Catamaran tours to watch sunset and sometimes dolphins.

Turtle nesting: Playa Grande is a major leatherback turtle nesting site (Oct-March).

Snorkeling/diving: Catalina Islands day trips for great marine life.

Estuary tours: Boat tours through mangroves, crocodiles, and birdlife.

Zip-lining: Several canopy tour options nearby.

Rincon de la Vieja: National park with hot springs, waterfalls, and hiking (1.5 hrs).

Nightlife: Bars and clubs make Tamarindo the party town of Guanacaste.

Surfing: Main activity. Waves for beginners to advanced surfers.

Yoga: Studios and beach yoga classes throughout town.

CrossFit: CrossFit Tamarindo and other gyms available.

SUP: Stand-up paddleboarding on calm mornings and in the estuary.

Gyms: Several gyms with good equipment for a beach town.

Running: Beach runs and paths around town. Go early to beat heat!

Fishing: Inshore and offshore fishing charters available.

Golf: Hacienda Pinilla has an oceanfront golf course nearby.

Surf lessons: Many schools specialize in teaching children.

Beach: Tamarindo beach has gentle areas suitable for kids.

Wildlife: Monkeys, iguanas, and birds everywhere. Kids love it!

Estuary tours: Family-friendly boat rides to see crocodiles and wildlife.

Zip-lining: Several operators offer family-friendly courses.

Schools: CRIA (Costa Rica International Academy) and other bilingual options.

Safe environment: Tamarindo is safe and family-friendly.

Most developed beach town: More infrastructure, restaurants, and nightlife than other beaches.

Tourists: Tamarindo is touristy. For local vibe, explore other beaches.

Nightlife: The party scene is real. Consider location if you want quiet nights.

Prices: More expensive than less-developed areas due to tourism.

Drinking water: Use bottled or filtered water.

Spanish: Many locals speak English, but Spanish is appreciated.

Pura vida: The Costa Rican motto. Embrace the relaxed pace.

Crocodiles: Real warning! Don't swim in the estuary or river mouth.