Five Days To Spend in the beautiful Tamarindo, Costa Rica -

White sandy beaches, big palm trees, outdoor parties and fish tacos… just a few of the things Tamarindo, Costa Rica has to offer. The town is a popular destination for surfers and people backpacking the Central American country, as well as first timer’s who may be more comfortable with the English-speaking crowd. If you have five days in Tamarindo, here are the things to cross off your to-do list.

One of many beautiful sunsets over Tamarindo beach.

Day 1: Get acquainted with the town.

Tamarindo is extremely walkable, with a lively main strip running parallel to the beach. If you’d like, rent an ATV or golf cart to shuttle around the dusty roads more easily.

The majority of the shops, restaurants and tour services are located along Tamarindo’s main street. Beyond that, there is an area of BNB’s, hotels and hostels. You will often see surfers carrying their boards to and from the beach. Explore the small town’s streets and you may spot a group of howler monkeys hanging out in the trees. You’re bound to also see lizards, squirrels and frogs in this area.

You will notice that unlike other towns in Costa Rica, Tamarindo shops often have prices in USD and the servers all speak perfect English. Tamarindo tends to be pricey to buy goods, and has many small boutique shops to browse through. There are many vendors who walk along the beach selling hats, whistles, bracelets, fresh fruits and more.

Make sure to walk down to the beach to catch the sunsets – they’re incredible in Tamarindo!

Finding shelter from a flash rain storm in a cafe with a view of the main intersection.

Day 2: Walk from Playa Langosta to Playa Grande

One of the cool things about the Tamarindo area is the huge stretch of beaches. Playa Langosta is to the south of Tamarindo, and Playa Grande is to the north. You can walk either way and will have a ways to explore.

Walking to Playa Grande can be an interesting experience. When the tide is low, you can wade through the thigh high water of the estuary to reach the other side. If the tide is too high, you can often find local boats shuttling tourists across for a small fee. Just wave at any boat you see and they will likely give you a lift. If you want, hire an Uber to take you to the entrance of Playa Grande. Driving will take much longer, though.

Playa Grande earns it’s name at 64 kilometres long. The waves are strong here, as they are along this entire coastal area, so be careful of rip tides when swimming. The beach is part of the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas. There is a small ‘taco’ stand (the tacos are more like burritos or wraps) where you can buy casual food and drinks. If you continue towards the road you can find an information booth for the park.

On the other end of Playa Tamarindo lies Playa Langosta. It is an area full of large private residences, but the beachfront remains public as is the law in Costa Rica. Walk to the south end of Tamarindo beach where you will see a rocky outcrop. Look near the edge of the forest and cliffs for a sign with an arrow pointing up towards the outcrop. It will say ‘to San Francisco point’. Walk this trail a short ways to end up on the outcrop. This is a photogenic spot so take some nice pictures before heading back along the trail. Exit towards Playa Langosta. This beach is much quieter than Tamarindo, so it can be a welcome escape from the crowds. But the water is very rough here. There are shaded areas near the edge of the beach. To return to Tamarindo, retrace your steps towards Tamarindo beach.

A peek of Playa Langosta taken from the lookout.

Day 3: Take a sunset catamaran ride

One of the highlights of Tamarindo is the gorgeous sunsets on the Pacific. What makes the view even better? Being on a boat with friends and free drinks. Native’s Way has an awesome boat tour that you can book here. You will be taken to Pirate’s Cove, a private beach where you can swim, kayak and stand up paddle board. Then you will enjoy a delicious lunch and sip on bottomless drinks. As the sun sets, the party starts. The crew members are a lot of fun, too!

Day 4: Take surf lessons

Many people travel to Tamarindo with the sole purpose of riding the waves all day every day. If this is you, you definitely will want to take surf lessons with a local. There are many instructors you can find on the beach or in boutique stores across the town. The waves are small enough that they’re beginner friendly, but still attract seasoned pros. You may want to bring your rash guard with you, as clothing is pricey in Costa Rica.

Day 5: Check out the food truck park

There are countless options for food in Tamarindo, from local casado and ceviche to hamburgers and hipster coffee shops. A great place to eat is the food truck park, located south of the town at the main entrance to the beachfront. The cuisine available ranges from Caribbean, Venezuelan, El Salvadorian, Asian, as well as a bakery, bar and cafe. Enjoy the open air and laid back vibes while enjoying a wide range of options.

Enjoy Tamarindo!

Partying on the streets or relaxing on the beach. Whatever you choose to do in this popular surf town, I hope you have a great time. If you’ve travelled to Tamarindo, what did you think? Leave me a comment below!