15 Things to Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica — Tips from a Local Tour Operator

We are not a travel blog — we are a family-run tour company that has spent years welcoming Tamarindo visitors to our forest. This is the list we give our own guests when they ask: "What else should we do while we're here?"

On the water

1. Learn to surf at Playa Tamarindo — gentle, consistent waves make it one of the best learner breaks in Central America.
2. Snorkel the calm side of Playa Langosta at low tide.
3. Take a sunset sailing cruise — Guanacaste sunsets deserve a front-row seat.
4. Paddleboard the Tamarindo estuary and spot herons, crocodiles (from a distance!) and mangrove life.
5. Surf Playa Grande if you already have some waves under your belt.

In the jungle (our home turf)

6. Fly through the rainforest on a zipline — the Skyline Canopy Tour runs above a protected forest that shades the Nimboyores aquifer, and kids from age 2 can join. Book your flight here.
7. Ride an ATV through forest trails — the ATV Tour gets you into landscapes no rental car reaches. Not sure whether you're an ATV or UTV person? We wrote a comparison.
8. Do both in one go with the Zipline + ATV combo — the best-value adrenaline day in the area and our most-booked package.
9. Zipline at golden hour on the Sunset Canopy Tour — fewer crowds, cooler air, unforgettable light. Here is why sunset is the magic slot.
10. Spot howler monkeys — you will hear them before you see them. Our forest is full of them, and the guides know where they nap.

Around town

11. Eat at the local sodas — casado, patacones and the freshest fish of your trip.
12. Visit the Tamarindo farmers market (Saturday mornings) for fruit you have never tried.
13. Watch leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande (October–March, guided night tours).
14. Day-trip to Rincón de la Vieja volcano — hot springs, mud baths and waterfalls.
15. Do absolutely nothing on the beach. You are on vacation — pura vida is a skill worth practicing.

How many days do you need?

• 3 days: beach + surf lesson + one adventure day in the forest (the Zipline + ATV combo covers the most ground).
• 5 days: add the Sunset Canopy Tour, the estuary and a lazy beach day.
• 7+ days: all of the above plus the volcano day-trip and turtle season if the dates line up.

When to come

November to April is dry, sunny high season. May to October ("green season") brings afternoon showers, greener forests, fewer people and better prices. The ziplines and ATVs run year-round — the forest is at its most beautiful right after rain.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a car in Tamarindo? Not for the beach and town. For tours, check pickup options when booking or write to us — we help guests solve transport all the time.

Which activities should I book in advance? Adventure tours and turtle tours sell out first in high season. Beaches never do. Book the forest first, build the beach days around it.

Is Tamarindo good for families? Excellent — calm beach sections, kid-friendly restaurants, and our canopy takes kids from age 2.

Plan your adventure days first

Beach days are flexible; adventure slots sell out. Lock in the canopy, the ATV or the combo — free cancellation up to 48 hours before, so there is zero risk in booking early. Questions? WhatsApp +506 6012-1414.