Tamarindo
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Sports: Surfing, Surf foiling, SUP
Best time to go: April–November
Tamarindo is a curved sandy bay on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, in north-west Costa Rica, and one of the country's best-known surf towns. The main beach has several gentle peaks over sand with some rocky patches, while the northern end ends at the mouth of the Tamarindo estuary, opposite Playa Grande.
South and south-west swells from about April to November bring the most consistent surf, and north-west swells add smaller waves in the dry season. Morning winds are usually offshore from the east and north-east, and in the dry season the Papagayo winds can blow offshore all day; afternoons often turn onshore in the green season. The bay is sheltered, so the waves stay smaller than at the neighbouring beaches, which makes it a good place for beginners, longboards and SUP. The estuary is home to crocodiles, so stay away from the rivermouth, especially around dawn, dusk and after rain. Rip currents form near the rocks and the estuary. The line-up is crowded with surf schools. The water is warm all year, about 27–30°C, so boardshorts or a lycra are enough.
Spots near Tamarindo
- Playa Grande – Tamarindo (4 km)
- Playa Avellanas (8 km)
- Playa Negra – Guanacaste (11 km)
- Nosara – Playa Guiones (45 km)
- Witch's Rock – Playa Naranjo (58 km)
- Ollie's Point – Potrero Grande (61 km)
- Bahía Salinas (83 km)
- Lake Arenal – Tilarán (99 km)
More: All spots in Costa Rica · Surfing in Costa Rica · Surf foiling in Costa Rica · SUP in Costa Rica