Tamarindo is famous for its surf, but the best days here mix a morning wave with a mangrove boat ride, a sunset sail and dinner under the stars. Here is how we would spend a week.
Tamarindo sits on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, about an hour's drive from Liberia's international airport. It began as a fishing village, grew into Costa Rica's best-known surf town, and today mixes beach life with good restaurants, protected wildlife areas and some of the country's most beautiful coastline within an easy drive.
Cocoon Luxury Estate sits in the hills just above town, so everything below is close by — and our concierge team can book any of it for you.
1. Take a surf lesson on Playa Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo is one of the easiest places in Central America to learn to surf: a long, sandy beach with soft, rolling waves and dozens of surf schools along the shore. A two-hour lesson is enough for most beginners to stand up on day one.
Go early, when the wind is usually lightest, and ask your instructor to pick the tide — mid-tide tends to bring the gentlest waves. Experienced surfers have plenty more to choose from at Playa Langosta, Playa Grande and, a little further south, Avellanas and Playa Negra.
2. Sail into the sunset on a catamaran
Tamarindo's beach faces west, so the sun goes down straight into the ocean. The best seat for it is on the water. Afternoon catamaran cruises follow the coast, stop to snorkel or paddleboard in a quiet bay and turn for home as the sky changes colour. Dolphins often ride along the bow.
If you would rather have the boat to yourselves, a private charter for your group is easy to arrange — it is one of the favourite days of the guests who stay with us. See all our curated experiences.
3. Explore the Tamarindo estuary by boat or kayak
North of town, the Tamarindo River opens into an estuary lined with mangroves, part of the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. On a guided boat or kayak tour you can expect herons, kingfishers and, very often, crocodiles basking on the banks. Tours run with the tide, so let your guide choose the time.
One safety note every local will repeat: don't swim near the river mouth. The currents are strong there, and the crocodiles are real.
4. Watch leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande
Just across the estuary, Playa Grande is part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the most important nesting beaches in the world for the leatherback, the largest sea turtle on the planet.
Nesting season runs roughly from October to March, and the beach can only be visited at night with an official guide. Sightings are never guaranteed and numbers are far lower than they once were — which is exactly why the experience feels so special when it happens. No flash, no torches, and plenty of patience.
5. Go beach hopping along the coast
Tamarindo is a perfect base for discovering the Guanacaste coastline:
- Playa Langosta — walk south from town for a quieter beach with rock pools and some of the best sunsets in the area.
- Playa Conchal — about 40 minutes north, a bay made of tiny crushed shells, with clear, calm water for snorkelling.
- Playa Avellanas and Playa Negra — half an hour or so to the south, a more rustic stretch of coast loved by surfers, with a few laid-back beach restaurants.
- Playa Flamingo — to the north, with white sand and a marina for sailing and sportfishing charters.
6. Ride horses along the beach
Horseback rides follow quiet beaches and forest trails, and are at their best in the late afternoon, when the heat drops and the light turns golden. There are gentle rides for beginners and children as well as longer routes for experienced riders.
7. Fly through the canopy on a zipline
Several canopy tours within an hour of Tamarindo run cables through the dry tropical forest, some with views all the way to the coast. It is an easy half-day adventure that works for teenagers and adults alike — just check age and weight limits when you book.
8. Spend a day at Rincón de la Vieja
For a complete change of scenery, Rincón de la Vieja National Park lies about two hours inland, near Liberia. Its trails lead past bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles and waterfalls, and the hot springs and volcanic mud baths nearby are the perfect way to end the day. It is a full day out, so leave early.
9. Head out sportfishing
The waters off Tamarindo and Flamingo are known for sailfish, marlin, roosterfish and mahi-mahi. Half-day and full-day charters leave in the morning, and billfish are released after the photo. Even if you don't fish, a morning on the open Pacific is worth it.
10. Eat your way through Tamarindo
Tamarindo's food scene is much bigger than the town: fresh ceviche and fish tacos by the beach, a traditional casado at a local soda, and a handful of excellent restaurants for a special night out. Our concierge knows where to book and secures the tables.
Some nights, though, the best restaurant is at home. Our private chefs, Fabián and Sebastián, cook at the estate — from a Costa Rican feast with local ingredients to a tasting menu served by the pool.
11. Slow down at the estate
Not every day needs a plan. Spend the afternoon between the pool and the jacuzzi, book a massage on the terrace and let the evening come to you: a sunset picnic, a wine tasting with our sommelier or a fire show under the stars. After dark, the estate is at its most magical.
Tips for planning your days
- Mornings for activity, afternoons for rest. It is cooler and calmer before noon all year round, and in the green season (May to November) the rain usually arrives in the afternoon.
- Book ahead in high season. From December to April, turtle tours, catamarans and chef dinners fill up quickly.
- Keep one day free. Some of the best moments here are the unplanned ones.
Not sure when to come? Read our guide to the best time to visit Tamarindo. And if you would like help building your itinerary, tell us what you love and our concierge will have it ready before you arrive — get in touch.
