Playa Tamarindo has no shortage of fun and relaxing things to do. There are activities for the tourists who want to stretch out on a yoga mat and for those who like to drift away during a healing massage. But there is still plenty to do for those who like the excitement of paddleboarding, surfing, snorkeling and jungle zip lines. Having tours for a bit of everything makes Tamarindo one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.

Playa Tamarindo

When the destination is Playa Tamarindo from the US, you will likely fly into San Jose, Costa Rica, initially. You can stop there for the night and enjoy the museums and open markets the big city has to offer. If you go to the Mercado Central, be sure to ask around for queso palmito, a local delicacy that is a mild white cheese that pulls apart in layers.

Playa Tamardino is located on the Pacific coast, so you’ll need to board one more plane to arrive at your tropical paradise. So, go back to the airport once you’ve done all the fun touristy stuff in San Jose. You’ll board a small plane and fly into the Tamardino airport. Hailing a taxi is always easy and you’ll find most of the taxi drivers speak English.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get a driver who is also available for driving you around on a private tour. Many of the drivers love to show you the beauty of Costa Rica for a small hourly rate. Private tours are necessary if you want to see some specific parts of Costa Rica on your own time schedule. Group tours are also available for the major attractions, but sometimes you’ll want to see the tortugas laying eggs on the beach or hike Manual Antonio (the national park) on your own.

If you are lucky enough to be staying at Casa de Luz, which is 5 minutes from Playa Tamarindo, your hosts there will have many more suggestions. Always feel free to ask questions about local life and things to see.