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Tamarindo’s Top 5 Unique Beaches to Visit This Year

These beaches in Tamarindo are the ideal place for perfecting your tan, swimming, surfing and relaxing during your vacation to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has more than 1.300 kilometres (800 miles) of coastline on the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean so you have plenty of beaches to choose from.

One of the best places to visit in Costa Rica if you are a beach lover is Guanacaste Province as it has one of the most spectacular beaches in the country.

This beautiful area is located 4 hours drive from San Jose or 50 minutes by plane from the International airport of San Jose to Liberia, the closest domestic airport.

Some of them are covered with dark sand, while others have white sand; some of them are isolated while others have all the facilities you need.

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beaches in Tamarindo Playa Grande Costa Rica

beaches Tamarindo Playa Grande Costa Rica

 

From such a large variety of beaches near Tamarindo, I am sure you will find one perfect for you and your family.

In this article, I will present to you 5 of the most spectacular Tamarindo beaches, the characteristics of each of them and the best place to stay in the area.

Beaches in Tamarindo

Tamarindo beach

One of the most popular beaches from Latin America, not just Costa Rica, Tamarindo beach is a long and wide strip of white sand always full of people.

The beach is located right near the town of Tamarindo, which is one of the biggest beach towns in the area, home to a very large ex-pat community.

The beach is great for walking and swimming and it is a great surfing beach too as the waves and the currents are pretty strong.

 

Tamarindo Beach Tropical Costa Rica

Tamarindo Beach Tropical Costa Rica

 

In the nearby area, you will find a few surf shops where you can buy all kind of stuff for your favourite activity.

Because there is not much shade, I would not recommend this place for sunbathing if you don’t have an umbrella with you.

The beach has all the facilities you need for a great time on the beach, including restaurants, shops, restrooms and umbrellas and sun chairs to rent.

 

Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica Surf

Tamarindo Beach Costa Rica Surf

 

The beach town of Tamarindo has a very active nightlife so you can party with your friends at one of the local bars and restaurants located right near the ocean.

Playa Conchal beach

One of the most spectacular beaches near Tamarindo is definitely Playa Conchal, a stunning place that looks exactly like the exotic beaches from the commercials you see on TV.

The beach is located just 15 minutes by car north of Pura Vida House and attracts its visitors with its turquoise waters and white sandy beach located right near the jungle.

 

Conchal Beach Guanacaste Costa Rica

Conchal Beach Guanacaste Costa Rica

 

One of the most exotic beaches in Tamarindo, Conchal is the best place to go if you are interested in all kinds of water sport activities like snorkelling, lobster fishing and ocean kayaking.

This beautiful beach is much quieter and peaceful than Playa Tamarindo, so it is a great place for a walk on the beach ended with a delicious seafood meal at one of the local restaurants from the area.

 

Conchal Beach Costa Rica

Conchal Beach Costa Rica

 

As the waves break quite close to the shore, this beach near Tamarindo is not a great spot for surfing, but it is perfect for snorkelling, especially on the northern end where there are some rocks in the water.

While in the area, we recommend you to book a tour to the nearby Catalina Islands, a great place to observe marine life and to practice ocean fishing.

You can also rent a “panga” which is a small boat used for fishing and go out on the ocean and fish your lobster for dinner.

Playa Grande

Located in the protected area of Las Baulas National Park, Playa Grande is one of the most important nesting areas for leatherback turtles.

These incredible animals, the leatherback turtles are the largest marine turtles in the world and unfortunately are an endangered species, so it is a privilege to see them with your own eyes.

 

Playa Grande Beach Costa Rica

Playa Grande Beach Costa Rica

 

One of the most interesting Tamarindo beaches is a very famous spot among surfers from all over the world, especially for intermediate and advanced ones.

You’ll find here a great place to relax and reconnect to nature, a strip of sand perfect for walking and playing in the sand ended with a beautiful sunset seen from the beach.

Stay safe while you travel

  • medical safety abroad
  • medical assistance including COVID-19
  • emergency medical evacuation
  • trip interruption -up to $5.000
  • travel delay - up to $100/day

Playa Langosta beach

A hidden gem of beaches in Tamarindo is Playa Langosta, a beautiful beach located just 2.5 kilometres (1.2 miles) north of Tamarindo beach.

It is a long strip of white sand beach, not very crowded, ideal for walking, collecting seashells from the sand and taking a swim into the ocean.

When you enter the beach you will find some cabanas with lounge chairs where you can stay and a pretty basic restroom where you can change your clothes.

 

Playa Langosta beach Costa Rica

Playa Langosta beach Costa Rica

 

The good news is that the beach is not very crowded, being a great alternative to the busy and noisy Playa Tamarindo.

We liked to walk along the beach and listen to the waves but also observe the marine creatures from the tidal pools formed on the beach.

You can also take an estuary boat tour and watch the sunset from the sea, or why not take a day trip and explore the beautiful Rincon de la Vieja National Park or Diamante Adventure Park and try their famous zip-lining.

Playa Flamingo

One of the most exotic beaches near Tamarindo is Playa Flamingo, a dream place with breathtaking scenery and white sand hidden in Guanacaste’s beautiful coast.

The sand from the beach is extremely soft, while the colour of the water is to die for; you can even see the fish swimming at your feet.

 

Playa Flamingo Beach of Costa Rica

Playa Flamingo Beach of Costa Rica

 

The nearby area is wild and untamed, so don’t be surprised to meet on your walk along with the beach sloths, monkeys and all kinds of animals and birds that live in the rainforest.

Flamingo Beach is one of those beaches where you can do more than perfecting your tan. You might experience new adventures and try new things like stand up paddling, horse ride riding on the beach and many more.

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Hotels in Tamarindo

  • Cala Luna Boutique Hotel Tamarindo one of the most beautiful boutique hotels in the Tamarindo area with a great spa, luxury rooms and a tasty restaurant. Cala Luna is the perfect place to stay for those of you looking for quieter places and a relaxing vibe.

 

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel Tamarindo Room Costa Rica

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel Tamarindo Room Costa Rica

 

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel Tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel Tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel room Tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel room Tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel pool Tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Cala Luna Boutique Hotel pool Tamarindo Costa Rica

 

  • Jardin Del Eden Boutique Hotel Tamarindo Costa Rica is a great option to stay in Tamarindo as the hotel is located right on Tamarindo beach and features large rooms, a spa, an outdoor pool as well as a restaurant that serve Mediterranean, Asian and local dishes. The reception staff can assist you in booking snorkelling and diving tours, as well as horseback riding and fishing sessions.

 

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel room tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel room tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel pool tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Jardin del eden boutique hotel pool tamarindo Costa Rica

 

  • Les Voiles Blanches Tamarindo Costa Rica is a paradise nestled in the middle of the rainforest, with a beautiful garden and an outdoor pool. Some of the rooms feature an outdoor shower and a private terrace, while others are located in the unique A-frame design bungalow.

 

Hotel Les voiles blanches tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Les voiles blanches tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Les voiles blanches room tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Les voiles blanches room tamarindo Costa Rica

 

Hotel Les voiles blanches pool tamarindo Costa Rica

Hotel Les voiles blanches pool tamarindo Costa Rica

 

  • Tamarindo Diria Costa Rica is a family-friendly beachfront resort from Tamarindo that offers amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. It features 5 restaurants and 4 bars as well as a casino where you can spend some quality time with your family and friends.

Conclusion

These are the most beautiful beaches in Tamarindo where you can relax, practise watersports and enjoy the Costa Rican sun.

But this part of Costa Rica is not just about beaches and crystal clear waters; it is also about the rainforest, wildlife and marine life.

It is a pity to go to this area and not explore the marine parks and the national reservations located in the nearby area.

You will have the unique opportunity to meet unique animals and beautiful birds not to mention the rich flora from the area.

 

Logistical tips and tricks for your trip

Book your accommodation

We always use Booking.com as they have the best price-quality ratio and they offer a wide range of hotels, guesthouses, apartments, and villas to choose from.

You will find here all types of accommodations, from the cheapest ones to the most luxurious.

Don't forget travel insurance

We never leave home without HeyMondo Insurance or Safety Wings Insurance as they offer the best services and a good value for money, plus COVID coverage.

When we go for longer trips around the world we get Globelink Insurance as it offers a good cover for an affordable price.

Travel insurance will always protect you against unexpected events and cost like illness, COVID, injury, theft, or travel cancellation.

We never go on any trip without travel insurance and there were many cases when we had to use it.

Renting a car
We like to explore a country on our own and a car gives us the mobility and freedom to do that.

We always rent our car from Discovercars as they have free cancellation 48 hours prior to starting date and a wide range of car rental companies and options to choose from all over the world.

Tours and attractions
When we are looking for some adventure or we simply want to break up the monotony and discover new places, we always use GetYourGuide.

We love it because we always find the most amazing experiences, with free cancellation and a large variety of activities and tours to choose from.

Airplane tickets and holiday packages
Expedia is our ally when searching for the best price for airplane tickets as it works as an aggregator for a huge number of airlines and we always find the best price for our flights.

Travel tip: use Expedia when you are searching for holiday packages as they have many last-minute offers and great discounts for hotels, flights, and even the whole holiday packages.