Not everyone on a dive trip wants to dive, and Tamarindo is one of the few Costa Rican dive towns where that's genuinely not a problem. It grew up as a surf town before it was a dive destination, and it sits inside the boundaries of a national park built to protect one of the largest sea turtles on Earth — which means a non-diving day here has more going on than "wait at the hotel."
Las Baulas: a national park most visitors don't realize they're standing in
Tamarindo Bay itself lies inside Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas, a protected area covering roughly 7.7 km² of land and about 171 km² of ocean extending 12 nautical miles offshore, according to Costa Rica's national park authority, SINAC.1 The park exists specifically to protect nesting leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), a critically endangered species that comes ashore at Playa Grande, Playa Ventanas and Playa Langosta — all within a short drive of Tamarindo itself.1
Nesting season runs from October into February, with SINAC citing October 20 to February 15 as the core window; beach access during that period is restricted to guided evening tours after 5pm to protect the nesting turtles, arranged through the park's ranger station rather than independently.1 The same park also protects the Tamarindo Estuary, a wetland recognized for its international ecological importance, where mangrove-lined channels are home to crocodiles, howler monkeys and a long list of wading birds.1
Surf, from beginner beach breaks to Henry's Right
Tamarindo's beach break is one of the more forgiving places in Guanacaste to stand up on a board for the first time, which is why it's become one of Costa Rica's best-known learn-to-surf towns. More experienced surfers head slightly further out to reef breaks like Henry's Right and Henry's Left, or north to Playa Grande, generally considered intermediate-to-advanced; in total there are roughly ten recognized surf spots within reach of town, enough that lesson levels and board rentals are a standard, easy-to-arrange part of a visit.2
"Tamarindo grew up as a surf town — the dive scene came later, which is part of why there's this much to do here on the days you're not underwater."
On the water without a tank
The same estuary system that shelters the leatherback nesting beaches can be explored by kayak with a guide, paddling the calm channels between Tamarindo and Playa Grande while watching for crocodiles sunning on the banks and the estuary's resident bird life.2 Sunset sailing trips are a well-established local fixture too, typically running a few hours with stops for swimming or snorkeling along the way — a lower-key alternative to a dive day that still puts everyone on the water together.2
Inland, if you want a day off the coast entirely
A short drive inland brings you to small eco-parks offering zip-lining and horseback riding, and to waterfalls such as La Leona, where swimming and cliff-jumping tours are run alongside the more sedate option of simply taking in the view.2 None of it requires more than half a day, which makes it easy to pair with a dive or two for the rest of the group.