Tamarindo is a small town with an outsized list of things to do, and the trick is knowing which ones are actually worth your time. This is our real list, not a padded one, starting with the activity that gets us out of bed every morning.
1. Scuba diving the Catalina Islands
- Half-day, two-tank dive
- Best for certified divers and first-timers alike
- Never dived before? Try a Discover Scuba Diving session first
The Catalina Islands are a short boat ride from Tamarindo and one of Costa Rica's richest dive sites, with more than twenty pinnacles and reefs, manta rays passing through from December to May, and eagle rays, reef sharks and sea turtles year-round. It's what this stretch of coast is actually known for underwater, and it's the reason most of our guests end up booking a second dive before their trip is over.
2. Surfing Tamarindo's beach break
- 1–2 hours, lesson or session
- Best for all levels, genuinely beginner-friendly
- Mornings are usually glassier, before the wind picks up
Tamarindo's beach break is one of the reasons the town became a surf destination in the first place: forgiving enough for a first lesson, with enough punch to keep intermediate surfers interested. Boards and lessons are easy to find right in town, and for something more advanced, Playa Grande and Playa Avellanas are both a short drive away.
3. ATV tours through the countryside
- 2–3 hours, guided tour
- Best for groups looking for a change of pace from the beach
- Wear closed shoes, since tours often end at a beach or waterfall stop
A good way to see the dry-forest countryside behind Tamarindo that most beach-based itineraries miss entirely. Routes wind through farmland and forest trails, usually in a small convoy with a guide, and often finish somewhere you can rinse off: a beach, a river, sometimes a waterfall depending on the operator.
4. Sportfishing offshore
- Half or full day charter
- Best for anglers and groups chartering a boat together
- Mahi-mahi, tuna and sailfish are the local targets, season-dependent
Guanacaste's offshore waters are well known in the sportfishing world, and Tamarindo has a solid fleet of charter boats to show for it. Half-day trips stay closer to shore; full-day trips head further out for the bigger pelagics. Either way it's a full boat day, so pair it with sunscreen and sea legs rather than a packed schedule.
5. Sunset sailing
- 2–3 hours, late afternoon
- Best for couples and groups, no experience needed
- Book close to sunset, since catamarans usually include drinks or snacks
A slower way to see the coastline, and one of the easiest activities in Tamarindo to book last-minute. Most trips are on a catamaran, timed to be on the water as the sun goes down over the Pacific, worth it for the view alone even before factoring in the drinks that usually come with it.
6. Snorkeling
- 1–2 hours, guided
- Best for non-divers, families, and kids
- The Catalina Islands have noticeably better visibility than the beaches right off Tamarindo
The easiest way into the water for anyone not ready to strap on a tank. It's the same marine life the divers are seeing, minus the depth: tropical fish, rays and, in season, the giant mantas. Boat-based snorkeling trips out to the Catalina Islands are worth the extra step over snorkeling straight off the beach; the visibility difference is real.
7. Mangrove estuary tour
- ~2 hours, boat or kayak
- Best for birdwatchers and calm-water paddlers
- Early morning is best, before the heat and the wind pick up
The Tamarindo estuary, part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, is a quiet counterpoint to the beach scene a few minutes away, with mangrove channels, herons and other wading birds, and the occasional crocodile sighting from a safe distance. Go by kayak for a slower pace or by boat if you'd rather cover more ground.
8. Turtle nesting tour at Las Baulas
- Evening, seasonal (Oct–Mar)
- Best for nature lovers visiting in leatherback season
- Only licensed guides are allowed on the beach at night, so book an official tour
Playa Grande, inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, is one of Costa Rica's key leatherback turtle nesting beaches. Nesting season runs roughly October through March, and access after dark is restricted to protect the turtles. A licensed guide is required, so this isn't one to try and DIY.
9. Beach hopping along the coast
- Half or full day, self-paced
- Best for anyone with a rental car and no fixed plan
- See our full guide: the 10 best beaches near Tamarindo
Tamarindo sits in the middle of one of Guanacaste's best stretches of coast, and every beach nearby has its own personality: some built for swimming, some surf-only, some barely developed at all. Worth a full day with a rental car if you want to see more than just the beach in front of your hotel.
10. Yoga and wellness classes
- 60–90 min class
- Best for all levels, a good rest-day activity
- Many studios offer sunrise or sunset classes overlooking the beach
Tamarindo has a genuinely good yoga scene, a byproduct of the same surf-town crowd that built the beach break's reputation. It's an easy way to fill a rest day between more active ones. Book a sunrise class before the heat sets in, or a sunset one to wind down.
Where to start
If you only do one thing on this list, make it the dive: it's the reason Tamarindo's coastline looks the way it does both above and below the water, and everything else on this list is easier to appreciate once you've seen it firsthand. Never dived before? Start with a Discover Scuba Diving session, or if you're already certified, book a fun dive at the Catalina Islands.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best first activity to try in Tamarindo?
Scuba diving at the Catalina Islands is Tamarindo's signature activity: a short boat ride out to one of Costa Rica's richest dive sites. Beginners can try it through a Discover Scuba Diving session, no certification required.
Do I need to be a certified diver to go scuba diving in Tamarindo?
No. Discover Scuba Diving lets first-timers dive with an instructor after a short briefing, with no prior certification needed. Certified divers can go straight to a fun dive.
When is the best time to see turtles nesting near Tamarindo?
Leatherback turtles nest at Playa Grande, inside Las Baulas National Marine Park, mainly from October through March. Only licensed guides are permitted on the beach at night during nesting season.
Is Tamarindo a good destination for non-divers?
Yes. Surfing, ATV tours, sportfishing, sunset sailing, snorkeling, and yoga are all popular in Tamarindo and don't require any diving experience.
Do I need a rental car to enjoy Tamarindo's activities?
Not for most of them. Tour operators typically include transport. A car mainly helps for beach hopping along the coast at your own pace.