In short
Tamarindo is a former fishing town in Guanacaste, on the northern Pacific coast, turned into one of Costa Rica's busiest beach resorts. Its local nickname, "Tamagringo", says enough about the share of North American residents and visitors.
The town runs along one main street parallel to the beach. Everything here is geared to surfing, excursions and eating out.
Arriving and getting around
Liberia international airport is about an hour away by road and takes direct flights from North America — which is what made the region's success. San José is four or five hours away.
The town is walked. A car, preferably high-clearance, is useful for the neighbouring beaches: the access tracks are poor and some rivers are forded in the rainy season.
What it really costs
Tamarindo is expensive by Costa Rican standards, and operates largely in US dollars. Prices are close to those of a North American resort.
The neighbouring villages — Playa Langosta, Playa Avellanas, Nosara — are quieter and often cheaper.
When to come
December–April is the dry season: high season, with permanently clear skies and scorched vegetation.
May–November, the green season, brings late-day showers, lush vegetation, fewer people and lower prices. September–October are the wettest months.
There is swell all year, which is what makes the surfing here so consistent.
What nobody tells you
Las Baulas marine national park, just to the north, protects leatherback turtle nesting. Observation outings on Playa Grande take place at night, mainly from October to February, only with an approved guide and under strict rules — no white light, no flash photography. Populations of this species have declined sharply: the number of outings is limited.
The estuary bordering the beach holds crocodiles and is not swum across, despite how close Playa Grande looks. A boat makes the crossing.
Rip currents are regular on this beach. The patrolled zone is small, and visitor drownings are a documented problem in Costa Rica.