Zulu Surf Hotel

The best time to visit Tamarindo is during the dry season, from December through April, when you can expect sunny days and warm temperatures. The most pleasant months are typically January through March, with lower humidity and reliable beach weather. The rainiest stretch runs from September to October, when afternoon downpours are common and the forest turns lush. The green season from May to November offers fewer crowds and a more dramatic landscape, though you will likely encounter some rain.

Stay in Tamarindo Beach for easy access to the main beach and dining, ideal for first-timers. Playa Langosta, just south, suits a quieter, more residential feel. For a laid-back, nature-oriented stay, consider the outskirts near the estuary. Hotels like Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel and The Coast Beachfront Hotel are in the beach area, while Occidental Tamarindo All Inclusive is in Playa Langosta.

Tamarindo Beach is the main draw, with wide sand and reliable surf for swimming or watching sunsets. Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas protects a key leatherback turtle nesting site, so visit during the nesting season to see these giants. These two are the standout sights in town, and both are easy to reach on foot or by a short drive.

You can take full-day tours to Rincon de la Vieja volcano for hiking, waterfalls, and hot springs, and to Monteverde Cloud Forest for ziplining and hanging bridges. A Nicaragua tour crosses the border for a different country experience. Whitewater rafting trips run on Class III and IV rivers. These tours each take a full day, so plan to add an extra day to your stay for one.