Tamarindo is located on the northern pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Province of Guanacaste. The main draws of the town are surfing and eco-tourism. A multi-cultural community, Tamarindo boasts several bakeries, coffee shops, an outdoor vegetable market and more than 40 restaurants. Whether you like to eat Vegetarian, 'Tipico' Costa Rican, Italian or Sea Food, it is all here. 
Howler Monkeys are heard and seen swinging on branches throughout Tamarindo. In some restaurants giant Iguanas will come up to your table expecting table scraps. In the late afternoons you can hear the parakeets screeching in the trees, preparing to settle down for the night. The town also has a very active nightlife, and features many local musicians on a regular basis. Latin music is everywhere and there is excellent opportunity to dance the Salsa, Merengue, Cumbia, “chill out” to some Reggae, or just watch the talented locals.
Tamarindo is surrounded by National Parks to its north and south, and mountains with breathtaking views to the east. It boasts a long beach, with excellent waves near the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be pretty strong, especially on a falling tide. Tamarindo has two main breaks for advanced surfers; Pico Pequeño a rocky point in front of the Hotel Tamarindo Diriá and the excellent river mouth break called El Estero. The rest of the beach breaks are perfect for learning how to surf.
The biggest waves can get up to 12 feet, although only during November and December. Tamarindo is a great place to use as home base as you explore many of the breaks to the north and south including Casitas and Playa Grande to the north and Langosta to the south.
Tamarindo's climate has two seasons, dry and rainy. During the hot and sunny dry season, from November through April, the humidity is very low and comfortable. The rainy season begins in late April or early May and continues through October. A typical day is sunny or partly cloudy until late afternoon or evening, when showers build inland and move offshore, often producing spectacular sunsets. Everything is green and lush during this time of year. Although there are no hurricanes here, a hurricane or tropical depression in the Atlantic or Caribbean often means rain for Tamarindo. Temperatures in Tamarindo range between 80 and 100 degrees year 'round.
Playa Grande
An important part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park, the stunning beach of Playa Grande with its pristine shoreline and clear blue sea, is one of the best beaches on the Guanacaste coast. Playa Grande is home to the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles that come ashore every year to lay their eggs on the beach. The leatherbacks take over the beach from November to April, digging their nests up to one meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the pit with sand, returning once again to the sea. After 60 to 90 days, the hatchlings emerge and immediately make their way back to the water.
There are lots of other eco-friendly activities including watching turtles during their nesting season at night. During the December to April period when the water turbidity is low, shore fishing is excellent with Jack’s, Dorado, Sea Bass and Rooster Fish amongst the possible catches.
Another popular reason for visiting Playa Grande is for the excellent surfing found here on the main beach. Playa Grande is much more quiet than Playa Tamarindo, but the surf here is equally good. In fact, according to some expert surfers the breaks and swells are consistent enough for it to be rated as among the overall best surf spots in the country.
Playa Langosta
Lying on the Pacific Northwest Coast, just south of Tamarindo, one of the most popular destinations on the North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, is the exotic and sandy beach of Playa Langosta. Known for its amazing surfing,
Playa Langosta is ideal for those who want to have some fun while enjoying the stunning beauty of the area.
A great place for a quiet stroll, the beach is littered with shells, and a variety of marine life. You can watch pelicans dive into water, resurface with a pouch full of fish, then tilt their heads back to swallow their catch. Playa Langosta at its southern end sits near the mouth of an estuary and has an excellent surf break, attracting surfers from Tamarindo who prefer to surf amid some peace and quiet. Just 2.5 km from Tamarindo village, Playa Langosta is an excellent place to spend a peaceful day.
