Tamarindo Beach is one of Costa Rica's most popular beaches for foreign residents. Its dry tropical climate, white beaches and surrounding national park is a big draw. Tamarindo has been experiencing a growth spurt for the last 7 years, and construction and real estate is booming. Its growing tourist industry provides plenty of opportunities for new businesses. No one knows exactly how many residents live here, but it's for sure almost everyone knows each other. Tamarindo is one of the most multi cultural communities in Costa Rica. The three dominant nationalities are Costa Rica, North American and Italian, but you'll also see many Argentinians, French, German, Swiss... It is a small town with two hardware stores, three supermarkets, two bakeries, two hair dressers, a day spa, one bank and lots of tourist oriented businesses. Theaters, museums, good hospitals and doctors are all located in San Jose, a 5 hr drive away. To get to San Jose there are three public buses, two shuttle buses and seven daily flights.

Schooling
Tamarindo is the only town out side the Central Valley to have an international K-12 college-prep school. Country Day School, a private school established in 1963, opened a branch in 2000 just a few kilometers north of Tamarindo. It will open a boarding school in August 2003. A bilingual elementary school, Niños del Mundo, offers classes for students in preK-4th grade and provides an affordable holistic education. There are many public schools in the area, including a bilingual Catholic school in Santa Cruz.

Living
The cost of living in Costa Rica is cheaper than in North America and Europe but not by a wide margin. If you own a car and a house you can live well on $1500-$2000 per month, including housekeeping and gardening services. Out-of-country income is not taxed, Costa Rica income taxes and property taxes are very low by comparison. (The out-of-country tax is under revision and may change.) If you come to Tamarindo planning to live off a very small budget this may not be the right place for you. Tamarindo is part of the Gold Coast and a top tourist destination and therefore not cheap. Dining out, groceries and utilities are more expensive than in San Jose.

 

Getting Here

Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste is the most accessible location along the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica with an airstrip serviced 7 days a week from San José by two airlines: SANSA, the national airline, and Travelair, a private regular schedule airline. Private charter services are available as well. Scheduled daily bus service to and from San José, as well as surrounding communities, is available by a variety of companies. There is also a paved highway from San José for those who wish to rent a car and drive the countryside (4-5 hrs. to Tamarindo).

The new international airport in Liberia, Guanacaste is now open to international arrivals, currently flights to and from Miami. The airport is just a 45 minute drive from Tamarindo.

A Natural Wonderland

Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by a cape, Cabo Velas (velas is Spanish for sails, or sailfish). Playa Grande lies to the north of Tamarindo Beach inside the bay. The two beaches are separated by a natural salt water estuary, Estero Tamarindo. South of Tamarindo Bay there is another beautiful estuary and beach, Playa Langosta.

Both Playa Grande and Playa Langosta are protected nesting areas for the giant leatherback turtle, and are part of the Costa Rican national park system. These beaches are the major nesting areas worldwide for the turtles, which arrive from October to March to lay their eggs. Tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible spectacle. Another very special tour is the jungle boat ride. Small groups are ferried on locally built skiffs deep into the mysterious mangrove forest, where a breathtaking diversity of birds, mammals, and reptiles can be seen.

Accommodations and Services

Tamarindo hosts an excellent variety of hotels, from economy to luxury. Also available are a large selection of cabinas with A/C, some with kitchenettes, all at an economy rate. Tamarindo has several condominiums, private beach houses and B & B's. Maid and laundry services are available to make your stay a comfortable and relaxing one. There are accomodations to fit every budget.

Tamarindo boasts an amazing selection of fine international and typical Costa Rican restaurants. Tamarindo has a Belgian bakery, as well as restaurants catering to health-conscious and vegetarian patrons. You will never tire of sampling the wonderful variations of uniquely prepared specialities featuring the abundant supply of fresh local seafood, fruits and vegetables.

Tamarindo also has grocery stores, fresh produce and fruit juice stands, an ice factory, a variety of souvenir and clothing shops, an art gallery, medical clinic, a full service bank with ATM machine, a real estate office, hardware stores, laudromats, internet cafes. Our area now has a new school, Country Day School, which is just a 15 minute drive from Tamarindo.

Water Sports and other Activities

Tamarindo Bay has become a mecca for surfers and blue water sport fishermen. Our sport fishing fleet of talented and conservation oriented captains are the pioneers of the Pacific coast. Their record catches of marlin, sailfish, giant tuna and other species have become legendary. Whether you want deep bluewater fishing, or reef or shoreline fishing, our fleet can accommodate you. Surf casting and handlining in front of your hotel for snook and jack are also popular. Any way you do it you can be sure to have your fresh catch cooked up for you at one of the friendly beachfront restaurants.

Warm water surfing is enjoyed year 'round and families find this area offers opportunities for surfers of all skill levels to enjoy the great waves that bless this part of the coast. Tamarindo was the first stop on an epic worldwide surf journey in the popular movie Endless Summer II.

Visitors also have access to SCUBA diving, snorkeling trips, beach cruises, water skiing, jet skiing, catamarans, ocean and river kayaking, wind surfing, sailing cruises and horseback riding. Bicycles, beach gear, surfboards, boogie boards and equipment of all types are available for rental from specialty stores.

Our latest news is the opening of a new, Ron Garl designed, 18 hole championship golf course on Playa Grande, just a few minutes' drive from Tamarindo.

Tamarindo's Climate

Tamarindo's climate has two seasons, dry and rainy. The dry season, from November through April, is dry, hot and sunny. 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 F. year 'round.