Reasons Why You Should Visit Tamarindo Over San Jose

San Jose and Tamarindo couldn’t be more different. The former is the cosmopolitan capital city; the latter the most popular beach town in the country. But if you’re split between the two, here’s why you might choose Tamarindo over San Jose.

Tempted to visit both San Jose and Tamarindo? You can do so with Culture Trip by joining our specially curated nine-day Costa Rica adventure.

The surf and the beach

Playa Tamarindo is one of the top surfing spots in Costa Rica

Tamarindo is well known for having excellent surf and a beautiful beach. There are several breaks along Playa Tamarindo and many others within driving distance, including several beginner-friendly spots. Pitch up at one of the many nearby surf shops and schools to get your equipment or hire an instructor. Your day will probably end with a spectacular sunset.

Tamarindo offers the chance to go on a variety of tours, such as zip lining, horseback riding, waterfall hiking, riding ATVs or paddleboarding. You can also take rainforest excursions, view volcanoes, and go on estuary and mangrove boat tours and catamaran trips. Book your adventure from one of the many tour offices around town.

You can also get to Arenal, Monteverde and Rincon de la Vieja easily from Tamarindo. It’s only around an hour’s drive to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport, or you can take Nature Air and Sansa flights from Tamarindo Airport.

The divine dining

There are more than 100 restaurants in Tamarindo – some among the best in Costa Rica. For quick bites there are plenty of cute cafes and sandwich shops. Our top recommendations are Pangas, Seasons, Bamboo Sushi Club, Wok and Roll, Matty’s Cafe and La Esquina.

Pitch up at one of the beach-side restaurants in Tamarindo for a romantic evening

The nightlife

Tamarindo has a happening nightlife. There is always something going on, whether it’s live music, karaoke, a DJ or a full moon party. Almost every beach bar has a happy hour to start off your evening, then decide what type of fiesta you’re after. Bars such as Aqua, Sharky’s and Pacifico stay open until at least 2am on busy nights. Don’t forget to have a shot of guaro, the national liquor.

The yoga and wellness

If partying isn’t your thing, Tamarindo has plenty of yoga and wellness facilities. Head to Coco Spa or Revive Wellness Center for massages, facials, manicures and pedicures. Or, if you really want to treat yourself, head just outside of town to Los Altos de Eros, where you can soak in an Indonesian tub or enjoy a treatment in one of their open-air rooms – all while admiring views over the Pacific Ocean and Costa Rican jungle.

Enjoy beach yoga on your trip to Tamarindo

The community events

Tamarindo is home to a sizeable expat community, with lots of events taking place throughout the year. Look out for theatre productions, fundraisers, food and beer festivals, marathons, beach clean-ups and live music performances. Events are advertised through flyers and posters and in the Swell Dealer, a local newspaper you can find at supermarkets around town. You can also find out what’s happening by asking your hotel concierge.

The shopping

Pick up a special souvenir in one of the boutique shops in Tamarindo

For such a small town, there are a lot of shops here. You can find great souvenir shops, surf shops, bikini shops, boutique stores, jewellery shores and speciality markets just by wondering around the main street. You are bound to find special gifts, the perfect bikini, your next surfboard, a new holiday outfit, or a locally made piece of jewellery that will remind you of your incredible stay here.

The chance to walk everywhere

You can walk everywhere here. All the restaurants, bars and shops are within an easy stroll of each other and the beach. Plus parking is difficult, particularly during the day. Walking not your thing? Hire a golf cart or bike, or book a private shuttle or taxi.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.