Tamarindo, Costa Rica is well known as the epicenter of all the action on the Pacific coast of the Guanacaste peninsula. It’s also a major surf destination, and rightfully so, the beaches here are prime conditions ALL YEAR long for surfing. But this region is more than just surf, these are the best outdoor adventures near Tamarindo, Costa Rica that should not be missed!
We spent 2 months in Tamarindo one Summer and were on a mission to uncover all the best outdoor adventures in the Guanacaste area, all within a 2 hour or less drive from Tamarindo (which make it the ideal central location!). Tamarindo is also close to several national parks and wildlife refuges, as well as some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica. Not only that, but Tamarindo boasts more sunny days than most all of Costa Rica, making it a perfect getaway even in the wet or rainy season.
A quick note on where to stay and how to get around if you come to Tamarindo. We stayed in an Airbnb while we were there because it saved us money on long-term housing and food (since we were there for 2 months), but we do have a few other recommendations in case you want a hotel or hostel.
If you prefer more luxury style lodging, the JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste is pretty hard to beat. However, the Westin Golf Resort & Spa (all inclusive) is also top notch and closest to one of our favorite beaches in the Guanacaste region, Playa Conchal. Want to be right on the beach AND the town where all the restaurants and shops are? The Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort is beautiful and a perfect location situated right on Tamarindo Beach!
Other more budget-friendly options closer to Tamarindo include Hotel Luna Llena, Seahorse Beach & Dive Center, and Antema Lodge (all of which have the highest ratings on Trip Advisor too!). Make sure to check Booking.com for all the best rates and specials, plus availability.
As for getting around Costa Rica, if there is one thing we strongly recommend when you come here, it’s to rent a 4 X 4 vehicle. Because Costa Rica has so many mountainous, dirt roads it really is necessary if you plan or want to explore the country or even just the Guanacaste area around Tamarindo. We did a lot of research and read a lot of reviews, and hands-down the best car rental service is a local Costa Rican run company, Vamos Rent-a-Car.
Not only did we find reasonable rates with Vamos (compared to other internationally known brands like Alamo or Hertz), but they really go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need. They also often include extras like a cooler or boogie boards!
One more note about Vamos. Whether you fly into Liberia (the closest airport to Tamarindo) or San Jose (the most common), you can pick up your rental car from either location since they have offices in both Liberia and San Jose.
Now, onto the real meat of that matter, the FUN! The good news is if you come to Costa Rica, you will never be bored. There is so much to do and see, especially if you enjoy nature and wildlife (and have a sense of adventure)! It was hard to choose our favorite outdoor adventures near Tamarindo, but we narrowed it down to the best of the best, all of which are great for families!
Top Outdoor Adventures Near Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Ride ATV’s
One thing you will notice if you stay in Tamarindo is how many people drive ATV’s or even golf carts around. This seems to be a preferred mode of transportation for many tourists. While that isn’t a bad idea if you don’t plan to go too far outside Tamarindo, we would suggest taking an ATV out for the day and driving to some off-the-beaten path beaches. The best way to do this would be to go with an organized tour so you know where to go and can find all the best spots (and fun roads to drive down!).
We loved the ATV Secluded Beach & Snorkel tour with Native’s Way because we went on some fun dirt roads (with puddles!) two beautiful, quiet beaches just north of Tamarindo. Native’s Way also offers UTV tours, check them out! Tours cost between $45-75 per person.
Horseback riding on the beach
We didn’t do this near Tamarindo, but we wish we had! We saw lots of people riding horses on the beaches around Tamarindo, but also at nearby beaches! This is such a great family-friendly activity and a peaceful way to see the scenery. We would suggest going at sunset as the sun goes down right over the water!
Our top recommendation for horseback riding on the beach would be the Sunset tour at Playa Conchal with Pacific Horses, as this beach is beautiful with its white sandy shores and turquoise, calm water. Cost can be anywhere from $40-100 per person depending on the length and location of tour.
Visit Rio Celeste
You might have seen pictures of the famous Gatorade-colored waterfalls and rivers of Rio Celeste and let me just say, it’s worth the hype. It’s a little bit of a drive to get there from Tamarindo (about 2.5 hr away), however it’s do-able and worth the hype. Our one suggestion would be not to go on a holiday or weekend as it will be more crowded with the locals.
Get an early start in the morning (leave by 6AM), so you can you can beat the crowds to the falls. Take plenty of snacks and water, as there are lots of trails to explore (but don’t skip out on buying the homemade empanadas in the. parking lot when you get done!). It’s also a good idea to bring a rain jacket as the weather can be temperamental and change at the drop of a hat. You should wear good, sturdy hiking shoes, as the trails are often muddy. Bug spray is a good idea too.
Rio Celeste is located inside Tenorio National Park, so expect an entrance fee of $12/person ($5 for children ages 2-12). The park only allows 1000 people a day, with only 500 people on the trails at one time, so keep that in mind when planning your visit (another reason to go early).
The trails, for the most part, are not very difficult. The first section of the Waterfall trail is nice and flat (and less than 2 miles round trip). Once you reach the waterfall entrance, there is a set of steep stairs (with handrails) to go down to the waterfall. That section will be a bit more difficult going up if you aren’t in the best physical condition.
We would also suggest hiking the trail to Tenideros (less than a mile from the waterfall). We did this trail after hiking to the falls and it was equally as beautiful. If you go past the Mirador, you will eventually cross the creek (also stunningly blue) through a series of bridges. Past the second bridge so you can see the merge of the two rivers (one no color, one blue)!!
A couple more notes about Rio Celeste. Depending on the time of year you come, the water might not be as blue. For example, if you come in the peak of the wet season (June-Nov) right after a heavy rain storm, there’s a good chance the water will be brown and not blue. Our suggestion would be to check the weather and go the day after a dry day(s).
In addition, there is no swimming allowed in the main waterfall or creek above the falls, however there is a free public entrance by the bridge 1 kilometer (~.6 mile) past the park entrance or you can pay $6 per person at Piruri Cabinas to swim in the river. The public entrance is awesome, you can find a nice spot to sit between the rocks and walk down the river.
Sport fishing or snorkeling at Papagayo
Sport Fishing is very popular in this area of Costa Rica for good reason–there is so much abundant marine life making this location world-class fishing. Here you can fish for sailfish, all kinds of tuna, snapper, marlin, grouper, wahoo, rooster and more. There are plenty of companies that take you on half or full day fishing trips, and one of best locations is found in the Gulf of Papagayo, about an hour or so north of Tamarindo.
El Jefe Sport Fishing & Adventure Tours came highly recommended to us by a few friends and expats that live in Costa Rica. Keep in mind that most tours are semi-private or private which can be pricey, however if you are really into fishing, it will be worth the splurge (prices can range from $400 and up for a private tour up to 6-8 people). Plus, you are guaranteed to catch something!
You can combine the fishing with snorkeling if you choose, and El Jefe also offers options that do both.
Adventure day at Rincon de la Vieja
Spending a day at Rincon de la Vieja with Native’s Way on the Adventure Combo Volcano Tour was hands-down one of our favorite days while we were in Costa Rica. Rincon de la Vieja National Park is just north of Liberia, a 2 hour drive from Tamarindo. We started the day early when Native’s Way picked us up at 7AM in a small bus and made its way to the park.
Once we arrived at Guachipelin Hacienda, we suited up for our first big adventure in the park: river tubing. We half expected a lazy river, but nope, this was full-blown rapids and SO MUCH FUN. In fact, for whitewater snobs like us (we are used to wild rivers in Idaho) we were totally surprised how good these rapids were.
We spent probably 1.5 hours on the river, and then it was onto the next adventure: zip lining and rappelling. There were several cables to zip line with a couple places to rappel and rock climb (optional). After that, we had a delicious buffet lunch (included) and then spent the next hour or so horseback riding. Seeing this area of Rincon de la Vieja National Park by horse was really beautiful and the perfect time of day to watch the sunshine bathe over the hillside.
The final activity of the day was soaking in the park’s famous hot springs and mud baths. It was the perfect end of the day relaxing in the different pools and lathering ourselves up with volcanic mud (don’t worry, they have showers to clean off!). This entire tour cost $120/person, but it also includes transportation and food. Definitely a MUST if you come to Tamarindo or stay in the Guanacaste peninsula.
Go beach hopping
Of course, you can’t come to the Guanacaste region without spending some time at the beach. There are so many gorgeous and unique beaches just waiting for you to explore. The great thing about this area of Costa Rica, is there is something for everyone here whether you want to surf, boogie board, snorkel, or just sun bathe. Plus, it’s FREE!
Some of our favorite beaches near Tamarindo include Playa Grande, Conchal, and Minas. Make sure to check out our complete list of best beaches in the Northern Pacific area. All of these beaches are within 2 hours or less from Tamarindo (north and south).
Kayak in the mangroves
Tamarindo has a major estuary brimming with wildlife and the best way to experience it is by boat or kayak with Native’s Way. You’ll see crocs, many different bird species and colorful fish in the water. Up above in the mangrove trees you will have a chance to see monkeys and iguanas.
After paddling for an hour, you will get out and walk through the forest with your guide for a deeper explanation of the local flora and fauna, specifically the famous local Guanacaste trees, Costa Rica’s National tree. Kayaking is a great way to spend a few hours right in Tamarindo! Tours cost around $30-40/person.
Swim at the Llanos de Cortez waterfall
This one is a goodie and practically free too. Just outside of Liberia, about an hour’s drive north of Tamarindo is this beauty and a local favorite (especially on the weekends). Pay a small entrance fee for parking and take a short walk down to these falls, where you can easily spend an afternoon here cooling off in the pools below. There are some smaller, lesser known falls across the creek that are worth visiting too, just ask a local for directions if you can’t find the path.
Witness turtles nesting or hatching
Costa Rica is a prime location for different species of sea turtles that lay their nests here. The Guanacaste region is one the best spots to witness this amazing spectacle each year and depending on the time of you visit, you could get lucky and experience an “arribada” (a mass turtle nesting) or see baby turtles make their way out to sea after they’ve hatched (1-2 months after incubation).
The best places to see the turtles in the Guanacaste are Ostional National Wildlife Refuge (one of 7 sites in the world that sees arribadas), Marino Las Baulas (Playa Grande) and Santa Rosa National Park (Nacite beach). At Ostional you can witness thousands of Oliver Ridley turtles during the months of July-Nov.
Playa Grande is famous for leatherback turtle nesting sites (although not as many in recent years) between Oct-Feb. A little harder to get to, Nacite Beach which requires a 7-8 mile hike, is another arribada site in Costa Rica. For more information on doing a tour or other helpful tips on turtle nesting, visit Costa Rica Experts.
Take a sunset catamaran trip
You can’t come to Tamarindo without doing a sunset catamaran trip. The sunsets here are legendary (especially in the wet season when there are often clouds) and it’s best to experience them from a boat. We took the Blue Dolphin Snorkel and Sunset tour, which was awesome because we spent the afternoon sailing to a beautiful spot to snorkel and paddlebaord/kayak, and then ate dinner and watched the sun go down from the catamaran.
Prices range from $80/person and up depending on the trip and trips usually leave from Tamarindo Beach, Playa del Coco and Papagayo.
Beach camping
One of the most adventurous things we did while staying in Costa Rica was rent an expedition rig from Nomad America and camp on the beach! They have a fleet of trucks, Landrover Defenders and other 4X4’s to fit your needs, but what makes them so awesome is that they come equipped with all your camping needs!
Roof top tent? Check. Stove? Check. Cooking essentials? Check. Shower? Check. These vehicles have everything you need, plus they come with a phone that has the iOverlander app to help you plan your route and camping spots! We spent 2 weeks touring the Guanacaste area, beaching camping near Nosara and Samara, and also in the mountains of Tenorio National Park.
We loved that Nomad America thought of everything, they even included a 5 gallon jug of water, camping chairs and a machete (hey, you never know when you might need to crack open a coconut or trail blaze through the jungle!). These vehicles are built for the rugged roads of Costa Rica too–there was nowhere our truck couldn’t go. If you’re looking to get off-the-path, look no further than Nomad America!
Conclusion
If you’re looking for more ideas and guides in planning your Costa Rica itinerary, make sure to check out the Ultimate Costa Rica Family Adventure Vacation and our 10 Day Itinerary in Costa Rica’s Southern Pacific Coast.