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About Tamarindo/Langosta  TAMARINDO Tamarindo has all the charm of a Costa Rican beach town: surf, sand, and lots of sun. But it has so much more to offer. It is an ideal place for families, couples, eco-adventures, honeymoons, and weddings. The area offers first class sport fishing, surfing, golf, ATV tours, turtle watching, diving, horseback riding, canopy tours, jungle river trips, beauty spas, art galleries, craft and pottery stores, and over 40 restaurants. A multi-cultural community, Tamarindo boasts several bakeries, an outdoor vegetable market, and gourmet delicatessen.Tamarindo Beach is part of a bay formed by Cabo Velas to north and Punta San Francisco to the south. Playa Grande lies to the north of Tamarindo Beach inside the bay. Estero Tamarindo, a natural salt-water estuary, separates the two beaches. South of Tamarindo Bay is Playa Langosta, another beautiful estuary and beach. Tamarindo’s beach is a three and a half kilometer stretch of white sand and warm blue water. It is surrounded by National Parks to the north and south, and mountains to the east. Nature is abundant. Leatherback Turtles lay their eggs in the northern part of the bay, Howler Monkeys are heard and seen swinging on branches throughout Tamarindo. Giant Iguanas abound and can be seen everywhere. In the early mornings and late afternoons green parakeets take to the skies.  THE CLIMATE Tamarindo is located in a dry tropical forest, one of the many microclimates found in Costa Rica. During the summer months (December-April), the days are sunny, hot and dry.The rainy season, or more appropriately called the Green season, is between May and November. Don’t be fooled by the term "rainy season" because this is the time Costa Rica is at its most vibrant. The countryside is 100 shades of green and the flora and fauna are at its best. The average temperature here is 86ºF (30ºC) year round so pack plenty of light clothing and sunscreen.  WATER SPORTS Tmarindo 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. Surf casting and hand-lining in front of your hotel for snook, snapper, and jack are also popular. After a day of fishing, 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. 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, catamarans, ocean and river kayaking, and sailing cruises. Beach gear, surfboards, boogie boards and equipment of all types are available for rent from specialty stores.  ECOTOURISM 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 November to February to lay their eggs. Tours led by official guides are available to take visitors to see this incredible spectacle.Within just a few hours you can experience a canopy tour at Rincon de la Vieja National Park or hike through the many nature trails at Santa Rosa National Park. Palo Verde and Ostional National Wildlife Refuges allow you to view many exotic animals in their natural habitat. Other great tours include river trips where you can experience a variety of local wildlife, horseback riding in the surrounding mountains, bicycling, backcountry ATV tours, and hot springs.  WORLD CLASS GOLF Just 30 minutes away from Tamarindo, you have a choice of two world class golf courses: Hacienda Pinilla just outside Tamarindo, or 20 minutes away play Hotel Melià Conchal Golf Course, designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.Hacienda Pinilla features a back nine gives you incredible views of the Pacific Ocean and an ocean breeze is always available to keep you comfortable. RESTAURANTS AND MORE Don’t forget your appetite because Tamarindo boasts over 40 restaurants to tempt your taste buds. Choose from French, Italian, Pacific Rim, Japanese, Mexican, California Cuisine, or typical Costa Rican faire. But let’s not stop there; we have French bakeries, wonderful coffee shops, delicatessens, and restaurants catering to health-conscious and vegetarian patrons. You will never tire of sampling the wonderful variations of uniquely prepared dishes featuring our abundant supply of fresh local seafood, fruits and vegetables.Tamarindo also has grocery stores, fresh produce and fruit juice stands, a large variety of souvenir and clothing shops, art galleries, medical clinic, pharmacy, hardware store, a full service bank with ATM machine, real estate offices, Laundromats, and internet cafes. HOW TO GET HERE The international airport in Liberia is by far the easiest way to get here. The airport is about an hour’s drive from Tamarindo. Airlines currently flying into Liberia include Delta, American, Continental, Northwest, and US Air. Check with your favorite carrier because several airlines are preparing to add Liberia to their list of destinations.Flights are available from San Jose to a local airstrip serviced 7 days a week by two airlines: SANSA, Nature Air. Private charter services are available as well. Check the two carries for rates as they change frequently. They both have at least one daily flight, and fly more frequently during high season. The flight takes just under an hour, and the view is breathtaking all the way. Tamarindo airport is a 10-minute ride from the beach. We can help you with arranging taxi service or a rental car from any of the airports in Costa Rica. If you are traveling by car, we recommend a four-wheel drive, especially during the rainy season. The road is paved from San Jose to Tamarindo but many of the back roads are gravel. A 4WD let you enjoy other outlying areas without worrying about driving problems. The rental cars all have maps that will get you to Tamarindo and we will provide you with a map and directions to our office.  For more photos of Tamarindo, click HERE
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