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The Ultimate Family Guide to...
Tamarindo
Surf, Sun, and Surviving Costa Rica with Kids
Welcome to Tamarindo, where the surf’s always up, the sun’s always shining, and your kids will definitely get sand in places you didn’t know existed. Buckle up, parents, because we’re about to embark on a wild ride through Costa Rica’s favorite beach town. Don’t worry, we’ve got all the tips you need to survive this tropical adventure with your sanity (mostly) intact.
Accommodation
Hacienda Pinilla – Where Luxury Meets Mosquitos!
Why stay in town when you can luxuriate in Hacienda Pinilla? It’s just a short 15-minute drive from Tamarindo, assuming you don’t get lost on the dirt roads or stuck behind a herd of cows. Potholes are crazy, yes.
Hacienda Pinilla is, basically, a giant gated community with a golf course, clubhouse, and access to a lot of private beaches. We scored our place on Airbnb.
Pro tip: Pack bug spray. Lots of it. When we went – in the rainy season – there were an unnatural amount of mosquitoes in the area.
Bonus Tip:
- Marriott pool pass for the day: $100. Because paying to use a pool when you’re surrounded by beaches makes total sense.
Surfing
Surf's Up, Dudes and Dudettes!
No trip to Tamarindo is complete without turning your little ones into mini Kelly Slaters. Head to Iguana Surf for lessons that’ll have your kids hanging ten in no time (or at least hanging on for dear life).
Prices:
- Private lessons: $80 per kid per session (They say 2 hours, but it’s really 1.5. Time moves differently in Costa Rica.)
- Semi-private: $60 per kid
- Group lessons: For when you want your kid to learn teamwork and the art of not crashing into other novice surfers
Food, Dude
Eating Out: Because Cooking on Vacation is Overrated
- Nico’s: Where the food is good and the wait times are… flexible. Great spot to watch the kids surf from their Iguana surf lessons.
- Green Papaya: For when you want to pretend you’re eating healthy on vacation. Good burritos. Fun swinging seats for the kids. Amazing chipotle salsa.
- Lola’s in Playa Avellanas: Because nothing says “vacation” like overpriced beach food. Food is fine, view is better.
- Lucha Tacos: For when you need a break from rice and beans. But not really. Better than expected.
- Jalapeños: Spice up your life (and possibly regret it later). Was pretty good for breakfast. Signs are everywhere in Hacienda Pinilla.
- Breaking Bread: Everyone swears this is the best breakfast in town.
Grocery Shopping: Emptying Your Wallet, Costa Rican Style
- Mente y Limon for organic groceries: $600 for one shop. Who needs to eat for the rest of the month? Cutest grocery store I’ve seen in awhile.
- Automercado for everything else: $400 for one shop. Bargain! This is the place everyone told us to use.
- Roadside avocados: 10 for $4. Finally, something affordable!
Bonus Tips:
- KFC chicken nuggets: $8. Personal chicken plate: $23. For when you’ve had enough local cuisine.
- Marriott nachos: $24. Chicken strips: $26. Highway robbery has never tasted so good.
Day Trips
There are tons of things to do on a day trip from Tamarindo, should you decide to leave the epic surf.
- Llanos de Cortés Waterfall: Simple and beautiful. Kids under 7 are free, adults pay about 12,000 Colones (about $24). The fee almost seemed negotiable as you’ll notice a lot of things are with the ever-in-flux currency conversion rates. There’s a “secret” 9-foot deep pool perfect for jumping in. Just head down the trail on the left of the waterfall. Don’t worry about the stagnant water; what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?
- Catamaran out of Flamingo Marina: “Only” $1500 for a half-day plus 10% tip. Who needs college funds anyway? Kids did get to see puffer fish (they missed the sea turtle).
Money Matters
- ATMs: The one by luggage pickup at San Jose airport is decorative. Head to departures for a working one. I had pretty good success with ATMs throughout the country. They usually offer both USD and Colones. However, many times the machine refused to spit out USD.
- Currency conversion: Double the “thousand” number in Colones. 4,000 Colones = $8USD. 20,000 Colones = $40USD. See? Math can be fun!
- Gas: $80 to fill up. Cheaper than the US, more expensive than Europe. You can’t win them all.
Transportation Trials and Tribulations
- 100 miles on the map could mean 4-5 hours.
- Driving time from San Jose airport to Tamarindo: Long enough for your kids to ask “Are we there yet?” approximately 742 times.
- Driving time from Liberia airport = 45 minutes to an hour and a half (depending on traffic)
- Real taxis are reddish-orange with triangles. Anything else is just a stranger’s car.
- Car accidents are like national pastimes. We saw three in one day. It’s like a free street performance!
SIM Card Saga
Don’t get one at the airport I was told even by airport people. Don’t get one at Walmart because all they have are prepaid and, in our experience, you won’t be able to recharge them through the app. Maybe just embrace being disconnected? Or bring a carrier pigeon. Actually, we were able to go to a Liberty store in Liberia and get a plan for two months. It wasn’t unlimited data but it worked. Interesting aside – most of the sims you’ll purchase will have unlimited Wayz or Google Maps (super helpful) and social media apps like TikTok and Instagram (incredibly toxic).
Beach Life
More Than Just Surfing
Sure, surfing is Tamarindo’s claim to fame, but there’s more to beach life here than riding waves:
- Playa Langosta: Just south of Tamarindo, this beach is perfect for when you want to escape the crowds. It’s like Tamarindo’s introverted cousin.
- Playa Grande: Home to the Las Baulas National Marine Park, where you can watch leatherback turtles nest from October to March. It’s like a real-life nature documentary, but with more sand in your shoes.
- Playa Avellanas: Known as “Little Hawaii” for its excellent waves. Don’t worry, no one expects you to know why it’s called that. Just nod and look impressed.
Wildlife
Because Monkeys are the New Pigeons
- Howler Monkeys: These little (actually, not so little) guys will be your new alarm clock. Who needs a rooster when you have a primate screaming at 5 AM?
- Iguanas: They’re everywhere. Treat them like the local celebrities they are.
- Crocodile Tour on the Tamarindo Estuary: Nothing says family bonding like a boat ride next to prehistoric predators.
Nightlife
Yes, It Exists (Even with Kids)
- Crazy Monkey Bar: Live music and salsa lessons. Your kids will either be impressed by your moves or mortified. Win-win.
- La Oveja Negra: A chill spot with occasional live music. The name means “The Black Sheep,” which is what your teenager probably feels like anyway.
- Sharky’s: Sports bar vibe with pub grub. Because sometimes you just need to watch “fútbol” and pretend you understand the rules.
More Foodie Finds
- Waffle Monkey: Because nothing says “healthy breakfast” like a waffle covered in Nutella and bananas.
- Soda Teresita: Local food at local prices. Your wallet will thank you.
- Nogui’s: Beachfront dining without the beachfront prices. The fish tacos are so good, you might forget you’re eating, well, fish.
- Seasons by Shlomy: Upscale dining when you’re ready to blow your food budget in one night.
Adventure Time
For When the Beach Gets Boring (As If)
- Zip-lining at Pinilla Canopy Tour: Nothing brings a family together like shared terror 50 feet above the ground.
- ATV Tours: Get dirty, explore the countryside, and finally have a good excuse for why you need to do laundry.
- Sport Fishing: Catch your own dinner. Or at least catch some sunburn trying.
Rainy Day Saviors
- Tamarindo Night Market: Every Thursday evening. Buy things you don’t need but can’t resist.
- Surf Museum: Yes, it exists. No, it’s not just a room full of surfboards (but there are a lot of surfboards).
- Spanish Lessons: Because “Dos cervezas, por favor” will only get you so far.
Cultural Tips
Embrace the Pura Vida
- “Tico Time”: Everything runs a little slower here. Embrace it or go crazy trying to fight it.
- “Pura Vida”: It means “pure life,” but it’s really more of a lifestyle. Use it as a greeting, a goodbye, a thank you, or when you have no idea what else to say.
- Shoes are Optional: Except in restaurants. And probably churches. Use your best judgment.
Health and Safety
Because Moms Need to Know
- Sun Protection: The sun here is no joke. Neither is the pain of watching your kids turn into lobsters. Sum Bum is your savior.
- Drink Bottled Water: Tap water is generally safe, but why risk spending your vacation in the bathroom? I once swallowed some pills with the sink water and sort of freaked out. But I was totally fine. Or am I…?
- Beach Safety: Rip currents are real. If in doubt, don’t go out. Signs for bad currents are everywhere. I walked by them all on my way to swim.
- Travel Insurance: Because nothing says “peace of mind” like knowing you’re covered when your kid decides to test if iguanas can fly.
- Theft: Look, you just have to be aware here. Even if in your Airbnb. Break-ins happen routinely, I’m told. Use the room safe if you have one.
Transportation Tidbits
- Rent a Golf Cart: It’s like a car, but more fun and with a higher chance of tipping over.
- Bike Rentals: Pedal power is a great way to explore. Just watch out for potholes, pedestrians, and the occasional iguana crossing.
- Water Taxi to Playa Grande: Because sometimes the long way around is just too long.
- Car Rental: This deserves its own post, but, in short, feel free to use the local offices of Sixt, WildRider (who we used), Alamo, Vamos, Adobe, or Budget. DO NOT USE Expedia or Priceline!
Shopping
Bring Home More Than Just Sand
- Tamarindo Feria: Saturday farmers market. Buy local crafts, produce, and questionable health elixirs.
- Papaya Con Leche: Boutique shop for when you need a new beach outfit that costs more than your hotel room.
- Surf Shops Galore: Because you can never have too many surf-themed t-shirts, right?
Wellness and Relaxation
Vacation Isn't All Adrenaline
- Yoga: More studios than you can shake a yoga mat at. Namaste, dude.
- Langosta Beach Club: Day passes available for when you need a pool and a cocktail.
- Tamarindo Fitness: For those who think vacation is a great time to start CrossFit. (Spoiler: It’s not.)
Bonus Tip:
- Coco’s massages: $160 for a 50-minute couples massage. Because after all this, you deserve it.
Quirky Local Facts
- The Crocodile Bridge: Just outside Tamarindo, where tourists gather to gawk at crocodiles sunbathing. It’s like a zoo, but with worse safety regulations.
- Witch’s Rock: A famous surf spot named after the movie “Endless Summer II.” Pretend you knew that all along.
- “Malinche” Trees: Those gorgeous orange flowered trees you see everywhere? They’re not native. They’re from Madagascar. Mind blown.
Eco-Friendly Tips
Because Costa Rica is All About Sustainability
- You really can’t find Plastic Straws: The locals say that the sea turtles thank you.
- Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Because nobody likes an ocean full of chemicals.
- Respect Wildlife: Feeding monkeys is tempting, but it’s bad for them. And they might steal your sunglasses.
Language Lesson
Crucial Costa Rican Slang
- “Tuanis”: Cool or nice. Use liberally.
- “Mae”: Dude or buddy. Everyone is a mae.
- “Que chiva”: That’s awesome. Your kids will be saying it non-stop by day three.
Final Words of Wisdom
Remember, a family vacation in Tamarindo is all about making memories, trying new things, and coming home with at least one good story involving an iguana. Embrace the chaos, laugh at the mishaps, and don’t forget to reapply sunscreen.
And when all else fails, just grab a Imperial beer (or a smoothie for the kids), plop down on the beach, and watch the sunset. Because at the end of the day, that’s what Tamarindo is all about – Pura Vida, baby!
