Luanna’s Tamarindo Guidebook
Food scene
This place is great! The manager is Luca Ercolani, and sometimes he will give you free limoncello. La Baula has an impressive wine list, a wonderful atmosphere, and it even has a playground in the garden for kids.
78 locals recommend
Restaurante La Baula
91 C. CoronaThis place is great! The manager is Luca Ercolani, and sometimes he will give you free limoncello. La Baula has an impressive wine list, a wonderful atmosphere, and it even has a playground in the garden for kids.
Located right on the beach, this is a super spot to have a few drinks over sunset. There is even a pool to cool off and relax. Dinners here are very romantic with their soft lighting, and you enjoy the choice of a private cabana or an intimate tabletop setting. Besides serving gourmet American burgers, the menu also offers a variety of international and French-style options.
52 locals recommend
Langosta Beach Club
Located right on the beach, this is a super spot to have a few drinks over sunset. There is even a pool to cool off and relax. Dinners here are very romantic with their soft lighting, and you enjoy the choice of a private cabana or an intimate tabletop setting. Besides serving gourmet American burgers, the menu also offers a variety of international and French-style options.
This is a hotel restaurant open to the public. As the first vegan hotel in Costa Rica, the menu is completely plant-based. Very delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere.
Mother Earth Vegan Hotel
This is a hotel restaurant open to the public. As the first vegan hotel in Costa Rica, the menu is completely plant-based. Very delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere.
One of the best sushi restaurants in town, it is located in an open-air tropical courtyard. They have a great selection of sushi and sashimi. It is a popular location for drinks and appetizers, they serve some of the best cocktails in town, and they have a great happy hour.
56 locals recommend
Bamboo Sushi Club
152 C. CentralOne of the best sushi restaurants in town, it is located in an open-air tropical courtyard. They have a great selection of sushi and sashimi. It is a popular location for drinks and appetizers, they serve some of the best cocktails in town, and they have a great happy hour.
This establishment has tons of character, from the swinging seats on the patio, to the interior decor, so it is absolutely worth a visit while you are in town. They have amazing food, especially the burrito and salads. A wonderful place to go with the family.
35 locals recommend
Green Papaya Taco Bar
40 50309 C. CoronaThis establishment has tons of character, from the swinging seats on the patio, to the interior decor, so it is absolutely worth a visit while you are in town. They have amazing food, especially the burrito and salads. A wonderful place to go with the family.
This is an ideal place to celebrate a special occasion. The setting is beautiful and the ambiance is warm, and the floor is made of beautiful teak with all handmade wood furnishing. The owner, Katharina, is always there to greet you and make sure you are enjoying yourself.
El Coconut
This is an ideal place to celebrate a special occasion. The setting is beautiful and the ambiance is warm, and the floor is made of beautiful teak with all handmade wood furnishing. The owner, Katharina, is always there to greet you and make sure you are enjoying yourself.
Established in 1974, this place has grown along with Tamarindo itself. They have a delicious breakfast, with delicious waffles topped with homemade whipped cream. It is also a cool place for cocktails and Bocas while you enjoy a front-row seat on the beach for a beautiful Tamarindo sunset. Oh yeah: Don't forget to grab a slice of their tasty, homemade pie!
105 locals recommend
Nogui's Restaurant
155Established in 1974, this place has grown along with Tamarindo itself. They have a delicious breakfast, with delicious waffles topped with homemade whipped cream. It is also a cool place for cocktails and Bocas while you enjoy a front-row seat on the beach for a beautiful Tamarindo sunset. Oh yeah: Don't forget to grab a slice of their tasty, homemade pie!
El Chiringuito is a beautiful beachfront restaurant with live music, great cocktails, and amazing food.
75 locals recommend
El Chiringuito
El Chiringuito is a beautiful beachfront restaurant with live music, great cocktails, and amazing food.
Wok N Roll has been serving authentic Asian cuisine (Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese) in Playa Tamarindo to locals, friends, and visitors. Just amazing food!
28 locals recommend
Wok N Roll
153 Av CentralWok N Roll has been serving authentic Asian cuisine (Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese) in Playa Tamarindo to locals, friends, and visitors. Just amazing food!
Tours
Their trained team of surf instructors provides safety tips, coaching to learn the sport, and always, a sense of humor. Banana Surf will get you standing and surfing a wave in your first lesson. All you need is the ability to swim and have a good time.
17 locals recommend
Banana Surf Club
Their trained team of surf instructors provides safety tips, coaching to learn the sport, and always, a sense of humor. Banana Surf will get you standing and surfing a wave in your first lesson. All you need is the ability to swim and have a good time.
The Canyon Canopy Tour is the most dynamic canopy tour in Costa Rica because in addition to zip lining, this tour includes rappelling, rock climbing, Tarzan swinging (yes, that's an actual thing!), and traversing hanging bridges. And if you have any energy left, you can go horseback riding and white water rafting. Then you can relax in a volcanic mud pool with thermal hot springs. Tip: This company offers a good deal when you bundle multiple tours.
24 locals recommend
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin
The Canyon Canopy Tour is the most dynamic canopy tour in Costa Rica because in addition to zip lining, this tour includes rappelling, rock climbing, Tarzan swinging (yes, that's an actual thing!), and traversing hanging bridges. And if you have any energy left, you can go horseback riding and white water rafting. Then you can relax in a volcanic mud pool with thermal hot springs. Tip: This company offers a good deal when you bundle multiple tours.
Nightlife
If you're looking for a place to watch the big game, this is the place to go. It has multiple TVs and projectors all over the bar, for a total of about 9 screens showing sports. You can enjoy burgers, wings, and of course, lots of beer. At night, Sharkys transforms into a popular club.
105 locals recommend
Sharky’s Sports Bar
If you're looking for a place to watch the big game, this is the place to go. It has multiple TVs and projectors all over the bar, for a total of about 9 screens showing sports. You can enjoy burgers, wings, and of course, lots of beer. At night, Sharkys transforms into a popular club.
This is the place to start out on Friday nights. There are two dance floors: one is a live band playing salsa music, and the other is a DJ playing a variety of genres. It offers great beach views at sunset and gets pretty crowded in its open-air bar area.
31 locals recommend
Crazy Monkey's Bar
This is the place to start out on Friday nights. There are two dance floors: one is a live band playing salsa music, and the other is a DJ playing a variety of genres. It offers great beach views at sunset and gets pretty crowded in its open-air bar area.
Local musicians play on Wednesday nights in a rock group called the LeatherBacks. If you are musically talented, come here for one of their open-mic nights. This place provides entertainment to a family-friendly crowd, to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Hotel Pasatiempo
Local musicians play on Wednesday nights in a rock group called the LeatherBacks. If you are musically talented, come here for one of their open-mic nights. This place provides entertainment to a family-friendly crowd, to be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
This fantastic little bar is the best option to listen to electronic music in Tamarindo. Late at night, the party often spills out into the streets as sultry beats pour from the speaker system with everyone swaying and in the zone. Although the price point here is a little bit more than the other options, the atmosphere of the place is worth every dollar.
24 locals recommend
Rumors Tamarindo
This fantastic little bar is the best option to listen to electronic music in Tamarindo. Late at night, the party often spills out into the streets as sultry beats pour from the speaker system with everyone swaying and in the zone. Although the price point here is a little bit more than the other options, the atmosphere of the place is worth every dollar.
Supermarkets
Offers the largest selection of foods in the area. A lot of USA brands are available here. Pretty expensive but you will find everything you need here.
309 locals recommend
Auto Mercado
Offers the largest selection of foods in the area. A lot of USA brands are available here. Pretty expensive but you will find everything you need here.
A smaller version of Auto Mercado. It is in the center of tamarindo pretty much within walking distance from anywhere in town.
21 locals recommend
Vindi Tamarindo
A smaller version of Auto Mercado. It is in the center of tamarindo pretty much within walking distance from anywhere in town.
Super Compro
Local supermarkets within walking distance to Pueblo Colonial.
City advice
Don't miss
Street Food
It might seem strange at first, but it is common in Tamarindo to see people selling homemade dishes from the trunks of their cars. You can find them parked on the corner of the main street in Tamarindo by the restaurant, Patagonia. For about 2,500 colones, or about $5 USD, you get a large serving of rice, beans, your choice of meat, homemade chips, salad, and plantains.
Useful phrases
Pura Vida
Pura Vida (translated as, pure life) is our country’s motto, and we hope you enjoy settling into this mindset during your stay. You will hear locals use this word throughout your travels in Costa Rica.
What to pack
Clothes
For evening attire, cocktail casual is the common fashion. No need for pants or jackets if you stay in Tamarindo, though they do help protect the skin from mosquitos in the green season. In the mountains, it does get a little chillier.
Bring hats, sunscreen, bug spray, little necessities like this because they are pretty expensive to buy once you are there.
Don't miss
The Saturday Tama's farmer’s market is a must!
At the Tama Market, you will find organic food, fruits, and vegetables, crafts, art, and music. Organized by the ADIT and the Municipality of Santa Cruz.