# Most Popular Destinations in Costa Rica: Tamarindo

> Tamarindo is a lively surf and beach town on Guanacaste's Pacific coast, about an hour's drive from Liberia airport, with plenty of hotels, restaurants, surf schools and yoga classes. It suits travelers who want easy access, beginner-friendly waves and nightlife, with quieter beaches and national parks a short drive away.

Source: https://costarica-yoga-retreats.com/most-popular-destinations-in-costa-rica-tamarindo/
Last checked: 2026-11-04

**Update, November 2026:** We've rechecked this guide. All three hotels are still open. We couldn't confirm that the Casagua horse tours or the yoga massage therapist we listed in 2012 are still operating, so we've taken them out.

Tamarindo, on the Pacific coast of Guanacaste, is one of Costa Rica's best-known beach towns. A few decades ago it was a small fishing village; today it's a busy surf town with hotels, condos, restaurants, bars, surf schools and Spanish schools along the beach road. Guanacaste Airport in Liberia is about an hour away by car, which makes it one of the easiest beaches to reach from an international flight.

![Tamarindo's beach with clear blue water](/static/img/old/2012-09-tamarindo.webp)

Tamarindo Beach curves along a bay. Across the river mouth to the north, past the mangroves of the Tamarindo estuary, lies Playa Grande, part of Las Baulas Marine National Park. The waves in front of town are gentle enough for beginners much of the year, which is why so many surf schools are here; more experienced surfers head to Playa Grande and the beaches to the south. See our [yoga and surf guide](/yoga-and-surf-costa-rica/) for combining the two.

![Tamarindo beach under a blue sky](/static/img/old/2012-09-tamarindo2.webp)

## Where to stay

**Jardín del Edén.** A boutique hotel on the hill above town with ocean-view rooms, gardens, a restaurant and a path down to a beachfront area with a plunge pool and bar. Website: [jardindeleden.com](https://www.jardindeleden.com/).

![A swimming pool at Jardín del Edén](/static/img/old/2012-09-jardin-del-eden.webp)

**Los Altos de Eros.** An adults-only boutique hotel and spa on a jungle hilltop about 15 minutes inland from the beaches, with a handful of rooms, an infinity pool, a full spa menu and an open-air yoga shala. More in our [Los Altos de Eros profile](/los-altos-de-eros/) or at [losaltosdeeros.com](https://losaltosdeeros.com/).

![The front of Los Altos de Eros](/static/img/old/2012-09-los-altos-de-eros-costa-rica.webp)

**Capitán Suizo.** A beachfront boutique hotel at the quieter southern end of Tamarindo, set in gardens with large native trees that attract wildlife, and known for its focus on sustainability. Website: [hotelcapitansuizo.com](https://www.hotelcapitansuizo.com/).

![A pool surrounded by gardens at Capitán Suizo](/static/img/old/2012-09-capitan-suizo.webp)

## Nearby national parks

**Las Baulas Marine National Park.** Protects Playa Grande and neighboring beaches, the most important Pacific nesting site for the leatherback sea turtle. Leatherbacks come ashore to nest from about October to March or later, and visits to see them are only allowed on guided night tours with park rangers. Their numbers have fallen sharply over recent decades, so sightings aren't guaranteed. Book ahead.

**Santa Rosa National Park.** In the far northwest, about 1.5 to 2 hours from Tamarindo. It's one of the country's oldest protected areas, with tropical dry forest and historic battle sites, and is part of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

![A beach at Santa Rosa National Park](/static/img/old/2012-09-santa-rosa-national-park.webp)

**Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park.** Near Liberia, also part of the Área de Conservación Guanacaste. Trails lead past fumaroles, bubbling mud pots and waterfalls on the slopes of an active volcano, and the area is known for hot springs.

![The slopes of Rincón de la Vieja volcano](/static/img/old/2012-09-rincon-de-la-vieja.webp)

## Yoga in and around Tamarindo

Tamarindo has several studios with daily drop-in classes, and some hotels offer yoga too. For a dedicated retreat, Nosara, about 2 hours south, has many more centers; see our [Nosara guide](/most-popular-destinations-in-costa-rica-nosara/) and our [guide to where to do yoga in Costa Rica](/where-to-do-yoga-in-costa-rica/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How far is Tamarindo from Liberia airport?

About an hour by car from Guanacaste Airport (LIR).

### Is Tamarindo good for beginner surfers?

Yes. The waves in front of town are usually gentle enough for beginners, and there are many surf schools.

### When can you see leatherback turtles near Tamarindo?

Nesting season at Playa Grande runs from about October to March. Visits are by guided night tour with park rangers only, and numbers have fallen sharply, so sightings aren't guaranteed.

### Is there yoga in Tamarindo?

Yes. Several studios offer daily drop-in classes. For a full retreat, many people head to Nosara, about 2 hours south.