Full Guide to Tamarindo for families: Find all the information you need to plan a successful family vacation to Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Written by a mom of three boys ages 4, 8 and 10. 

Inside you will find recommendations for: 

🚐Local Transportation
🏠Hotels + rental homes that sleep 4+ 
🏄🏼‍♀️Activities + tour companies (with booking links)
🧳What to bring
✅Travel Tips
🍴Kid friendly dining 


Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Family Guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Airport: Liberia International Airport (LIR)

Location: Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

Drive time from airport to Tamarindo: 1 hour 30 minutes

From Liberia | Caribe Shuttle | Transportation in Costa Rica, Panama & Nicaragua

Liberia Airport Transportation | by LIR Shuttle

Liberia airport transfer Guanacaste Transportation

The following companies offer both private and shared shuttle services. Private shuttle pricing starts at $60. Book your shuttle early, as they do tend to sell out. If you are staying at a surf camp, check and see if they provide transportation before you book your own. If you're lucky, they will stop for fresh watermelon on the way in! 

The hotels listed below are within walking distance to shops/restaurants and can sleep at least a family of four. If you are traveling with a bigger group, skip to the rental home section.  For families serious about surfing, highly recommend going with Witch's Rock Surf Camp. 

Click the Canva link below to see some of my favorite rental homes for families. These homes all have positive guest reviews, the ability to sleep at least a family of 4 and a good walkability rating. Homes not available for your dates? Reach out to me and I'll help you find something for your family. 

Tamarindo has something for everyone. Keep reading to find the perfect set of activities for your group. As a general rule on family trips, I recommend booking one big activity per day and leaving the rest of the time for exploring and relaxing.  

If you have kids over the age of 6, group instruction with a surf school is a great idea. This way, you can take lessons at the same time as the kids. If you are traveling with younger kids, it might be better to book private instruction so that you and your spouse can take turns surfing. A typical lesson is 2 hours long with instruction on the beach before hitting the water. 

What to bring: Body Glide (anti chafe stick), rash gaurd, zinc sunscreen

The following surf schools have a variety of lessons available and receive good ratings across multiple web sites: 

BEST Surf Lessons in Tamarindo and Surf funcional, Surf skate, Video Analisis

You can choose between inshore or offshore trips. A half day inshore trip is recommended for smaller children, while teens may enjoy a full day offshore trip. Tours typically depart early in the morning. Your tour operator should be able to arrange transportation for you. Commonly caught fish include: Wahoo, Tuna, Mackerel and Snapper. The companies below have a variety of charter options available. 

What to Bring: neck gaitor, sunscreen, extra snacks + water, hat, cash for tips, long sleeve sun shirt

Rhino Charger Sport Fishing 

Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures

 Go Fish Costa Rica

Explore the Marino Las Baulas National Park by boat. This is  a 2-hour  tour where you can check out the flora and fauna of the mangroves. There is a good chance you will spot a crocodile, iguana, or a howler monkey! There is also an option to stop and get off the boat to explore the park on foot. The boat is small, but shaded, allowing for an intimate experience. 

What to bring: hat, comfortable clothing, bug spray, bottled water

Natives Way

Tamarindo Estuary Boat Safari

Tamarindo estuary boat safari | Maryola tours

You can choose between a morning or sunset cruise. The morning cruise might offer better snorkeling opportunities, but the sunsets in Tamarindo are truly amazing. The tours typically departs from the beach and last for 4 hours. Most charters include an open bar and a meal. It's common to spot dolphins, whales or turtles on the way to your snorkeling spot! When traveling with family, I always recommend a private charter. It's the more expensive option, but I also feel it's the safer option because it limits the number of people on the boat. This type of tour is a great option if you are traveling with friends and can split the bill. 

What to Bring? sun shirt, swimsuit, hat, extra snacks/water, sunscreen,  sarong or thin towel, goggles, dramamine, cash for tips

Private Catamaran Sailing Tours | Guanacaste Costa Rica

Marlin del Rey | Tamarindo Catamaran Tours

Tamarindo Catamaran Tours | Timarouba

The Pacific Lounge

There are two zip lines located approximately 30 minutes away from Tamarindo. 

Monkey Jungle Zip Line Is located on a local farm. You given the choice between the adventure course and the leisure course. 

The second, Skyline Canopy Tour, includes a hanging bridge and a tarzan swing. At both locations, you can expect to encounter several species of wildlife, such as birds, monkeys and iguanas.

Most tours include transportation to and from your hotel. You will depart 40 minutes prior to your zipping time and return 2 hours later.

What to Bring: loose, comfortable clothing, tennis shoes, cash for tips and bottled water

Monkey Jungle

Tamarindo Zip Line | Iguana Surf

Skyline Canopy Tour | Guanacaste Costa Rica

- Use the restroom before you go through customs. The bathrooms at baggage claim always have a very long line.

- If you are coming from the USA, you don’t need to exchange money. Dollars are accepted everywhere.

- If you pay for your tours In cash you can avoid the 10% surcharge for cards. If you plan to do this, bring cash from home. It can be hard to withdraw large amounts from the local ATMs.

- The road to Tamarindo can be bumpy. Take dramamine and pack a few plastic bags just in case someone feels carsick.

- Remember to bring plenty of cash to tip your drivers and tour guides. Recommended tip is 10-15%. 

- Remember that food service is slower than in the United States. Bring a few card games or drawing materials for the kids when you head out to eat. 

- Check your restaurant bill to see If any gratuity has already been added.

- If you rent a house, be aware that It Is common to only have AC In the bedrooms. The rest of the house typically uses fans and open doors for breeze. You can check with your rental listing to confirm.

Witch's Rock Surf Camp - Costa Rica Surf Camp

Tamarindo Diria

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel

Surf Lessons in Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Iguana Surf Camp & Surf Shop

Best Surf Lessons in Tamarindo Costa Rica

Salty Sols Surf School

1 hour and 30 min of surf theory and practical lessons per person.

Surfing – Waveriders

Waveriders Surf School Costa Rica

See photos and videos taken at this location and explore places nearby.

https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/937006773101405/breakfast-grinds/

Breakfast Grinds

2,257 Followers, 57 Following, 54 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from el chiringuito (@elchiringuito_tamarindo)

el chiringuito (@elchiringuito_tamarindo) • Instagram photos and videos

El Chiringuito

Waffle Monkey

6,265 Followers, 85 Following, 218 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Santa Rita Cafe (@cafesantarita_tamarindo)

Santa Rita Cafe (@cafesantarita_tamarindo) • Instagram photos and videos

Santa Rita Coffee Shop

19K Followers, 23 Following, 822 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from El Mercadito De Tamarindo (@mercaditodetama)

El Mercadito De Tamarindo (@mercaditodetama) • Instagram photos and videos

El Mercadito de Tamarindo Food and Cocktail Market

2,945 Followers, 874 Following, 437 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Nogui's Restaurant & Bar Costa Rica (@noguistamarindo)

Nogui's Restaurant & Bar Costa Rica (@noguistamarindo) • Instagram photos and videos

Nogui's Restaurant

2,820 Followers, 272 Following, 83 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from La Baula•Playground & Garden 🍃 (@pizzerialabaula)

La Baula•Playground & Garden 🍃 (@pizzerialabaula) • Instagram photos and videos

Pizzeria La Baula

2,342 Followers, 196 Following, 98 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Dragonfly Bar & Grill (@dragonflytamarindo)

Dragonfly Bar & Grill (@dragonflytamarindo) • Instagram photos and videos

Dragonfly Bar & Grill

6,412 Followers, 1,229 Following, 713 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Pico Bistro (@picobistrotama)

Family Guide to Tamarindo, Costa Rica

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