The small town of Tamarindo is located on the central west coast of the Nicoya Peninsula on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica in the Province of Guanacaste. The population of Tamarindo is highly variable and depends on the time of the year.

The entire district (including Villarreal, Santa Rosa, Garita Nueva, Hernández, and San José de Pinilla) has a population of a little less than 7,000, but the town of Tamarindo proper has a population of only 500 permanent residents. However, the tourist season and special holidays can make that number swell to 5,000 or more.

Starting life as a small fishing village the town of Tamarindo has earned the reputation of having a laid back lifestyle where beautiful beaches provide the perfect surf conditions. While surfing is a big draw card Tamarindo is also a great location for enjoying pretty much every other type of water sport you can imagine. You can wind sail, snorkel, scuba dive, jet ski, kayak, and explore the surrounding Pacific Ocean on a luxurious sail boat.

The beaches are kept in pristine condition and are considered some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Whether you enjoy a more urbane lifestyle or like to get away from the crowds the various beaches in Tamarindo can provide.

Tamarindo beach is great for surfing with waves that can get up to 12 feet during the months of November and December. It was even featured in the movies Endless Summer I and II. However, if you want some solitude with a bit of quiet swimming then Playa Minas is the beach for you.

While Tamarindo is considered fairly relaxed during the day the town can have an almost bipolar shift in its personality once the sun goes down. There’s plenty of night clubs, restaurants, and live shows to create a whole new side to Tamarindo that might belie it’s otherwise fairly relaxed attitude towards life.

There’s enough variation in the nightlife to suit a wide ranging demographic be they energetic party goers after an all-nighter of dancing, or something a little classier that can be found at one of the many of the restaurants in town, which offer everything from local to international fare.

Tamarindo is home to the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge which features many protected estuaries and mangroves for nature lovers to explore via kayak. The Las Baulas National Park can boast of another treat for nature lovers as this is an area where one of the largest populations of leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs. Guided tours are available around the national park where you will get to explore secret trails and experience the local wildlife in an unspoiled state.

It’s hard to say who Tamarindo would appeal to the most as there are so many facets to this little gem of a town. If you love beachside living then Tamarindo has it all.

If you enjoy exploring the many wonders of the natural world then the surrounding area can provide that in spades as well. Even if you enjoy a lifestyle that is a little more on the wild side you can find what you want in Tamarindo.

If you’re thinking of making a lifestyle change and Tamarindo is on your radar it might be time to book yourself in for a couple of months to see if you and Tamarindo are the perfect fit.

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.