Tamarindo is a town and district of the Santa Cruz canton, located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica in the Province of Guanacaste. The town of Tamarindo is the largest developed beach town in Guanacaste and the district has a population of 6,375 as of 2011. Main attractions in the area are surfing and eco-tourism. Towns belonging to the district besides Tamarindo include Villarreal, Santa Rosa, Garita Nueva, Hernández and San José de Pinilla.
Tourism
Beaches
Playa Tamarindo is a long, rocky beach with excellent waves near the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be strong, especially on a falling tide. Tamarindo has two main breaks for advanced surfers: Pico Pequeño a rocky point to the right of the Hotel Tamarindo Diriá and the excellent river mouth break across from Cabinas Tsunami called El Estero. The biggest waves can reach a height of up to 12 feet, although this is a rare occurrence and is only seen during June, July and August. The beaches in the area are generally clean and recent efforts by the government and local business organizations are proving themselves. While the beach has not regained its Blue Flag Status, in September 2008 it did get a clean bill of health from the Costa Rican Government. The town is trying to regain its Blue Flag Status.
Transportation
Tamarindo is the most accessible location along the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica with an airstrip. There is a scheduled daily bus service to and from San José, and a paved highway from San José with an average driving time of 3.5 to 6 hours depending on traffic. and Playa Grande, located 2 km from downtown Tamarindo. Liberia International Airport is the closest international airport to Tamarindo, about an hour away. Tamarindo is served by Route 152.
Villareal
The nearby town of Villareal has a both a public Elementary school and a public High-school, two full size soccer fields, multiple restaurants, two large stores, multiple hardware stores, a police station, a church, several car repair shops and a fuel station.
Langosta
Just east of the centre of Tamarindo, there is a 3-way intersection. To the left is the road that leads to the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica, and also a secondary exit from Tamarindo. To the right is the road that leads to Langosta.
Shopping and Services
Attorneys
A branch office of the regional law firm Expertis Legal is located in Tamarindo center.
Supermarkets
There are 5 supermarkets in the area.
SuperCompro.
Super 2001.
Supermercado Las Palmeras.
Automercado, very upscale and air-conditioned, on the road towards Tamarindo.
Vindi Tamarindo, modern
Farmers Markets
There is a fair-sized farmers market between the beginning of the road to Langosta every Saturday morning, which has a variety of items for sale, not just food. You will usually find at least a few dozen vendors there. There is also a smaller farmers market in Villareal, at the corner of the soccer field, every Friday morning, but it only has fruits and vegetables.
Banks
There are 3 banks in Tamarindo.
Banco Nacional de Costa Rica on the road from the center of town, has parking, 2 ATMs and Security. It closes at 3:45pm.
Another two are in Plaza Conchal Commercial Center, below Expertis Law firm, and at very end/back of the shops. These are open later hours than Banco Nacional. Both have ATMs.
There are two ATMs,in front of Subway and another inside Super Compro.
Retail shops and restaurants love the American dollar. However, as a rule of thumb, don't use anything over a $20 bill...forget using a $100. You will get change in colons.
Surf Shops
There are several shops in Tamarindo that sell and rent surf boards. They also sell related equipment and clothing.
