Top Tamarindo Day Trips

Enjoy the thrill of this all-day adventure that includes some of the best outdoor fun. Get your adrenaline pumping on an exciting zipline tour, horseback riding through epic landscapes, and tubing along a flowing river. This memorable tour includes a visit to natural hot springs, a volcanic mud bath, and a full buffet lunch. It's the best way to experience the natural wonder of Costa Rica!

Get an up-close look at Costa Rica's hidden natural wonders on this Rio Celeste and Llanos de Cortes waterfall tour. Follow an expert local guide through breathtaking scenery, rugged trails, and truly beautiful attractions. This is the perfect way to explore outside the city and see what makes Costa Rica a top attraction for nature lovers.

Grab your passport and head over the border for a whistle-stop tour of Nicaragua’s best bits from Costa Rica. Take in the views from Catarina Volcano, haggle over handicrafts at the Masaya Artisan Market and visit the active Masaya Volcano. After a delicious lunch of typical Nicaraguan cuisine, explore the colonial town of Granada, where you can marvel over the historic architecture and admire views of Mombacho Volcano. Finally, set sail across Lake Nicaragua for a 1-hour sunset cruise, stopping to meet the friendly monkeys of Monkey Island along the way.

This sunset cruise includes snorkeling equipment for you to get out and enjoy the water, plus a premium top-shelf open bar and lunch. Basically, it has everything you need to guarantee a fun afternoon out on the water. End your tour with a picture-perfect sunset over the ocean. The cruise leaves from 2 locations, Tamarindo or Playas del Coco. please be careful to select the correct option.

Spend your Sunday afternoon hanging out outside Tamarindo on this beach and pool bar crawl. Discover the hidden pools and beaches north along the cost of Guanacaste and enjoy happy hour and food specials at each stop, as well as party games along the way. The tour ends with a bonfire on the beach at sunset.

Just outside the crowded beaches of Tamarindo, Las Baulas National Park offers an often-overlooked natural getaway. This tour takes you through the park’s vast network of mangrove forests on a relaxing boat trip. As you float down the river, your guide points out wildlife like howler monkeys, crocodiles, and tropical birds that you might not see on your own.

Set sail from Tamarindo in time to catch the sunset on this afternoon sailing tour. Snack and grab a drink from the open bar while admiring views of the Guanacaste coast, or go for an adventure using included kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and snorkel equipment. As a bonus, this eco-conscious boat is low emission and serves all of its food and beverages in reusable materials—no single-use plastic on board.

There’s a good reason why Tamarindo is known as a top surf destination for beginners. In just one lesson, you can pop up on your board and ride a wave when you take a private or group lesson. Or, even upgrade to a 3-day mini-surf camp—the choice is yours when you book. No matter what you choose, hang easy knowing that all equipment and a qualified instructor are included with all packages.

Explore Tamarindo’s beaches and dry forest on an off-road ATV tour with river crossings, mountain views, and stunning tropical scenery. Learn to maneuver your vehicle, then follow your guide along a rugged circuit. Take in the sights and sounds of the Costa Rican forest and watch for birds and monkeys as you steer beneath coastal trees. Upgrade your tour to include other activities such as snorkeling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or even exploring other areas by ATV.

Take a ride aboard the Dream Chaser catamaran, with plenty of opportunities to snorkel in the sea, with this small-group tour, limited to 16 passengers. You'll also get the chance to dine on an included lunch with a variety of vegetable and meat options or order drinks from the onboard tiki bar.

Set sail on the big blue Pacific with this deluxe catamaran cruise from Tamarindo or Playa del Coco. Sunbathe on the spacious deck and stop to swim and snorkel in the warm tropical waters. Enjoy lunch freshly prepared onboard by an attentive crew, and stay hydrated with unlimited drinks from an open bar. Cruise back into port just as the sun is setting for a memorable end to a another day in paradise.

Part of what makes Costa Rica the world's premier destination for ecotourism is its extensive coastlines. Explore the waters off Guanacaste aboard the Blue Dolphin, a 40-foot catamaran that slices through the surf and offers a fully stocked bar, paddle boards and kayaks for your enjoyment. Breathe in the salt spray and keep a lookout for dolphins, turtles, whales, and spectacular coastal views.

Experience Tamarindo’s perfect breaks with a 2-hour surf lesson at a legendary beachside shop. Get in the water for the first time and practice paddling, popping up and riding in a forgiving beach break. More experienced surfers can hone their skills by surfing alongside an expert instructor, learning to read the breaking surf while improving technique and form. Riders of all skill levels can soak up the sun on the Pacific Coast and enjoy the security of an experienced surf school that places the emphasis on safety and fun. 

Immerse yourself in the wild volcanic landscapes of the Rincon de la Vieja National Park on this full-day trekking tour. Set out on a moderate 3-hour hike through the jungle and keep a lookout for Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Toucans, and Coatis along the way. Pass hissing fumaroles, volcanic craters, and bubbling mud pools, then cool off with a swim beneath the Oropendola Waterfall. After re-fuelling with a delicious lunch of Costa Rican cuisine, enjoy a soothing soak in the hot springs and volcanic mud baths of Rio Negro.

Explore Tenorio Volcano National Park and visit a sloth sanctuary with this private tour. You'll start at Tenorio Volcano, where you'll take a five-mile hike through the rainforest, passing by volcanic vents and the beautiful waters of Rio Celeste along the way. You'll then visit a sloth sanctuary, where you'll see two types of sloth in their natural habitat before wrapping your tour up with a traditional Costa Rican lunch.

Avoid the hassle of calling a taxi service or arranging a shuttle bus with this round-trip transfer service. Pre-book your transfer and meet your driver at Liberia Airport (LIR) for your drive to your Tamarindo Beach accommodation. Once you’ve finished your vacation, your driver meets you at your hotel in Tamarindo hotel for the drive back to the airport. Enjoy complimentary drinks during both journeys.

Get off the beaten path and explore down back roads that aren’t accessible any other way, on this private ATV tour of Tamarindo. Adult travelers can drive themselves while families with kids can pair up on double ATVs. Enjoy the views as you drive through forests and rivers to secluded beaches and impressive viewpoints. This is an exciting way to explore the countryside around Tamarindo.

No need to travel far from Tamarindo for a fun zipline experience through a forest canopy. This Tamarindo zipline tour is just a few minutes from downtown Tamarindo, so you can get in, zip around, and head back to the beach in time to watch the sunset.

Experience the thrill of navigating class III and IV white waters on this incredible 2.5-hour tour of Tenorio River. Get an up close look at local wildlife as you paddle your way through raging rapids. Ideal for first-timers and experienced travelers alike. This popular tour is sure to be an adrenaline rush!

Kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and unobscured views of the Guanacaste coast make this perfectly timed sunset catamaran cruise a must when in Tamarindo—and the open bar certainly doesn't hurt. End your day with sea, surf, and sunshine out on the ocean before coming closer to shore in time for a panoramic view of the sunset.

Learn how to surf like a local in Tamarindo, Costa Rica—a popular destination for hanging ten. During the lesson, you will learn the basics, including how to paddle out by yourself. Rash guards, boards, and bottled water are included. Choose to depart from either your hotel or the surf shop.

This tour offers the perfect balance of a little activity in contact with nature hiking in a tropical rainforest and witnessing volcanic activity from a safe distance and the opportunity of relax at a natural swimming pool at the base of a beautiful waterfall and as a plus end up with a deserved break in the volcanic mineral hot springs. All this at the convenience of going in a private and comfortable transportation.

Head to the rainforest from Tamarindo on this private all-day excursion with a naturalist guide. Hike to the impressive Rio Celeste waterfall and then go tubing down the river, stopping along the way to swim and spot wildlife including sloths. A local lunch is included. Plus, stop to admire the Tree of Peace, which is more than 500 years old.

This guided tour to Palo Verde National Park from the Guanacaste area is an easy way to see some of the wildlife that makes Costa Rica famous without going too far out of your way. Take private transit out to the park, and then hop onto a leisurely river cruise for chances to see iguanas, birds, monkeys, and more in the wild. Park fees and transportation are included in tour price for a good value.