Top Tamarindo Nature and Wildlife

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.

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.

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.

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!

Head out into the Cosa Rican night in search of Green Pacific and Olive Ridley sea turtles laying their eggs on Playa Grande. During this evening tour from Tamarindo, you may even see baby turtles hatching, depending on the conditions. National park fees included.

Horseback riding through the jungle might sound too good to be true, but this tour certainly isn’t. Saddle up for a relaxed ride through a private jungle ranch outside of Tamarindo—well-trained horses make this tour suitable for beginner and advanced riders alike. As follow your guide through forests and pastures en route to waterfalls, vista points, and natural springs, look out for wildlife like iguanas and monkeys in their natural habitat.

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.

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.

Turtles are a big see on Costa Rica beaches, but if you don’t know where to find them, you may miss spotting them in their natural habitat. This Turtle Watching Tour from Tamarindo takes you to a popular beach where turtle nesting happens yearly for six months straight. Your guide knows the specific areas to visit to see these shelled creatures. Plus, pickup from Tamarindo is included.

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.

If you want to see sloths in Costa Rica, maximize your chances at the Spring Paradise Bijagua, where the adorable furry creatures can often be seen in their natural habitat. Plus, take a guided hike through the rainforest to the Blue River waterfall, and cool off with cliff jumping and swimming in a jungle lagoon. It's a great way to take a break from the beaches and do something different in Tamarindo.

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.

Travel from Liberia Airport to your hotel in Santa Teresa, Malpais, Montezuma, Manuel Antonio, the Papagayo Peninsula, or San Jose in comfort with a private transfer service for just your party of up to four people. You'll travel in a well-equipped, air-conditioned vehicle and will have the option to stop along the way to use the restrooms or stretch your legs.

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.

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.

Fly through the canopy of a rare tropical dry forest on this ziplining excursion from the Tamarindo area. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of monkeys, lizards, and more as you traverse the treetops on a kid-friendly morning outing. Choose between 'Easy' or 'Adventure canopy tours to suit your level of skill.

Get off the beaten path in Tamarindo on a kayak tour to Las Baulas National Marine Park. Latin America's largest mangrove estuary is only accessible by water, so you're sure to escape the crowds. No kayaking experience is necessary, as a nature guide shows you the basics and leads you on a peaceful paddle and hike to spot native Costa Rican wildlife like howler monkeys, iguanas, and exotic birds.

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.

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.

Your cruise sets sail in Tamarindo in the afternoon to discover the Guanacaste coast by boat. You'll cruise to a private beach, where you can swim, snorkel, or stand-up paddleboard, and enjoy lunch, drinks, and music on board. As you head back to shore, you'll be able to admire the magical Tamarindo sunset from the water.

Travel beyond the beach on this buggy tour of Papagayo Gulf. After a brief safety training, take off down a winding trail in search of native wildlife, deserted beaches, and rural Costa Rican culture, stopping to take a swim along the way. No prior buggy riding experience is necessary.

Discover the incredible birds and biodiversity of Palo Verde National Park on this boat tour with lunch. Spot native wildlife such as crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, and a colorful parade of bird species during a 1-hour and 20 minutes cruise down the Tempisque River led by a naturalist guide. Afterward, discuss your sightings with fellow travelers over a traditional Costa Rican lunch at a local restaurant.

This organized nature day tour will take you to three of Guanacaste’s best sites in the Rincon de la Vieja National park You’ll have about a 2 mile walk with a naturalist guide in the National park with incredible wildlife, then get to Oropendola Waterfall for a swim in the blue pool below. After an included lunch, you’ll get to Rio Negro Hot Springs to relax in the thermal waters.

Cruise the Tempisque River and enjoy a traditional Costa Rican lunch on a 2-hour riverboat cruise from Tamarindo that explores the nature, wildlife and lush forests near Palo Verde National Park. Watch for white-faced monkeys, iguanas and crocodiles along the water’s edge, and capture images of bright tropical birds in the jungle canopy. After the family-style lunch, return to Tamarindo through bristling plantations of sweet melons and sugarcane, and finish the 6-hour day day with transfer to your hotel or private residence.