Tamarindo Adventure Seeker's Guide: Surfing, Ziplining & Wildlife Tours

Tamarindo has earned its reputation as Costa Rica's surfing mecca for good reason. What makes this stretch of Pacific coastline special is its remarkable versatility—offering breaks suitable for complete beginners alongside challenging spots that keep even veteran wave riders like myself coming back year after year.

My personal favorite spot remains Playa Tamarindo itself, where the consistent, gentle breaks near the estuary provide perfect learning conditions. During my last visit, I watched my 14-year-old granddaughter catch her first unassisted wave here after just two lessons—the same spot where her mother learned twenty years earlier.

For intermediate surfers looking to progress, head slightly south to Playa Langosta during mid-tide. The waves here offer more challenge without being intimidating. When I'm feeling particularly spry (yes, even at 63!), I'll take a morning trip to Witch's Rock or Ollie's Point—legendary breaks accessible only by boat that feature in countless surfing documentaries.

Renting equipment is straightforward in town, but if you're staying for more than a few days, consider bringing your own surfboard bag. I've found this particular model offers excellent protection while being surprisingly lightweight for travel. For beginners, I highly recommend booking lessons with Iguana Surf or Kelly's Surf Shop—both offer patient instructors who understand that not all of us have the resilience of twenty-somethings anymore!

There's something profoundly liberating about soaring through the forest canopy, suspended only by a cable, with the verdant Costa Rican wilderness stretching out below you. Despite my initial hesitations during our first family trip (heights have never been my strong suit), ziplining has become our Howard family tradition—one that bridges generational gaps as effectively as it crosses ravines.

Of the numerous operations in the Tamarindo area, I consistently recommend Pinilla Canopy Tours for families and Congo Trail Canopy Tour for thrill-seekers. The former offers a more relaxed pace with spectacular ocean views, while the latter features longer, faster lines that satisfy even my adventure-hungry adult children.

On our last visit, I surprised myself by tackling the 'Superman' line at Diamante Eco Adventure Park—an experience where you're harnessed face-down to truly 'fly' across a kilometer-long cable. For someone who remembers watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon, I felt remarkably astronaut-like myself! The action camera my son insisted I wear captured every exhilarating second and terrified expression.

For those with joint issues like my wife, who still manages to participate despite her old back injury, I suggest wearing a compression sleeve under your harness points. These have saved us from uncomfortable pressure bruising that can dampen the experience.

Costa Rica's commitment to preserving its astounding biodiversity means that even a developed beach town like Tamarindo offers remarkable wildlife viewing opportunities. The mangrove estuary that separates Tamarindo from Playa Grande is my personal favorite spot for observing creatures in their natural habitat.

During our family's most recent visit, we booked a sunrise kayak tour with Tamarindo Mangrove & Wildlife Tours. Gliding silently through narrow waterways at dawn, we spotted howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, crocodiles, and an astonishing variety of birds. Our guide, Fernando, has been leading tours for over 30 years and possesses an almost supernatural ability to spot camouflaged creatures that would otherwise remain invisible to the untrained eye.

For night owls, the turtle nesting tours at nearby Playa Grande (part of Las Baulas National Marine Park) provide a humbling opportunity to witness endangered leatherback turtles laying eggs between October and March. These guided experiences require advance booking and strict adherence to conservation protocols—no flash photography or white lights allowed. I've found a red light headlamp essential for these excursions, as it doesn't disturb the sensitive turtles.

Further afield, the dry bag backpack I purchased specifically for Costa Rican adventures has proven invaluable for day trips to Rincón de la Vieja National Park, where active volcanic features create an otherworldly landscape populated by exotic wildlife. The waterproof construction protects cameras and supplies during sudden tropical downpours or river crossings.

While Tamarindo itself doesn't feature hot springs, no discussion of Costa Rican adventures would be complete without mentioning the therapeutic thermal waters that first brought our family here two decades ago. A day trip to the Rincón de la Vieja area (about 1.5 hours drive) rewards visitors with access to several volcanic hot spring developments.

Rio Negro Hot Springs remains our family's preferred destination, offering a more natural experience with stone-lined pools of varying temperatures set alongside a cooling river. The mineral-rich waters here worked wonders for my wife's back recovery years ago, and I find they still ease my hiking-weary joints after active days.

For those seeking a more luxurious experience, Tabacón Hot Springs near Arenal Volcano (a longer but worthwhile day trip) offers beautifully landscaped thermal gardens with waterfalls, hidden grottos, and swim-up bars. The quick-dry towel has proven essential for these excursions—compact enough to fit in a day pack but absorbent enough for multiple dips between pools.

The healing traditions surrounding these waters have connected me with remarkable local artisans over the years. In the small villages near the hot springs, you'll find workshops creating handcrafted soaps and botanical treatments incorporating volcanic clay and native plants. My collection of these authentic souvenirs has grown with each visit, each item telling a story of Costa Rica's natural bounty and traditional knowledge.

After numerous visits to Tamarindo spanning two decades, I've refined our family's approach to the logistical aspects of Costa Rican adventures. For accommodations, we've found the sweet spot in mid-range condo rentals slightly removed from the main strip—places like Sunrise Condominiums or the Pacific Park complex offer the perfect balance of comfort, value, and location.

Renting a 4WD vehicle is non-negotiable if you plan to explore beyond Tamarindo itself. While the main roads have improved dramatically over the years, many of the most rewarding destinations still require navigating unpaved roads and water crossings. I've had excellent experiences with Adobe Rent a Car, which offers transparent pricing without the surprise fees that international chains often spring on you.

Regarding gear, Costa Rica's combination of sun, salt, sand, and sudden downpours creates unique challenges. My waterproof phone case has saved expensive electronics countless times during unexpected rain or splashy boat rides. For day hikes, the insulated water bottle keeps water cold despite the tropical heat and has survived being dropped on volcanic rocks.

Finally, don't underestimate the importance of proper sun protection. Beyond the standard advice about reef-safe sunscreen, I've found the sun protection shirt indispensable for long days on the water. At my age, skin protection is serious business, and these shirts offer excellent coverage without overheating.