Tamarindo Costa Rica

Costa Rica Tamarindo Beaches

Playa Tamarindo
Playa Tamarindo is one of the three main beaches in Tamarindo, flanked by Playa Grande to the north and Playa Langosta to the south, both of which are protected nesting sites for the giant leatherback turtle. From November through February official tours are available for observing the giant turtles while they lay eggs on these beaches. The Tamarindo estuary that separates Playa Grande and Playa Tamarindo is a favorite spot for observing birds and other small wildlife. Few beaches in Costa Rica have moorings and surfable waves within a kilometer of each other like Playa Tamarindo. The beach is large enough for surfers and swimmers to find their own quiet spots, but be aware that parts of the beach have under currents and submerged rocks; it would be prudent to check with the locals before plunging in. There are good waves at the river estuary north of town and at Playa Grande across the estuary. Surfing is possible right off Playa Tamarindo but the rocks make for limited space. The two main points are Pico Pequeno, a rocky point in front of the Hotel Tamarindo Diria, and the excellent river mouth break called El Estero. However, most Tamarindo surfers favor Playa Langosta, a couple of kilometers south of Tamarindo, which can be reached by vehicle along dirt roads from the center of Tamarindo, or by walking along the shoreline to the south from “the Circle”. Both Playa Tamarindo and Playa Langosta are excellent beaches for watching the brilliant sunsets of the Pacific.

Playa Langosta
On the southern side of Tamarindo Bay, Punta (Point) San Francisco juts out into the Pacific. Just south of the point, Playa Langosta begins and runs all the way into the Hacienda Pinilla property. While Playa Tamarindo is generally considered more suitable for swimming and surfing lessons, Playa Langosta boasts bigger waves and a rockier coastline. It is also generally less crowded. More advanced surfers often come to Langosta for its bigger waves and challenge. One huge attraction is the warm water here. The water is also quite clear during dry season. This beach offers a right and left point break that curls off the mouth of a small river. 

Playa Grande
Playa Grande is where leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs. It is to the northwest of Playa Tamarindo separated by the estuary of the Matapalo River, which some may choose to cross on foot at low tide, but it is actually unsafe to do so due to to the crocodiles that inhabit the river. To be safe, most visitors endure the 30-minute car ride to get from one beach to the other, for lack of any bridges over the river. Playa Grande (Big Beach) as a town has fewer amenities than Tamarindo but its remoteness appeals to many vacationers who seek privacy and seclusion. The Costa Rica government’s active interest in preserving the shoreline and turtle nesting areas are keeping many development proposals for Playa Grande at bay for now.

Leatherback Turtles
Leatherback turtles take over the beaches of Grande and Langosta from November to February. They dig their nests one meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the pit with sand, returning once again to the sea. After 60 to 90 days, the hatchlings emerge and immediately make their way to the water. Along the treacherous path, which measures only a few meters, they are easy pray for crabs, seabirds and various mammals, which means only a handful are able to survive. Sometimes Pacific Ridley turtles also arrive to nest here as they do at Santa Ana and Corcovado National Park. Leatherbacks can measure up to 2.5 meters and weigh around 700 kilos. Unlike other turtles, they have no hard shell, but rather a black, leathery skin with ridges running lengthwise. Like other sea turtles, Leatherbacks spend their lives in warm tropical waters and come ashore only when their females nest. 

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