If you have just 1 week in Costa Rica and want to stay at the beach the whole time, we have a great itinerary for you.
This itinerary flies in and out of Guanacaste Airport and uses the beach town of Tamarindo as a home base. You will have 5 full days in Tamarindo, total 1 week including your flying in/out days.
This is a helpful guideline for families who are visiting during spring break and only have 5 full days in Costa Rica. You can also use this to get ideas if you only have 2-3 days in Tamarindo.
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What to Know About This Tamarindo 5 Days Itinerary
The best way to get around for this Tamarindo 5 days itinerary is to rent a car, but you don’t absolutely have to. However, having a car will be way easier to do/see more during your short time in Costa Rica.
Your next best option if you don’t rent a car is to book private shuttles for the day trips or book tours with transportation. You can rent a sedan or compact SUV if you are a group of 1-2 or 3 to 4 with limited luggage.
For groups of 5, you will need a full size 7 passenger SUV. For bigger groups plus luggage, a 9/12 passenger van will work. Get our Costa Rica car rental discount here.
In the dry season, a 4wd is not required to the places in this itinerary. If you are visiting during the rainy season, we recommend a high clearance car instead. Read more about Costa Rica weather here.
This itinerary is doable any time of the year. Best weather is December through April (summer – no rain). May through November is rainy season but we actually personally prefer Tamarindo in the rainy season as it’s much more lush and green and it’s a bit cooler.
Without a car
You will have to book private shuttles and tours with transportation. You can contact us to book your transportation and tours for this itinerary as we have partners that provide these services.
About Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the main beach towns in the Guanacaste province. It’s very popular among surfers, backpackers, couples and families thanks to its excellent year round surfing waves, close proximity to the airports and developed tourist infrastructure.
Day 1: Land, Check in
Today you fly into Guanacaste Airport! Go through immigration and customs, pick up your rental car and drive a little over an hour to Tamarindo. The drive is around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Make sure you do not fly into San Jose International Airport, as the drive from San Jose to Tamarindo is around 4.5 hours.
After settling in and freshening up, head to the beach. On your way to the beach, stop by one of the many surf shops to book your surf lesson for day 2.
Dinner: Mercadito, Nogui’s, Pikatas, El Be, Green Papaya.
Where to Stay
For a beach resort, Tamarindo Diria. Beachfront with adult only rooms, family rooms and ocean view rooms.
Airbnb is very popular in Tamarindo and you can find whole houses and condos for rent.
Some other hotel options are Best Western Tamarindo, Hotel Mar Rey, Hotel Pasatiempo, Wyndham Tamarindo, Ocho Artisan Bungalows and Cabinas Marielos.
Day 2: Surf lessons
Today you will take a surf lesson! You’ll do an hour on the sand, practicing and getting familiar with your board. Then your knowledgeable instructor will take you out to start pushing you on waves.
Time of your surf lesson will depend on the tide so just enjoy the beach, walk around town and take a nap for the rest of your day.
Cost for 2 hour group lesson: ~$50 USD per person.
If you’re not keen on surfing, that’s totally fine and you can have a beach day. Walk end to end, swim in the waves, sunbathe, get a massage.
Lunch: Pico Bistro or Volcano Brewing Company
Dinner: Pangas, Red Door, Noi Bistro
Alternative option to surf lessons: Take a mangrove safari tour through Marino Las Baulas National Park to see crocodiles, monkeys and birds.
Day 3: Beach hopping and snorkeling tour in Playas del Coco morning, Diamante ziplining afternoon
Today is a full day of fun! On day 3 of your 5 days in Tamarindo, you will drive one hour and 20 minutes to do a private beach hop and snorkeling tour from Playas del Coco in the Gulf of Papagayo.
The Gulf of Papagayo is home to some of the most beautiful white sand beaches and clearest waters in Costa Rica.
You will do a morning tour from 8 AM to 12 PM, have lunch in Playas del Coco afterwards and then stop by Diamante Eco Adventure Park to do a very exciting ziplining tour in the afternoon. Get 10% off the Diamante zipline pass!
Lunch: Soda Teresita, Le Coq, Zi Lounge, Coconutz, Cafe Corzazon or Johann Bistro
Dinner options in Tamarindo: Jardin Tamarindo Food Truck Park, Surf Shack Burgers and Wings, La Oveja Surf House
Alternative options: A morning zipline at the zipline park 15 minutes outside Tamarindo and then an afternoon sunset sailing tour.
Day 4: Rio Celeste Hike + Wildlife Nature Walk
Today is your day to explore the rainforest of Costa Rica! You will drive 2.5 hours to Tenorio Volcano National Park to see Rio Celeste, a sky blue river and waterfall. This national park is near the town of Bijagua, a small farming town.
We recommend to leave early in the morning so you can get to the park before 9 AM. Tour groups start arriving around 930 -10 AM and it gets incredibly crowded. Remember you must purchase your park tickets on the SINAC website. They do not sell tickets at the door.
The hike takes approximately 3 hours or so depending on how fast you walk. Afterwards, have lunch at the restaurant right outside the park entrance or stop by a place in Bijagua. Recommendations: Restaurante Metamorphosis, Pizzeria El Barrigon or Rest y Marisqueria PORO.
After lunch, head to Finca Verde Lodge to do a nature walk on their property. The guide will take you around the hotel grounds to point out sloths and frogs, amongst other wildlife on a short walk.
Then drive back to Tamarindo after your day in the rainforest.
Dinner option in Tamarindo: Green Papaya, Dragonfly, Falafel Bar
Day 5: Conchal Beach
Sleep in and grab lunch from Breaking Bread or Sol Bakery. Afterwards, drive 30 minutes to Brasilito to walk 15 minutes across the beach to get to your destination for the day, Conchal Beach.
Conchal beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, with sparkling white shells instead of sand and clear bright blue waters. You’ll spend the rest of the day at this beach tanning, walking on the beach, taking a nap and getting a massage on the beach.
Have dinner in Brasilito at Masala Indian, Patagonia del Mar, Soda Brasilito or Las Olas BrewPub and then head back to Tamarindo.
If you want to go out, The Alley, Lizard Lounge and Rumors usually have something going on.
Day 6: Tamarindo
On your last full day in Tamarindo, just relax and enjoy. Nothing is planned for today so it’s open to how you want to spend it. Sleep in, lay by the pool, go shopping, surf, swim, lounge.
You can watch the sunset on the beach or walk up to the viewpoint in town called “Scenic Overlook of Tamarindo” on Google Maps.
If you do want to do something, you can take an ATV tour, visit Playa Langosta or go surfing again.
Day 7: Fly Out
Today you will fly out of Guanacaste Airport to go back home. We hope you had a fantastic 5 days in Tamarindo!
More Costa Rica Itineraries
1 week in Costa Rica Central and South Pacific (Fly in/out of SJO Airport)
Costa Rica 13 days: San Jose, Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna, Monteverde
Costa Rica 8 days: La Fortuna & Playas del Coco
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Janet Reese says
Hi,
We are planning a Dec. 4-14, 2023 trip to Play flamingo Margaritaville. I see they have tours from the hotel. Do you lead them? If not, are your services available from the hotel pickup?
Also, is it necessary to rent a car to get around to the various Guanacaste beaches? Or are there drivers reasonably priced? We are flying into Liberia and can get a shuttle to the hotel, but not sure if we need to rent a car to get around the area?
Thank you!
Sammi says
HI Janet, we don’t work with any hotels in Costa Rica to sell tours, we only work with the partners on our website. We do offer tours with transportation from Flamingo Margaritvagille with our tour partners. You can check with tours we have with a discount in Guanacaste here: https://mytanfeet.com/special-deals/guanacaste-day-tours-discount/ and request to book through that page.
It is best to have a car in this area, it is extremely difficult to get around to the various beaches without one. Here are our Costa Rica car rental tips and we offer a Costa Rica car rental discount and our partner Adobe can deliver and pick up your car to Flamingo Margaritaville resort free of charge.
Linda says
Can fishing be a part of the Tamarindo itinerary? Suggestions
Sammi says
Yes you can do a fishing tour instead of snorkeling or do a fishing + snorkeling tour
Rivka Videan says
Hello,
Looking at being based in Tamarindo, Costa Rico: I am having trouble putting together a holiday of 2 or maybe 3 weeks, preferably this year but not essential. I want to put together the shortest possible flights to and from, the best weather time, somewhere to stay that is private and natural, quite basic and self catering where I can’t see, or hear, any people – yet definitely safe. I am most interested in relaxing, sunbathing safely alone, being very near a beach ie easy walking distance and most of all the animals – particularly sloths – and all the amazing types of un tourist filled forests. I can only walk about 15 minutes without help, have a very weak immune system and I am 71 years old but very adventurous. I really want to go on the zip lines over the forests. I can drive but don’t really want to drive myself everywhere. Although I don’t mind being in a group occasionally, can you help me to do all this by myself please?
Sammi says
Hello, after reading your requirements, I would not recommend Tamarindo. There are no sloths on that coast. You can check out Puerto Viejo as that beach town is very natural, lots of sloths, nice beaches but you need to be more vigilant for safety.
Janet says
What excursion will give us the best wildlife experience? covered bridges or Corobici river float? Any beaches a must near Jardom del Eden?
Sammi says
From hanging bridges to river floats, I will go with the river float.
We have tons of beach recommendations near Tamarindo, definitely Playa Avellanas, Playa Grande
Emily Galyen says
Have you spent time in Nosara? looking at staying there as our base..any suggestions for a family of five, surfing, fishing, or ziplining?
Thanks, Emily
Sammi says
Hi Emily, yes you can check our Nosara guide for recommendations and info
Kelly Fox says
We are spending a week in Playa Langosta in January (First visit…yea!). So happy to have found your blog…so informative! We have already booked a snorkeling trip with Captain Juame, plan to zipline at Black Stallion, and I’m sure we will spend a lot of time in Tamarindo.
We didn’t rent a car as it was suggested a golf cart would be best for hopping around town (we have a driver from the airport, a taxi to Playa Flamingo for snorkeling, and the tours include transportation). I haven’t seen you mention a golf cart as a good option at all….now I am worried, lol!
My question is….will the golf cart be a good way to get from our rental villa in Playa Langosta to Tamarindo for shopping, restaurants, etc? Are there places to park it? Or should we try to cancel it.
I really don’t want a to rent a regular car!
Thanks for all of your help!
Also…what is.the name of the soda in Tamarindo from your YouTube video?
Take care!
Kelly
York, PA
Sammi says
You can get back and forth Langosta – Tamarindo in a golf cart, I know a lot of americans like golf carts but we’re not personally huge fans of them since costs are pretty much the same as renting a sedan and the road to Langosta is not always good (they try to asphalt it but then always gets big pot holes).