Tamarindo, Costa Rica is both adventurous and relaxing — this town has a little bit of something for everyone, so it makes for a great family workation destination. It’s known for its gorgeous white sand beaches and great surfing. Sometimes beautiful beaches like this are super remote, which makes Tamarindo an attractive option — it’s got the allure of paradise with all the conveniences you’ll need! You could easily spend a month or more here while you work remotely!
This practical guide will help you quickly get adjusted to Tamarindo, so you can spend more time on the beach making memories with your family.
School and Work Opportunities
Worldschooling: There are several schools in the area that accept visiting students and can provide a great source for socializing with local and expat children. There’s also plenty of conservation projects, eco tours, and Spanish & cultural lessons that can provide a unique learning opportunity for kids. Check out this guide for specific world schooling opportunities.
Working conditions: There’s two dedicated co-working spaces in Tamarindo — both are fast & reliable, albeit on the expensive side. In general, Tamarindo is one of the most reliable spots for wifi in the country.
Quick history
Independence: The Guanacaste region was originally part of Nicaragua during the colonial era. However, after the region gained independence from Spain in 1821, the residents grew tired of the violence in Nicaragua and requested to be annexed to Costa Rica, which happened in 1825.
Agricultural roots: Today, tourism is the most lucrative business in the region, but agriculture is also a prominent industry with the exports being sugar cane, cotton, and rice.
Endless Summer: Tamarindo began transitioning from a largely agricultural economy to a tourism powerhouse after it was featured in the 1994 surf film, The Endless Summer II, which showcased famous surfers living it up in this beautiful remote beach town. After that, many foreign surfers started flocking to the small town in search of their own endless summers. In 2002, the town paved its main road and the nearby Liberia airport started offering direct flights from North America — and that’s how Tamarindo became the popular destination it is today!
Cost
Average cost of living: a family of 4 can live comfortably on about $1,800/month not including rent when visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica,
Food: Meals at cheap restaurants average about $10 and a gallon of milk can be as high as $5.
Accommodations: An Airbnb rental averages about $3,000/month. Of course, this is highly variable depending on the season you go.
Comparison: See how Tamarindo compares to prices in your hometown so you can budget accordingly.
Not for the frugal family: In general, you won’t find Costa Rica to be a very cheap country to visit — unless, of course, you only live and travel in the most remote villages. If you’re traveling to a tourist friendly hotspot like Tamarindo, expect to pay gas and food prices that are about equal to the US, especially now that the cologne to dollar ratio is much less favorable to Americans. Check out the current exchange rate.
Neighborhoods to live and visit
There’s so many living options to choose in Tamarindo! Here’s a general guide on what areas to look at:
Downtown: Giving up a little bit of the rural vibe in exchange for easy access to amenities can be worth it for families — especially if you want to avoid the extra cost of daily taxis or car rentals. For this reason, staying in downtown Tamarindo is a safe bet — you’ll be able to walk to all the restaurants, grocery stores, & the beach without much of a hassle. Some families rent golf carts to get around but it’s not necessary. The downtown area can get crowded during the peak tourism season, but if you travel from May through November you can avoid most of the crowds while enjoying all the conveniences that downtown has to offer.
Playa Langosta: This small beach community is just 1.5 miles south and is a bit like a suburb of Tamarindo. It’s quieter and more upscale, made up mostly of condos and hotels. You’ll also find boutique shops and swanky cocktail bars. It’s a prime spot for more advanced surfing.
Playa Grande: This is a remote community about 13 miles north of downtown Tamarindo. It’s not ideal for families to stay here because it doesn’t have direct access to Tamarindo, so the drive there can actually take about 40 minutes. However, this is a prime conservation area, so it makes for a great day trip from Tamarindo to explore a more rural part of the country — you’ll be able to explore the Wildlife Refuge and the endangered leatherback sea turtle at the Las Baulas National Park.
Getting around
No car needed: When visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica it’s not necessary to rent a car for your day-to-day life, especially if you’re living downtown. (Though some families do opt to rent golf carts).
Weekend excursions: However, if you want to explore other parts of the country, booking a private shuttle or rental car may be your best bet. Check out our guide on transportation in Costa Rica for more information!
Where to grocery shop
It can be tricky to know where to grocery shop while visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Here’s all the best options in the area to help you get adjusted to your new city. Don’t forget to bring your own bag!
This is the top-tier grocery store in Tamarindo. You can find everything you’d typically find in an American grocery store here — meats, fresh produce, as well as most of the snack staples. You can also find diapers, baby food, and toiletries. However, it is on the north side of town past the river, so you may have to take a taxi.
This is similar to the Auto Mercardo in that it’s clean and well stocked — however, it’s more like a robust convenience store. You’ll be able to find some produce, snacks, and beverages but you won’t be able to find all of your cooking ingredients here. The prices here are among the highest you’ll find in town. It’s centrally located, right down the road from the night market, so it could be a good option if you just need a few supplies.
This is also centrally located, right down the street from the main entrance to the beach. It’s clean with a friendly staff and the prices are reasonable. You’ll be able to find all that you need — fresh produce, meat, snacks, as well as baby food and diapers.
This is also centrally located, on the bottom floor of a high-rise building. It’s not the best for fresh produce or meat, but will be fine for basic necessities.
Local schools
If you’re looking to enroll your child in a school, you’re in luck! Tamarindo has several schools that are open to enrolling students on a temporary basis — a few weeks to a few months.
Local healthcare providers
Here’s the rundown of the top places to seek medical care while visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica.
911: There is a 911 system in Costa Rica — and if you dial that number, a bilingual operator will dispatch an ambulance to your location. The ambulances are provided by the Red Cross and can take a while to arrive. For that reason, many expats and tourists rely on private ambulance services, for example the Medi Red.
Health insurance: It’s recommended to purchase international health insurance before visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica. There’s numerous companies to choose from. SafetyWing has great reviews and markets specifically to nomadic or remote lifestyles.
Hospitals: You’re not too far from world class medical care when visiting Tamarindo, Costa Rica. There are two private hospitals less than an hour from the city that offer premium medical service, often at the fraction of the price that it would be in the US.
Clinics: Beachside Clinic is affiliated with CIMA Hospital. It’s located in Huacas, about 20 minutes from downtown Tamarindo. The doctors are highly rated, are proficient in English, and they are able to treat most medical needs. You can contact the 24-hour clinic at 2653-9911.