Ah, spring break – a much-needed escape from the dregs of winter and a long Q1 in the company calendar (or second semester of school, for the younger members of your family). Ah, Costa Rica spring break – an elevated escape to ocean-view infinity pools and world-class surf, tropical forest hikes and all the amenities of your own, private resort.
Because, while long gone may be the days of bacchanalia and spring break parties into the wee hours of the morning, a new kind of adventure now awaits: Welcome to a vacation that leans into sunset sails and long walks on the beach, lounging by the pool and savoring a spectacular sunset.
If you’re planning your Costa Rica spring break 2022, then you’ve come to the right place: Tamarindo, where you can carve out your perfect getaway, whether you’re a relax-and-do-nothing-at-all vacationer or a bucket-list traveler seeking to go big and pack it in.
Costa Rica Spring Break: What to Do
As we so often say, what you do in Costa Rica is largely a function of what you want to do. The truth is, we’ve lived here for years and still haven’t done it all – there’s just so much to do that, as soon as you’ve done it all, there’s another new thing to do!
So, we say, you do you: Are you an adrenaline junkie? Relaxation royalty? Family traveler? Nature aficionado? Because check, check, check, and check – Tamarindo has you covered!
That said, here are a few things you should at least put on your radar:
Tamarindo Breweries
Costa Rican microbrews and craft beer-min
Have a yen to quench your tropical thirst. We have a few (okay, many!) Costa Rican microbrews, craft beers, and other brews for you to try.
In the land of sun and fun, you’re likely to crave an ice-cold one. That’s our motto, at least! Because Costa Rica’s microbrews and craft beers are the perfect pairing to the warm tropical sun, a day of activity, and a packed plate of local fare. (Be sure to try the catch-of-the-day!)
Ask around at any bar or restaurant, and you’ll quickly discover that there’s one MAJOR player in Costa Rican beer: the Florida Ice & Farm Company (FIFCO), which produces all of Costa Rica’s more mainstream, standard brews, including those that maraud under the brand names of Imperial, Pilsen, and Bavaria.
They’ll quench your thirst – but that’s not what this keep-your-eyes-peeled suggestion is all about. Because there’s an entire (and growing daily) world of harder-to-find, you-may-have-to-ask-for-them Costa Rican microbrews, craft beers, and artisan lagers, many of which you can find in and around Tamarindo.
They include the Volcano Brewing Company, Tamarindo’s local superstar and the hoppy brainchild of Witch’s Rock Surf Camp. Their offerings vary but you can always rely on an ice-cold Witch’s Rock Pale Ale or Gato Malo Brown Ale; be sure to ask about seasonal or limited-run brews. Beyond that, be sure to ask around for offerings from Maderos Brewery, Lake Arenal Brewery, Costa Rica’s Craft Brewing Company, and the Costa Rica Meadery.
Surfing
Tamarindo surf lessons
Wondering what to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica? Surfing certainly tops the list of options.
Tamarindo is known for many things (and we’ll get to many of those many things, in just a moment!) but great surf is arguably our greatest claim to fame.
Our sandy little beach town is located smack dab in the center of Guanacaste’s famed Gold Coast beaches, where swells from north and south pump out huge surf (and gentle waves), big breaks (and mild crests) that for decades have inspired both die-hard surfers and newbies alike.
Whether you’re looking for some beginner surf spots where you won’t get in over your head (literally) or are ready to tackle Tamarindo’s advanced surfing spots world-renowned for their huge waves, big barrels, hard rights and lefts, our town is happy to serve up some of the best in Costa Rica. And the world. And that’s no exaggeration.
Restaurants & Nightlife
best Tamarindo restaurants - Pangas
Pangas is forever one of our top restaurant choices in Tamarindo restaurants, not just for the food but for the beachfront ambiance.
What would Costa Rica spring break (or vacation, generally) be, without a little (or a lot) of great food, good drink, and live music?
Luckily, Tamarindo is a veritable foodie haven: Dozens, if not hundreds of worth-your-time restaurants and joints, beachfront spreads and tiny holes-in-the-wall. Melty cheese and just-caught seafood, wood-fired grills and sizzling brick ovens, open kitchens and dining with your feet on the sand – we have it all.
And so, it’s for just this reason that we publish our Tamarindo restaurants guide (updated version, coming soon!), to help you draft your list of must-eats and must-views while you’re here. Want to drill down a little? Check out our guide to the best pizza in Tamarindo, the best seafood in Tamarindo, the best dinners in Tamarindo, the most romantic restaurants in Tamarindo, and even our intro to the famed Costa Rican casado (a traditional dish).
We just want you to have options. A little more room to experiment with your taste buds and hone your Tamarindo palate. A few more inspirations to try new things and taste new tastes. Or, to revisit old favorites. Because you’ll want to. You really will. Tamarindo’s restaurants have a certain temptation. So, as we say in Costa Rica, ¡provecho! Enjoy!
Still can’t find quite the meal you’re looking for? That’s why we’re here! Get in touch and we’ll be happy to point your palate in the right direction.
Adventures by Land and Sea
Sailing
Book a private sailboat tour, and this is yours – all yours!
Spring break should be everything you want it to be. We firmly believe that, with no aspersions, no preconceived notions, no judgment. You do you.
Want to lounge by the pool for a solid straight week? Valid. Planning to pack your days with morning and afternoon tours, from the moment you arrive? We’re on board. Prefer a little-bit-of-both? We’ve got you covered.
And so, because we believe that knowledge is power, we’re happy to help you sift through all your many options: What can you do, so you can narrow it down to what you want to do. And it all starts with land and sea – the dual (but not dueling) promise of a Tamarindo vacation.
Because, while you’re probably thinking about the beach, the ocean, the sun, and the sand, you should also be thinking about Tamarindo by land: a veritable world of dry forests, savannah lands, mountains, and volcanoes have on offer. Because, we’re talking high-octane adventure and sunset horseback rides, wildlife explorations and breathtaking mountain biking. Tours, activities, and experiences that will stamp indelible memories onto your time in Costa Rica.
With that knowledge in your back pocket, travel on to explore Tamarindo by sea because, well, we’re a haven for all things aquatic: Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie in pursuit of frothing white water, an angler in search of the next big catch, or your little pirate has professed a desire to pursue underwater treasure, the best Tamarindo tours on water promise to fulfill your dreams (and probably stoke a few new ones). It’s just that kind of place.
Want to discuss Tamarindo things to do more in depth? That’s why we’re here! Get in touch and we’ll be happy to point your palate in the right direction.