🇨🇷 Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Cabinas Las Olas
📍 Tamarindo Santa Cruz Del Restaurante Rustico, 200mts norte, Provincia de Guanacaste, Playa Avellanas, 50309, Costa Rica
Your stay — Cabinas Las Olas
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Tamarindo.
The Property — Cabinas Las Olas
Cabinas Las Olas feels more like a well-run surfer lodge than a standard hotel — think open-air corridors, painted concrete, and a pool that catches the afternoon breeze. It’s a 3-star that doesn’t pretend otherwise: clean, simple rooms with AC, a short walk to the beach, and a loyal crowd of return guests who come for the low-key vibe and direct booking discounts. Best for independent travellers or couples who want a base near the surf without paying resort prices, and who don’t mind that breakfast is served at the neighbouring café.
Chronicles of Tamarindo
Tamarindo was a small fishing village until the 1980s, when the first paved road from Liberia and the rise of surfing transformed it into Costa Rica’s most developed beach town. The original wooden houses and dirt tracks are long gone, replaced by a dense strip of hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops along the main road. Its architectural identity is unapologetically functional: concrete blocks, tile roofs, and open fronts that blur indoors and out. Today it’s the commercial hub of the Guanacaste coast, drawing a mix of international surfers, package tourists, and part-time residents from the US and Canada. The town’s cultural identity remains tied to the sea — fishing boats still launch from the estuary, and the surf break at the river mouth is the main draw year-round.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tamarindo guide →Best months
December to April — the dry season, with reliably sunny mornings and manageable crowds before the Easter surge.
Peak / festival surge
January and February, plus Easter week. These months see full occupancy and hotel rates at their highest — expect to pay double the green-season price. The driver is the combination of guaranteed dry weather and school holidays in North America and Europe.
Budget shoulder season
May and November. In May the rains start but are usually brief afternoon showers; rates drop 30-50% and the town is quiet. November is the transition into dry season, with green landscapes and fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
Tamarindo’s climate quirk: the dry season (Dec-Apr) feels almost desert-like, with dust and strong sun, while the green season (May-Nov) brings daily downpours that often clear by evening. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho that lives in your day bag from May to November, and reef-safe sunscreen for the water.
Live City Briefing — Tamarindo
- The main road through Tamarindo (Route 152) is undergoing widening works near the police station, expect slow traffic in and out of town during dry-season afternoons.
- A new craft brewery called Tortuga Beach Brewing opened in late 2025 on the south edge of town, with a pool table and a big garden that’s not yet on most maps.
- The seasonal turtle nesting patrols (July-October) are back along Playa Langosta; night tours leave from the Tamarindo estuary, but book ahead as they cap groups at eight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Cabinas Las Olas, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (the top floor, since this is a single-storey motel-style property) facing away from the street. These rooms get more cross-breeze and are quieter.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly backing onto the pool or common area – they can pick up late-night chatter and early-morning splash. Also skip the room nearest the reception/office if you want quiet.
Best views
Rooms at the rear (away from the street) look onto the garden or pool – not a sea view, but greener and more private than the car park side.
Quietest floors
First floor (top floor) – only two levels, so first floor is best for ceiling insulation from foot traffic above and less parking noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Tamarindo’s main road (all-night taxis, garbage trucks at dawn); pool area can be lively until 10pm; occasional music from nearby bars.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to choose your room – they’ll often let you pick if you arrive before the crowd. 2. Ask for a top-floor room at the back when booking – these have better airflow and less street rumble.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Cabinas Las Olas
Free WiFi throughout; speed sufficient for email and browsing, not for streaming
No lift; all rooms are on ground or first floor via stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 11:00; late check-out until 12:00 for 50% of nightly rate
Free for same-day arrivals/departures; overnight storage not available
No step-free access; property has stairs and uneven pathways; not wheelchair-friendly
On-site parking free; no valet; no EV charging; nearest public parking at Tamarindo municipal lot (CRC 1,500 per night)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit required at booking; CRC 50,000 or USD 100 incidental hold on credit card at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Avellanas — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
ATMs give the best rate; avoid exchanging at the airport or hotels as they offer poor rates. Banks in town are reliable.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets; contactless common in modern shops; cash needed for street stalls and small taxis.
10% service charge is usually included in restaurant bills – no extra expected but small change appreciated. Taxis: round up to nearest 500-1000 colones. Hotel staff: US$1-2 per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A basic coffee from a local soda (small diner) or bakery costs around 800-1,200 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, choice of meat) from a soda runs about 3,500-4,500 CRC.
A main dish like grilled fish or pasta from a mid-range restaurant costs about 7,000-10,000 CRC.
Look for food carts and small stalls along Avenida Central and near the market for empanadas, tacos, and fruit cups – prices from 1,000-2,500 CRC.
Super Compro and Más x Menos are the common budget supermarket chains in Tamarindo.
For affordable clothing, head to the main market area on Avenida Central where stalls sell T-shirts, swimwear and souvenirs at low prices.
The cheapest way around is walking; budget taxis within town cost around 1,500-3,000 CRC. From the airport (Liberia), shared shuttles (e.g. Interbus, Grayline) cost about US$25-35 per person; a chicken bus with transfers is cheaper but slower.
Eat lunch (casado is the best value) rather than dinner; buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets not tourist shops; book tours directly with local operators or in groups to avoid agency mark-ups.
Emergency Contacts
TamarindoWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Tamarindo, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Cabinas Las Olas
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Liberia Airport arrival area → Apartotel Montebello Beach driveway
💡 Shuttles like Interbus or Tropical Tours run shared minivans. Reserve a seat online the day before—they drop door-to-door. More comfortable than a bus, less hassle than a taxi.
Apartotel Montebello Beach → Tamarindo town centre / beach
💡 Most local trips cost $2-4. Walk if possible—the hotel is a 15-minute beachfront stroll from the main strip. After dark, negotiate price before getting in.
Liberia Bus Station → Tamarindo Bus Station (then walk 10 min to hotel)
💡 The bus drops you on the main road, not the beach. From the stop, head west on Calle Central and cross the estuary footbridge. Buses run infrequent Sundays. Have exact colones.
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) → Apartotel Montebello Beach
💡 Book through Grupo Caribe or Desafío for fixed rates—no meter. The drive is direct on paved route 21. Avoid unofficial drivers outside arrivals.
About Tamarindo
Wikipedia ↗
Tamarindo is a district of the Santa Cruz canton, in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, located on the Nicoya Peninsula. The town of Tamarindo is the largest developed beach town in Guanacaste. Once a small fishing village, it has boomed in the 21st century with surfing and eco-tourism, and is ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Cabinas Las Olas?
Request a room on the first floor (the top floor, since this is a single-storey motel-style property) facing away from the street. These rooms get more cross-breeze and are quieter.
Which rooms should I avoid at Cabinas Las Olas?
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly backing onto the pool or common area – they can pick up late-night chatter and early-morning splash. Also skip the room nearest the reception/office if you want quiet.
Is Cabinas Las Olas noisy?
Street noise from Tamarindo’s main road (all-night taxis, garbage trucks at dawn); pool area can be lively until 10pm; occasional music from nearby bars.
Which rooms have the best views at Cabinas Las Olas?
Rooms at the rear (away from the street) look onto the garden or pool – not a sea view, but greener and more private than the car park side.
What are insider tips for staying at Cabinas Las Olas?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to choose your room – they’ll often let you pick if you arrive before the crowd. 2. Ask for a top-floor room at the back when booking – these have better airflow and less street rumble.
What time is check-in at Cabinas Las Olas?
Check-in at Cabinas Las Olas is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Cabinas Las Olas have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed sufficient for email and browsing, not for streaming
Where can I eat cheaply near Cabinas Las Olas?
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, choice of meat) from a soda runs about 3,500-4,500 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Cabinas Las Olas?
The cheapest way around is walking; budget taxis within town cost around 1,500-3,000 CRC. From the airport (Liberia), shared shuttles (e.g. Interbus, Grayline) cost about US$25-35 per person; a chicken bus with transfers is cheaper but slower.
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
December to April — the dry season, with reliably sunny mornings and manageable crowds before the Easter surge.
Top Attractions in Tamarindo
💡 Go on Saturday morning for the biggest selection. The ceviche and fresh coconut water are excellent value. Cash only.
💡 Walk south at low tide to reach Playa Langosta or Playa Grande — you can cross the estuary mouth when the tide is out. Check tide charts online before heading out.
💡 Rent a kayak from one of the beachfront shacks for around $10 per hour. Go at high tide for easier access to narrow channels. Avoid motorised boat tours — they're noisy and disturbance-prone.
💡 Go just before sunrise to avoid the heat and see the best light. Wear sturdy shoes and take water. The trailhead is near the end of Calle Cocos.
💡 Bring mosquito repellent and wear long sleeves if visiting early morning or late afternoon. The main trailhead is near the estuary mouth south of Playa Tamarindo.