Your stay — Tamarindo Inn
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The Property — Tamarindo Inn
You walk into a two-storey colonial-style building with a red-tiled roof and an open-air lobby where the Pacific breeze cuts through the heat. The pool is small but clean, set back from the main road, and the rooms are basic: tiled floors, ceiling fan, air-con that rattles but works. This is for travellers who want a reliable, no-frills base near Tamarindo’s beach and bars, not a resort experience.
Chronicles of Tamarindo
Tamarindo began as a small fishing village, Guanacaste’s quiet coast, until the 1980s surf boom put it on the map. Paved roads and package tourism followed, turning the dirt tracks into a strip of hotels, surf shops and sodas. The architecture remains low-rise, a mix of corrugated-iron roofs and modern concrete-block villas. Today it’s a bilingual town, gringo-heavy but still running on surf shuttles and beach vendors, with a distinct expat-and-backpacker energy that resists full resortification.
Best Time to Visit
Full Tamarindo guide →Best months
January through March: bone-dry, cloudless skies, 32°C highs, and the surf is consistent but the town is busy but not suffocating.
Peak / festival surge
December to April: the gringo season, Christmas and Semana Santa spike prices to double low-season rates; Tamarindo fills up for the waves and dry heat, and hotel prices clutch at capacity.
Budget shoulder season
May-June and November: tail-end of rain but greener, quieter; rates drop 30-40%, crowds thin, and the humidity is tolerable with short afternoon showers.
Weather & packing
July is the start of the green season – expect a sunny morning then a sharp evening downpour. Pack a light rain jacket that doubles as wind protection for boat trips, and reef-safe sunscreen because the sun punches through even on overcast days.
Live City Briefing — Tamarindo
- The main road through town (Calle Principal) is under resurfacing until late 2026; expect single-lane traffic and short delays near the Tamarindo Diria intersection.
- A new craft brewery, Playa Brew Co., opened in June on the way to Playa Langosta, doing Nepalese-style curry and house lagers – a good dinner option beyond the tourist strip.
- Turtle nesting season (July–October) means beach lights must be off after 8pm; the municipal regulations are enforced more strictly this year to protect olive ridley hatchlings, so check your room's blackout curtains.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Tamarindo Inn, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from Avenida Las Palmas. These have better airflow and less street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Avenida Las Palmas—they get direct street noise, foot traffic, and possible exhaust from passing cars.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms with a west or southwest aspect may see partial ocean glimpses or sunset over the treetops, though no guaranteed ocean view from a 3-star on Avenida Las Palmas.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are quietest, assuming no rooftop bar. The building is low-rise, so top floors reduce street rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Avenida Las Palmas is a main road—traffic, motorbikes, and occasional tour buses pass. Early morning garbage collection and late-night bar noise possible from nearby venues.
Insider tips
1) Park your rental on the side street off Las Palmas if available—front parking can be tight and noisy. 2) Check in after 2pm to request a room on a higher floor; morning arrivals often get stuck with ground floor.
- 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 — Tamarindo Inn
Free throughout; average 10 Mbps; no login required
No lift; two-storey building with stairs only
No newspapers; a small library of travel magazines near reception
Standard check-in from 14:00; bag drop from 10:00; late check-out until 12:00 for $30, subject to availability
Free luggage storage in locked lobby room on day of check-in/out
No step-free entry; main entrance has two steps; no ground-floor rooms with shower access
Free on-site parking for 10 cars; no EV charging; nearest public lot at Tamarindo Municipal Parking, 500 m, $5/night
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT (IVA) included in rate; no additional city tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment via credit card required at booking; a $100 incidental hold at check-in (USD accepted)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Tamarindo (414 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Tamarindo Church (892 m · ~11 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Garden Plaza — 687 m · ~9 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Scotiabank — 669 m · ~8 min walk
Farmacia El Cruce — 721 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
ATMs in Tamarindo give the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport or tourist central. Many hotels and tour operators also accept US dollars at a fair rate.
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, and tour desks; contactless is common. Always carry small colones for market stalls, taxis, and sodas.
Restaurants: 10% service is included in the bill (servicio incluido), but locals often leave a small extra tip for good service. Taxis: no tip expected, but rounding up is fine. Hotel staff: $1–2 per bag or per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of black coffee at a local soda (small eatery) costs around CRC 800–1,200.
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, and choice of meat) at a soda for about CRC 3,500–5,000.
A main dish of grilled fish or chicken with sides at a family-run restaurant: about CRC 5,000–7,000.
In the evening, look for small carts near the central park selling tacos, empanadas, or corn on the cob – each item around CRC 1,000–2,000.
SuperCompro or AutoMercado are the common chains in Tamarindo; the smaller pulperías (corner shops) are handy for basics.
There are no high-street chains in Tamarindo; the flea market (Mercado de las Pulgas) offers cheap cotton clothing and beachwear.
Shared shuttle bus is about $50–$60 per person from Liberia Airport; around town, the cheapest way is walking everywhere (Tamarindo is flat and walkable).
– Eat at sodas for lunch; same quality as tourist spots at half the price. – Use the public beach (Playa Tamarindo) for free, avoid booking through hotels for tours – negotiate directly with operators on the beach. – Tap water is safe to drink in most of Tamarindo, so refill a bottle rather than buying plastic.
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 Tamarindo Inn
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Scotiabank — 669 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia El Cruce — 721 m · ~9 min walk
🚐 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 Tamarindo Inn?
Request a room on the upper floors (2nd or 3rd) facing away from Avenida Las Palmas. These have better airflow and less street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Tamarindo Inn?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing Avenida Las Palmas—they get direct street noise, foot traffic, and possible exhaust from passing cars.
Is Tamarindo Inn noisy?
Avenida Las Palmas is a main road—traffic, motorbikes, and occasional tour buses pass. Early morning garbage collection and late-night bar noise possible from nearby venues.
Which rooms have the best views at Tamarindo Inn?
Upper-floor rooms with a west or southwest aspect may see partial ocean glimpses or sunset over the treetops, though no guaranteed ocean view from a 3-star on Avenida Las Palmas.
What are insider tips for staying at Tamarindo Inn?
1) Park your rental on the side street off Las Palmas if available—front parking can be tight and noisy. 2) Check in after 2pm to request a room on a higher floor; morning arrivals often get stuck with ground floor.
What time is check-in at Tamarindo Inn?
Check-in at Tamarindo Inn is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Tamarindo Inn have Wi-Fi?
Free throughout; average 10 Mbps; no login required
Is there a city or tourist tax at Tamarindo Inn?
13% VAT (IVA) included in rate; no additional city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Tamarindo Inn?
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, and choice of meat) at a soda for about CRC 3,500–5,000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Tamarindo Inn?
Shared shuttle bus is about $50–$60 per person from Liberia Airport; around town, the cheapest way is walking everywhere (Tamarindo is flat and walkable).
When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?
January through March: bone-dry, cloudless skies, 32°C highs, and the surf is consistent but the town is busy but not suffocating.
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.