What to do in Tamarindo Costa Rica
During my time here in Tamarindo, I have found that it can get expensive quickly if you're not careful about which activities you choose. So, being the penny-pincher I must be during the early years of my life, I have had to find cheap and affordable ways to have fun while sticking to a tight budget. Here are some budget-friendly activities I've discovered that let you enjoy the beach town without going broke.
#5 Tamarindo Costa Rica Surf Lessons
Tamarindo is a world-class surfing destination with waves perfectly suited for every skill level—from seasoned pros to absolute beginners. While you can certainly rent a board and try to teach yourself, investing in Tamarindo surf lessons is the best way to progress quickly and stay safe in the water.
While many surf schools offer group lessons at standard rates, there’s a budget-friendly secret for the savvy traveler: simply take a stroll along Tamarindo Beach. You’ll often find local, independent instructors offering private surf lessons for a significantly lower price than the established schools. It’s the best way to get personalized coaching while keeping your travel costs down!
#4 Tamarindo Costa Rica Electric Bike Rental
The electric bike rental is exactly what it sounds like. These beach cruisers come equipped with an electric motor that provides just the right amount of power for zipping through town or cruising up and down the beach with friends. If bikes aren't your style, you can also rent an electric skateboard. There's nothing like zipping around on one of these motorized bikes.
#3 lunch on Tamarindo beach
I have lived here for almost three years now, and one of my favorite things to do is have lunch on the beach. (Some of this may be due to my love for food, but it's still a great activity, no matter who you are.) Here in Tamarindo, there are a lot of places to eat on the beach. But great food on the beach isn't exactly what some consider cheap, and I'll agree, a lot of places here are pricey. But if you go to the right places, you can get great Costa Rican food for an affordable price.
One place is the food court in Tamarindo. You can order a cheap meal to go and walk down for a picnic on the beach. But for the cheapest and, in my opinion, best food in Tamarindo, you need to go to "Coche Mamas". Coche Mama is a lovely woman selling great home-cooked food from, believe it or not, the back of her car! You can find her on the corner, usually in the middle of town, and get a great box of food for the beach. Nevertheless, no matter what you choose to eat, I'm sure you'll love it on the beach.
#2 Best Western Crazy Monkey Bar
Here in Tamarindo, there is a bar called the Crazy Monkey Bar that is connected to the Best Western. This place has amazing views, along with an amazing swimming pool featuring a waterfall to jump from. The Monkey Bar hosts everything from birthday parties to huge club parties at night. But if you aren't into that scene, you can also go during the day, order a drink, and enjoy the pool if that's more your speed.
#1 Ice Cream at Sunset on Tamarindo Beach
Now, last but certainly not least, is ice cream on the beach. In Costa Rica, you can get great ice cream for incredibly affordable prices at nearly any convenience store. The fancy drumstick cones that cost a premium back in the States? You can grab them here for a fraction of the price. Then just take yourself down to the beach around 5 PM or so, depending on the time of year you visit, and you've got yourself a perfect sunset with ice cream in hand.
