The best tours in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, call for the adventure seeker in you. Here are the top activities to do in Tamarindo expertly combined as day tours.
A visit to Tamarindo is never a proper one without having experienced the thrilling activities that make this town one of the most popular places to visit during your Costa Rica vacation.
1. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano 8-Hour Tour from Guanacaste
Eight hours might feel long for a tour, but wait till you see what Rincon de la Vieja National Park has in store for visitors. Located in Guanacaste, this park is home to the active Rincon de la Vieja Volcano.
For two hours, you will hike your way through the bubbling lagoons and mini mud pits en route to the vast wildlife awaiting you. Once you reach the innermost part of the park, you will be treated with sights of exotic animals and plants, wherein some are native to the region. Don’t miss Costa Rica’s official flower, the orchid called Guaria Morada.
To enjoy this tour, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and closed hiking shoes. Wear ample sunscreen with high SPF and a generous amount of insect repellent.
Drinking water will not be provided, so it is advised that you bring your own. Keep in mind that smoking during the tour is strictly prohibited.
Read full post: RINCON DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK
Included:
- Air-conditioned transport
- Bilingual tour guide
- Entrance to the National Park
- Lunch
2. Pozo Azul: Full-Day White Water Rafting Adventure
Another eight-hour tour on our list is this extreme white water rafting activity in Pozo Azul. Set in the Colorado River, this full-day adventure will have you going through class II, III, or IV rapids, depending on which season your Costa Rican vacation falls.
There is no reason to worry about the safety of this activity. Your certified guide will brief you through the whole process and be with you during the rafting tour. All safety gear, along with other necessities, are provided by the tour company.
Lunch will be served right after you conquered the rapids. Take this opportunity to relax and be one with nature. Afterward, be ready for a thrilling end as you ride a canopy that flies you over the river.
Make a mental note to pack a change of dry clothes in your dry bag. Let any garment or accessory that you wear be tightly fit or at least secured with straps.
Included:
- Air-conditioned transport
- Lunch
- English-speaking tour guide
- All equipment for rafting
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3. Vida Aventura Nature Park Tickets From Guanacaste
Vida Aventura Nature Park is located in the mountain ranges of Guanacaste province. This park is one of the best adventure tours in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, because it is family, child, and even senior-friendly.
You get to experience many activities in one full day, which include dry forest canopy zip-lining, horseback riding, and natural swimming.
Vida Aventura Nature Park is a private reserve that spans 400 acres. From its location, you can see two famous Costa Rican Volcanoes: Rincón de la Vieja and Miravalles.
One of the most exciting stops on this tour is the Las Hornillas Hot Springs. Enjoy a dip at the natural thermal pools in the area and benefit from its mineral-rich waters that aid physical and mental health restoration. Afterward, cover your whole body in hot mud and experience an aloe vera and volcanic mud bath like no other.
Included:
- A/C Transport from Guanacaste
- Bilingual tour guide
- Entrance to Vida Aventura Nature Park
- Hot springs at Las Hornillas
- Canopy tour
- Lunch
- Horseback riding
4. Playa Tamarindo: Sunset Sailing and Snorkelling Tour
Playa Tamarindo is the perfect venue to go sailing and swimming. Board a 66-foot catamaran hours before the sun goes down and get to experience nature on another level. Go barefoot – this sunset sailing and snorkeling tour has a no-footwear policy.
The duration of the whole tour is four and a half hours. As you join the cruise, you will be given a welcome drink at the open bar so you can relax and enjoy the marine animals vying for your prized attention. A light meal consisting of salads, fruits, and desserts will be served on board as you wait for the sun to set.
There will be enough time to swim and enjoy the waters of Costa Rica’s Gold Coast. There will be snorkeling equipment available for your convenience. If you’d rather stay dry, take a luxurious walk along the beach.
Included:
- Snorkelling equipment
- Light meal
- Open bar with beverages for adults and children
- Transfers from select hotels in the Tamarindo area
5. Palo Verde National Park: Half-Day Jungle River Cruise
Located along the valley of the Tempisque River, Palo Verde National Park is part of the conservation area in the region. This five-hour jungle tour will allow you to explore the wetlands considered of high importance to the world. An experienced guide will be present to educate you about the park.
The diverse flora and fauna in Palo Verde are reason enough to visit this place. Be ready to board a pontoon boat to grasp the beauty of the park fully.
Cruising the Tempisque river, you will see American crocodiles, white-tailed deer, and iguanas. Several bird species, some being residents while others migratory, can be spotted perched on their natural habitats.
Your tour booking has an even better aspect aside from your enjoyment. Five dollars from your package fee contributes to Bolsón, one of the communities in the area whose means of living is through tourism.
Included:
- Air-conditioned transport
- Bilingual tour guide
- Boat trip
- Admission to Palo Verde National Park
- Contribution to the Bolsón community
6. Guanacaste Full-Day Jungle Boat Cruise and Coffee Tour
This eight-hour tour combines the Tempisque river jungle boat ride with a trip to Beneficio Matambú for a coffee plantation tour. It’s a full day of Guanacaste’s beauty and specialty.
Head to the Palo Verde National Park and ride a pontoon boat to see the wildlife that calls the park their shelter. Some of the animals you will spot here include the resident monkeys of Costa Rica: the howler and white-faced monkeys. Various bird species will soar above you while American crocodiles lurk nearby.
Lunch will be served before you move forward to the next destination. Leave room for a delicious cup of coffee as you go to the home of Diriá coffee in Beneficio Matambú.
Learn how excellent coffee is made – from the vast coffee plantation up to their process of efficient waste elimination—taste why Diriá coffee is celebrated worldwide for its perfect balance of acidity, body, and aroma.
Included:
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Bilingual tour guide
- Boat trip
- Lunch
- Admission to the coffee tour at Beneficio Matambú
Transfer from Tamarindo to La Fortuna
Coming back to La Fortuna after enjoying the best adventure tours in Tamarindo? Book a private transfer to La Fortuna anytime you need it. This transport package gives you the convenience of a door-to-door transfer in an air-conditioned car. This trip lasts for two hours.Â
Be free to tell your driver to stop the vehicle should any scenery along the way calls for a quick photo or two.
Read the full post: BEST THINGS TO DO IN LA FORTUNA
Included:
- Private transport by air-conditioned car
- Water
- Bilingual driver
I have lived and worked in Costa Rica for one year. While working for a local tour company in the capital city, San José, I traveled to all the BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN COSTA RICA.
Tamarindo is a great place for surfing but has so much more to offer. Find here the BEST THINGS TO DO IN TAMARINDO.
I have also published a guide about HOW TO GET FROM SAN JOSÉ TO TAMARINDO.
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Tim Kroeger, founder of Universal Traveller, leverages extensive experience in luxury travel and tourism to offer firsthand insights into emerging hospitality trends.
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Mareike Wielens is a highly experienced and passionate Tourism in Costa Rica expert with over 10 years of experience in the travel industry.
She is the CEO of Emotional Travel, a Costa Rica travel agency specializing in well-being and mental health vacations, but also designs tailormade roundtrips in Costa Rica.
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