It’s that time of year… the ghosts and witches are out and about and we must celebrate accordingly! Halloween is one of those holidays that is always a blast, whether you usually celebrate it or not. What is more fun than an excuse to dress up like something out of the ordinary and take on the town with your friends or family? No matter your age, where you are from, or what you want to be there is something fun for everyone in Tamarindo around Halloween. You can spend the day doing some Tamarindo surf lessons, and start the festivities when the sun goes down! Here is some info on some of the best Halloween events that you won’t want to miss.
Annual Halloween Paddle Out
The most iconic Halloween event that always happens in Tamarindo is the Annual Halloween Paddle Out. It is basically a surf session in costume! So come one come all, and show the town what you’ve got. It is also a costume contest, and the winner will be whoever comes in the most creative or interesting attire. The winner last year (pictured on the left in the group photo below) was Manrique, who was an instructor at Iguana Surf for a while. He was dressed as a construction worker and actually caught a wave while standing on a ladder! The sky’s the limit at this free Halloween event that is fun for all.
Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat is a great place for kids and families to come have a blast and start the Halloween evening off. Hosted by ADI Tamarindo, this free event features plenty of sweet treats, music, face painting, fun games, and more! The event is held at the Rotonda right in Tamarindo and is free and open to everyone! Make sure to stop by.
Tamarindo Night Market
The Tamarindo Night Market is held every Thursday behind the Tamarindo Gym, from 6-9 pm. It is an amazing mix of vendors from all over the world and you simply must go! You can find incredible food, drinks, handmade goods, live entertainment, and a great atmosphere for all. Since Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, the night market will be a little extra special. Vendors are sure to have unique Halloween inspired treats, and they will be giving out candy to kids! Start off at the Rotonda and then walk over to the night market to keep the trick-or-treating going.
Costume Parties
Once the kids are asleep or if you are coming to Tamarindo solo or with friends looking to have a good time, get ready because here in Costa Rica’s liveliest little beach town, people definitely know how to party. So put on your dress-up attire and check out all of the costume parties that will be going on at the bars around town!
There are tons of costume contests, prizes, and special deals going on that you can’t miss!
Since Halloween is on Thursday, there are likely going to be events going on all weekend long.
Halloween 80’s Horror House @ Sharky’s
Dance the night away with DJ Bismark and DJ Meme, and participate in the costume contest with tons of prizes!
Nightmare @ Lizard Lounge
Enjoy the live DJ, lots of themed decor, food, and drinks, and another costume contest!
Halloween Costume Party @ Rumors
Come enjoy a night of partying, complete with prizes for the best costume, the funniest costume, and other themes. There will also be excellent music, courtesy of the guest DJ.
Halloween Party @ Crazy Monkey
Crazy Monkey is always the place to be on Friday nights, but even more so this Halloween. Continue the weekend of fiesta at Crazy Monkey with a live Latin band on one side, and a live DJ on the other. There will be an open bar from 9-11, so show up early to take advantage of that! There will also be plenty of prizes so come in your best!
No matter where you end up Halloween weekend, there are sure to be plenty of people, fun costumes, and good vibes. On Saturday night, try out Pacifico or head back to Sharky’s or Lizard lounge to finish out the weekend of fiesta strong. There are sure to be tons of folks out and about and you will meet new friends from all over the world.
Not sure what to be? Here are some tips for where to find costumes in the Tamarindo area!
- Shop in your own clothes, and your friend’s clothes! Chances are, you already have something that you could throw together with a little bit of imagination.
- There are a couple of consignment shops that would be great to check out for ideas – Huacas or Conchal Consignment.
- Papaya Con Leche has costume options for children and adults alike! They can also do custom costumes with enough time so if you have something specific in mind, check them out.
- Automercado is the biggest supermarket around Tamarindo, so they will have the biggest selection of makeup and other accessories and decorations. The local pharmacies also might have some makeup options!
- The smaller, local shops around town are sure to have some special items for Halloween so with a quick spin down the street you are sure to stumble upon something unique and awesome! It is amazing to not have to worry about being cold at all on Halloween, so that opens up a lot of options for different costumes!
Besides some of the best Halloween parties around, there are a ton of other reasons why October and November are the perfect time to visit Costa Rica. This time of year is considered the low season, which has a lot of benefits for tourists that decide to visit during this time. There are fewer people, which means that the town is quieter and more relaxing, you will never have to worry about not being able to get in to bars and restaurants, you can take lessons at Iguana Surf, Tamarindo’s oldest surf school, without worrying about it being overcrowded or all of the boards being rented out, and there is more room out in the water so you can have the break all to yourself.
There are also lots of deals and discounts around town on everything from accommodation to food and drinks, to tours and activities! You are sure to get a great deal if you come during the low season. It is also simply a beautiful time to be in Costa Rica! Since it rains more often, everything is lush and green, there is wildlife everywhere, and the town feels refreshed and relaxed.
There is truly no better place to be. Whether you want to come for a Tamarindo Surf Camp, surf lessons in Tamarindo, or to just enjoy the Halloween holiday and see the sights, you are sure to have an absolute blast!