Surfing and Ecotourism in Costa Rica: How to Travel Sustainably in Tamarindo

If you’re planning a surf vacation in Costa Rica and ecotourism is at the top of your agenda, you’ve landed on the right spot. 

Tamarindo might be known, worldwide, for its great surfing, but there’s so much more to our little town than wicked waves and sunshine. When you visit, you’re joining a community dedicated to keeping beaches clean, protecting wildlife, and supporting sustainable practices.

At Iguana Surf Camp, we believe a surf vacation in Costa Rica is about more than just catching waves. We support ecotourism, value the charm of local communities, and work hard, year-round, to ensure our impact here is positive. 

Join us in making a difference, one small action at a time!

Why Surf and Sustainability Go Together

From the moment you learn how to surf, you start noticing things differently. You notice the waves, the wind, and the sea creatures around you. Unfortunately, you also spot the plastic bottles floating next to your board. Surfing creates a strong bond with nature, and that connection makes you more aware of your surroundings. It gets personal, real quick.

As local surfers, we’ve seen how fast development and careless tourism can hurt our beaches. But we’ve also seen the good things that can happen when locals and tourists come together. With beach cleanups, thoughtful surf schools, and great shopping spots, it’s incredible how quickly things can get better. Being part of this change is really inspiring.

“Surfing teaches you to respect and love the ocean. Sustainable travel helps you protect it.” – Kurt, Iguana Surf Instructor.

The Clean Wave: Keeping Tamarindo Beautiful Since 2015

You’ve probably heard about beach cleanups before; they’re certainly not a new concept. Yet The Clean Wave takes things to the next level. This now-famous initiative was founded right here in Tamarindo in 2015 with a simple goal: to unite locals and visitors in preserving the natural beauty of Costa Rica’s coastline.

What began as a small group of friends picking up trash on the beach has turned into a big movement, even reaching other countries. Now, people of all ages—like school kids, experienced surfers, tourists, and local shop owners—are getting involved. At Iguana, we’ve happily supported The Clean Wave for years and just celebrated their 8th anniversary from July 19 to 26, 2025.

So, what can you do? 

If you’re in town during one of their events, join in! Cleanups are a lot more fun than you might imagine. You’ll walk the beach with a reusable bag, swap stories with new friends, and leave knowing you made a positive impact in the very place you came to enjoy.

More Help Where It Counts

ADIT is another great group focused on making sure Tamarindo develops in a responsible way. This great bunch host educational workshops, organize fun cultural events, and help keep the beaches accessible for everyone. Their work goes beyond just protecting the environment; they’re also involved in education, transportation, and local businesses. This all ties into the idea of sustainability because everything is connected. By supporting ADIT, you’re helping Tamarindo stay true to its charm while ensuring it remains a beautiful place for future generations.

Just imagine your kids coming here to learn how to surf someday!

Another organization we really care about is CEPIA, a local nonprofit that helps families and kids in our community. They focus on education, health, and community development and we’re always proud to support them, any chance we can. This past International Surfing Day, we partnered with them for a fun beach day that brought everyone together for waves, laughter, and connection. It’s partnerships like these that really highlight the strong bond between surfing and sustainability, for both land and people.

Eco-Friendly Surfing? It Starts With Your Boardshorts

Every decision matters when it comes to surfing sustainably in Costa Rica. You don’t need to be an expert; you just need to stop and think for a moment.

If you’re packing for Tamarindo, throw in reef-safe sunscreen—or grab some at our shop when you get here. The regular stuff can harm marine life, especially in places like Las Baulas National Park, where endangered turtles nest nearby. A reusable water bottle goes a long way, too, especially with so many cafés and hostels, like ours, offering refills. And if you’re shopping for gear or souvenirs, check out locally made products—less shipping, less pollution, more community support.

While you’re at it, check out Costa Rica Makes Me Happy, a fantastic group running awareness and reforestation initiatives across the whole country. They’re also very much involved in sustainable tourism campaigns and it’s supporting causes like these that helps keep our paradise thriving.

At Iguana Surf, we also do our part and strive to keep our environmental footprint as light as possible. Our shop stocks reef-safe sunscreen and sustainable surf gear, and we always schedule lessons to avoid overcrowding the breaks.

Our instructors also take time to brief guests on good habits before heading into the water—because protecting the ocean starts with knowledge.

Trash and recycling are still challenges in beach towns like ours, but things are improving. Recycling bins have been popping up more frequently around town and along the beach, making it easier for everyone to do their part. 

The idea is simple: enjoy the waves, respect the coast, and leave it even better than you found it.

Where You Stay and Eat Matters, Too

Ethical Costa Rica surf travel isn’t just about the ocean—it’s about how you experience everything else, too. And in Tamarindo, that’s easy to do right. Many businesses already lean into mindful habits, especially when it comes to food and accommodation, so you’re likely making good choices without even trying.

Still, a few conscious decisions can go a long way. Staying at a beachfront hostel like ours cuts down on transport emissions and keeps you close to the action. No car, no problem—just step out your door and into the waves. 

And let’s talk about food, a real highlight for just about everyone on a surf trip to Tamarindo. Eating at family-run sodas and cafés helps keep our town’s small business scene thriving. Our own on-site café, Breakfast Grinds, serves up exactly what your surf body needs—fresh tropical fruit, Costa Rican coffee, and hearty wraps made from local ingredients.

Surf With Us, and Make It Count

Iguana Surf has been part of the Tamarindo family since 1989, and we take pride in being ambassadors for regenerative tourism on our shores. When you choose one of our Surf Camp Packages—be it for 3, 5, or 7 days—you’re joining a crew that believes in safeguarding the ocean, supporting the local culture, and having a fantastic time while doing it.

“In Tamarindo, and all of Costa Rica, ecotourism is more than just a trendy term for us—it’s woven into our everyday lives and surfing. We’re fortunate to have amazing wildlife, beautiful waves, and a close community committed to protecting our environment. That’s what makes sharing our values with visitors so special!” – Gretal, Surf Instructor at Iguana Surf.

So know that when you join us at Iguana Surf Camp, we won’t just teach you how to ride waves. We’ll show you what makes this place so special, how Costa Rica and ecotourism are a perfect match, and how we can all help keep it that way.  

Come surf with us—let’s take care of the ocean together.