Top 7 Free Things to Do in Tamarindo

Discover the best free things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, alongside a bunch of tips for a budget-friendly vacation in paradise.

Wondering what to do in Tamarindo that won’t cost an arm and a leg? We hear you! Yes, Costa Rica can be pricier than other Central American countries. However, you will still find plenty of free things to do in Tamarindo that will deliver bucketloads of fun without costing a cent. From enjoying our world-class beaches to catching local cultural events, enjoying outdoor activities, and taking yourself on a self-guided nature walk, Tamarindo will show you the best things in life really are free!

1. Spend your days at the beach

What is the number one free thing to do in Tamarindo? Go to the beach, naturally! Swim in the warm ocean for a while, and you’ll enjoy a much more enjoyable workout than at any gym. Even if you’re not swimming, dipping your toes in the water feels amazing and is the best hangover cure there is.

Craving a relaxing day? Then grab a towel, a good book, and great reggaeton tunes and find a cozy spot on the sand. Don’t forget the sunscreen! Prefer shade? Find a comfortable spot under a tree. Another of our favorite things to do in Tamarindo is people-watching. Admire the surfers tackling the waves — learn from the beginners and gaze in awe at the pros. It’s always entertaining and educational, especially the wipeouts. Then there are the evenings, which are always magical on Tamarindo Beach. As the sun sets and the stars emerge, the night sky and the sound of waves create perfect tranquility. 

Spending a whole day on the beach really is the best thing to do in Tamarindo. Whether budget-conscious or not!

Insider tip: While a Costa Rica Surf Camp or Tamarindo Surf Lessons might seem expensive, there is no better budget-friendly way to learn a new sport or perfect your existing skill. Not only do you get the use of a surfboard included in the price, but also the expertise of a professional surf instructor. So, they might not be free, but they are priceless! 

2. Attend local events

Tamarindo and all the nearby villages are incredibly social and active hubs. Something is always going on, whether cultural or dance festivals, rodeo, or concerts. Most of these events are free to attend. 

As you might imagine, this being the top surfing destination in Costa Rica, Tamarindo holds numerous surfing events every year. While plenty of local groups promote events, you might not know where to start looking. Feel free to come by the Iguana Surf Shop and ask us what to do in Tamarindo; we are always more than happy to offer tips and advice. 

If it happens to be a quiet night (maybe on a Monday), you will find at least one bar in town with live music playing. Just come on down, join the crowd, enjoy the tunes, and make new friends. Tamarindo’s bar scene is always welcoming and open to all. It is also relatively small, so head off into town when in doubt, and you’ll see what’s open. From farmer’s markets on a Saturday morning to Thursday night markets, karaoke nights, open mic comedy nights, and a host of cool live gigs, Tamarindo offers an abundance of fun (and free) ways to have a good time.

Insider tip: If you need to head out of town to catch an event, know that taxis are pretty cheap, but colectivos are even more affordable. For example, a ride on these public minibuses to Villa Real costs just USD 1. Sure, it’s not free, but transport doesn’t get cheaper than that. 

3. Head to Langosta beach

Another 100% free thing to do is walk to Langosta for the sunset and have a picnic. Granted, food is not free, but you must eat, right? Why not do it on a beautiful beach, admiring an amazing sunset?!

Langosta Beach is a 15–20-minute walk from Tamarindo. You can walk along the beach or take our favorite route by the cliffs, where the view is sensational. If you don’t want to deal with rocks and bushes, simply follow the town’s main road past Selina’s and continue for 15 minutes. Then, turn right down to the beach. Langosta is often much quieter than Tamarindo – it is also the place where a lot of locals and more experienced surfers go when they want bigger, better waves than the ones in Tamarindo. And, we must be honest, the sunset is even more beautiful in Langosta because it is straight in front of the beach, so the sun seems bigger and closer than in Tamarindo. Great for that perfect Insta pic.

Insider tip: Head to Langosta an hour before sunset. You can also just walk around town and view the luxurious houses and high-end resorts. Langosta is Tamarindo’s Malibu; the houses are stunning and worth seeing!

4. Enjoy Ladies Night 

The fourth thing on our list of top free things to do in Tamarindo only applies to half the population. Yep, it’s Ladies Night! 

Almost every bar in town holds its own ladies’ night where ladies are essentially offered free drinks, a super buzzy vibe, and great music. The best part? There are options depending on the night of the week. Head to Aqua on a Monday, El Garito on a Tuesday, Pacifico on Wednesdays, and Crazy Monkey on Fridays. You often have multiple drinks choices during a specific time (usually around 2-3 hours), and we guarantee that all the drinks are delicious – not only because they are free! 

Insider tip: A few bars, like Pacifico, charge an entry fee. To be honest, it still makes for a great budget-friendly night out. Still, if you wish to spend nothing, look for bars with free entry!

5. Check out outdoor sports venues

Do you want to get sporty without spending a dime? Tamarindo’s got you covered! Our cool surfing town boasts a playground, skatepark, basketball court, and soccer field. Whatever sport you’re usually into, you’ll find a perfect place and a great crowd to join during your vacation in Costa Rica.

Firstly, you’ll no doubt see impromptu soccer and volleyball games on the beaches of Tamarindo and Langosta, which you are always welcome to join. You’ll definitely want to check out the newly renovated Parque Oneida. The skatepark is the social hot spot where all the locals go to skate. Bring a speaker, play some good music, chill on a bench, and watch the pros in action. The basketball court and soccer field are also great places where you’re guaranteed to make new friends. 

These are all perfect spots to head to if you’re not sure what to do in Tamarindo that won’t break your budget.

Insider tip: Ticos, like all South Americans, are wild about their sports. If you can kick a ball around or shoot baskets, you’re in! Don’t be shy and ask a group to join. Usually, they’re more than happy to have visitors join in on the fun.

6. Check out Playa Grande

Alright, so you’ll need to pay to take the ferry to Playa Grande, but it’s still a cheap way to enjoy a great day out. Playa Grande is next door to Tamarindo, the two beaches separated by an estuary home to a few crocs. Yaiks! Remember that paddling to Playa Grade to save USD 1 is NOT recommended. Anyway, about Playa Grande! This glorious beach is one of the best surf breaks in Guanacaste and is fantastic to enjoy for an entire day. 

Part of the Marino Las Baulas National Park, Playa Grande boasts stunning landscapes and excellent surf breaks for all levels. Visit at the right time of year, typically between October and February, and you might even be lucky to see nesting sea turtles. The beach here is ideal if you are in the mood for a somewhat steamy hike – the sandy shore is exceptionally long, and there’s even a clifftop viewpoint that’s out of this world. One thing to remember, though, is to bring your own shade, food, and water, as amenities are minimal. 

Insider tip: Remember to check when the last ferry returns to Tamarindo. Depending on the month, it should be between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Don’t miss the ferry, or you risk having to fork out for a long (and expensive) taxi ride back to town.

7. Set off on an exhilarating nature walk

Tamarindo and its surrounding beaches are a walker’s paradise. The only thing that might get you is the heat! Pack comfortable shoes, always carry water, and explore our glorious area under the steam of your own feet. It helps if you’re a morning person: starting nice and early is always a good idea. That way, you can be back at Tamarindo Beach in time for a midday swim and siesta under the shade of a tree.

Insider tip: To see the best hiking trails in Tamarindo, download Wikiloc, the best hiking app. It’s free and works offline, so it’s ideal if you have no phone coverage or just want to save your mobile data. You’ll find details on where to go, what to expect, difficulty rating, and past reviews on every trail mapped. 

That concludes our guide on the Top 7 free best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. But hang on, we’re not done yet! Here are a few more tips on how to save money on vacation by choosing a cheaper alternative. 

• First of all, know that you can actually drink tap water here! It might taste a bit different, but it is truly safe to drink. Many places also have a machine with filtered water where you can refill your own water bottle. Don’t forget to pack yours!
• While it is great fun to join a wildlife-watching tour, you can also get lucky and spot wildlife on your own. Sloths are a common sight in Tamarindo, so keep your eyes peeled on the trees (well, just one; keep the other on the traffic) while you walk along the tree-lined beaches and side roads.
• Visiting Tamarindo in the off-season means discounted prices on accommodation and activities. Tamarindo is phenomenal to visit any time of year, but international holidays (December to March and July to August) bring in big crowds at peak times. Visit during the shoulder season, and you can save a nifty packet!
• At Iguana Surf, we run a bunch of fantastic Tamarindo tours—from horseback riding and whitewater rafting to ATV and zipline excursions. You don’t need to join our surf camps to enjoy a guided trip with us, and you also don’t need to join a whole tour. You can just enjoy our shared transport. It’s a great and inexpensive way to reach some of our region’s hotspots.
• Type ‘cheap eats in Tamarindo’ on Google Maps, and you’ll see a long list of budget-friendly eateries. The list is usually compiled by detecting reviews of past diners, so you know the value-for-money attribute has been tried and tested.

YES, there are loads of fantastic free things to do in Tamarindo. Still, since you’re visiting the best surfing beach in Costa Rica, do try to squeeze in a Tamarindo Surf Lesson. It’ll be the best money you’ll spend on your vacation.

Have a great day; hopefully, we will see you in Costa Rica soon!