Tamarindo Travel Guide for the Holidays
Planning to spend the holidays in Tamarindo and wondering what there’ll be to see, do, and experience at this festive time of year? We’ve got you covered! We’ve scoured our local community boards to compile a comprehensive Tamarindo travel guide for the holidays.
The best things to do in Tamarindo and surrounding towns in the next few weeks, all in one compact guide. If you’re heading down to our sparkling surf beach to escape the cold and holiday stress, we’ve got you covered.
PS. Don’t forget to scroll to the end for details of our upcoming Iguana Surf Shop holiday photo shoot!
Best Things to Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, in December 2024
We’ve picked the best community-based events this month to showcase all the fantastic happenings leading up to the New Year. Then, read on to see the best experiences you can enjoy at this special time of year.
Community-based events in and around Tamarindo over the holidays
Saturday, 14 December
Tree Lighting & Christmas Festival, Lagunilla—Festivities kick off at 6 pm. Expect music, food stalls, art installations, and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Lagunilla is about a half-hour’s drive east of Tamarindo. Don’t forget to buy, unwrap, and devour a tamale, the best traditional food of the holidays in our exotic part of the world!
Clean Wave Blue Gala Event, Langosta—This event is very close to our hearts. The Clean Wave gala helps raise funds and awareness for environmental projects in our region. Buy your tickets here, and get ready for a fun and elegant night out, all for a good cause.
Beach Clean Up, Playa Grande—If you’re a sea and beach lover like us, you might want to join the crowds for a massive beach clean-up. Organized by Clean Wave, the event lasts just one hour (9–10 am) but is as rewarding and friendly as can be.
Christmas Boat Parade, Flamingo Marina—As part of the Festival of Lights, the Flamingo Marina is holding a Christmas Boat Parade starting at 6.30 pm. We’re expecting a ton of boats to turn up, all decked out in lights for the holidays. Head to Las Brosas afterward for live music and samba dancing, with the night capped off by a fireworks display. Expect lots of cheer, food, drinks, and fun!
Sunday 15 December
Christmas Flea Market, Tamarindo—Head to Tide Academy for the best pop-up flea market of the year. Stands will be set up by 9 am, so arrive early for the best goods at a steal.
Wednesday 18 & 25 December
Women’s Empowerment Market, Oneida Park, Tamarindo—The TAMA market is held every Wednesday (8 am—2 pm) at our local skate park. This will be the last event before Christmas. Come check it out!
Thursday 19 & 26 December
Moonlight Markets, Tamarindo—Not to be outdone by Flamingo, our cool little beach town also hosts its own mega night markets during the holiday. Come pick up last-minute gifts or buy yourself something gorgeous for Christmas. You deserve it! Stalls kick off at 5:30 p.m. The markets are held every Thursday night on the corner of Central Ave and Calle Cerritos, just two blocks up from the beach.
Monday 23 & 30 December
Night Market, Flamingo—Excellent live music, great food, handicrafts, clothing, jewelry, more awesome finds, and the best vibe around. The Flamingo markets are on every Monday night during the holidays, starting from 5:30 pm.
The Best Things to Do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, on Christmas Day & NYE
The wonderful thing about spending the holidays in Tamarindo is that you won’t be alone. Our wonderful surf town attracts visitors from all over the world, and many local beachfront restaurants and cafes put on amazing Christmas spreads. Themed parties are on just about every night leading up to the new year.
Check out our Tamarindo nightlife guide, and you’ll find the best bars and clubs in town, many of which will be putting on Christmas festivities and BIG New Year’s Eve parties. There will be a fireworks display on Tamarindo beach.
The best activities to enjoy over the holidays – Tamarindo travel guide essentials
Discover the best beaches in Guanacaste
Our region of Costa Rica boasts many fantastic beaches – for surfers, joggers, beach bums, and snorkelers – that are really worth visiting. Our pick of the best include Playa Conchal for excellent snorkeling, Playa Grande to see pro surfers at work, Playa Langosta for that long-awaited job or power-walk on the beach, Playa Avellanas for delicious seaside feasting (they do have fantastic food stands) and finally Playa Negra is you’re looking for a quieter and more relaxing day out.
The real beauty of spending the holidays in Tamarindo? You barely need to step outside the door to enjoy the spoils of THE best beach in Costa Rica! Make your life even easier by soaking up the splendor of Playa Tamarindo instead of venturing further afield. We are sitting on the best surfing beach in the country, with breaks to suit every skill level.
Dodge the holiday crowds and stay put – Playa Tamarindo has everything you need.
Plan a visit to Las Baulas National Park
Las Baulas is famous for its efforts in sea turtle conservation and is an important nesting site for Leatherback turtles. They start arriving here in November and will continue through March—the perfect reserve to visit if you’re in Tamarindo for the holidays. From December, Leatherbacks kick off their nesting season, offering a rare opportunity to witness these majestic creatures laying their eggs along the beach at night. The park is also home to lush tropical landscapes, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking coastal views. Visit on a guided tour to 1) make sure you get the most out of your visit and 2) ensure you don’t disrupt crucial nesting spots.
Got zip-lining in the jungle
Biologists and nature scientists inadvertently invented Costa Rica’s most adored outdoor sport decades ago as they looked for ways to explore and study the deepest corners of our jungles. Zip-lining and canopy tours are synonymous with the country nowadays and are among the best things to do in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Glide like a bird along the tree tops, enjoy eye-popping views of the jungle below, and have the chance to spot some of its most adorable animal inhabitants.
Are you unsure where and how to get to the best spots around Tamarindo? Then join us on one of our group tours, and you’ll have a knowledgeable guide, transport, and fantastic company all day long.
Learn to surf on Tamarindo Beach
If you haven’t yet discovered that Tamarindo is Costa Rica’s best beach for learning to surf…where ya been?!
Pick up a new skill this holiday and meet a great bunch of fun-loving people with us here at Iguana, where private, semi-private, and group lessons will see you UP on a board and riding the waves in the Pacific in no time at all. If you’ve been wondering how to see and surf Costa Rica in 10 days, Tamarindo is the answer!
And, if you already know your way around a board, discover the best breaks for all levels in Guanacaste.
Visit Us @ Iguana Surf Shop on Tamarindo Beach
Get into the holiday spirit with us here at Iguana Surf! We will be literally making waves this Christmas, so swing by the shop before the big day to snap a festive photo on our iconic Iguana Wave, complete with fun holiday props. It’s the perfect way to make your Christmas experience in Tamarindo extra special. Plus, when you join us, we’ll collect your email and send you a personalized holiday greeting using our exclusive Christmas-themed template.
Come for the photo, stay for the vibes—it’s all about spreading joy, surf-style!
