--- type: "Article" title: "Costa Rica’s Tamarindo & Las Baulas National Park Highlights" description: "Tamarindo is alive: surfers, bars, sunsets. And right next door, it goes quiet. In Las Baulas National Park, still mangrove channels wait instead of waves." resource: "https://travelmemo.com/costa-rica/tamarindo-las-baulas-national-park" author: "Katja Birrer" publisher: "Travelmemo" photo_count: 15 tags: ["Experience", "Nature", "Road Trip", "Tour", "Costa Rica"] entities: - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/places/costa-rica" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/experience-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/nature-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/road-trip" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/itinerary" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/sea-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/culinary-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/restaurant" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/air-travel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/wildlife-tourism" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/boutique-hotel" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/topics/excursion-tips" - "https://travelmemo.com/ontology/organizations/getyourguide" - "https://travelmemo.com/author/katja-birrer" timestamp: 2026-07-05T07:41:20+00:00 --- # Costa Rica’s Tamarindo & Las Baulas National Park Highlights > Tamarindo is a lively surf and beach town on Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast, best known for its golden sunsets, laid-back Pura Vida atmosphere, and proximity to Las Baulas National Marine Park — one of Central America's largest leatherback turtle nesting sites. ## Destination Tamarindo is located on the Guanacaste coast in northwest Costa Rica, approximately 1.5 hours from Liberia International Airport. ## Getting there Liberia International Airport is about 1.5 hours away. The article notes that rental-car drop-off is before the airport, with a shuttle connection from there. ## When to go Leatherback turtles nest on Playa Grande from approximately October to February. The mangrove tour is best done early in the morning for more wildlife, less heat, and calmer water. ## Why visit Tamarindo offers endless sandy beaches, surf culture, a strong restaurant scene, and spectacular Pacific sunsets, all within steps of the wildlife-rich mangrove channels and turtle nesting beaches of Las Baulas National Marine Park. ## What to see - **Las Baulas National Marine Park — Mangrove Channels** — Quiet boat tours through narrow, wildlife-filled mangrove channels where crocodiles, giant iguanas, howler monkeys, and raccoons can be spotted. - **Playa Grande Leatherback Turtle Nesting** — One of Central America's largest leatherback nesting sites, active at night during the October–February season. - **Tamarindo Sunset** — Daily communal sunset gathering on the beach, considered a highlight and emblem of the destination. ## What to do - **Mangrove Boat Tour** — Approximately 2-hour guided boat tour through Las Baulas park channels; costs around USD 45 (as of March 2026), bookable via GetYourGuide. - **Kayaking in the Mangroves** — A more active alternative to the boat tour through the same channels, though crocodiles are present in the water. - **Surfing** — Tamarindo is a well-established surf destination with a strong surfer community. - **Dining at Tabú** — Beachfront restaurant built with bamboo and local materials, serving tapas, ceviche, and fresh fish with live bossa nova and jazz; happy hour from 4:30 p.m. - **Dining at Ocho Beach Club** — Boutique hotel beach club set among coconut palms and white sand, offering international cuisine; popular in the evening. - **Dining at Agua Salada** — Family-run spot north of the center at the Río Tamarindo, serving grilled whole snapper, Peruvian ceviche, and grilled octopus. ## Good to know Bring insect repellent on the mangrove tour — mosquitoes are abundant. Crocodiles are present in the waterways around Tamarindo; warning signs are posted in the area. Beach club spots for sunset can fill up, so a reservation is recommended. ## Photos ```yaml photos: - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-beach-sunset-beach-vendor.webp" caption: "Ein Strandverkäufer bietet seine Waren während der goldenen Abendstunden an" keywords: ["Abendstimmung", "Costa Rica", "Goldstunde", "Meeresküste", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sonnenuntergang", "Strand", "Strandverkäufer", "Surfen", "Tamarindo"] captured: 2026-03-01 geo: {latitude: 10.2978, longitude: -85.8436} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-sunset-beach-vendor.webp" caption: "Das warme Abendlicht taucht den beliebten Surferstrand in goldene Farbtöne" keywords: ["Abendstimmung", "Costa Rica", "Eiswagen", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sonnenuntergang", "Strandleben", "Strandszenerie", "Tamarindo", "Tropenstrand"] captured: 2026-03-01 geo: {latitude: 10.2983, longitude: -85.8433} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/crocodile-beach-las-baulas-national-park-costa-rica.webp" caption: "Krokodile nutzen die warmen Sandstrände zur Thermoregulation ihres Körpers" keywords: ["Costa Rica", "Flussmündung", "Krokodil", "Küstenlandschaft", "Las Baulas Nationalpark", "Mangroven", "Nationalpark", "Naturschutzgebiet", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Reptil", "Rundreise", "Sandstrand", "Tropenwald", "Wildtier"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.3219, longitude: -85.832} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/american-crocodile-las-baulas-national-park.webp" caption: "Wenn es sich dann mal bewegt, geht es schnell..." keywords: ["Amerikanisches Krokodil", "Costa Rica", "Feuchtgebiet", "Flussufer", "Guanacaste", "Krokodil", "Las Baulas Nationalpark", "Mangroven", "Mangrovenwald", "Meeresarm", "Naturbeobachtung", "Naturschutzgebiet", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Reptil", "Rundreise", "Salzwasserkrokodil", "Tiersafari", "Tropenwald", "Wassertier", "Wildtier"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.3219, longitude: -85.832} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/las-baulas-mangroves-kayak-tour.webp" caption: "Die Kajakfahrer haben das Krokodil nicht ins Wasser gleiten sehen" keywords: ["Costa Rica", "Kayak", "Las Baulas Nationalpark", "Mangroven", "Naturschutzgebiet", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Schildkroetenschutz", "Tamarindo", "Tropenwald", "Wassersport", "Ökotourismus"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.3251, longitude: -85.8319} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/bruelllaffe-rainforest-treetop-costa-rica.webp" caption: "Brüllaffe hängt im Mangrovenwald ab. Besser wird es nicht!" keywords: ["Baumkrone", "Brüllaffe", "Costa Rica", "Las Baulas Nationalpark", "Nationalpark", "Naturbeobachtung", "Primat", "Regenwald", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Tropischer Wald", "Wildtiere", "schwarzer Affe"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.3225, longitude: -85.8276} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/raccoons-family-baulas-national-park-mangroves.webp" caption: "Im Mangrovensumpf leben zahlreiche Waschbärenfamilien, die hier ideale Lebensbedingungen finden" keywords: ["Baulas-Nationalpark", "Costa Rica", "Feuchtbiotop", "Feuchtgebiet", "Kleinbaer", "Kleinbären-Familie", "Kuestenvegetation", "Las Baulas Nationalpark", "Mangroven", "Mangrovensumpf", "Mangrovenwurzeln", "Nationalpark-Costa-Rica", "Naturschutzgebiet", "Pazifikküste-Costa-Rica", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sumpf", "Tierfotografie", "Waschbaer", "Waschbären", "Wildtierbeobachtung", "Wildtiere", "Wurzelgeflecht"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.3224, longitude: -85.8274} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/crocodile-warning-tamarindo-beach.webp" caption: "Warnschilder erinnern daran, dass Krokodile in den Gewässern von Tamarindo leben" keywords: ["Boote", "Costa Rica", "Krokodilwarnung", "Küstenschutz", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sicherheitsschild", "Sonnenuntergang", "Strand", "Strandbesucher", "Tamarindo", "Warntafel"] captured: 2026-03-02 geo: {latitude: 10.308, longitude: -85.8352} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-sunset-fishing-boats-pacific.webp" caption: "Die goldene Stunde verwandelt die Ausflugsboote in eine magische Szenerie" keywords: ["Abendstimmung", "Costa Rica", "Küstenlandschaft", "Meeresbucht", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sonnenuntergang", "Strand", "Tamarindo", "Tropischer Sonnenuntergang"] captured: 2026-03-02 geo: {latitude: 10.3079, longitude: -85.8352} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/taboo-beach-restaurant-tamarindo-night-tropical-tree.webp" caption: "Unter dem imposanten Tropenbaum dinieren Gäste des Tabu direkt am Sandstrand" keywords: ["Abendstimmung", "Costa Rica", "Lichterketten", "Nachtleben", "Outdoor-Dining", "Palmen", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sandstrand", "Tamarindo", "Terrasse", "Tropenbaum"] captured: 2026-03-02 geo: {latitude: 10.2981, longitude: -85.8431} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/seafood-white-wine-restaurant-tamarindo.webp" caption: "Die Restaurants in Tamarindo servieren frische Meeresfrüchte direkt am Pazifik" keywords: ["Abendessen", "Costa Rica", "Dinner", "Lichterkette", "Meeresfrüchte", "Muscheln", "Palmen", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Restaurant", "Rundreise", "Tamarindo"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.2981, longitude: -85.8432} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/beach-restaurant-ocho-tamarindo-pacific-coast.webp" caption: "Das entspannte Stranddining mit direktem Pazifikblick macht Tamarindo zu einem beliebten Foodie-Ziel" keywords: ["Beachclub", "Costa Rica", "Karibikflair", "Meerblick", "Outdoor-Restaurant", "Palmen", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Stranddining", "Tamarindo", "Tropenparadies"] captured: 2026-03-03 geo: {latitude: 10.2972, longitude: -85.8437} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-restaurant-fish-terrace-dinner.webp" caption: "Frisch gegrillter Lachs mit Weisswein unter den Lichterketten am Pazifik. Ein Glas Wein kostet ab $15" keywords: ["Abendessen", "Costa Rica", "Fisch", "Gastronomie", "Meeresfrüchte", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Restaurant", "Rundreise", "Tamarindo", "Terrasse"] captured: 2026-03-04 geo: {latitude: 10.2972, longitude: -85.8438} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-beach-restaurant-fish-dish-white-wine.webp" caption: "Restaurant Agua Salada: Frischer Fisch unter Palmen bei perfektem Pazifikblick" keywords: ["Agua Salada", "Beach Dining", "Costa Rica", "Guanacaste", "Meeresfrüchte", "Palmen", "Pazifikküste", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Restaurant", "Rundreise", "Strandrestaurant", "Tamarindo", "Tropisches Essen", "Weisswein"] captured: 2026-03-01 geo: {latitude: 10.3044, longitude: -85.8382} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" - url: "https://travelmemo.com/wp-content/uploads/tamarindo-beach-sunset-pacific.webp" caption: "Die goldene Stunde taucht den Pazifikstrand mit Costa Rica Fahne in warmes Licht" keywords: ["Abendstimmung", "Costa Rica", "Fischerboot", "Küste", "Meereshorizont", "Pazifik", "Reisememo", "Reisetipp", "Rundreise", "Sonnenuntergang", "Spiegelung", "Strand", "Tamarindo"] captured: 2026-03-01 geo: {latitude: 10.2984, longitude: -85.8435} credit: "Reisememo | Walter Schärer" ```