Five distinct surf breaks including Little Hawaii, plus a mangrove boardwalk near Lola's restaurant.
Blue Flag beach
Playa Avellanas is a long stretch of tan sand backed by mangroves and scrub trees, about 30 minutes by car south of Tamarindo, with no town center of its own. It has five named surf spots, including Little Hawaii on the far south end and Palo Seco and Parqueo for longboarders, drawing surfers year round. A wooden bridge through the mangroves near Lola's restaurant is a well known landmark, and the beach was featured in the surf film Endless Summer II.
The main entrance is via Lola's Restaurant, reached by a mostly paved but pothole-heavy road from Tamarindo; a public parking lot next to the restaurant charges a small fee.
Featured
Tamarindo
Beachfront surf camp in Tamarindo operating since 2001, with ISA-certified instructors and a quiver of 250-plus boards. Packages combine daily lessons or guided surf tours with video coaching, breakfast and airport transfers. Also runs a hotel and restaurant on the same beachfront property.
Tamarindo
A 20-hectare wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in Portegolpe, a short drive from Tamarindo, caring for injured and rescued animals from Costa Rica and abroad. Guided and self-guided tours run daily and cover each animal's rescue story alongside the center's conservation and release work. A beekeeping tour was added as a newer add-on experience for visitors 14 and older.
Tamarindo
ATV and UTV tours that depart directly from Plaza Avenida Tamarindo, in front of Banco Nacional in the center of town. Routes run one to six hours through tropical dry forest, river crossings, and beaches, including stops at Puerto Viejo, Playa Real, and Playa Minas. Each driver must show a driver's license and a credit card security deposit is required.