Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo tickets

About the ride from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo

Wave goodbye to the sprawling Manuel Antonio National Park and continue your adventures in Costa Rica's luscious nature with a trip to Tamarindo.

Located 329 kilometers (204 miles) north of Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo is easily reached by private car transfer for higher-budget travelers eager to speed up the journey.

Alternatively, hop in a shared minivan and save money for surfing or scuba diving excursions.

Either way, travelers will fall in love with Tamarindo's mangrove trails and sprawling beaches.

What is Tamarindo like?

Although it likely lost its off-the-beaten-track certificate by now, it's absolutely still worth visiting Tamarindo.

Tucked on the outer curve of Costa Rica's eastern coastline on the Nicoya Peninsula, Tamarindo is a friendly seaside town that retains a small-town vibe.

Its charm permeates every beach, resort, and restaurant. Still, Tamarindo is most well-known for its golden-sand beaches and strong surf, with a break suitable for every ability level.

As the largest developed beach town in Guanacaste Province, Tamarindo is hugely popular with an eclectic mix of short-term tourists, expatriates, nomads, and surfers.

Like so many destinations in Costa Rica, the town is also awash with bountiful wildlife. It is a major nesting site for leatherback turtles and has a large animal refuge that protects howler monkeys and crocodiles. 

Unforgettable activities in Tamarindo 

There is an adventure or blissful day in the sun for every appetite in Tamarindo, so your trip will be memorable, no matter how you spend your time here. 

Keep these top activities in mind when planning your itinerary for the ecotourism hotspot:

1. Explore the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge. It's a mangrove-lined estuary that safeguards a range of protected species, such as howler monkeys and crocodiles.

2. Visit Las Baulas National Marine Park. Costa Rica invests heavily in protecting its rich natural beauty, and this sprawling national park is just one of many to discover in the country. Set aside a day to explore the park's mangrove swamps, myriad bird species, and turtles. Book a kayaking or hiking excursion to immerse yourself fully.

3. Take a beach day. Like most of Costa Rica's coastline, Tamarindo has a beach for every taste. Head to Tamarindo Beach to spend a day swimming and sunbathing or go turtle-spotting on Grande Beach, where the leatherback turtles hatch and crawl into the ocean.

4. Learn to surf. Master this tricky art on the glittering waters of the Pacific Ocean in the town that is the heart of Costa Rica's colorful surf culture. 

5. Experience the nightlife. An array of bars, beach clubs, and resorts pepper the coastline of Tamarindo, so you'll quickly find somewhere that suits your tastes. Learn to Latin dance as you bar hop your way down the beach, finding the best live music to dance to till dawn.

How do I get from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo?

Travelers figuring out how to get from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo have two choices: a minivan and an SUV car.

By minivan: The most popular mode of transport

Those who choose to travel by minivan to Tamarindo have a few options: a shared or private minivan.

If you're traveling in a group, hire a private minivan and split the cost. Most vans fit between five and six people, and the price starts at $354. 

If you want a single seat on a shared minivan, the price starts at $77 per person. However, some companies require two people to book.  

Please read the details carefully when selecting to ensure that you don't accidentally book a whole van for yourself.

Both shared and private minivans are air-conditioned and will pick you up from your hotel in Manuel Antonio and drop you off at any chosen hotel in Tamarindo. Travel time is five to six hours.

You'll get a luggage allowance of one 25 kg (55 lb) bag and one handbag or small rucksack per passenger. Surfboards can be added for an extra charge paid directly to the driver.

By private car (SUV): The most comfortable way to travel 

Hiring a private, air-conditioned car (SUV) is the best option for travelers on a more luxurious or high-end budget. It's also the perfect choice for people who want to travel a little more comfortably and privately.

Each car can take up to four passengers, so you can split the cost with your travel buddies. Prices start at $679 for the car.

Possible SUV car amenities include:

English speaking staff

Water provided

Rest stops upon request.

A luggage allowance of one 20 kg (44 lb) bag and one piece of 7 kg (15 lb) hand luggage per passenger

WiFi, subject to availability

The best things about the ride from Manuel Antonio to Tamarindo 

Try to grab a seat on the left side of the car/minivan to take in these spectacular views. Much of the journey hugs the coastline of the Gulf of Nicoya, serving up stunning vistas of the Pacific Ocean.

You'll drive past numerous beaches, see luscious forests, and pass Chira Island on the Colorado Gulf before crossing over to the western side of Costa Rica via Santa Cruz.

Take a nap for this section before waking up in time to see Tamarindo's clash of bright green forests and sapphire blue seas burst over the horizon.

When is the best time to visit Tamarindo?

You can visit Tamarindo any time of the year, thanks to its relatively stable climate.

It has two seasons — wet and dry — but rainfall isn't a reason to stay away; it only makes the environment lusher. The dry season lasts from December to April, and the wet season is from May to November.

However, Tamarindo is one of the driest areas of Costa Rica, so even the rainy season enjoys plenty of dry days.

If you want to minimize your exposure to crowds, avoid visiting at the end of the year or during the Easter holidays when the tourist season peaks.

Surfing lovers should visit between June and October because these months invite the best waves. Wildlife seekers should come when the leatherback turtles come to nest between September and March.

How many days should I spend in Tamarindo?

Spend at least a week in Tamarindo to experience the town to the fullest.

Finding your favorite spots will take a day or two, and then you can spend the rest of your time relaxing on the best beaches or surfing the highest waves.

If you're on a tight schedule, you can fly through in a day or two to hit the top sites and watch a turtle hatch, but it's an investment to get here, so stay longer if possible.

Where should I go after Tamarindo?

Next, change it up and head inland to La Fortuna to spend time chasing waterfalls and volcanos.  

Or head to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, to keep up the surfing vibe.