Tamarindo

Tamarindo is on Costa Rica's northwest Pacific coast, in Guanacaste province. Liberia international airport (LIR) is 60 km north, around 1 hour by road. Most camps include the airport transfer in the package; private taxi runs about €60 if you arrange it yourself.

Sandy beach break with multiple peaks along a 1.5 km stretch. Knee to chest-high on average, head-high on better days. Best at mid to high tide. Sandy bottom means falls are forgiving: a strong setup for learners and improvers building up their game.

Yes. The main beach is one of the friendliest learning setups in Costa Rica: sandy bottom, gentle whitewater, surf schools right on the sand. Schools run group and private lessons most mornings and afternoons. Avoid the estuary side (current, crocs) and stick to the central beach where the schools cluster.

September to November for the biggest, cleanest swells. December to March for sunshine and easier days. April and May see a build into the south swell season. Water is 27 to 29 °C all year, no wetsuit needed.

Yes, locally yes. Crocodiles do come down the Tamarindo estuary at low tide. Stay out of the river-mouth peak (the southern end of the bay, by the sand spit) and surf the main beach instead. Schools and locals will not paddle there. Risk on the main beach is effectively zero.

Playa Grande (north): bigger, less crowded beach break, 5 min by boat across the estuary or 30 min by road. Avellanas (south, 25 min): longer right-hand point. Playa Negra (45 min south): heavier reef, advanced only. All three work as half-day or full-day trips from Tamarindo with a rental car or camp shuttle.

Small. The main strip is one kilometre. Around 30 restaurants, 15 surf shops, 4 supermarkets, 2 pharmacies, plenty of bars (Sharky's, El Pescador, Crazy Monkey). Quiet by midnight on weekdays, livelier on Friday and Saturday. Big enough to never be bored, small enough to bump into the same people twice a day.

Budget around €100 to €150 per day outside accommodation: 3 meals (€30 to €45), surf lessons or board rental (€25 to €60), drinks (€10 to €20), local transport (€10). A weekly camp package bundles accommodation, lessons, transfers and most of this into one price.

Yes, Tamarindo is one of the more family-friendly surf towns in Central America. The main beach has lifeguards in high season, sandy bottom, gentle whitewater inside. Surf schools run kids classes from age 6+. Tides and rip currents change daily, so always check with the school before your kids go in.

Yes. Several yoga studios run daily classes (€12 to €15 drop-in). Spa, massage and bodywork from €40 per session. CrossFit and gym options near the centre. Many camps include yoga in the weekly package, so check before you book extras.