About the ride from Santa Teresa Beach to Tamarindo
Playa Santa Teresa, at the southwestern tip of Costa Rica’s remote Nicoya Peninsula, is a nature lover’s dream. It is an ideal place to relax, blessed with a jungle-covered mountain backdrop and miles of empty beaches. It is truly the kind of place to get away from it all.
But when it’s time to return to a more lively pace, the beach town of Tamarindo is a great halfway point between the off-the-grid vibe and buzz of modern life. Just a few hours north on the same peninsula, you can still enjoy the natural beauty of Costa Rica, only this time with the chance to party.
Tamarindo draws crowds for its consistently good surf and its excitement after dark. Though only separated by 196 kilometers (121 miles), the uptick in energy will make your visit here seem worlds apart.
Thankfully, driving between these two towns will only take four to five hours.
Check out the details below…
Top experiences in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the most popular towns of Costa Rica’s famed Guanacaste Region — for good reason.
Check out some of the awesome things at your fingertips to understand why:
Surf’s up, big time! Tamarindo and its namesake beach is the very definition of a surfers paradise. With consistent surf that is perfect for beginners and experts, you can fill your days with waves without end.
Beach hop through the Guanacaste. Tamarindo Beach isn’t the only fine strand in the area. With a rental car or taxi, you can visit many other worthy beaches on a sandy road trip. Just to the south is Langosta Beach, famous for its white sand and natural (read: undeveloped) setting. A perfect place for a sunset! Plus, you also have lovely Coconut, Hermosa and Avellana Beaches right nearby. Chances are you’ll run out of time before you run out of beaches.
Go turtle-watching at Las Baulas National Marine Park. Only a half-hour’s ride to the north is Las Baulas National Marine Park. This massive coastal preserve is home to droves of Leatherback Sea Turtles, who come here to lay their eggs between November and April. These gentle giants can weigh over a thousand pounds! For the best viewing, take a guided tour at night to see this spectacle firsthand.
Try other watersports besides surfing. The waters of the Pacific are filled with lots of fun activities that don’t require a board to enjoy them. You can take a guided kayak tour of the estuaries north of town or go sport fishing for deep-sea bounty. Both sailors and snorkelers will enjoy a trip out to Las Catalinas, a pair of volcanic islets that host great spots for seeing marine life up close.
What to expect when traveling from Santa Teresa Beach to Tamarindo
Since you’ve made it to Playa Santa Teresa, you’re already familiar with the rugged nature of the Nicoya Peninsula. Roads may be rough and winding and could be nerve-wracking at times.
Despite their relative proximity, a trip between Santa Teresa Beach and Tamarindo will take four to five hours. Your options include taking a shared or private minivan or a private car.
Along the way, you’ll see plenty of jungle and remote corners of this thankfully underdeveloped section of the country.
How to get from Santa Teresa Beach to Tamarindo
Your choices for this ride really depend on whether you wish to travel privately or in a shared space. Either way, you can count on at least four hours of travel time — maybe more.
Here’s some more information to help you decide which option is best for you and your party:
Minivans
There are two types of minivans: shared and private. If you want a private ride, toggle on the filter for it on the sidebar.
Both take the same amount of time, about four to five hours.
Shared minivans
If you don’t mind riding with strangers, this is the least expensive option and a good one if traveling solo or with a partner. Seats start around $57.
Minivans have air conditioning and allow each passenger one bag weighing up to 25 kg (55 lbs) and a handbag.
Departure times are up to the operator; many are very early in the morning. Pickup and drop-off are from a list of hotels in each town.
Private minivan
A private minivan is most practical if you have enough people in your group to fill it and split the cost. Some minivans have a maximum of four people, others hold up to nine.
Prices start at $275 for the vehicle, so the more people you have, the less it costs per person.
A private minivan has A/C, reclining seats and often has an English-speaking driver.
Depending on the company, you can bring two bags per passenger or between 20-23 kg (44-50 lbs) per person. If you have a lot of luggage, read the details before booking.
You can pay a little more to bring along your surfboard. A big plus if you plan on taking on Tamarindo Beach on your own board.
You can also arrange to be picked up and dropped off at the hotel of your choice.
Unlike shared minivans, a private minivan will allow you to choose your departure time.
SUV car
Hiring a private car and driver is the most expensive option but also the most comfortable.
You’ll be picked up by an SUV, which makes for the most comfortable ride possible in light of the condition of the roads. Cars also make the run in only four hours, with the option to stop for breaks.
Cars can hold up to four passengers and cost around $533, so the more you fill it up, the less the per-person cost will be.
Passengers can bring one 20 kg (44 lbs) bag and one handbag, which are included in the price.
SUV cars come with an English-speaking driver, air conditioning and, in some cases, even WiFi.
Departures can be arranged at any time to fit your schedule. You can also be picked up and dropped off at your chosen location.
When is the best time of year to visit Tamarindo?
Hands down, the best time to visit Tamarindo is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. Not only will this give you sunny skies and warm weather, but it is also the best time to see nesting Leatherback Sea Turtles laying their eggs.
Average temps during this high season are 26-29°C (79-82°F)
Other times of the year aren’t bad either, except for September and October. Not only are these the wettest months, but the heavy rainfall and cloudy days will put a damper on any water sports you may wish to partake in.
How much time do I need in Tamarindo?
If you’ve only come to Tamarindo to surf, you could spend just a day or two in town just to get a taste of what it’s like.
But if you’ve already made the trip all the way out here, a more ideal itinerary would be to spend 4-5 days exploring the many nearby beaches and national parks.
