Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa are two popular surf spots in Costa Rica. Tamarindo is a lively beach town with golden-tan beach sand and azure waters, while Playa Hermosa is a small, laid-back beach town with beautiful gray beach sand and deep blue waters.
In Tamarindo, you will find a large expat community and high rises that resemble those of the United States of America and other European countries. While Playa Hermosa has some of what you will find in Tamarindo, it is smaller in comparison.
Tamarindo is best for backpackers and solo travelers, while Playa Hermosa is your go-to beach town if you are visiting with family.
In this article, I will be sharing all you need to know about these towns so you can choose which you will be visiting first.
Key Takeaways
- Tamarindo beaches are beginner-friendly for surfers and also perfect for surfing.
- Playa Hermosa Beach is great for activities like jet skiing, kayaking, swimming, and scuba diving.
- The distinctive feature of the Tamarindo beach is the golden tan sands, while that of Playa Hermosa is the gray sand.
- An hour and thirty-minute drive from Liberia International Airport gets you to Tamarindo.
- A forty-minute drive from the Liberia International Airport gets you to Playa Hermosa.
- The nightlife in Tamarindo is more lively compared to that of Playa Hermosa.
How to Get There
Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa are both located in the Guanacaste Province.
Tamarindo sits on the Nicoya Peninsula of the Northwestern Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica and an hour and thirty minutes drive from Liberia International Airport gets you there.
On the other hand, Playa Hermosa is located on the Papagayo Peninsula and a 40-minute drive from Liberia International Airport gets you there
The Vibe
Both Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa are popular surf spots in the Guanacaste province. However, Tamarindo is way more developed, judging from the high rises in this small town compared to Playa Hermosa.
At one point, I began to wonder if this town was still part of Costa Rica because, apart from the high rises like the ones you’d see in the United States and other European countries, there are lots more foreigners here than locals, and this town is always busy.
Playa Hermosa, on the other hand, has a more laid-back vibe. People mainly come here to surf and relax at the beachfront. It also has a serene vibe, which is perfect for families with kids.
However, you will find basic amenities like ATMs, healthcare facilities, and so on in this small town, but it’s nothing compared to what you will find in Tamarindo.
Weather
Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa experience the same weather conditions as other towns in the Guanacaste Province. So the weather in both towns is very dry and hot; thank goodness for the beaches.
However, Tamarindo feels more dusty. So if you are visiting, ensure you are always hydrated and wear your sunscreen, sunglasses, and sun hat so you do not become burned by the sun.
Best Time to Visit
In my opinion, it is not the best time to visit Tamarindo or Playa Hermosa since they are both situated in one of the driest regions of the country.
So you do not have to worry about rain falling too often. However, I advise you to avoid the months of September and October since there will be more frequent showers in the afternoon. But if you do not mind, you can visit all year round.
Another thing I need you to take note of is the tourist season. December through April attract lots of crowds. So if you do not like a crowded place, you can skip these months and visit from May through November, when the crowds reduce.
Beaches
TAMARINDO
Tamarindo Beach is the main beach in Tamarindo, famous for its excellent surfing waters. This beach is mostly crowded by tourists, and you will find quite a handful of surf schools, restaurants, and bars along the beachfront.
Langosta Beach is located north of Tamarindo. Its calm waters are perfect for swimming and sunbathing, and the sunsets here are also mind-blowing.
The beach is the perfect spot for surfers on the beginner level.
Conchal Beach: A 30-minute drive from Tamarindo gets you here. The waters are clear, and the beach sand, unlike other beaches in Tamarindo, is white.
It is a good place to snorkel and sunbathe.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Playa Hermosa, which translates to “beautiful beach,” is the main beach, with gray sand stretching about 2 kilometers. The waters are perfect for surfing, kayaking, stand-up boat paddling, swimming, scuba diving, and snorkeling.
You will find quite a good number of restaurants and hotels on the beachfront and surrounding areas.
This beach is great for both families and romantic lovers to come relax because of its laid-back vibe.
Nightlife
If you are looking for a place to party all night long, then Tamaribfo is perfect for you because there are lots of nightlife spots like nightclubs, bars, and so on.
The nightlife and partying start at the beach in the early evenings and then transcend to the streets and nightclubs at nightfall until the crack of dawn.
Playa Hermosa, on the other hand, has a low-key nightlife. It is not as wild as Tamarindo’s, but regardless, you will still enjoy it if you love a serene evening with soft music playing in the background and the cool evening breeze of the ocean blowing in your face.
Safety
Both Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa are safe for tourist visits. However, you need to be very cautious of your surroundings and do not leave your valuables unattended, especially when visiting Tamarindo.
The food and water are also hygienic and safe to drink, but ensure you only eat at clean restaurants that prepare healthy and fresh meals. To know if a restaurant is okay to eat at, thoroughly research them by reading online reviews to see what others are happy about or complaining about.
Lastly, avoid walking alone in poorly lit, isolated areas at night, and do not become too trusting of strangers. If you adhere to these, you will be just fine.
Cost of Living
The cost of living and touring Tamarindo is way more expensive compared to that of Playa Hermosa. However, I noticed that eating at a restaurant or paying for transportation was slightly higher in Playa Hermosa than in Tamarindo.
I came to this conclusion when I had casado, which is a local Costa Rican cuisine, in a not-too-fancy restaurant in Tamarindo and paid $4.50 for that meal, yet when I had the same meal in Playa Hermosa, I paid $6.50, which is a whopping 45% price difference.
Other than that, Playa Hermosa is less expensive, so if you are planning to visit both towns, have an open budget for Tamarindo.
Below is a table of how much you will spend monthly if you choose to live in either town.
| Expenses | Tamarindo(USD, $) | Playa Hermosa (USD, $) |
| Rent | 1200 | 800 |
| Utilities | 400 | 110 |
| Cell phones | 40 | 25 |
| Groceries | 400 | 400 |
| Health insurance | 300 | 400 |
| Transportation | 100 | 120 |
| Social Activities | 300 | 400 |
| Miscellaneous | 100 | 100 |
| Monthly Total | $2840 | $2355 |
Comparison of the monthly cost of living in Tamarindo Vs Playa Hermosa
Source: International Living
Accommodation
TAMARINDO
Ten North Hotel is a three-minute walk from the Tamarindo beach. It offers various accommodation types that suit different travelers, mini refrigerators in the rooms, a living room and kitchen section, free wifi, arranged boat cruises, an outdoor swimming pool, and many more. A night cost $89
Hotel Diria is one of the top hotels in Tamarindo, located at its center, and offers well-suited rooms with private bathrooms, balconies, an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a restaurant, amongst others.
Hotel Capitán Suizo: If you need an ocean view, this hotel is for you. It is located on the Langosta beach, offering well-suited rooms, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a bar.
Villas Macondo is a 3-minute walk from the Tamarindo beach and offers an outdoor swimming pool, fully air-conditioned rooms, free wifi, free parking, and tropical garden views.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Playa Hermosa offers a range of accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets.
Below are some of the best hotels in Playa Hermosa:
Hotel Playa Hermosa Bosque del Mar: This is a beautiful beachfront boutique hotel that is surrounded by a serene ambiance of lush tropical gardens. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites with modern-day luxurious fittings.
There is also a spa center, a beachfront dining area, an outdoor pool, and the most iconic of all are the private balconies that give you a spectacular view of the ocean.
Hotel Condovac: This is a resort-setting type of hotel, with large building complexes and kitchenettes. You may find this hotel a bit old-fashioned; however, the incredible thing about it is the nice ocean views it gives you.
Moreover, it is also affordable, as most rooms start from $60 to $120 per night.
Villa del Sueño Hotel: Villa del Sueño Hotel is in the heart of Playa Hermosa and offers a cozy and tranquil atmosphere. This five-star hotel offers comfortable rooms and villas with private terraces for garden or pool views. And the outstanding thing for me is the delicious Costa Rican and international cuisines you get to eat there.
Villa Acacia Beach and Garden Hotel: Villa Acacia is a budget-friendly hotel offering a comfortable stay without breaking the bank. It offers clean and simple rooms, making it an excellent choice for those looking to explore Playa Hermosa and the surrounding areas without spending much on accommodation.
Fun Things To Do
Surfing
Surfing should be at the top of your list of fun things to do when you arrive in either town because they both have consistent water waves that suit any level and skill of surfing.
It feels good to surf in both towns. However, you will enjoy it more at Tamarindo because the water waves are beginner-friendly and you have lots of beaches to choose from.
Surf Lessons
If there’s anything I would recommend you do in either town for fun, it is to take some surf lessons. This is one of the common things you would find at the beachfront of Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa.
There are a lot of surf lessons and instructors on the beach who are willing to hold you by the hand and teach you how to surf for at least two hours daily for $30 to $50.
Furthermore, the instructors are patient, friendly, and knowledgeable. So if you continue practicing, in a week or less, you will be on your way to becoming a better surfer.
Sunset Watching
When it comes to beautiful subsets, I do not know which town to pick as the winner because Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa have incredible sunsets at their respective beaches.
So when you visit both towns, wait until the evening when the sun begins to set, and you will see the most magical sunset you can ever imagine. In my opinion, Tamarindo has a more striking sunset, especially the one at Playa Tamarindo.
Nightlife
You cannot say you have visited Tamarindo without enjoying its nightlife. Regardless of you are a party person or not, I would implore you to come out of your accommodation and add a vibe to the atmosphere of the night.
You can also enjoy nightlife in Playa Hermosa, even if it is more laid-back compared to that of Tamarindo. Regardless, taking an evening stroll in Playa Hermosa will leave you feeling refreshed, rather than staying indoors all night.
Alternatively, if you’re seeking other beaches to explore within Costa Rica, you should see our guide on how Jaco vs. Manuel Antonio stacks up.
Final Verdict
Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa are popular tourist spots for surfers of all levels. The individual pristine beaches are appealing to relax and swim in.
Tamarindo has a fast and lively vibe, so it is best suited for solo travelers and backpackers, while Playa Hermosa has a more laid-back vibe, which is okay for families with kids.
So the choice between which tourist town to visit first depends on your preference. However, I’d advise you to visit both towns and enjoy their beauty and goodness.
About Michelle Schmidt
Born in California, Michelle traveled extensively through the USA and Europe before moving to South Florida during the pandemic. Her career in Marketing has taken her all across the world. Her favorite country is France but she'll never turn down a beach vacation!
