Flamingo/ Tamarindo Area Guide

 

The Flamingo/Tamarindo/Pinilla area offers some of Costa Rica's best beaches and great restaurants. These are my suggestions while visiting this Guanacaste's golf gold coast:

 

Restaurants

Pizzeria La Baula

Located in Tamarindo, this pizza place has great thin crust pizzas with excellent ingredients. Try the 4 cheese pizza and you'll want to come back again. 

 

Pangas

My favorite restaurant in Tamarindo. Romantic, relaxed, and amazing food. Try the steak on a volcanic rock and the octopus ceviche.

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Chiringuito

Right on the beach - a perfect place to see the sunset or a cerveza with your buddies.

 

Noguis

Right on the water, and a great place to enjoy the Tamarindo sunset. 

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Dragonfly Bar and Grill

Located in Tamarindo, the steakhouse does not disappoint. I could eat there every day and normally do when I am in Tamarindo. 

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You really can't go wrong with any restaurant in Tamarindo - there are many options. I like to eat right on the beach or in the restaurants deep insde Tamarindo - La Baula and DragonFly. I stay away from the main road because there are too touristy.

 

Coco Loco

This is the place to eat and have drinks in the Flamingo area. You have to go there for the sunset views right on the beach and for the great seafood.

 

Tiki

The Tiki, located in the town of Brasilito is well known for its Coconut Shrimp and Lobster dishes. It was also just voted as best Ceviche in Costa Rica. Just 5 minutes from Reserva Conchal, this one of the areas few excuses to dress up a little bit.

 

Vaca Loka

Right in Flamingo Beach, this beach place is right on the sand and offers great meat and seafood. 

 

Bars/Nightclubs

Pacifico

Great place for dancing, and drinks. They have the best Ladies Night in Tamarindo and you'll be sure to meet lots of people there. 

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Sharkeys

The sports bar in Tamarindo - lots of TVs and great burgers. If you need your american food fix, this is the place to go. 

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Monkey Bar

Inside the Flamingo Marina hotel, the Monkey bar offers good food and even better atmosphere. Great to enjoy the sunset and ocean views while relaxing on a nice cold beer. This bar is a sure thing - every day there is a live band or a fun crowd that is just out to have fun.

 

Witch's Rock Surf Camp

This relaxed bar/restaurant is ideal to enjoy a beautiful sunset at Tamarindo beach. It is a surfers hangout that offers the biggest nachos you will see in Costa Rica. I particularly enjoy their fish tacos while downing a nice cold beer.

 

Activities

Volcano Day Trip

Drive about 1 1/2 hours and you will get to Rincon de la Vieja volcano and Hacienda Guachipelin. For a mere $80 day pass, you enjoy river tubing, zip lining, horseback riding, a volcano mud spa, and lunch. This is a complete day activity - we recommend getting there before 9am so you can be done with all the choices by sunset.

 

Zip Lining, and ATV Tour

Near the town of Coco you will find a great place for zip lining with an ocean view. You can do a mile long superman ride as well as ATV the Monkey Trail. 

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Fishing

Tamarindo and Flamingo have great fishing for Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and many other kinds of fish. Let me know book your fishing trip. 

 

Scuba Diving

Inside the Flamingo Marina hotel, Aqua Center offers scuba tours to the Catalina islands. This area is also great for snorkel.

 

Sunset Cruise

A 1 pm hotel pickup starts a great afternoon in a catamaran off the Tamarindo coast. The rate includes all you can eat and drink - we recommend it for an afternoon of sun and great new friends.

 

Take a Surf Class

Tamarindo is one of Costa Rica's surfing meccas. Take an afternoon surf class - includes clothes, boards and personal trainer. It is never too late to take a surf class and trainers will know how to adapt to your physical conditions.

 

There are many other activities and restaurants but I have listed the best of the best. If you are staying more than a couple of days, we recommend that you add an overnight visit to Arenal or Monteverde. We can suggest an itinerary and arrange a perfect Costa Rica vacation.

 

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