Victoria Lupascu 
Costa Rica is a magical place! There are so many volcanos, waterfalls, and stunning beaches that you’ll catch yourself saying “wow” every 5 minutes (don’t worry, no one will blame you, everyone feels the same)!
There are many places to visit here like Monteverde and La Fortuna. Still, today I want to talk about another stunning spot: Tamarindo, a town in the Guanacaste Province, on Costa Rica’s west coast.
In this post, you’ll find the best Tamarindo Costa Rica resorts for all types of budgets! Whether you’re backpacking around the country, looking for a super cheap place, or maybe you want to stay in luxury hotels that have tennis courts, you’ll find all that in this carefully curated list. Plus 2 extra bonuses with some unique accommodations on the beach and in another stunning area: Playa Grande.
Okay, I’ve already given too many spoilers so let’s begin before I reveal all the info! One more crucial thing to mention is that Tamarindo is not so big and these are the best hotels around, so I highly recommend booking in advance because everyone will want a room in these places!
Vamanos!
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you want to book now, quickly browse this list with the best hotels in Tamarindo:
Here’s a map that will help you visualize all the resorts in Tamarindo that I will be talking about in this post:
1. Luxury (US$250 and up)
JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort – This resort and spa sit right on the oceanfront! In the morning you can enjoy a cup of coffee and the stunning views from your room’s balcony. The luxury hacienda-style resort features tennis courts, 6 restaurants, a kids club, and a hot tub! When you’re not chilling in the spa, make sure you try one of the many activities like snorkeling and cooking classes.
Mother Earth Vegan – Sun-kissed skin, lazy mornings by the pool, and delicious food! Costa Rica is a holiday destination you can’t miss! This boutique hotel is located a 20-minute walk away from the beach and it offers a restaurant and a bar. Enjoy your morning coffee on the balcony of your room that overlooks the tropical gardens, and head downstairs for a delicious vegan breakfast or order it up to your room.
Jardin del Eden – My kind of place! This boutique hotel offers the most incredible setting and great ocean views. Located only a 10-minute walk away from Tamarindo beach, the hotel has rooms with air-conditioning, free wifi, and a flat-screen tv. Start your day with a spa session, enjoy the continental breakfast and then relax on the sun loungers by the outdoor pool. I highly recommend booking this one in advance though, all the great rooms sell out fast!
Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort – Chill out in one of the 3 outdoor swimming pools overlooking the ocean at this large resort that has a spa, a swim-up bar, and a fully-equipped fitness center. Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach resort guests can enjoy different activities like bike tours, snorkeling, and hiking. End your day with a dinner at the restaurant that serves international cuisine and order some refreshing cocktails from the bar to celebrate your holiday!
2. Mid Range (US$130 – US$250)
The Breeze Hotel & Villas – Hop from your bed straight to the beach! This hotel is located just a 2-minute walk away from Playa Tamarindo and it offers airport transportation. During the day you can chill out in the garden or rent some bikes for free to explore around. But that’s not it… The accommodation also provides more activities such as horseback riding, diving, and tennis!
Cala Luna – Tucked away between the tropical gardens on Langosta beach (a super popular surfing destination) this boutique hotel offers free parking and villas with a private pool.
Go snorkeling, horseback riding, and then relax with a massage at the spa of Cala Luna hotel. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the Cala Moresca restaurant that serves Italian fusion dishes or eat some fresh sushi from La Caletta Lounge during your stay!
Hotel Casa Leona – Getting ready for your Costa Rican adventure? Then come along and check out this hotel that’s located just a short walk away from Tamarindo Beach and offers free private parking and breakfast. The rooms have a flat-screen tv and free wifi. When you’re not out surfing or snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean you can relax by the outdoor pool or in the hotel’s garden! If you’re looking for more unique places in Costa Rica, check out Monteverde, it’s stunning!
Hotel Arco Iris – Yummy food, the beautiful Costa Rican biodiversity, and a great atmosphere! Can life get any better than this? Chill out in the hammocks, take a short nap, and then head to the on-site restaurant for dinner. Tamarindo Beach is also located within walking distance from Hotel Arco Iris, which has a bar and an outdoor swimming pool.
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3. Budget (up to US$120)
Tamarindo Sunshine – Located only a short walk away from Tamarindo Beach and less than a mile away from Playa Langosta Beach, Costa Rica, this affordable hotel offers different activities like snorkeling and bike tours. When you’re not out and about you can relax with a massage at the spa center or you can just relax in the garden or picnic area.
Ten North – Breakfast by the pool? That’s the best way to start your day during this Costa Rican holiday! The accommodation, which is located not too far from Playa Grande, has family rooms with air-conditioning, and make sure to ask the hotel staff about their fitness and yoga classes if you want to work out, or just relax in the garden!
Villas Macondo – Hello wilderness, how I’ve missed you! Get yourself some lemonade, a good book, and sit on the sun loungers or under the palm trees at this affordable Costa Rican accommodation that has rooms with air conditioning and hammocks. You can cool off in the pool and during the night gather up by the outdoor fireplace with your friends and some of the other guests!
Hotel Mahayana – Traveling on a budget? Then check out this accommodation that’s close to Tamarindo beach and which has many restaurants nearby. Chill in the pool area, or in one of the hammocks if you’re not up to leave the house today, but make sure you ask the hotel staff about what’s there to do in the area if you need some help. Playa Conchal is located a 40-minute drive away.
| 👑 Luxury price: | $250 |
| 🏨 Mid Range: | $150 |
| 🛏️ Budget: | $100 |
| 💰 Accommodation prices: | Medium |
| 🛎️ Best luxury hotel: | JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort |
| 🧳 Best mid-range hotel: | The Breeze Hotel & Villas |
| 👛 Best budget hotel: | Tamarindo Sunshine |
| 🤩 Top boutique hotel: | Jardin del Eden |
BONUS 1: Best Tamarindo hotels on the beach
Isn’t it the best when you wake up every morning to a sight of the Pacific Ocean?
It SO is! I always look for hotels that offer fantastic ocean views, and the best ones are usually located on the beach. So check out the list below if you love the beach as much as me:
Luxury
Capitán Suizo – Most luxury hotels in Tamarindo are super dreamy, but this one exceeds all my expectations! The rooms have a great rustic design, and each one has a little patio with a seating area. Get in a hammock and listen to the sound of the waves crashing the shore, or take a yoga class! Guests at the boutique hotel also have access to a spa, a fitness center, and a swimming pool.
Mid Range
Sueño del Mar – Gotta love the Costa Rican interior design! It makes you feel on holiday no matter what! Wake up, get your swimsuit on, grab a beach chair and enjoy a beautiful sunset on the private beach at this boutique hotel that has family rooms. The accommodation also has a bar and a pool, and it’s located a 15-minute drive away from Las Baulas National Park.
Budget
Hotel La Palapa – Wake up early to get a spot for breakfast at the beachfront restaurant of this hotel that offers family rooms and an airport shuttle. You can also attend live music shows and try different activities off-site (provided by the hotel), like snorkeling. So get ready because this trip sounds like one you’ll always remember!
BONUS 2: Best budget hotels in Playa Grande
I think we’ve already established that Tamarindo is pretty stunning! But I think you should explore around and discover the beaches nearby because they’re as beautiful! Playa Langosta, Playa Flamingo, and Playa Conchal are just some of them.
Still, if you haven’t quite found what you’re looking for in Tamarindo, today I’ll also offer you a list of hotels in Playa Grande, Tamarindo’s quiet little sister. This is the best beach after Tamarindo in my opinion and it often has some cheaper, more secluded resort options.
All the accommodations in this list are budget ones with prices between US$90 – US$130.
Let’s check them out:
- Hotel Rip Jack Inn – Surfing during the day? Yoga Classes before bed? This is what I call the good life! This hotel in Playa Grande has a restaurant and a bar on-site. Go for a night swim in the pool and enjoy the different activities the hotel offers, such as live music shows, snorkeling, hiking, and diving. The hotel is located a 20-minute drive away from Playa Conchal.
- Hotel Cantarana – Make yourself a coffee in your room and then head out to the little balcony to enjoy the garden views and properly start your day! The hotel has a restaurant on-site that serves international cuisine and local dishes. After a long day of swimming and snorkeling, book an appointment for a massage that will help the sore muscles recover much quicker!
- Onda – I love the vibes of this house (very 90210 Beverly Hills, the new one, of course)! Located just a short walk from the beach, this accommodation has a restaurant and a bar. Hurry to secure one of the sun loungers by the pool before the other guests and spend a whole day doing nothing but sunbathing and swimming! Pura Vida!
- Glamping Hotel Flor y Bambu – Don’t get me wrong, I love luxury resorts, but I would ditch them in a minute for accommodations like this one! The boutique hotel looks so cool, and the design is top-notch! Offering facilities like a tennis court, a swimming pool and breakfast, this place to stay in Playa Grande is for sure a keeper!
Frequently asked questions about Tamarindo, Costa Rica
📅 How many days do you need in Tamarindo?
If you spend between 3-5 days in Tamarindo, that will give you enough time to snorkel all day long, go deep-sea fishing, chill on the beach and stay in the best luxury hotels.
🎉 Is Tamarindo a party town?
Tamarindo is a great place to party, but it’s also family–friendly. It attracts many young backpackers, surfers, and tourists of all kinds.
🏖️ What are the best hotels near Tamarindo beach?
Jardin del Eden is located a 10-minute walk away from Tamarindo beach and Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort is the closest international branded resort to Tamarindo beach, located only a 1 minute walk away.
🏨 Which are the best boutique hotels in Tamarindo?
Jardin del Eden and Cala Luna are 2 great boutique hotels in Tamarindo. Both are unique and offer great facilities like restaurants, bars, and swimming pools.
Conclusion
Am I the only one daydreaming about the beaches in this tropical paradise? I hope this post helped you decide which are the best Tamarindo Costa Rica Resorts!
In this post, you’ll find a list of the best luxury hotels, mid-range, and budget as well.
If you’re having a hard time trying to decide which beachfront resort or boutique hotel is the best, here are my top 2 favorite options:
- JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort – One of the best luxury hotels that has tennis courts and 6 restaurants
- The Breeze Hotel & Villas – A great mid-priced hotel near the beach that a pool
As I mentioned, Tamarindo town is full of fun things, but make sure you also explore the other areas like Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, and Las Baulas National Park!
Don’t forget to secure your rooms and book the hotels in advance! Tamarindo is one of the most popular areas in Costa Rica. Many tourists come here to stay at the best luxury hotels!
This is where I leave you! Have a great time in Tamarindo, Costa Rica! Go snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, and admire the beautiful landscapes! If you have any questions, leave me a comment below and I’ll answer them ASAP!
Safe travels,
Victoria
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