Great local place with various food vendors. There’s some cover but no A/C. However, we found it just fine like that. We came here a few times and tried local Costa Rican food (casado), Venezuelan (fresh smoothies and tequeños), crepes, and seafood (fish fillet with salad and tostones). The food is yummy, prices are a bit better than in restaurants but still not cheap even though it’s a food court. Don’t expect much service here, it’s very much self-serve, just like in any other food court. It’s clean and atmospheric with music and greens around you.

We stopped by for late night dinner and ended up staying for drinks with the owner of the Mercadito. Fantastic Caipirinhas, fish and shrimp tacos and huge sized chicken wings! We will be back! I also love that they accept everyone not only in the restrooms, but also in general, even Batman!!

Great open air food court with reasonable prices. My family enjoyed the ceviche, the best that we had while in Costa Rica. My favorite place in the food court was the steak location, had an excellent ribeye cooked to a proper medium rare. There is also a good ice cream place for dessert or milkshakes. And then the bar has the coldest beer that I was able to get while here. Prices were reasonable and service was fast. There are a few local cats who hang out here too.

If the few beach-side hotels, this is by far the best. Best location on the beach and centrally located such that everything is within a walking distance of the main strip. In fact it is on the main strip. The breakfast buffet is fabulous. Even though they serve almost the same things every day, there is sufficient variety and the food is delicious. The staff are great and courteous. The beach is long and wide- especially in the morning at low tide Highly recommend for families and couples

What a cool little food court! This place is back off of the main strip, but super accessible. The collection of restaurants is impressive, ranging from gourmet hamburgers to top-notch tacos, hand-rolled sushi to Argentinian top sirloin. Top it all off with ice cream or belly up to the Medusa, a bar with a BOAT in it! By the way, the bartender knows his stuff. This place doesn't really come to life until dinner, which is usually after sunset here. Friendly atmosphere and good music put this over the top, securing their 5-star review. Once you find this food court, you'll want to come back again and again so you can try all they have to offer.

Good Food, but the Price is astonishing. Not that you have much of a choice there tho, so still 4/5.

Great local spot with multiple options for authentic cuisines in tamarindo. The Papagayo brewing stand was awesome with fresh beer on tap. We ate at multiple stands throughout the place no issues with service or quality all great options definitely recommend.

If you sit on the beach, you will be asked to buy souvenirs from every passing vendor. Food was great and service was wonderful. Beach was not too busy during the week. The squirrels are gorgeous and quite tame.

I was in Tamarindo with my granddaughter for several nights and this was our favorite place to eat after a sunset on the beach. I love Costa Rican food, but sometimes you want some chicken wings and French fries. The service was excellent both inside and outside. On Thursday night, they had a local guy playing guitar and singing, and he was excellent. The music definitely catered toward older folks, with a lot of old rock and roll including The Beatles, CCR, Elvis, and lots of other good stuff. It makes me happy to see young people playing and loving those good old tunes. Go for the food and great service, stay for the music, drinks, and ocean view. Oh yeah, and they have monkeys in their trees!

We ate lunch here once and I think were here two or three times for sunset drinks. The place is great! Singers, DJs, great sunset and the best place to watch the good surfers in the evening. Oh, and fire dancers. Just saying. Wonderful service, good happy hour menu.

Great spot on the beach. Chicken fingers are good. Calamari is below average. All rings and a touch greasy. Definitely ask for extra sauce for these. Service is intermittent and slower. We went through two waiters. Second waiter was the best.

I love this place for their happy hour! They offer a wide variety of cocktails for $4 until 7PM which is the perfect time to sit back and enjoy the sunset. If you stick around, they also have a fire show which is incredible. The lounge chairs are super comfy and the service is quick. A special thank you to Luis who was super welcoming and friendly

Really good beach bar. Quick with the drinks (even during happy hour), good quality in drinks. They’re not cheap on the alcohol 😋. Bar bite calamari was excellent and reasonably priced. Staff is friendly and quick. There was a band playing in the early evening and during their break there was other entertainment in the form of a fire show (smart move).

We really love the El Be experience!! The staff was warm and friendly, the views of the sunset are second to none, the food is great quality and great tasting, the drinks are great too! Live music every night too! We look forward to our next trip and El Be will be on our list of things to do!!

Such a welcoming and charming beach town with shops, restaurants and activities to do. The sunsets are breathtaking and the moonlit art and food fest was magical. Loved it!

Tourist beach no doubt about that. Horse back riding, surfing lessons and tour available all over the beach. Chairs to rent and options to have drinks brought to you. Close to hotels and restaurants and walkable beach.

The worst beach I’ve ever been to. It looks nice and picturesque but it’s very dirty and dangerous. Our baby got exposed to Shigella and we had to rush her to a Liberia hospital to start antibiotics. There are a lot of horses walking back and forth the whole day, and although they have poop bags, some shit occasionally falls down to the beach. Nobody picks it up obviously (same applies to the dog owners). We witnessed multiple times that dog and horse owners would dig the poop into the sand and continue walking. This poop gets washed into the sea and the rest is left for kids to put their hands in there to build sand castles. It stinks here and there too. There are many flies. Sellers come to you every other minute. Maybe it’s seasonal but the water was very shallow. Water was gone in the first and second half of the day. Black sand made the water look muddy. But all this is nothing compared to the horse shit. It’s a safety hazard - horses shouldn’t be allowed on the beach!

Great location for food, sun and surf. English, Spanish and French spoken in town. Diria beach resort fabulous location easily walkable all parts of town.

"Tamarindo Beach is a true Paradise for surf lovers and beach enthusiasts alike. The golden sands stretch endlessly, inviting you to relax under the sun or take a refreshing swim in the clear, warm waters. The lively atmosphere, with friendly vendors and bustling cafes, adds to the charm of the place. At sunset, the beach transforms into a magical scene, perfect for stunning photos and peaceful reflection. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Tamarindo Beach offers an unforgettable experience — a slice of coastal heaven that keeps calling you back."

Great beach and so much to see and so. We went surfing here and it was great. So much going on in the area. Only stayed for one day could easily do several. Tons of restaurants and shops and activities in the area. I’d suggest staying in this area if are staying in costa Rico. Lots of street vendors selling all kinds of stuff and services. This was the first time I saw people offering massages on the beach. Tons of shops restaurants hotels and services in the area. It seems to be a party area, and the beach area may get crowded. If you just want to chill on a beach you may have to walk a good distance down the main beach area. But still a great area.

Beautiful beach that is severely overcrowded with sunbeds for rent everywhere and horses nonstop riding back and forth in the heat (animal abuse). Had the place not been so overcrowded it would have been wonderful, but as is I would recommend going to Santa Teresa instead. Much better vibes and less crowded.

Great local spot with chill beach vibes. The beef and broccoli with rice was flavorful and well-cooked, and the tacos were packed with fresh ingredients. Friendly staff, fair prices, and a perfect place to unwind after the beach.

We had a wonderful experience! The host was very attentive and welcoming, and the food was delicious and fresh. Everything was fresh and full of flavor. I only wish we had more time to come back — definitely a place I’d highly recommend!

There’s a reason this place is so popular: Victor provides amazing service, the food is fantastic and the drinks are very good! This is our second time visiting as a group. The fresh tuna with veggies and mashed potatoes is yummy, the Seabass was fantastic, chicken wings were crispy, and the teriyaki tuna special was excellent. Be sure to look for the resident pet cat who oversees the entire operation! Reservations are recommended. We hope to return on our next visit!

I spent a few weeks at a hotel next door. I was welcomed like family by the entire staff. The food was amazing.And the atmosphere was perfect. Sitting at the bar having lunch with Uni, the cat was a highlight of my day.

Amazing place for dinner. We went there twice and were not disappointed. I wish I had gone there for breakfast as well. It's the best restaurant in this area. The food is fresh and the atmosphere is relaxed. The staff is very funny and the classic 80s music in the background is perfect. I will come be back!

The most delicious food in all of Palm Beach Estates. We went for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks throughout our four day stay in Tamarindo. Great service and AMAZING food. The mahi-mahi and smoothies are the best. Jorge was great and remembered our names after the first visit.

Ate here probably over 10 times on our trip. Both breakfast and dinner. Pretty much everything we tried was tasty and a great vibe outside too. The breakfast burrito was highlight for sure. Servers are super friendly as well.

Hmmmm….. if this is a national park, it isn’t. It is a beach. Apparently if you want to see turtles, they come ashore at sunset. Otherwise it is a regular beach. There is no signage and no apparent efforts to protect turtles and their nesting site. The dudes at the beach entrance claim that for 40 bucks a person they will take you somewhere at night to see them. Hmmmmm. There is a food truck area near there that doesn’t really want any business. Parking is free unless you want to pay for protection I guess. The government needs to put more effort into this national parque. There is an area at Playa Negra that seems to be doing more to protect turtles. I’d skip it and let the turtles do their thing in peace.

Summary: Go see the estuary with Jonathan from Los Tortugas hotel. He’s no frills and not fancy but he’s authentic and a great guide. You will see lots of wildlife. For the estuary tour wear strap on sandals that can get muddy and waterproof gear or clothes and things that can get wet if it rains. Wear bug spray. The beaches are also very beautiful and still somewhat untouched. It's a great spot to watch the surfers and sunsets in the evenings. Details: The park is a beautiful place but you can tell that there is a battle between those wanting to preserve the beauty and those wanting to develop. There are rules about building too close to the beach and protecting the beach from light (to encourage turtle nesting) but it seems to not be enough. Our guide mentioned that fewer and fewer turtles are coming to Playa Grande and it sounds like it may not be long before no turtles come to Playa Grande to nest. We found our guide Jonathan through the reviews here. We stayed at Rip Jack and he stays and works out of Los Tortugas next door. Jonathan has been doing this for 20+ years in the Playa Grande area. He knows it well. He’s not the type of guide that is going to hold your hand and give you a detailed prep list but I will do some of that here. He is the type that says “meet me at Los Tortugas at 5:45” and that’s the extent of your prep. But if you want to see nature and experience the estuary, I can’t imagine there is anyone better suited. We enjoyed his morning hike and canoe tour of the estuary so much that we booked a turtle trip with him for the very same night. Note that we did not witness turtles nesting here as they have apparently quit coming or at least are much rarer to see at Playa Grande. So here’s a little bit about both of our trips with Jonathan. The estuary tour can start at 6am or 9am. It’s a little harder to get up and moving at 6am but I highly recommend it if you want to increase your chances of seeing more wildlife. Both are $40/person which is well worth what you get. We started the estuary tour with a short hike where we saw lots of birds, crocodiles(!), bats, crabs, plants, and an amazing/shocking amount of termites/termite nests. After the hike we moved further down the road where got in canoes and toured the estuary. Jonathan and his assistant did all of the paddling which was nice. In the estuary we saw more birds, bats, howler monkeys, and got up very close (really close) to a crocodile. Things I wish I had known before the estuary tour: - The trails are quite muddy and uneven. Occasionally you will need to go under a low tree branch. You should avoid this trip if you need assistance walking. I'm not advocating for paved walkways here. I very much appreciate that it is untouched. This is more of a warning for those that need a more developed area for mobility. - The areas where we got into and out of the canoes are muddy and slippery. I recommend water shoes or sandals with a heel strap and not flip flops or tennis shoes. You will want to avoid this trip if you do not have good balance or need assistance walking although Jonathan will do his best to accommodate you. - Bug spray is highly recommended. I’ve been to places where the bugs were worse but it certainly would have been more comfortable/enjoyable to have had some protection against the mosquitos and gnats. - There is really no cover to speak of other than the trees. Your personal items should be either waterproof or placed in a waterproof bag in case that it rains. Consider the same comment with regard to your attire. I highly recommend Jonathan's estuary tour. Jonathan is polite, passionate, and genuinely cares about the park. Go and see this area. You will not regret it.

Beautiful white sand beach, so much better than Tamarindo. Beware of the hustlers working the parking lot offering turtle and bird tours, we’ve got taken and it was a complete waste of time and money. I’d park my car in the restaurant/hotel/bar just to stay away from these grifters. Sunset is amazing (5:30 ish) one of the best I have witnessed in my life.

Amazing beach known for being very wide and shallow. Great for all beach activities including surfing. Endangered turtles are known to nest here so do not disturb them while on land; they may turn around and not lay their eggs. Avoid shining white lights as this may confuse the hatchlings.

I crossed the river from Playa Langosta! The landscape and variety of plants is amazing, also the beach changes a lot from rocks to black beach or wide white sand! Only thing which i found superredicilulous is that at the spot with the nicest trees and best shade it has huge shields with "private" and security who looks for that, its some fancy people that stay there with huge SUVs and stuff! This should be defenitly banned from a national park as they make a lot of noise and pollution and probably destroy the habitat of the birds and other animals around, but this just shows the corrupt goverment: pay and you can do whatever you want!

I highly recommend Jonathan. He is thoroughly knowledgeable about the plant and wildlife in the area. On top of that, he is kind and speaks very good English. You can tell that he enjoys giving nature tours and sharing his passion and expertise with others. Jonathan promptly picked us up in the morning for the 2-2.5 hr canoe tour of the Tamarindo Estuary. It was peaceful and he went slowly enough that we did not feel rushed to see all that we wanted. He knows where to look for the animals! We got lucky and even saw a croc!!! Jonathan and his tour get a 10+/10 from me… very enjoyable, peaceful, enlightening, fun, etc. Money well spent. Absolutely worth it!!!

Went during rainy seasonin October so water is muddy looling due to rains. Went on boat tour in estuary. Very calm, peaceful ride.

Beautiful ambiance! Spray bug repellent before arriving as this restaurant is entirely outside! A little disappointed with the food. We ordered veggie spring rolls (delicious sauce, nice and crispy), miso soup (flavorful and warm), two different tuna rolls (both were kind of lack luster) and a tofu bowl (a ton of food, good vegetarian option, sauce was flavorful, the ratio of rice to veggies was balanced). We were able to just walk up without a reservation. We did not drive here so we cannot speak to how parking is!

Easily a 10/10—the best sushi I’ve ever had. The service was outstanding; Maurice and Chef Sergio were so welcoming and guided us through an unforgettable chef’s tasting. The atmosphere was perfect, and every single dish was absolutely mind-blowing. A must-visit spot to bring your friends!

I had a fantastic time dining here today! I tried the Tico Roll which has plantain on top - what a creative and delicious dish! I also had the Hibiscus Margarita at the recommendation of Mauricio (fantastic member of the staff who took good care of me while I dined here). I can’t wait to come back for more of their dishes. Easily the best sushi in Costa Rica that I’ve had the pleasure of trying!

Amazing food, everything is so fresh. Mau (Mauricio) was our server and you’d think he owned this place with how passionate he is. He had photos at the ready and his every recommendation were 🔥 We will definitely be back! Highly recommend the Tuna tataki, Crunchy Nigiris, Ahí tuna nigiris, Tico roll, spicy tuna, Tex mex rolls

Bamboo Sushi Club was perfect for a late night meal when we were hungry. The vibe was super cool, the decor and ambience were on point and the service was really nice. The sushi was incredibly fresh and the tuna was locally sourced which we loved. Salmon and the tuna were the best. We loved the steamed dumplings too, very light for pork. The fresh juices were unreal. I had the best pineapple juice of my life here. A great spot in Tamarindo for fresh sushi, good energy and a fun atmosphere. Highly recommend.

Nice servers and cute decor. Fish quality is very low and probably frozen badly. Sashimi falls apart under its own weight, rough texture, and everything tastes like air. Rice is gummy, overly sweet, and missing enough vinegar. Very nice presentation though.

Gonzalo was amazing!! We came 3 years ago on our last trip to Tamarindo and it was great. We decided to come back again and it was even better than what we remembered! Order everything he recommends!

I was very exited for the food. I was a little disappointed with how it turned out. The photos in the reviews online looks very good but my açai bowl was not the best. It was very fresh, but the texture was liquidy and the flavour was bland. but the people working there was very nice and it was such an amazing atmosphere with music.

Between the 3 of us, we ordered chicken and veggie tacos which were great. My wife had a coffee, I had a coconut lemonade and kid got water....the lemonade was exceptionally good. Service was fine but had to repeat order several times before they got it right.

Looking for a great lunch place with amazing food especially tacos…this is the one. Nestled in the beginning of the tourist area across from Tamarind Dria. It has an adorable outdoor with friendly staff to great you. Lots of taco options but sells other stuff too like açaí bowls, milkshakes and you can pick your own fruit for a delicious smoothie. I got the surf and turf tacos while my husband got the shrimp ones. We were both more than pleased with presentation and taste. I then decided to just get a passion fruit smoothie bc I love the fruit itself and you just can’t find this in the states. Husband got a pina colada smoothie and he equally enjoyed as well. Kid friendly as I saw a few kids enjoy meals too. Definitely a must stop and fairly priced.

Honestly very VERY disappointed with how the cashier scammed us! We ordered a smoothie bowl dragon fruit, a tico breakfast.l, an orange juice and two sides of fried plantains. 1st , they bring us 2 bananas, we kindly tell the lady that we had ordered 2 sides of fried plantains. She comes back with the equivalent of one side of barely fried plantains. 2nd, we arrive back home which we are 1h40 min away, we check our bank account, only to find out that they charged us ~85$ USD (118 CAD). Pictures below are: - A screenshot of their Facebook story in which we appear ordering at the counter. - A picture of the amount they charged us (in CAD) - and a picture of the smoothie bowl I had ordered I would love to hear back from you guys as of why you OVERCHARGED us. Mind you we ordered, speaking in spanish the whole time. We might not be ticos, but you have no right to abuse from people this way just because we don't look like we are from cr. Genre tramposa ≠ pura vida Me da un asco esa situación. Espero que resuelvan el tema pronto, y tomen consecuencias con la cajera.

While in Tamarindo, this is the place for smoothies, coffee, mocha's, milkshakes, or a quick and easy bit to eat. Everything is delicious! During our 4 day stay in Tamarindo, we probably went there over half a dozen times for various drinks and food.

I got the Açaí bowl and although it LOOKS delicious, I was very disappointed. It had very little substance with a lot of melted and runny açaí fruit mix. Ended up leaving a bowl of “soup” on the table and I LOVE açaí bowls. 😭 On another note the coffee milk shake, mango smoothie, and the tropical chicken wrap were AMAZING!

Some of the best food we’ve had in Costa Rica. We got the chicken tacos, steak burrito and açaí bowl. All GREAT. Definitely recommend.

Everything about this restaurant is a 10/10 experience. The aesthics and energy draws you in, the food and drinks keep you here, and the service and hospitality makes you want to come again and again. As tourists, we were more than satisfied with the food as it was delicious. But we were also appreciative of the warm felt energy given by staff that suggested multiple locations to visit in Costa Rica that'll make our trip that more special. All in all, Wok n' Roll in Costa Rica is a must try!

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Tamarindo! The service and food is absolutely amazing. This establishment goes above and beyond in every way. The vibe and atmosphere is so welcoming; the owner and the staff are seriously the salt of the earth. They have a dynamic/style like how a family business operates. Wok N Roll is a must if your staying in Tamarindo

A perfect spot in Tamarindo! The Kim Chee Fried rice was amazing! My wife had the best sushi roll of her life, the namesake, Wok 'n Roll !

Really excellent food. Enjoyed a great night out with our family and friends. Best meal we have had in Tamarindo.

The food was fantastic. Fresh Japanese oysters every Monday! Never frozen. And they taste so much better than oysters I've had in the US. Everything is sourced local when possible and the meat is Niceragua grass fed. The owner can often be found working there. She and her staff are very friendly. This is a must stop in Tamarindo.

Hands down, the best meal I’ve had in Costa Rica. The food was absolutely incredible, and the service made the experience even more special. I truly felt like I was dining at a beloved family member’s restaurant—warm, welcoming, and full of heart. Now let’s talk about that pecan pie… to die for. If you’re planning a trip, do yourself a favor and make this place a priority. And whatever you do—don’t leave without trying that pie! You’ll thank me later.

Great spot in downtown Tamarindo for sushi and espresso martinis! Great zen atmosphere with the hustle of the city going by! The food is delicious and a wide selection of different Asian inspired dishes! And the fish is always fresh! So fresh!

Amazing place. Only accessible by a long road that doesn’t really lead anywhere else so it’s incredibly peaceful. Even so, still has a great choice of restaurants within walking distance or a short drive away. Beach is beautiful with hardly another soul on it, but the hotel can still provide all the amenities you need. Probably the best place I stayed during two weeks in Costa Rica. Wish we had spent more time here!

Besides losing electricity multiple times saying they wouldn’t be able to make our breakfast, the service was outstanding. And with the blessing of electricity we were able to get our food as well! It was DELICIOUS. I highly recommend the omelet (I think it’s the first thing on the breakfast menu). Gorgeous place that is covered and has fans but was also an open balcony with pretty views! This cafe was walkable from our rental house, we went almost every morning for breakfast! Staff was so friendly, welcoming and food was super yummy compared to other places within walking distance— or without having to take the boat across to tamarindo.

The staff at Hotel Cantarana took great care of me during my stay. They helped me with everything I needed, including rides, directions, suggestions, and answered my endless questions. I would highly recommend staying here. The room is clean and the beds are really comfortable. The environment is both fun and relaxing.

I went several times to the bistro and the staff is very kind. They make you feel welcome and check on you as well. The place is very stylish and offers live music on Saturdays which I highly recommend. Last Saturday there was a traditional band playing and it was very great.The food is good but the cocktails aren’t so good.

Cantarana is an incredible place to stay, hangout, and eat. The food is incredible, the staff is super friendly and welcoming, and the experience is very authentic. They also occasionally have awesome events like salsa classes. Highly recommend coming out. It is also a 1 minute walk from the beautiful Play Grande beach.

I LOVED my post-surf meals at the Cafe every day! The acai bowls, yogurt or overnight oats bowls, are full of fresh, local ingredients and keep you full all day. Be sure to grab a coconut latte while here, too - so good!!! The restaurant upstairs highlights simple and fresh ingredients, local dishes - all at a very affordable price! Dine outside or under the roof, enjoy the cool costa rica breezes in the evenings with top-notch service!

Went for the restaurant. Seated a group of 8 with late notice which was nice. The food itself was insanely expensive while also being terribly disappointing. The tuna appetizer was good by virtue of being simple, but everything else was filled with regret. We had no choice of where to go for food as everywhere else was booked & still wished we’d chosen differently. Food also took over half an hour from ordering to be delivered. The chimichurri steak was a 6 piece gray filet with a single pencil line of sauce on top. At least the fries were alright, for $25 that’s not a good feeling to have.

I’m absolutely delighted! Everything was delicious, but what impressed me the most was the incredible service from every staff member. The team was outstanding — so kind, attentive, and genuinely positive. A very special thank you to Gio , he was exceptionally warm, upbeat, and just an amazing person overall. We truly appreciate everything, and when we return to Costa Rica, this place will definitely be on our list again. Highly recommend it to everyone! 100000 from 10 !!! Pura Vida :)

Great food!! I’m a big fan of sea food and I enjoyed it very much. Having a margarita in front of the ocean while watching the sunset is the best. Loved every meal and moment

In full disclosure, we did not eat! But, we did partake everyday with drinks at sunset! The staff is outstanding, the prices on par… and the view extraordinary.. We met some great people that raved the food! next time..

We stayed at Ocho and had the best time! The rooms and atmosphere are amazing! The hotel staff were so helpful and friendly! Zula helped us book the most amazing adventures. Gio and Jimmy were a blast in the restaurant as well as all of the others! Loved our stay!

This is the place to stay if you’re considering visiting Tamarindo beach. First of all the bungalows are on the beach which is very convenient, well kept, fully serviced. Second, the food here is tasty and fresh. A little pricy though but if you get here late or if it’s raining or if you’re in a hurry then it’s a good option. And last but not least, THE SERVICE. Omg, they want you to feel and they make you feel like you’re home. The 3 girls in the main office, the managers, the food runners, the maintenance guys, EVERYONE here treat you like you’re their family. I want to specially mention the bartender Gabo who makes sure every drink it’s made with the most exquisite taste, also he is a good talk. I would def come back to 8 Artisan Bungalows and yes I would def recommend it to everyone.

This place is absolutely incomparable. The staff is so attentive, they make you feel like royalty. I was there for the beach and didn’t even know about the tucked away, private lush pool and garden area with private cabana’s. Lourdes was an amazing hostess! The beach - amazing. The view - amazing. The accommodations - amazing. I was traveling solo and everyone was so accommodating - I felt right at home. It was such a perfect experience, I came back and spent another whole day with them. I will be back Lourdes and team!!

Wow, the service was impeccable, best fish tacos I’ve ever had, I’m usually not the biggest fan of fish tacos but I got mahi mahi, tuna and shrimp tacos and each one was delicious. The pico de gallo is phenomenal. Their house shot was also so delicious, it’s similar to a Bloody Mary, I loved it. We sat near by a couple whose birthday it was and the waitress or manager or something literally left work to get them a cake and candles and sang happy birthday to them, I don’t even think they asked her to, I think she just did it on her own after finding out it was her birthday. They shared the cake with all the guests and employees it was such an amazing experience. The waiter, Giovanni was so kind and accommodating. 10/10 would recommend this beach bar. You get what you pay for. My only complaint is the vendors that try to sell you stuff, there’s so many of them and they’re constantly walking around, but I didn’t reflect this in my rating because I know the restaurant can’t do much about this and it’s probably like that at every beach front restaurant.

The staff was amazing, they gave me excellent stailing advices on my demand and they were very kind. I definitely recommend to go there, the store has always something to fit you and please you.

Lovely boutique with great offerings! The two women who helped us were incredibly kind. I highly recommend stopping by

Great local boutique with womens, mens, and even cool kids threads. Loved their unique CR tees at great prices. Excellent no pressure service. Prices clearly marked so no crazy markups and everyone will find something they love! Must go in Tamarindo

Great shop to buy beautiful clothing and upscale souvenirs. We went in 3 different times and bought all three times. 😁 Great boutique with friendly and attentive staff.

I've been shopping here for nearly ten years. The staff is attentive and friendly. They always have just what I need. It is the best store to find a gift for your wife or girlfriend. I buy a lot of clothes here for my kids. It is one of the only stores in the area with kid's clothes.

Perfect shopping experience. Come in ordinary - walk out as a fashion statement. No matter what you are looking for, the catwalk queen and owner Patricia has the right solution for you.

Great store for adults and kids

10/10 recommend. This was a fun and interesting market. We got there right at 6 and it was still setting up. Gave it a couple of minutes and a there were tons of vendors with jewelry, trinkets, and amazing food. My husband got some great food, and there were a few gluten free dessert vendors. Music and dancing made this a must. Bugs down below but the top level was perfect.

Cool & small family market! Lots of gentrification, wish there was more Tico representation. Very expensive but worth a visit for the music and community. The french pastries were the best.

Our family of 5 thoroughly enjoyed the night market, worth checking out if you are in Tamarindo on a Thursday. Lots of yummy food options, desserts, handmade items, live music. Was pricey, bring cash. We arrived at 6pm and when we left about 730pm it was a lot more crowded.

Came here to see how it was especially since it’s only opened Thursday. It was AMAZING best ribs ever, amazing arepas, skewers and flavorful empanadas. Wish I could’ve ordered more but we were so full! People are very nice and had cute things for sell!

Call it gentrification or call it whatever you want, this market is a great place to be! After all, tamarindo's community is made up of tourists who decided to stay there, so the market is colorful like in any other European city with a big international community. The live music was the highlight, the pastries too. The stands with handmade stuff are completely irrelevant and not "Tico" but eventually add to the vibe! We didn't buy anything, but ate a delicious apple bread from the french pastry stand and a less than basic paella, but all in all really enjoyed our afternoon with our 2 year old baby

Great music and great options for food. The French baker had the best pastries I have ever tried. I literally want to take them all home with me. This ham and cheese croissant hit all the notes.

Loved every bit of this night market ! It has a variety of live music , street food for everyone and even good drinks . It’s pretty poppin and does down early which is good . The wait in line for the food is worth it

Loved everything about this cafe! The food was delicious (have to get the Baja Bowl… that cilantro dressing omg…!), and the energy of the place was just so good—bright, welcoming, and full of friendly faces. You can tell people love being here, both staff and customers. A total feel-good spot. We ate here majority of our visit, breakfast and lunch, SO GOOD!

Cha Cafe is such a cute place! The atmosphere put a smile on my face. It was cozy and comfortable. The menu had a lot of options and I decided to get breakfast. I ordered breakfast burrito which, was one of the best I’ve ever had. The smoothie I ordered was yummy and fresh. I also had a mimosa which was a great way to start the morning. The dogs at the cafe were sweet and came to hangout by my table. Inside the cafe there is a little shop where you can buy teeshirts, sun glasses, hats, and other items. I purchased a hat and I’m obsessed with it. The owner of Cha Cafe was super friendly and gave us a lot of great tips about how to move to Costa Rica. I can’t wait to visit Tamarindo again - I’ll definitely dine at Cha Cafe.

So, here’s the scoop from our Costa Rica trip: my friend’s wife lost her bag with some goodies inside, and we thought it was gone for good. But guess what? They hit up Cha Cafe again—and BAM—they found it! Turns out, they had been waiting to see if our friends came back, and lucky for us, they did. CHA CAFE, you’re the real MVP! After hearing that epic story, we had to go check it out ourselves (first time for us), and man, we’re so glad we did. Met Valeria—she’s super chill and helped us order like pros. The food and coffee? Absolute fire! The vibe at the cafe is so laid-back and cool—perfect spot to kick back. If you’re anywhere near, you gotta swing by. Can’t wait to come back! Peace out until next time!

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would!! First off, the physical space/atmosphere is light, bright, welcoming and inviting. They are dog-friendly, which I’m crazy about, and our group was greeted with a warm welcome. Valeria was our server (and I believe she’s also the pastry chef / part of the ownership), and she was INCREDIBLE with her patience, explanations, menu recommendations… and even gave us suggestions of where to go for other things in Tamarindo. The coffee was out of this world - highly suggest getting the maple latte! The avocado toast was amazing, the plantains spot on, and we got a piece of banana bread to go, which is evidently the most popular baked good! The prices are also very affordable, especially considering everything is homemade and/or organic! This is a must-visit spot in Tamarindo, and we’ll definitely be coming here MANY times during our trip!

What a beautiful hidden gem! So glad we found it, just sad we only found it 4 days into our stay in Tamarindo! Amazing coffee, the service was outstanding, the breakfast bagel was mouthwatering! Owners were so welcoming! We will be back again! Thanks for finally giving us a decent breakfast ❤️

Cha Café is such a gem in Tamarindo. The ambiance is amazing bright, modern, and relaxed, making it a perfect spot to either sit and enjoy a meal or grab something quickly. The staff here are incredibly friendly and welcoming, which really adds to the overall experience. The food is fresh and flavorful making it an ideal place for a casual bite. But what really stands out is the coffee it’s exceptional. You can tell they put care into every cup, and it’s easily some of the best coffee I’ve had. Whether you’re a coffee lover or just looking for a good spot to eat, Cha Café is definitely worth a visIt.

Just your average mid-day cafe. Food didn't blow me away, but wasn't bad. Just something to take the edge off when you're hungry. The smoothies were pretty good. A lot of adorable dogs though!

We enjoyed breakfast here. It is a little expensive considering but everything is expensive in Tamarindo. There was no wait, we were served quickly and the ladies are really nice.

Excellent brunch option for the area can be found here at Noi. This was our first time experiencing the Tamarindo area and after eating here this will become our go to for breakfast when we are ever back in the area. Nothing out of the ordinary as far as your typical brunch selections, but the ingredients are fresh and the owner was awesome and welcoming. Prices are fair as Tamarindo in general is pricey anywhere you go, so dont feed into the other reviewers complaints about cost. You should always expect for prices to be high in Tamarindo and when you compare Noi to other similar options this is the best bang for your buck.

NOI Bistro was our first meal in Tamarindo. The owner was hospitable and friendly! She gave us a lot of great recommendations about things to do and see in the area and even had us try a cocktail she’s thinking about adding to the menu. The restaurant is super cute and cozy. I ordered a smoothie and the breakfast burrito - both were yummy! The salsa that came with our meals was soo good that I bought two bottles to take home. We were a party of 6 and everyone enjoyed their meals. Pricing was very reasonable and fair - service was excellent. It was a great start to our trip and whenever we’d drive or walk by NOI on golf cart, the owner would say hello. Next time I visit Tamarindo, I’ll make sure to return to NOI Bistro.

This place offers a decent selection of snacks, including vegetarian options.

Really delicious and flavorful food! There was a small 5-10 min wait for a table but the owner was so nice she let us sit at the bar and order so by the time we got a table our food was ready. Really a 10/10 experience with food that filled and fueled us for a long day. Food portions are excellent for the price. Recommend 1000%! We got French Toast, Huevos Rancheros (came with sweet potatoes fries), and a Burrito (that came with fruit).

Great location and good food. Price to match. The staff is very accommodating and friendly. Highly recommend this restaurant for early breakfast and a good time. Owners are super cool and hard working.

Excellent food! I’m visiting Tamarindo for a couple of weeks as a tourist, and decided to have breakfast and coffee at this place during my first morning in town. First of all, the staff here are amazing! So friendly and helpful. The location is perfect as it was a two minute walk from my hotel and situated in the heart of downtown. Everything was fresh and delicious. I ordered the “Avosmash” meal with toast, avocado, fried egg, other toppings and a side salad. Very healthy too. I encourage you to try the homemade table sauce if you order a savory meal. It’s got some kick but not too hot. I’ll be back here no doubt.

Came here for an early dinner during the week and we were seated immediately for a party of two. We decided just to split some appetizers. We got the rosemary foccacia, a plate of fries, and a platter of empanadas. The fries were so fresh, crisp, and tasty I would borderline call it the highlight of the meal! The empanadas offer a good variety of flavors and they are actually baked instead of fried which makes them just a little bit lighter than your traditional version. They also serve you complimentary popcorn instead of your usual basket of bread which I think is a fun little change from the usual. Staff were attentive and very friendly, so much so that we even offered the restaurant as a possible recommendation to some other tourists that we were talking to the next day! It's a nice casual spot that's tucked in just by the beach and the decor is exactly that to match.

Cute spot by the beach. Ordered two appetizers which were delicious! Unfortunately I couldn't enjoy it too much because there were so many flies and I spent most of the time trying to swat them away. Staff seemed to just observe frantic swatting and were just 🤷🏽‍♂️🤷🏻‍♀️ "It's just like that here". Fans/insect repelling candles should be provided on tables. Otherwise the food was decent, with similar prices to higher end seafood restaurants in Toronto. Above two apps - ceviche and octopus kebab with polenta fries (generous servings!) cost ~$32 CAD with the service charge already added on the bill. I'd recommend for the food and proximity to the beach, but not for the bugs.

Great option for sunset drinks. Happy hour is buy one get one free Food is average, but the calamari was spot on. Nice vibe with everyone chatting

This is the best place in Tamarindo to watch the sunset. The bar staff are always very attentive, quick and friendly. The view of sunset here is unparalleled. If you're visiting Tamarindo, El Chiringuito is a must. Drop in an hour or so before sunset, enjoy cold beers or refreshing cocktails while you enjoy the view. Stay for dinner or head into town afterwards.

the server was a bit grumpy in the morning but the food was super yummy and you can look at the ocean while you eat~ love the vibes

Service was pretty good. I got the French toast and it wasn’t as sweet as normal, but it was definitely edible.

I would give 3.5 stars. Seafood is great, but chef's choice was steak and it was...ok. It was at a lovely spot right on the beach, so it's a great spot to enjoy sunset. Bring bug sprays!!

Best banana bread i’ve ever had in my entire life. staff is super sweet, the coffee shop itself has really cool art and just overall. a 10/10

Great chill atmosphere with outdoor seating. Came in for an iced coffee and their banana bread which was good. Iced coffee was okay, not the best compared to iced coffee in New York. Banana bread was also good but not the best I have ever had.

We enjoyed brunch today at Santa Rita. The staff is friendly, food tasty, and decor is well done. We had a burrito and smoothie bowl along with coffee. The iced coffee had coffee ice cubes and was lovely. The lady taking our order recommended hot sauce for the burrito. When it came they provide 3 different sauces of varying spice levels which was fun to try. Our boys were offered coloring materials and fun pop it’s to entertain them while we ate. The kindness was very appreciated. They both had a wonderful time. Definitely a favorite spot in Tamarindo!

We enjoyed this spot multiple times while staying next door at Jardín Del Eden. Highly recommend “The Bomb” and the iced chai latte. Pastries and lunch were great too! Service friendly.

Our meals were all great. The banana bread was so incredibly delicious. Both as a fresh slice and as French Toast. The smoked salmon keto omelet was also very good as well as all parts of the local. But I can't recommend enough stopping in for the fresh banana bread. Goes excellent with a coffee!

We come to this cafe every time we are in Costa Rica. The coffee is amazing along with all of the menu options. The bread is exquisite and fresh. The natural juices are one of a kind. 100% recommend for great coffee, typical food and healthy meal options.

Been in Costa Rica for 9 days now. This is the best breakfast spot we’ve been to!! Four pictures below: (1) 🔥I ordered the The Local (2 Scrambled eggs with spinach, sweet plantain, avocado, fried cheese, Costa Rican sausage, homemade tortilla, and homemade tomato soup.) I highly recommend it! (2) ☕️ My wife and I got iced coffee, and their ice cubes are frozen coffee. Great added touch! It was some of the best iced coffee we had in Costa Rica. (3) 🍳My wife ordered the Vegetarian omelette and really enjoyed it. (4) 🌴The store was a great atmosphere! Aesthetically pleasing and they even have a small gift section with some cool hats. The only thing we’d suggest changing is upping the AC. It was really hot in the restaurant. I think partly because we’re near the beach, of course, but also bc we’re on the second floor—and since heat rises—it was a little hot in there. However, there is outdoor seating where you can feel a nice breeze.

We ordered the tuna crispy fried rice(delicious), Casado & added mahi mahi(delicious), Tacos de short rib(my cousin said this was amazing, tastes better than it looks), Hanger tender steaks(delicious), Coconut pancakes(if you love coconut you’ll love these), carrot cake(so good)……. The service was great & the server was knowledgeable about the menu & the ingredients. I don’t remember her name but when I go back I’ll find out. We’re definitely going back before we leave.

Delicious menu with extremely fresh ingredients. The ingredients are consistently high quality across all the menu items I’ve tried. Smoothies are excellent and can be made to order. The chicken and waffles is lightweight, crisp and filling. Traditional foods like pinto are executed perfectly. Great option for clean food that tastes great.

The food was absolutely delicious! We tried the shrimp tacos, ceviche, and chifrijo, and each dish was bursting with fresh, vibrant flavors. The atmosphere is equally wonderful—beautifully decorated with plenty of lush plants, creating a breezy, relaxing setting that’s perfect for enjoying a meal. Highly recommend!

This place is amazing! It's a must to eat here. It was all so good we ate here twice during our Costa Rica trip! The breakfast burrito was one of the best breakfast burritos I've ever had. The coconut flan was so so good.

Very satisfying gallo pinto and loved the variety of drinks on the menu. The golden milk latte was delicious! A must-stop in Playa Grande.

You know that feeling when eating feels like home…? Our stop started with a turmeric milk and an iced coffee. But the feeling was so sweet and nurturing that we ended up having fish tacos in an amazing real corn tortilla (arepa style) and a delicious cauliflower rice bowl…. And that stop became 3 hours after which we went for the banana bread and two americanos while we spoke about life with Valerie, the warming soul that served our food! No more words needed!

I will start with the positive and say that my two favorite things about Pots and Bowls are their coconut pancakes and their atmosphere. The place is adorable, and I love coming here with one of my best friends. Their prices have always been expensive, but for a treat once in a while, I would generally say it was worth it. However, lately, the prices have been high and the portions very small for some items. My friend used to always get the açaí bowl, but the portion is so small now that she no longer orders it. I bought a smoothie for nearly nine dollars, and it was embarrassingly small—about the size of a child’s sippy cup. I do love this place for the environment and chatting with a friend over coffee, but I hope that this feedback can help them maybe reconsider some of the items with regard to portion and price.

Five stars all around for Frijoles Locos! This surf shop truly stands out—not only for their professional instruction, but for the warm, positive vibe that everyone brings. We were lucky enough to have Sebas as our instructor, and he made the entire experience unforgettable. His calm, supportive style helped us feel at ease and have so much fun out in the water. We ended up booking a second lesson with him because we enjoyed it that much! Whether you’re brand new to surfing or looking to improve your skills, this is the place to go in Playa Grande. Thanks again to Sebas and the awesome team at Frijoles Locos!

We had an amazing two hour lesson for four total novices. Our instructor was patient, knowledgeable and very encouraging. The waves at Playa Grande are great for all levels. I would highly recommend Frijoles Locos for your Costa Rica surf experience!

Great, friendly service! We rented two surfboards and a boogie board for two hours. The staff showed us how to strap onto the car and we headed off to the beach!

Can't say enough about this amazing place. Despite much confusion with trying to travel during Covid the concierge booking team was so accommodating in our constant changing schedule and plans. Once we arrived the entire team was nothing but fantastic with our family. They went above and beyond to take care of all our needs and set up all the little extras which made our trip so special. Eli was the perfect surf instructor and had both our 4 and 6 year old up and surfing on day 1. He even got them doing cool tricks and at one point had them surf the same board at the same time. How cool! We also stayed at one of the Frijoles condos and it was a perfect spot above the surf shop. The kids absolutely loved the pool and the unit was plenty spacious and very well maintained. Nice and quiet which made mornings and evenings on the large patio so enjoyable. Can't wait to come back. Honestly it was like leaving family!

Booked with Luis for a day of fishing. Shuttle from Frijoles Locus to Playa Flamingo was convenient, where we met the people from Yellowfin Sport-fishing. Took us out 16 miles on their 29 foot boat looking for Mahi Mahi. Felt seasick but worth it since we caught a couple fish each. Fun day. Captain and mate seemed disappointed that we wanted to keep most of our catch.

Easy soft top board rental for my 6 and 8 year old when many places wouldnt rent one because of difficulty with repairs/expensive etc. Great selection of clothes/jewelry and other supplies. Friendly staff. Good find.

This is a great surf shop. They’ve got everything you need whether you’re a beginner surfer, or a traveling pro. They have top surf brands and lots of local items for sale. Plus board rentals. I had a long chat with one of the owners, Drew - a very nice guy and from the same area of VA/NC as myself. Hit this place up on your next stop in Playa Grande!

Massive beach, out of the way so very few people on it. Nice strong waves. Very relaxing.

small beach in Uvita, go at low tide and you will have access to a couple of caves, it’s pretty neat. Parking is $2000 colones and vendors sell items including small food items and drinks.

A little bay with some rough waves, but great sand and shade for early morning walks. Wouldn’t swim here (next door Playa grande is much better for swimming and surfing).

Absolutely stunning! Water is rough.

We walked along the beach from Playa Grande to Playa Ventanas around low tide, to see the rock formations. These aren't really caves as some describe them but more archways -the largest we saw was about 7 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Nice photo spot and you see great sea life in the tide pools and birds cruising by looking for breakfast. Worth a visit for a stroll and some exploring.

My first visit here was to the north side of this beach. The are not any "windows" or water tunnels here. This is still a very nice beach!

Spectacular, especially at low tide. Very quiet and private. Turtle nesting happens in the grasses just above the high water mark. Snowy egrets hunting in the tide pools at either end of the beach. The warmest water we've found on the west coast of CR.

Beautiful beach and sunset...no monkeys

It was okay

My 11-year-old recently took two surfing lessons with Playa Grande Surf Camp, and it was an incredible experience thanks to our instructor, Joshua. The world needs more people like him—positive, full of energy, and truly gifted when it comes to working with kids. He struck the perfect balance between making it fun and focusing on proper surfing mechanics, footwork, and technique. Joshua helped build real confidence in my child, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Highly recommend!

Our stay at Playa Grande Surf Camp was such a dream! The staff is so kind and helpful. & you can’t beat the location. I also felt super safe walking around by myself, which is not always the case while traveling. Tucked away in the quieter parts of playa grande, the camp is just a few steps away from the beach. Right out front of the camp is a great restaurant called Cafe Mar Azul - their traditional Costa Rican breakfast was so good. You can also take a short walk & water taxi to Tamarindo for shopping & more restaurant options! We rented a moped for rides into the main part of playa grande, which made the trip even more fun. This was my first time staying in a hostel but certainly won’t be my last — it’s affordable and such a cool way to meet new friends!! Whether you’re an experienced surfer, beginner, or just wanting some quality time away in beach town, I highly recommend playa grande surf camp!

If you are just starting to surf, or you have been surfing your entire life, Playa Grande Surf Camp is the perfect place. The location is about a 200 foot walk or less to the beach, with some amazing surfing right next to the camp. A short walk can take you to other spots on the beach where you can find a wide variety of conditions for each skill level. The service here was impeccable. The team here at PGSC make you feel apart of the family here and they do an incredible job of assisting you or your group in getting the most out of your time in Playa Grande. The rooms are all gorgeous, with very comfortable beds. If the room doesn’t have A/C, it will have an extremely powerful fan that keeps your room nice and cool. I found myself not needing the A/C most nights. The coolest part of PGSC was the hostel environment. The level of service and the rooms make it feel like a hotel, but step out of your room and you could meet someone from the other corner of the world with similar passions or interests. I spent a majority of my time in the camp hanging out by the pool or the kitchen and sharing stories with people from all over the world, and I made some amazing friends while staying here. I highly recommend this location to anyone looking to improve their surfing and wanting to meet fellow travelers or surfers!

If interested in surf lessons while in CR, highly recommend Playa Grande Surf Camp. Instructors are super, location is great and rates very reasonable. I'm in my mid-50s and at beginner level and was able to ride a few waves after first lesson. My instructor Vidi was excellent.

This hostel had everything we were looking for. It was so close to the beach and we took some awesome surf lessons with a great instructor Josemar (I'm probably spelling it wrong lol) but the other instructors were also great, and such a good time after the lessons as well. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the accommodations affordable.

This lovely hostel right next to the beach is perfect – clean, cozy, and with a welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel at home right away. The restaurant Café Mar Azul is absolutely fantastic: delicious food and a super friendly team that makes every meal enjoyable. Both the guests and the staff are incredibly open and warm, so you naturally have great conversations and meet wonderful people and cultures. At the same time, there are plenty of quiet spots where you can relax and enjoy some peace whenever you need it. The surf instructors are extremely friendly, patient, and competent. They make getting started with surfing feel easy and safe. You can also rent surfboards directly at the hostel, and they give great recommendations on which board is right for you. The overall vibe here is just beautiful. The beach is breathtaking, and the sunsets are guaranteed to be unforgettable. (As you can see in the pictures) A place that is truly worth visiting! 🌴☀️🏄‍♀️

If you’re looking for paradise, this is it! The surfcamp is amazing. The beach is just a 2 minute walk from the Hostel! The kitchen is well equipped with a lot off pods and pans, a mixer, microwave, a toaster… The common areas are nice and easy to meet people:) Surfing is really good around hightide and the hostel has a lot off beginner boards. Vidi and Yosimar are amazing instructors and It’s a really good price for a 2 hour lesson, I improved a lot with yosimars help! If you come here to surf, you will love it!!!! We spoted a lot off wildlife: monkeys, birds, racoons, skunks, Iguanas, squirrels, snakes and crocodiles when we went on the estuary tour with Ruben. The restaurant cafe mar azul has amazing food! Grace, Tracy, Jorge, Victor and Jason are super sweet and made us feel home. Already before arriving Dawn helped us to set everything up and is always there to help, she is amazing! So make sure to not skip this paradise. Already have been here 2 times for a long stay and I will be back!!! Oh and If you stay there on a Thursday, make sure to check with dawn to join to the local dog shelter, such a nice experience!

We stumbled across this place, it's a bit hidden and just past pots and bowls "look for the big pumpkin on the side of the road" Excellent pizza, being married to an Italian she's a tough judge of pizza. Hands down incredible pizza and empanadas. The staff are really friendly and accommodating. The service is fast and the ambiance of the place is great. We will be returning when we're back in Playa Grande.

This is our favorite pizza place in Guanacaste. We drove an hour just to have one of their many types of pizzas. Pizzas in Avellanas area aren’t that good, so we brave the tough drive in the evenings to have a good pizza every week or two. The El Huerto special is really good and the meat lover one is decent as well; however the ham and mushroom pizza could use a lot more mushrooms. The pizzas are baked on a stone oven and are thin crusted. The sitting area is fairly big free with fans running to keep us fairly cool in the evenings. The service is always good and English speaking though we seem to have a different server each time, high turn over rate. The parking out front is limited, but o think you can also park in the drive way immediately to the left of the restaurant. Update: last week we did a take out of a pizza and an empanada. The pizza was under cooked (very floppy crust) and the empanada (precooked but wasn’t heated throughly, still bit of icy at the center). Since we intended to eat at home anyway, so this wasn’t a big issue. We out the pizza in our Ninja air fryer/oven before eating, it was excellent once again with crispy crust and warm toppings. I think the quality control could be better, but the pizza still tasted good at the end. Update #2: we came back to try its salmon dish and the vegetarian pizza in addition to our favorite El Huerto pizza. The El Huerto pizza remained tasty; however both the vegetarian pizza and the salmon were pretty bland. The server did ask us if we would like to add some sauce to the vegetarian pizza and we declined not knowing that the pizza had no flavor. The ingredients, though were fresh and there were a lot of veggies. From the taste, it would appear that this eatery has a different kitchen crew than from our previous visits, and not for the better, unfortunately.

Hello, we craved a pizza and went to this place. Pizza is gigantic but similar to frozen pizza from the supermarket. Cheesecake was delicious though and service good. Price for the quality a bit too high. You find better pizzas if you are willing to take a ride.

We tried this restaurant tonight being in Playa Grande and wasn't disappointed at all! We've been served by Connor and we had an amazing impeccable service that made our dinner even nicer! We took the smoothie, which was refreshing after an hot day outside! (A must!) The Margherita pizza was delicious and totally worth the price, it was big and we had to take the rest home! The Caprese as an appetizer was excellent and topped with pesto. A big plus was the hot oil, crushed pepper and parmigiano, which is rare to get in other places! The ambiance and the place is absolutely gorgeous as well. Thank you so much, it was our last dinner here in Playa Grande and it was exquisite!

We did not expect how crazy good this pizza would be! The beef empanada was equally good. Call me sheltered, but this is the first time I’ve had fresh chopped red pepper to put on my pizza. Not sure I can go back to the dried stuff ever again. Ask for their empanada hot sauce too. The owner, staff, and Chiquita (the owner’s dog) make you feel right at home.

The pizzas were really well made. We had several different kinds of pizzas and they were made fresh in their massive pizza oven. The crust was very thin and extremely crunchy. The pizzas were quiet large, so we had lots of left overs to take home with us. It's a great spot in Playa Grande area.

Loved the thin crust pizza that was cooked perfectly. Big enough to take some back with us. We ordered a side of veggies-also cooked just right: with a slight crunch and very tasty. Fans kept us cool in the early evening. And the service is top notch.

We ate at Kiki’s place several times. The food was that good!! When asked, a staff member at Hotel El Manglar recommended it for quality local fare. As a family we agree we will miss this amazing food!

Quite possibly one of the best meals of my life. The mahi mahi was the best fish I’ve ever had. This restaurant goes out on a boat and catches their seafood daily. Fresh, flavorful and cooked perfectly. Staff is friendly and you’ll meet coco the resident dog! Loved Kike’s!

Our favorite place to eat when staying in Playa Grande! Food is excellent in taste and an amazing value! Our go to dish was the Casado de Pescado, so delicious. All the flavors were on point. Staff is always very nice and cheerful. Will need to visit when the snapper is in season as we would definitely try it next!

Kike's Place really hit the spot for dinner. The service was friendly and prompt, and they made us feel welcome from the moment we arrived. The food was delicious, and they even accommodated our special requests with a smile. It's clear that they take pride in what they do and care about their customers. We'll definitely be back!

We had a very nice dinner here. If you have read the other reviews you will have seen a lot about their house hot sauce. It does not disappoint and you can purchase it here. If you like or love hot sauces come check them out. It's not super hot, very balanced with lots of full flavor. The staff here was friendly, the dining area was clean and we enjoyed our evening here.

We just went for a dinner. A close friend from the states said Kike's was the place to go. We did not get to meet Like himself but the meal was very tasty. We all had rice and beans with different proteins. It really felt like a tico spot. The prices were very reasonable and the food was great. Very low key and a great break from our time in Gringorindo.

If you want authentic Costa Rican food in Playa Grande, go here. Definitely not one of the bougie tourist restaurants on the main road. You wouldn't even find it without maps. Huge portions, food was amazing! Great recommendations from the guys working, and the Kike's hot sauce was unreal (bought a bottle)

Low key little bar just before you enter the beach. Coupled with the surf school from Jay and Diego. Highly recommend to stop here for a tasty taco !

The service was wonderful, and I ended up going every day during my stay in Playa Grande. The beers are cold, the waves are crashing just steps away, and the whole vibe makes this place a true gem of Playa Grande. Highly recommend the combo taco (a must-try!) and don’t miss the banana bread—it’s amazing. Brittany was awesome, and the conversations here felt genuine and real. You’d be missing out if you didn’t stop by Taco Star when you’re in Playa Grande!

Amazing location and some tasty tacos. Not much for options on the menu but it’s simple delicious

Taco Star is a hidden gem right on the beach in Playa Grande—perfect for grabbing a bite after surfing or soaking up the sun. The tacos are simple, fresh, and made by Brittany with home-cooked care. Each bite is full of flavor and feels like something you’d get from a friend’s kitchen. Don’t skip the fruit salad—it’s refreshing, colorful, and the perfect tropical side. Best of all, everything is super affordable, so you can eat well without breaking the bank. PURA VIDA!!

We came back for morning tacos! So chill right on the beach. Love the vibes and the tacos are great! Not a traditional taco, but a perfect fix after surfing or a beach day. So tasty!!!

We stumbled upon this wonderful place while on a family vacation at the hotel behind it. Such an incredible experience that we made sure we stopped there each day of our stay. Food was delicious and atmosphere was welcoming and very relaxing. If you go, make sure you also try the banana bread.

If you are looking for a down to earth, chill and inexpensive meal, This place is the one to visit! The owner Brittany was amazing, she shared her story which was inspirational. We absolutely loved it there and will be returning next time we are in the area🥰🥰

Friendly staff, big smile, especially the bartender! Food was good! Drinks were good! Great guacamole, nachos as well. Quesedillas good, chicking wings good. Be aware that the service tax is a bit higher than usual(15٪). But to be fair, the service was good!

Great food, atmosphere and the best service!!!! We had the chicken wings (super super good!) chicken fajita - not in picture coz we ate them so quickly! And Margarita is good and massive! Great price compared to other places nearby.

Fantastic food and super friendly staff! We went 3 nights in row because it was SO delicious and also really reasonably priced. The nachos are amazing and so are the tacos (el pastor is my favourite!). The manager, Ernesto, is a great guy and his wife is the awesome cook!

Super great and friendly staff. I love the vibe and attitude of the server. Very warm and welcoming. I love the three dogs. So friendly and they add happiness to the place. The food was great. We had the chips and salsa. Delicious!! I ordered, the flautas plate, and my son had the quesadilla. All was amazing. Food price was great. The restaurant is right outside of Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

What a great find! We were referred to this place by some local Costa Ricans who told us this was the best piña colada in Playa Grande, and it did not disappoint! Ernesto was a fantastic, friendly, and attentive host. The spicy pork nachos were surprisingly delicious… we couldn’t get enough. Also recommend the fish tacos. And the homemade pineapple-chili hot sauce was incredible, we even bought a bottle to bring home. Beautiful outdoor patio for dining and meeting other guests. We wish we were staying longer, we could eat here every night! Highly recommend.

I loved eating and hanging out at this restaurant/bar! Ernesto gave 5 star service every visit and made tasty cocktails. Yesenia prepared delicious Costa Rican food and ensured I was satisfied with each dish. The atmosphere was chill and a good place for single travelers or families.

We were sent to Malinches Restaurant by our host while staying at villa Luna. The margaritas and tacos were amazing! Everything we ate was yummy and always fresh! And a special thanks to Ernesto! He was friendly, efficient, and very welcoming and gave us ideas of places to visit while in Costa Rica. Whether you were eating at the restaurant or needing something from the Palm Beach Market, Ernesto was nothing short of excellent! Thank you for making our first trip to Costa Rica a pleasurable experience!

Super limited English from whoever our captain was (not David who I communicated with). We went late afternoon, it was high tide. With high tide we only saw a couple crocs heads and a very small baby one. However we were really there to see monkeys and we got to go on land in the jungle and see a whole family. So overall mission accomplished & was the only part we liked about our day trip to Tamarindo (tourist trap). 4 out of 5 because English wasn’t great. Bonus: leaving the parking lot we watched another family of monkeys cross the street and walk down the road on power lines. It was awesome - babies on mom’s back too. If you want to see monkeys maybe skip the boat tour and hang around the parking lot around 4:30/5:00

Wonderful tour. It rained heavily, but the boat was covered so it didn’t matter. Actually made for a more magical experience. We saw tons of wildlife. Our guide David was great. Super knowledgeable, and perfect English. He knows the estuary well, and all of the animals living there, so it was a very special tour. Would recommend.

The horse riding and estuary tour were amazing! Both of the tour guides were very kind and friendly. We were able to see many different species of animals such as howler monkeys, crocodiles, raccoons, crabs, iguanas, birds,etc. Strongly recommend!!!

This tour was fantastic and we learned a lot of fascinating information about the Costa Rican animals and habitat. We saw crocodiles, monkeys, bats, various species of birds/trees, parrots, crabs, termites, and mangroves, among many other things! David pointed out numerous animal and plant species throughout the tour. Would highly recommend!

I had a great tour with David! He is an expert guide and pointed out lots of wildlife including crocodiles, howler monkeys, iguanas, many types of birds and more! Very professional and good value.

David made our tour unforgettable. His knowledge of the mangroves and wildlife was incredible, and his passion for the area really came through in every story he shared. We saw 3 crocodiles, multiple howler monkeys, and a beautiful variety of birds. David was kind, attentive, and made sure everyone had the best possible view and experience.

This tour was awesome! David was our contact and guide and was amazing! He knew so much about the area and the wildlife. You can tell how passionate he is about what he does which gets you excited! He made sure we saw the monkeys even if it meant walking a little bit. He has INCREDIBLE eyesight and was able to point out a baby crocodile underwater as we were driving by! We saw a bunch of birds, crocodiles and monkeys. We learned so much about the mangrove trees which was also very interesting. Super cool experience!

We ate here twice on our recent trip and loved it. We sat out and watched our kids play on the beach. The cocktails and beers were good. The chicken quesadilla I had there was probably super delicious. We also got donuts at their little pastry shop as well. Overall, i thought it was very friendly wait staff and food was great.

Great little spot along the beach for some beers. Had a draft selection from a few Costa Rican breweries. We ordered beers from the bar and sat at the picnic tables that had a nice view of the ocean. Would definitely recommend during sunset!

Great little brewery and restaurant right on the beach! The beer, food, view, and service were excellent! Walter provided friendly and excellent service! He answered all of our questions, and went above and beyond to see that we had everything we needed.

We are in town on a vacation. We had 2 different tour guides (Julio, Nacho, I'm looking at you) recommend so we decided to walk on down and give it a go. Mistake. Well in all honesty my cocktail was delightful, but it went downhill from there. Once we were seated, we got drinks ordered and we looked over the menu and decided. 30 minutes later, we were asked for our food order. My friend ordered the 1/2 order of nachos. Mistake. Soon after, my friend’s food appeared. It came out so fast seemingly because they forgot to microwave it. I took a bite while I waited for my food. Nope, just laughably bad. Even on a bad night at Taco Bell, they remember to heat up the meat and cheese. Nacho cheese from a can is typically at room temp so I get that could be the mix up. But the shredded chicken, cheese, and sour cream were all pretty room temp. Feels like a dicey situation. My patacones were hot and possibly took so long as to sit in the oil for a good soak to marinate prior to frying. I ate a few bites but it was more cornmeal than plantain. I wasn’t nearly as brave as my friend and was ok going to bed hungry. My friend apparently is a gambler and her night is in the fate of the gods. I hope she keeps her phone charged. I’m real glad there’s cliff bars in our hotel room.

The food was delicious. It was my cousin’s birthday so they brought out tres leches cakes for her and she loved it. We ordered the shrimp skewers, jalapeño poppers, meso soup, mahi mahi seafood, Baja burger, shrimp rice and Costa Rican patacones. I would definitely recommend this place! Walter our server was magnificent!

Great spot for lunch. Beer tasted fresh, food was authentic with a twist. Walked right up and found a table on a Sunday afternoon. Looks like a dance floor and entertainment stage is available for evening entertainment. Recommend stopping qhen in Tamarindo.

Happy hour is from 4 to 7 but they charged us full price after the first drink. Supposedly happy hour is good only on the first drink but it is not written anywhere. Also they play the tourist game where they say the 10% service fee is not a tip and they expect another 10% tip... It sucks because the location is great and so is the food and drinks

Wanted to sit on the beach and enjoy my meal but the flies... Lord the flies were over barring. Didn't even get to take a bite Had to go "inside" The portion was huge! I had a surf n turf and I don't know it you can call the shrimp shrimp. They were huge Everything was delicious

Our first impression of El Vaquero/Witch's Rock was excellent. We had just finished some surf lessons (with a different company) and we were happy to get two tables for our group of 10. Initially, our server was very attentive and even offered to place the kids' orders first. This is always a win. The kids' meals did arrive promptly. Unfortunately, the adults waited for more than an hour from time of order to eat. This wouldn't have been too terrible had we not witnessed other tables (who arrived later) receiving food before us. Eventually, several complimentary bowls of chips and dip arrived along with the ceviche we had ordered as an appetizer, but not until about 5 minutes before the actual meals. I wouldn't be surprised if our orders were forgotten. With all that being said, every meal ordered was delicious. Not one complaint. The items varied from whole red snapper, macho tacos (fish), beef sandwich, burger, etc. There was some significant confusion when trying to divide the bill, but overall, the restaurant was a nice midday lunch on the beach. The view is fantastic, but Tamarindo has gotten very busy, so be prepared for crowds everywhere.

I always come here with my family for sunset. I have been a consistent customer for two years. The food, atmosphere and service has been great until a recent hire. This waitress was incredibly rude, impatient, and incompetent. When she got my order wrong and I calmly said something, she snapped at me and told me to “calm down” and to change my attitude while laughing in my face over her mistake. I was incredibly offended. I was a waitress for 3 years and never in my life would I have spoken and disrespected a calm customer that way over my own mistake. We and others have had multiple bad experiences with her and I don’t think she is competent enough for a job that involves customer service.

Super quiet and beer is very fruity!! It’s ok, but I’d would along the beech as there are so many better bars with a better vibe

Food looked delicious but seasoning was missing. The really good thing was the passionate fruit cheesecake but everything else, shrimp ceviche and the Casado was lack luster. Only flavorful item on the plate/bowl was the mango salsa. The beef, plantains and even the rice, plain.

The service here was nice but took awhile to take our order. The food took over half an hour and it was not even busy.

Food was pretty good and sizes are fairly large. Side note, they had forgotten to give us the do for the jalapeno poppers, but they did give it to us and it was pretty good.

If you’re here during the rainy season, lather yourself in bug spray before stopping in. But with that aside, my god is this place fantastic. We went here twice during our stay and the pumpkin ravioli and then the lobster ravioli was just phenomenal. The gelato is very fine and I wished I could try more flavors. I’ll miss their cat as well.

I wish I could give this place 7 stars. Table for 4, lobster ravioli, ravioli bolognese, chicken parm and lasagna. All of our dishes were superb! They do hand made pasta. We had drinks and shots and everything was 10 out of 10. Definitely dont miss this spot when you visit.

We were really excited about this place given the great reviews, but ended up pretty disappointed, especially given how expensive the whole meal was compared to other restaurants. I ordered the lobster ravioli, and didn’t even finish it because it didn’t really taste like lobster, it was dry on the inside and drenched in oil on the outside. The assorted cheese platter with honey appetizer was delicious though, and the chocolate gelato was pretty good. But none of it was worth the price in our opinion. The server was absolutely lovely though and the place looks really nice.

Great food, amazing atmosphere with live music that was perfectly suited to the atmosphere and wasnt obnoxious or overly loud. The staff was very friendly and even gave some great recommendations. The market inside was awesome and had some great options for any locals or tourists to choose from. The gelato was fantastic, easily comparable to some of the best I have had in Italy.

We had the pizza “Bari” and a Tiramisu. Both were extremely delicious and we had the impression that the quality of food is very high at this restaurant. Additionally, the waiters are very kind which made the entire dinner experience even better. If you are looking for authentic Italian food and great service this is your place!

Amazing food and service here yet again. Here on holidays from Australia and loved it last year and so I’ve spent most of my evenings eating here this year, walking across the road from Cala Luna. Bruno is hands down one of the best waiters I’ve ever had at a restaurant anywhere in the world, explains everything perfectly, very friendly. Highly recommended!

Bruno was absolutely outstanding, friendly, and helpful finding menu items for our afternoon stop. We had appetizers which were delicious and plentiful for us two.

Our first dinner in Tamarindo was at Pangas Beach Club. The vibe and aesthetic were super cute - very beach and boho. There were a lot of options on the menu which was perfect for our group of six. I ordered the chicken which came with vegetables and mashed potatoes. It was packed with flavor and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I also ordered a few cocktails and we had the wings as an appetizer. The staff were friendly and service was excellent. I’d return to Pangas Beach Club the next time I’m in Tamarindo!

Recommended by my good friend who owns a home in Playa Grande. He said it was the best spot in Tamarindo for a sunset dinner and cocktails. From the moment we entered the service was excellent. We were seated immediately and given the opportunity to choose the best location for comfort and viewing the sunset. We got our drink orders in as soon as we sat and they came back quickly and were very tasty. We weren’t in a rush to order dinner and got in another drink order before we made our orders. Although the place was packed, our food came out in a short time and all together for our large party. As an appetizer, I got a lobster bisque with a lobster tail and it was delicious. For dinner, I ordered the Mahi Mahi and it was also delicious. Everyone’s food looked great and they all commented how perfect everything was.

Cozy and fancy all at once, Pangas is located right on the beach, featuring garden lights and wooden tables. Great ambience, and decor. The service was very good, polite and attentive waiters. The food - oh my. We ordered the Grilled Red Snapper…literally the best I have ever eaten. Large, soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside - absolutely divine. We also ordered the Grilled Octopus…spectacular. Very generous portion, served in chunks, soft and delicious. Absolutely recommended for seafood lovers! I will be back! Make reservations.

Amazing 10-years Anniversary dinner at sunset on near the beach but in the complete shade. Really tasty food, this MasterChef quality meals and presentation!

I had the most fabulous dinner with my friend while watching the sunset. It was easy to make a reservation we chose a 5:30p Our waiter (I believe his name is) Andres' was very attentive my glass was never empty, and he was quick to deliver my friends Cosmos as well. I ordered the Lamb Chops, my friend ordered the Octopus. We received our meals very quick, within 10 minutes. My meal was very good! The true ambiance can not be seen from the street. I will definitely recommend. Gracias Andres' !

We had our wedding at Pangas and it was truly a dream come true. The venue is absolutely stunning—set right on the beach with the most breathtaking sunsets. The staff went above and beyond to make the night special. Everyone was so warm and welcoming, and the service was top-notch from start to finish. The food is delicious and they offer a great variety of options and flavors. Our guests are still talking about how delicious everything was. Whether you’re visiting Tamarindo for dinner or planning a destination wedding, Pangas will deliver. We couldn’t recommend it more.

This place is excellent! I had the Volcanic Rock Ribeye steak, and it was very delicious! It comes with a hot volcanic rock so you cook it however you want. The place has a beautiful vibe, with a nice view of the ocean. Our server Cristian provided an excellent service, he was very welcoming, gave us great recommendations, and took care of everything we needed. I highly recommend this place!