Tamarindo Getting There
Air:
Local carriers Nature Air and Sansa operate daily flights to and from Tamarindo. Flights from San Jose to Tamarindo depart from Nature Air's terminal at Tobias Bolanos International Airport in Pavas (between San Jose and Alajuela) and from Sansa's terminal in Alajuela, part of the larger Juan Santamaria International Airport. Another option for visitors is to fly straight into the Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia, less than a one-hour drive from Tamarindo.
Bus:
From San Jose: The Alfaro bus line offers daily public transportation from San Jose to Tamarindo. Buses depart at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from the Alfaro Terminal in San Jose located at the intersection of Avenida 3 and Calles 14/16. The trip takes between six and seven hours and costs US$10 (5,000 CRC). Alfaro Company (2222-2666, 2255-0775.)
From Liberia: Travelers can take the La Pampa bus company from the Liberia bus terminal to Tamarindo. Buses depart at 3:55 a.m.; 5:15 a.m.; 8:10 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 10:10 a.m.*; 11:10 a.m.*; 1:10 p.m.; 2:10 p.m.; 4:10 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. This trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs US$2.5 (1,275 CRC).
*Note: The 11:10 bus takes a different route and goes through Flamingo, Brasilito, Matapalo and then Tamarindo (this trip takes 3 hours). La Pampa (2665-7520.)
From Santa Cruz: Jump on the Traslapa bus line that runs between Tamarindo and Santa Cruz. Buses depart from Santa Cruz at 12:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. The trip takes around one-hour and costs US$1.3 (650 CRC) for a one-way ticket. Traslapa (2680-0515.)
Car:
Depending on road conditions and traffic, travel time between San Jose and Tamarindo is roughly four to five hours. Take the Interamerican Highway (Route 1) following signs to San Ramon and Liberia. Pass the Shell gas station in Limonal and follow signs to the Tempsique River Bridge (Puente La Amistad) and Nicoya; turn left here onto Route 18. Continue driving until you reach the T-intersection south of Nicoya, then turn right and follow signs to Nicoya and Santa Cruz. Drive through both towns and continue on the Belen, where you will see signs to Tamarindo. Follow signs through the town of Santa Ana and pass the Oasis gas station. The next town is Huacas, followed by Tamarindo.