Best free things to do with kids and families Tamarindo

8 Best Free (or almost free) Things to Do with Kids in Tamarindo

free family activities Tamarindo

Congratulations – you’ve successfully planned a family vacation to Costa Rica! Your tickets are purchased, your tours are booked and your bags are packed. But…maybe you’ve spent a bit more money than you would have liked.

It’s OK. It happens.

Luckily, there are plenty of free (or almost free) things to do in with kids in Tamarindo that are super fun and family friendly! Here are 8 of RPM’s favorite inexpensive things to do for families with kids in Tamarindo.

Boogie Boarding

Boogie boarding (or beginner surfing) the calm waves in front of Hotel Capitan Suizo is one of the best, almost-free activities in Tamarindo. You can rent a boogie board for $10 per half-day (or $15 for a full day) practically anywhere in town – just walk around and you’ll find somewhere (Iguana Surf, Kelly’s Surf Shop, Witches Rock Surf Camp to name a few). Surf boards typically rent for about $25 per day (you’ll probably need to leave a credit card at the shop as a guarantee that you’ll bring it back!).

Mini Golf & La Baula Pizza

Bolas Locas Mini Golf in Tamarindo is perfect for some fun, inexpensive family entertainment. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, La Baula pizzeria is practically right next door – with a great swing set and play area where the kids can run around while they wait for dinner. In high season, fire dancers put on a show at the restaurant just after dark. On your way home, hit up the Italian gelato place right around the corner (or the new one in nearby Plaza Conchal) for a mini golf-dinner-ice cream trifecta.

Playa Tamarindo/Playa Grande Estuary

free things to do with kids in Tamarindo

Walk to the north end of Tamarindo beach (near Panga’s Restaurant) and hop on one of the little boats that ferry people from one side of the estuary to the other. This is a really fun 2-minute boat ride that takes you to Playa Grande, where you can swim, explore and walk around. Sometimes you’ll even see mangrove birds and animals you might see on a paid kayak/estuary tour. It only costs $1 per person each way – Tamarindo doesn’t get much cheaper than that!

Jaime Peligro Books

Jaime Peligro Bookstore is a great place to go and read childrens books! It’s right next to Cafe Tico, arguably the best cafe in town, so parents can grab a latte while the kids entertain themselves via reading.

Monkey N’ Croc Toy Store

This fun little toy store is in the same plaza as the Sunrise condominiums. Admittedly, this venture could quickly turn into a not-so-inexpensive activity depending on how good your kids are at suckering you into buying them toys; but you’re sure to have a good time there!

Tamarindo Farmer’s Market

This lively little market happens every Saturday morning from 8am to 1pm. Local food vendors and artisans gather together to sell handmade products at the little square near the Pescador beach entrance.

Langosta Estuary

The estuary in Langosta is super fun to cross at low tide with a picnic lunch. The other side is completely devoid of development until you hit Hacienda Pinilla on the far end. Just be sure to pay attention to the tide or you might have to swim back. The water rises quickly! Click here to see tide charts by month.

Bonfires at Witches Rock Surf Camp

On the weekends (especially during high season), Witches Rock Surf Camp usually makes a bonfire on the beach in front of the surf camp. They normally happen on Saturdays and Sundays starting at about 5pm, so you can watch the sunset and then stay on into the night. Kids love bonfires!

Best free things to do with kids and families Tamarindo

Credits:

Blog by: Genna Marie

All Photos by: Genna Marie of Tamarindo Family Photos

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See What Our Guests Are Saying!

Very clean

5star rating
November 21, 2022
Great place to stay in Tamarindo

Excelente

Soledad
4star rating
April 18, 2017
Cocina totalmente equipada

Crystal Sands #304 is Awesome!

Ruth
5star rating
November 20, 2021
We were so pleasantly surprised when we walked into the unit. The pictures just didn't do it justice. Since it was just two of us, it was quite large for what we needed, but it was still perfect. The hot tub on the balcony was a huge surprise that...

Horizontes 106

Ivonne
4star rating
July 13, 2021
Beautiful place. A/C stop working on the last day of our stay.

Clean modern condo with fantastic beach view

Kim Kneisel
5star rating
March 13, 2023
Clean condo with a great ocean view. Nice grill area and pool. Condo walking distance to beach and all downtown restaurants and bars. Suggest installing town racks and hooks in bathrooms so towels dry properly.

Thank you for the Wonderful Stay

Chris
5star rating
May 20, 2014
This is a very nice location. Quiet except for the wonderful sound of the surf. You can stroll into Tamarindo for a bite or a drink, or walk two doors down to the Barcello... and still feel like you are away from it all.Small market is a few steps...

A true tropical dream

John
5star rating
April 24, 2014
If you desire surf, sun, sand and serenity this is it.

Wonderful!

Rebecca
5star rating
April 6, 2022
We loved Casa Om! It is large, clean, and bright. The location is perfect, just a quick drive to all the shops and restaurants in Tamarindo but away from the touristy crowds. Villas Langosta is a small gated community, so it was quiet and relax...

Family vacation to Costa Rica

Gina
5star rating
May 12, 2014
We loved our short stay in Villas Cerca del Mar #10. The condo was charming, well laid out with plenty of amenities. It was very private which we really liked and very centrally located. We would definitely return, hopefully sooner rather than ...

Excelente lugar

Jose
4star rating
September 25, 2017
La experiencia fue muy buena y el lugar se acoplo a nuestras necesidades

Marathon tamarindo 2017

Eileen
3star rating
October 4, 2017
muy buena, problemas en el cable e internet, ascensores, pero en general bien.


See What Our Guests Are Saying!

Best location

Nadira
5star rating
December 5, 2021
We stayed here for 2 weeks and loved every moment. Condo view from every window and balcony was spectacular. Condo was clean and spacious. Will be coming again, hopefully for a longer period and with our shiatzu!

Highly Recommend

Thomas
5star rating
March 3, 2022
The photographs of the house don't do it justice. It was beautiful inside and the pool was amazing. The location was a short walk to the beach. It was the perfect house for three couples to experience tamarindo. RPM Services scheduled transport fo...

Amazing space!

Trizza
5star rating
February 13, 2020
We really enjoyed the accommodation overall.Preferred staying in Langosta than in Tamarindo.The check in was a little delayed - cleaning staff were still in the house when we got there, which was no big deal (we decided to get groceries in the mea...

We will be back!

B-2-Y
5star rating
January 6, 2022
Oasis Del Mar is a beautiful home and we enjoyed our stay here. Communication was amazing. They provided a Whats App number for communication, I could not personally get it to work, but they continued to communicate in the mode of communication I ...

Visitors from canada

Greg
4star rating
January 4, 2018
Beautiful home, private, great views, amazing pool.

Great weekend

David
5star rating
October 17, 2018
Great experience at a great place

Diria 202 stay

Chris
5star rating
December 23, 2019
The Diria 202 condo was better than expected. The online pictures do not do it justice. Everything was clean and neat, and the condo was equipped well for all our needs for the week. The staff were great at answering all of our questions. We will ...

Great Villa

Jim
5star rating
December 22, 2014
We loved our stay in Villas Cerca del Mar. We were two couples and the house worked perfectly for us with two nice master bedrooms. The kitchen was well furnished for cooking breakfasts, a couple lunches and a few dinners. Clean, lots of towels, v...

Long term renter for last 13 years.

By
5star rating
March 23, 2013
All went quite well. Since these units have no ovens, we were disappointed with the replacement toaster oven, as it is very tiny and quite insufficient compared to the one which gave out during our stay. We will return next year, but hope a bette...

Vacation Paradise!

Elizabeth
5star rating
January 23, 2017
My husband, 2 brothers and their wives stayed in Villas Cerca del Mar #10 last week. It is a wonderful place!! We all loved it. Our only suggestion is the one door stop to the left of the house door as you walk in. Out grandson fell over it and la...

Great, quiet location for new years week.

Roberto
5star rating
January 4, 2022
Great location, comfortable villa layout. The property management company promptly responded to our observation that there were a lot of ants (not uncommon at the beach in CR) and immediately sent someone to address it.I would make two suggestions...

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