Surfing is the main draw, and for good reason — Tamarindo's beach break is one of the most learner-friendly on the Costa Rican Pacific coast. Conditions are most consistent between December and April, when the dry season brings offshore winds. Several surf schools along the main strip offer lessons and board rentals by the hour or day.
Beyond surfing, the Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas just north of town is worth your time. From October to March, leatherback sea turtles come ashore at night to nest on Playa Grande, one of the few remaining major nesting sites for this endangered species. Night tours are guided and strictly regulated to protect the turtles. The estuary between Tamarindo and Playa Grande also rewards a boat or kayak trip — you will likely see crocodiles sunning on the banks and plenty of birds in the mangroves.