Playa Tamarindo in Guanacaste, Costa Rica has a three kilometer stretch of white sand, warm blue water, exquisite nature and stunning sunsets. The sun shines just about 365 days per year in Tamarindo Beach, and the temperature is pleasantly warm year round. Visitors can go sportfishing, sailing, surfing, golfing, turtle watching, diving, horseback riding, enjoy the nightlife, dining, shopping and more. Find maps, resorts, read a surf report, check the weather.

Getting to Costa Rica

By Air: the closest airport to Tamarindo and the wedding is the Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia (LIR) Flights to LIR are readily available from most major U.S. airlines.   

Sample Flights

The largest airport in Costa Rica is San Juan - the Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO)  Flights to SJO are generally less expensive although a much longer trip to the coast.  

Sample Flights

Costa Rica Entry and Customs

A passport is required to get into Costa Rica.  Citizens of the US, Canada, Great Britain, and most other European nations can stay as a tourist for 90 days.

Language

Because of the large number of tourists in Costa Rica, most speak fluent english.  The spoken language in Tamarindo is English, and you will most likely be greeted with that upon entry to a store or restaurant.  You can get around just fine in Costa Rica with little to no knowledge of Spanish, although it is always fun to give it a whirl. 

Banks, ATMs and Money

THE COLÓN IS THE COSTA RICAN UNIT OF CURRENCY, WITH AN EXCHANGE RATE THAT VARIES BETWEEN 500 AND 550 COLÓNES PER DOLLAR. COLÓNES COME IN 500, 1000, 5000, AND 10,000 BILLS. COINS COME IN DENOMINATIONS OF 5, 10, 20, 25, 50 AND 100. OLDER COINS ARE SILVER AND SLIGHTLY LARGER, WHILE NEWER COINS ARE GOLD-COLORED AND SMALLER.

All banks will exchange US dollars and many will exchange British pounds or euros. Travelers checks can be cashed at banks or exchange bureaus for a commission of 1% to 3%. Some hotels accept travelers checks for payment, but many do not. 

ATMs (known as cajeros automáticos) are widely available in Costa Rica. Some banks charge a fee for using an ATM abroad, so check with your bank before traveling to Costa Rica. Credit cards are widely accepted at midrange and upscale hotels and restaurants. Most credit cards include a transaction fee for international purchases.

Taxes and Tipping

There is a 13% tax on all purchases in Costa Rica, including souvenirs, food, and hotels. Hotels add an additional 3% tourist surcharge and most restaurants include a 10% gratuity fee. You are not obligated to tip on top of this, but it’s good practice to do so, because the 10% fee is split among many people. If you want to tip your waiter directly, leave more money on the table.

You may want to tip other people while in Costa Rica, including maids, bellhops, or drivers. Tips for these services usually range from US$1 to US$10 a day. Taxi drivers do not expect a tip.

Leaving Costa Rica

AS A THANK YOU FOR YOUR ECONOMIC STIMULATION, COSTA RICA IMPOSES AN EXIT TAX OF $29USD UPON DEPARTURE.  YOU CAN PAY THIS FEE WITH ANY LEFT OVER COLONES, CREDIT CARD OR US GREENBACKS.  

Getting to Costa Rica

BY AIR: THE CLOSEST AIRPORT TO TAMARINDO AND THE WEDDING IS THE DANIEL ODUBER AIRPORT IN LIBERIA (LIR) FLIGHTS TO LIR ARE READILY AVAILABLE FROM MOST MAJOR U.S. AIRLINES.   

THE LARGEST AIRPORT IN COSTA RICA IS SAN JUAN - THE JUAN SANTAMARIA AIRPORT (SJO)  FLIGHTS TO SJO ARE GENERALLY LESS EXPENSIVE ALTHOUGH A MUCH LONGER TRIP TO THE COAST.  

Car Rental

This is not advisable unless you're in this for a real adventure.  Car rental in Costa Rica is expensive first and foremost.  Additionally the roads are poorly maintained in most areas and standard rules of the road don't generally apply. 

If you insist, renting a car in Costa Rica is an easy feat as there are numerous international rental services available at both airports, including:

• Adobe

• Budget

• Alamo

• Toyota

When renting a car, it is strongly suggested to get a 4X4 for trekking through the various terrains of Costa Rica. 

A note on renting a car in CR. There is a  mandatory insurance charge, between $9 and $13 a day. Also if you rent a small budget type 4x4 be prepared to suffer on the bumpy roads.

Shuttle/Bus

FOR THE BEST RATES HOWEVER, TRAVELING AROUND, OR TO AND FROM TAMARINDO, A BUS IS YOUR BEST BET. CHECK WITH www.tamarindoshuttle.com FOR TRIP DETAILS OR WWW.COSTARICAMAP.COM FOR SCHEDULES. 

A shuttle bus from the Liberia airport will cost about $20USD per person. 

After You've Arrived

If you are staying anywhere in Tamarindo, most places will be easily accessible on foot. Parking is limited or non-EXISTENT so driving is probably not your best bet. We will provide transportation to and from the ceremony from the recommended hotels. 

If you are staying outside of Tamarindo - please let us know! We are happy to arrange transportation for you and your guests.