You have several attractions and activities to choose from near Tamarindo condo rentals. Tamarindo is popular for its snorkeling and wildlife watching. This city is surrounded by several national parks and wildlife preserves, so checking out the wildlife in the area is a must.
Tamarindo Estuary
From your Tamarindo vacation home, drive over to the Tamarindo Estuary to watch a variety of wildlife in a natural habitat. The estuary is located in the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge between the Playa Grande and Tamarindo. This mangrove estuary is a refuge to several wildlife, including howler monkeys, herons and kingfishers. The Tamarindo Estuary spans 1,200 acres of 5 different mangrove species. Aside from the various wildlife you can watch, you can also see several fish species living in the mangroves. This saltwater estuary is also a favorite spot for kayakers where they paddle through the winding canals of the estuary straight to Playa Grande. The estuary is a great place to do some bird watching, most of which are seasonal birds that are migrating from North America. You might even catch a glimpse of the popular Lesser Nighthawk. The Tamarindo Estuary is generally open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. every day except Monday.
Playa Grande
Aside from being a great surfing and swimming destination, Playa Grande is also a great spot to do some turtle watching. Visit this beach from October to March where you will see hundreds of leatherback turtles crawling their way to the shoreline to nest. At one time, you can watch over 800 nesting sea turtles in Playa Grande. You will witness the eggs hatch and the baby turtles swimming towards the sea. Aside from the endangered leatherback turtles, you can also see Olive Ridley turtles, hawksbill turtles and Pacific green turtles nesting on this beach's shores. Turtle tours are available during this season at the ranger's station. However, you do need a certified guide before you can visit the nesting sites in the beach at night. Most guides are available by the beach's entrance. The station is open every day from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Playa Grande is approximately 25 minutes from Tamarindo's city center at the Las Baulas National Marine Park.
Diria National Park
Near Tamarindo is the Diria National Park where bird watching and wildlife exploration are popular activities. It is home to some of Costa Rica's local wildlife. You can choose from 2 hiking trails that will lead you to these natural habitats as well to the other main attraction of the park, the Brasil Waterfall. You can watch anteaters, howler monkeys, peccary and deer. The park is also a favorite spot for bird watchers with over 134 species living in the national park. The Diria National Park is open every day from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Tamarindo is surrounded by numerous natural refuges and eco-parks where you can spend the day watching wildlife in their natural habitat. To get there, you need a centralized location. You can check out for a suitable rental on VacationHomes.com. The website offers search filters for amenities and prices.