Tamarindo in April: Hot Dry Days, Surf Lessons, Semana Santa and Sunsets

By late afternoon in April, the sand in front of Tamarindo’s main street is still hot underfoot, surfboards lean against palm trunks, and the dry hills of Guanacaste glow gold behind the town. Families on holiday spread towels near the water while the first sunset-watchers carry cold drinks toward the beach. It is the last stretch of the dry season, a month of heat, clear skies and long beach days for anyone who wants a surf town with restaurants and nightlife close at hand.

The beach at Tamarindo at sunset in the dry season · Illustration

What is the weather like in Tamarindo in April?

April in Tamarindo is hot, sunny and almost entirely dry, the tail end of the dry season before the green season arrives in May.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days	Sea (°F)
March	91.7	76.2	0.5	85.2
April	91.6	77.7	4.2	85.2
May	87.2	77.5	18.7	87.5

Mornings start warm and bright, and the best hours for walking, surfing or a long breakfast are the early ones, before the sun gets heavy. Around noon, the warmth grows intense, so many folks escape to somewhere shaded, a pool, or a restaurant with air conditioning, while the afternoon is when you want to be in the water. Evenings stay warm enough to eat outside in a T-shirt, and nights are mild rather than cool.

Rain is possible but not the pattern. Showers, when they come, are short, often late in the day, and the whole month adds up to very little compared with what follows in May. A stray storm late in the month can hint that the green season is near, with clouds building over the hills in the afternoon and the air going heavy before it breaks.

Dress for sun first. Light cotton, a hat and plenty of sunscreen matter more than any rain layer, and the light is hard and bright through the middle of the day, softening into amber toward sunset. The countryside around town is at its driest, so expect brown and golden hills rather than the lush green that arrives a month or two later.

Can you swim in Tamarindo in April?

Yes, the Pacific here is warm, but rip currents are very dangerous and most beaches have no lifeguards or warnings about unsafe conditions.

Tamarindo’s main beach has waves that break near the shore and suit beginners, which is why the water is full of surf students and rented boards. Swimmers share the same stretch, so it helps to settle in a spot away from the lessons. A short drive north and south brings beaches with larger waves, and those should be left to surfers with experience.

Rip currents pose a serious threat, causing several U.S. tourist drownings in Costa Rica each year, and most beaches have no lifeguards or warnings about unsafe conditions. Check any flags that are flying, ask locals or your surf school about the day’s conditions, and stay close to shore if you are not a strong swimmer.

Families with small children will want to keep them within arm’s reach in the shallows. Bring a rash guard for sun protection, a hat for the sand and water you can sip all day.

What to do in Tamarindo in April

The big event of the month is Semana Santa, Holy Week, which moves every year. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays, most businesses close, and Costa Rican families fill the beaches.

If Holy Week falls in April, the town takes on a festive, crowded beach-party feel by day, with picnics under the trees and children running in the surf. Another national holiday, Juan Santamaria Day, falls on April 11 and gives the month a second long-weekend feel for local families.

Outside those days, April is made for the beach. Mornings are for coffee and a slow walk along the sand, afternoons for swimming and watching the surf, and evenings for sunset on the shore with a cold drink in hand. Restaurants, shops and bars line the main street, and once night falls the vibe turns easygoing, slightly gritty with sand and barefoot.

Learning to surf

Tamarindo is one of the easiest places in the country to take a first lesson. Beginners will find a suitable beach break, and surf schools along the sand rent boards and give lessons. Instructors usually push you into small, forgiving waves and spend the first part of the lesson on the basics of paddling and standing up.

Go early or in the late afternoon, when the sun is softer and the beach is less crowded. Wear a rash guard, put sunscreen on well before you go in, and expect to be tired by the end. Confident surfers can ask schools or locals about the bigger waves at the beaches north and south of town, a short drive away.

Beach days and sunsets

With so little rain, April is the month to simply claim a patch of sand. Fruit shakes and cold coconut water are the drinks of the day.

Sunset is the evening ritual. People drift toward the shoreline with drinks, the sky turns orange over the water, and surfers catch the last waves in silhouette. It is worth arriving early to get a good spot, then staying for dinner at one of the open-air places along the main street.

Nearby beaches and day outings

North and south of town, a quick drive brings you to beaches that feel calmer and more untamed, where larger waves draw skilled surfers along with walkers seeking extra space. They make an easy half-day outing, ideally with a picnic and plenty of water, since shade and services can be scarce.

Because most beaches do not have lifeguards, treat those wilder stretches with respect and keep to the shallows if the surf looks heavy.

A two-day itinerary for Tamarindo in April

Day 1 is about settling in and learning the beach. Start early with coffee and a walk on the sand while the air is still cool, then book a morning surf lesson with one of the schools along the beach. By late morning the sun is strong, so move to a shaded spot for a long lunch of fresh fish or a casado at a casual restaurant on the main street.

Spend the hottest hours in a pool or in the shade, then return to the beach in the afternoon. Sunset comes after about twelve and a half hours of daylight, so plan to be on the sand well before it. Dinner can be one of the open-air places along the main street, followed by a slow stroll past the shops.

Day 2 is for exploring the Tamarindo estuary and its mangroves. Head out in the morning to one of the quieter beaches north or south, where bigger waves roll in, and bring water, a hat and a picnic. Watch the surf from the sand rather than going in unless you are experienced, and remember that lifeguards are rare.

Return for a late lunch back in town, then browse the shops and cafés while the heat peaks. If a storm builds in the afternoon, the rain card is easy: a long coffee, a browse through the souvenir stores or a relaxed meal indoors until it passes. Finish with a last dinner and a final walk on the beach.

Is Tamarindo busy in April?

It depends on the calendar, because Holy Week and national holidays bring crowds while the rest of the month is calmer.

During Semana Santa, Costa Rican families fill the beaches, and Tamarindo feels packed with picnickers, beachgoers and visitors enjoying the long break. Holy Thursday and Good Friday are national holidays and most businesses close, so some shops and services may be shut even as the sand is busiest. Juan Santamaria Day on April 11 adds another holiday feel for local travelers.

Outside those days, the town is lively but easier. Dry-season sunshine still draws visitors, so rooms, rental cars and dinner tables can fill, particularly on weekends. As a habit, book early for anything that falls in Holy Week or on a holiday weekend, and a bit later for the quieter weeks around them.

Surf lessons and popular sunset restaurants are easiest to line up when you plan them early in your stay.

What to pack for Tamarindo in April

Pack for heat, sun and sand, with little concern for rain.

Lightweight, breathable clothes for hot afternoons and warm evenings.
For surf lessons and extended time under the sun, pack a rash guard.
Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat, since the sun is strong all day.
A refillable water bottle to stay hydrated in the heat.
Sandals or water shoes for hot sand and the walk to the surf.
A light rain layer for the occasional late-month shower.

Good to know before you go

The U.S. State Department rates Costa Rica Level 2, ‘Exercise increased caution,’ due to crime; it says petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica and that violent crime also affects tourists, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault.

April sits at the end of the dry season, with the green season starting in May, so a late-month shower is possible but the pattern is sunny. If Holy Week falls in April, expect closed businesses on Holy Thursday and Good Friday and busy beaches, so stock up on essentials and make dinner plans ahead. Getting to Tamarindo is easy since the Liberia airport lies roughly an hour away by car, and from most places to stay you can stroll to the restaurants, shops and nightlife along the main street.

Tamarindo in April vs March and May

Moving a month earlier gives you almost the same weather, hot and dry, with a sea just as warm. March is a little calmer, since it usually falls before Holy Week crowds in many years, and it is the better choice if you want the driest stretch of all.

Moving a month later changes the character of the trip. May brings the green season, with rain on most days, usually as afternoon downpours, greener hills and a slightly warmer sea. Crowds thin, and the feel is more relaxed, but sunset beach plans and outings need more flexibility.

Choose April or March if you want hot, mostly dry weather and beach sunsets. Choose May if you prefer lush scenery and quieter streets and do not mind planning around afternoon rain.

Is April a good time to visit Tamarindo?

Yes, especially for travelers who want hot sun, dependable beach days and a lively surf town after dark.

Beginner surfers, families who like to stay in the water and anyone chasing sunsets will love it. Those who dislike heat, or who want to avoid holiday crowds around Semana Santa, may prefer another month or should plan around the holiday dates.

On arrival, the first thing to do is walk down to the beach in the late afternoon and see how the surf looks, since that sets the tone for your days. April’s charm here is the golden end-of-dry-season light, when the hills are tawny, the water is warm and the whole town seems to drift toward the shore at sunset.

Sources

Open-Meteo / ECMWF ERA5, normals 1991-2020 computed for the grid cell at 10.2993N 85.8371W, checked October 8, 2026
Open-Meteo Marine API, average 2015-2024, checked October 8, 2026
sunrise-sunset.org, sunrise and sunset calculated for the 15th of the month, checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Safety and security (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Advisory, issued April 1, 2026 (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/costa-rica-travel-advisory.html), read via the State Department open data API on October 8, 2026