Tamarindo in July: Green Season Weather, Surf, Sea and a Guanacaste Holiday

In July, the hills behind Tamarindo are a deep, wet green, and surfers walk down the main street at dawn with boards under their arms while the first coffee shops open. The town is still busy but relaxed, with families on school break filling the beach restaurants. July brings the green season to this Pacific beach town, along with warm water, good surfing and the local celebration of Guanacaste Day.

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

What is the weather like in Tamarindo in July?

July in Tamarindo is hot, humid and fairly wet: rain falls on most days, though it rarely rules out the whole day.

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days	Sea (°F)
June	84.4	76.6	23.0	86.1
July	85.0	76.4	18.0	85.5
August	84.7	76.3	21.9	85.7

Rain days are those with at least a tenth of an inch, and in July they come on most days of the month, so plan on getting wet at some point. The pattern is not a steady gray drizzle.

July can bring sun, cloud and sudden downpours, so keep outdoor plans flexible. Some days stay cloudy and damp from the start, and only a day or so in the month brings a really heavy soaking.

Because of that, mornings are the time for the beach, surf lessons and anything that needs a clear sky. Warm air stays put through the evening, so dinner outside in a T-shirt is normal, and nights are mild with no need for a sweater. The hills and the mangroves look lush, and the light after a shower turns soft and golden.

Dress light: quick-drying shirts, shorts and a thin rain jacket you can stuff into a bag. Sandals dry faster than sneakers. Days last about twelve and a half hours, so the sun is up early and sets at a reasonable hour for dinner.

Can you swim in Tamarindo in July?

The water is warm enough for a long swim, but check conditions before entering because rip currents are a genuine threat.

Tamarindo’s main beach is the town’s living room, with surf schools, beach bars and sunset walkers. Waves here are of the beach-break kind and suit beginners learning to stand up. Beaches a short drive north and south get larger waves that attract surfers with more experience, and the tide and swell change the conditions. Surf shops can say which beach is working that day.

Rip currents pose a genuine threat, drowning several U.S. tourists annually, but most beaches have neither lifeguards nor alerts about dangerous conditions.

What to do in Tamarindo in July

The big date of the month is July 25, when Guanacaste celebrates the Annexation of the Partido de Nicoya, the day this province joined Costa Rica. It is a national holiday, but it feels most personal here, where local pride shows up in folk dance, music, marimba tunes, oxcart traditions and cowboy culture. Look for the typical dishes of the province, such as corn-based snacks, tamales, rice dishes and plates with fresh cheese.

School break also shapes the month. Costa Rican schools take a two-week mid-year pause in July, so families from the Central Valley head to the coast and the beach fills with kids, coolers and picnic umbrellas. The mood is cheerful and noisy at weekends, and calmer in the early morning.

Surfing and lessons

Tamarindo is a surf town first. Newcomers thrive at the beach break, while surf schools on the sand itself provide boards and instruction. Surf schools on the sand rent boards and give lessons, and Tamarindo’s beach break suits newcomers.

If you already surf, ask locals where the swell is going. A short drive north or south brings you to beaches where the waves break bigger.

If you do not surf, sit with a cold drink and watch. The line-up at sunset is half the show, with silhouettes against a sky that often turns orange and pink after a rainy afternoon.

Eating and walking the main street

The main street holds restaurants, shops and nightlife, so it is the place for an evening stroll. Look for the casado, a plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and a choice of chicken, fish or beef, and gallo pinto, the rice-and-beans breakfast eaten with eggs and fresh cheese. Ceviche and grilled fish suit the heat, and fruit shakes made with local pineapple, mango or tamarind are a fine way to cool down.

Souvenir shops sell hammocks, hand-painted pieces and surf wear. On rainy afternoons, duck into a café or a crafts shop, and come out when the clouds have moved along. Evenings mix surfers, families and travelers, and live music drifts out of some bars.

Beach time, sunsets and rainy-day plans

Mornings are best for long beach walks, with the sand firm at low tide and the light soft. Sunset brings people back to the shore, and when clouds break up it can be spectacular. Bring a light layer for the walk home after dark.

When the rain sets in, switch to a long lunch, a massage, a yoga class or a coffee-and-book afternoon. The green season rewards slow plans, and a short storm often clears in time for a late swim or a walk.

A two-day itinerary for Tamarindo in July

Day 1 is for the town and the sea. Begin the day early with coffee and gallo pinto, then either take a surf lesson or enjoy a long walk on the main beach, when the sky is typically at its clearest. Around midday, retreat to a shaded restaurant for ceviche or a casado, and rest through the hottest hours.

In the afternoon, stroll the main street, browse the shops and keep an eye on the sky. If a downpour comes, a café or a spa is the plan. Come back to the beach before sunset, which falls around dinner time at this time of year, and then eat at a beachfront place with your feet near the sand.

Day 2 is for an estuary boat trip through the mangroves of Las Baulas National Marine Park. Rise early and head by car or shared ride to one of the beaches north or south of town, where the waves are bigger and the crowds are thinner. Surfers can try the swell, and others can walk the shore and watch.

Have lunch at a small roadside spot or a beach café, then return in the early afternoon before the clouds build. Spend the rest of the day at a pool or in a hammock. For the last evening, order a plate of fresh fish at a restaurant on the main street, and if it rains, linger with a dessert until it passes.

Is Tamarindo busy in July?

Tamarindo is moderately busy in July, with a surge at weekends and around the local holiday.

Costa Rican schools take a two-week break in July, which keeps families traveling, and many head to the Guanacaste coast. Expect fuller beaches at weekends, livelier restaurants and more cars on the road around the July 25 holiday. Weekdays and early mornings are calmer, and the town keeps a relaxed mood even when busy.

Because the month falls in the green season, international visitors are fewer than in the dry months, and finding a room is usually easier than in peak winter. Still, book early for the holiday weeks and the weekend of July 25, and later for the quiet stretches. Expect livelier restaurants and more traffic around the holiday.

The drive from the Liberia airport takes about an hour to an hour and a half, which makes arrival simple, while the trip from San Jose takes four and a half to five and a half hours and feels longer on holiday weekends.

What to pack for Tamarindo in July

Bring clothing that dries fast and beach-ready equipment, since July means warmth, damp air and rain that arrives without warning.

A light rain jacket, for the afternoon downpours
Quick-drying shirts and shorts, since humid air slows drying
Sandals that handle wet streets and sand
A rash guard, for sun and surf lessons
Sunscreen and a hat, for bright mornings
A waterproof bag, to protect phones and documents

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.

July sits in the green season, so build the days around mornings and keep afternoons flexible. The holiday on July 25 and the school break make weekends busier, so reserve rooms and rental cars early.

Tamarindo in July vs June and August

Moving the trip to June brings more rain days and a slightly warmer sea, and the country is greener and quieter before the school break begins. The mood is calmer, and rooms are easier to find. It suits travelers who do not mind wetter days for a more relaxed pace.

August is also rainy, with a few more wet days than July and a sea just as warm. The school break is over and the July 25 celebration is behind you, so the town is quieter. It suits those who want the green season without the holiday crowds.

July is the choice if you want the festive Guanacaste Day feeling and a livelier beach, with slightly fewer rainy days than its neighbors. Choose June or August if you prefer quieter streets and easier bookings.

Is July a good time to visit Tamarindo?

Yes, July suits travelers who like warm water, green hills and a lively beach, and who accept that rain will come on most days.

Surfers, families on school break and anyone who enjoys a relaxed beach town will love it. Those who need guaranteed sunshine all day, or who want empty beaches, should choose a drier or quieter month.

On arrival, settle into your room, then walk to the beach and ask a surf school how the water looks that day. That first look at the waves and the current sets the tone for the rest of the stay. What makes July special here is the mix of rain-washed green, warm sea and the local pride of Guanacaste Day, when a surf town briefly feels like a province celebrating itself.

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