Tamarindo in September: Green Season Rain, Independence Day Lanterns and Surf Days

On the evening of September 14, children in Tamarindo walk the streets with paper lanterns, the faroles, glowing orange and pink against a sky that has just finished raining. The next morning school bands drum their way past flag-draped storefronts. The surf town is at its greenest, quiet and humid, and this is a month for travelers who prefer a local mood to a crowd and don’t mind a daily shower.

The beach at Tamarindo at sunset in the rainiest months · Illustration

What is the weather like in Tamarindo in September?

Month	Average high (°F)	Average low (°F)	Rain days	Sea (°F)
August	84.7	76.3	21.9	85.7
September	83.2	75.8	26.7	86.1
October	82.5	75.5	24.8	85.6

Mornings are often the best part of the day, bright and steamy, with enough sun for a surf session or a walk on the sand. Clouds usually build through the afternoon, and the rain then arrives in heavy bursts that can last an hour or settle in for the evening. A few days are gray from start to finish, so it is wise to treat any given afternoon as a maybe rather than a promise.

The days are close to evenly split between light and dark, so sunset comes early in the evening and the town’s restaurants fill after dark.

The hills behind town turn deep green, and the dry riverbeds of the winter months run again. Roads and dirt paths near the beach can turn muddy after a heavy shower, so shoes you don’t mind getting dirty are useful.

Can you swim in Tamarindo in September?

Tamarindo’s main beach is a wide curve of sand that faces the open Pacific, and waves can be moderate to sizable depending on the swell and the tide. Surfers share the water in front of town, while beginners take lessons close to shore. Most beaches do not have lifeguards or warnings about unsafe conditions, and rip currents are dangerous.

Rain can reduce visibility, so snorkeling is best on clear mornings. A rash guard helps with sun and sea lice, and sunscreen is worth reapplying after every dip.

What to do in Tamarindo in September

The month’s big date is September 15, Independence Day. On the evening of September 14, children carry paper lanterns through town in the Desfile de Faroles, and the next day brings school bands and flags.

Beyond the holiday, September is a month for doing things in the morning and settling in under a roof in the afternoon. The green season suits slow travel: long breakfasts, a surf lesson, then a late lunch while the rain drums on a metal roof. The streets are quieter than in the dry months, and restaurants have a more local feel.

Surfing and the beach in the morning

Tamarindo is a surf town first. Beginners can find lessons right on the main beach, where the waves tend to be forgiving, while more experienced surfers often look at breaks a short drive away. Mornings are usually the cleanest hours, before the afternoon wind and clouds roll in.

Rent a board or take a lesson early, then return to shore for breakfast. Surf shops line the main street, and many cafés serve fresh fruit, gallo pinto (rice and black beans) and strong Costa Rican coffee. The sand is firm and walkable at low tide, which makes a long stroll toward either end of the beach a pleasant start to the day.

Surf conditions change with the swell, so ask the instructors what the water is like that day. After a night of rain, the water near the river mouth can be murky, so choose another stretch of beach for swimming.

Sunset on the sand and an evening in town

Even when it is overcast, the glow behind the clouds can be memorable.

Ceviche and cold local beer are a natural pair on a humid night. Live music turns up in some bars along the main street, and the nightlife is lively without being overwhelming in this quieter month.

Rainy-afternoon plans

When the afternoon downpour arrives, Tamarindo has plenty of indoor ways to spend it. Yoga studios, cafés, small shops and craft stores line the town, and a long lunch with a book is a respectable plan. Spas and massage studios do good business in the green season.

If the rain stops early, the light after a shower is soft and the air is cooler, which makes it the nicest time for a walk along the shore. Watch the sky, keep a flexible schedule and let the weather set the pace rather than fighting it.

The wet season also brings the countryside back to life. Hills and roadsides turn bright green, and birds are active at dawn. A guided boat trip through the Tamarindo estuary’s mangroves is a popular way to look for monkeys, birds and other wildlife, though sightings are never guaranteed.

A two-day itinerary for Tamarindo in September

Day 1 starts early, because mornings are when the weather is kindest.

Lunch is a casado or a plate of fresh fish at a casual restaurant, ideally before the clouds build. When the afternoon rain arrives, retreat to a café, a spa or a quiet hotel porch. Once the shower passes, walk the beach in the cooler air and stay for sunset, which falls around dusk, a little after twelve hours of daylight. Dinner is seafood or pizza in town.

Have a late lunch at a different kind of place, such as a sandwich shop or a vegetarian café. If rain sets in, a yoga class, a massage or a long afternoon of reading is the rain card. In the evening, if it is September 14, join the families for the Desfile de Faroles, then finish with ceviche and a cold drink at a beachfront bar.

Is Tamarindo busy in September?

No, September is one of the quietest times in Tamarindo, a month when the town belongs more to residents, surfers and a thinner stream of visitors.

The green season keeps many travelers away, so restaurants rarely have long waits, the beach has space and rooms are easier to find than in the dry winter months. Independence Day brings a local holiday feel, with families in the streets around September 14 and 15, and some Costa Rican travelers take a short break then, so a hotel on those dates can fill sooner than the rest of the month.

Rental cars and shuttles are generally easier to arrange than in peak season, though it is still wise to confirm ahead if you want a particular vehicle. Tour operators and surf schools usually have room, so you can often decide on the day, depending on the weather.

The trade-off for the calm is that some businesses slow down or close for part of the green season, and rain can reshape plans. Travelers who like a relaxed, unhurried town tend to enjoy this month most.

What to pack for Tamarindo in September

A rash guard and sunscreen, for surf sessions and strong tropical sun.
Sandals and closed shoes you don’t mind soaking, for muddy paths and wet streets.
A dry bag or zip-top bags, to protect phones and passports from rain.
Insect repellent, for evenings after rain.

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.

September falls within the Atlantic hurricane season, and Costa Rica’s Pacific side is in its green season, so expect rain more than wind. Leave room in your plans for weather, keep outdoor activities for the morning and book what matters most first, such as lodging for the Independence Day dates.

Tamarindo in September vs August and October

Moving a few weeks earlier, to August, brings a little less rain and slightly hotter days, with a sea just a touch cooler. The town is still in the green season but the showers are less relentless, and the stretch of mornings that stay clear tends to be longer. Travelers who want more dependable surf mornings and a slightly lighter rain pattern may prefer it.

Moving later, to October, brings more total rain and slightly cooler air, while some businesses are quieter still. The sea stays warm, and the countryside is at its lushest. October suits people who value solitude and low-key travel, and who accept that rainy days will be frequent.

September sits in the middle, and it is the month that carries the Independence Day lanterns and parades, which neither neighbor offers. Choose August for slightly better odds on the weather and September for the holiday atmosphere. Choose October for the quietest, greenest version of the town.

Is September a good time to visit Tamarindo?

Yes, for travelers who like a quiet surf town, warm water and a local feel, and who can take a daily shower in stride.

It suits surfers, beginners taking lessons, couples after a slow week and anyone who prefers an unhurried pace to a packed beach. It is less ideal for people who need guaranteed sunshine for every hour, who plan a lot of outdoor excursions or who want the full buzz of the dry-season nightlife. Those travelers will be happier between December and April.

The detail that makes September here its own is the evening of the 14th, when children with glowing paper lanterns walk down the main street under a freshly rinsed sky.

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
U.S. Department of State, Costa Rica Travel Information, Entry and exit requirements (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/CostaRica.html), checked October 8, 2026