5 Best Beaches Near Tamarindo, Costa Rica
I photograph family sessions and couple sessions on all five of these beaches regularly. They’re the ones I recommend most often to people staying in the Tamarindo area — easy to get to, less crowded than the main beach, and genuinely beautiful.
Which beach works best depends on where you’re staying and what you’re looking for. Here’s what I know about each one.
5 Beaches Near Tamarindo Worth Knowing About
I made this video walking through all five beaches — what they look like, how to get there, and what makes each one different. The written guide below covers the same ground if you’d rather read.
1. Playa Langosta
Playa Langosta is about a 5-minute drive south of Tamarindo and feels completely different — way fewer people, quieter beach, no surf crowd. The sand is nice, there’s a good tree line for shade, and at low tide the natural swimming pools fill up with warm calm water. Some of them are surprisingly deep. It’s a great spot to spend the day after a session. I use Langosta more than any other beach near Tamarindo for portrait sessions.
2. Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is about 30 minutes from Tamarindo. Easy beach access — you park right in front. There’s a good tree line so there’s shade for sessions, and it’s close to the marina which makes it a nice place to spend the rest of the day. Restaurants right on the beach, ice cream, a walk around — it’s a well-located beach with a lot going on nearby without feeling like a tourist town.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue in this area, Bahia del Sol is on Playa Potrero, about 10 minutes from Flamingo.
3. Playa Ventanas
Playa Ventanas is on the north end of Playa Grande, past a big rock that marks the entrance. Once you’re past the rock the beach curves in a different direction and there’s almost nobody there — maybe a couple of people walking dogs. It’s inside a natural protected area where turtles nest, which means no development and very few people. The light hits differently there because of the way the beach faces. It’s one of my favorite spots for sessions when couples want somewhere that feels completely private.
4. Playa Penca
Playa Penca is next to Las Catalinas — not the other Playa Penca near Playas del Coco. You park right in front of the beach which makes access easy. It’s an out-of-the-way beach that most tourists staying in Tamarindo don’t know about, which means fewer people. Nice tree line, beautiful white sand, small waves that are good for swimming after your session. It’s won the Blue Flag beach award for clean beaches multiple times. This is the hidden gem on the list — genuinely pretty and almost always quiet.
5. Las Catalinas / Playa Dantas
Las Catalinas is a bit north of Tamarindo — a planned coastal community with a lot of trees, shade, and trails you can walk after your session. If you’re spending the day there with the family, kids can run around safely, there are good restaurants with interesting architecture, and it has a relaxed vibe that’s different from Tamarindo. The beach is called Playa Dantas and it’s calm and pretty. I’ve photographed sessions here and also at Casa Chameleon, which is a hotel on the property with great architecture and views.
When to Schedule Your Session
The best light is at the end of the day — golden hour before sunset. All five of these beaches face west so you get reliable sunsets year-round. If you want morning light, Playa Ventanas and Playa Penca work well early — fewer people and softer light. For timing specific to your date and beach, just get in touch and I’ll give you a recommendation based on the season.
Planning a Session Near Tamarindo?
I photograph on all five of these beaches regularly and I’m happy to help you pick the right one based on where you’re staying. Take a look at my Costa Rica packages or get in touch directly — tell me where you’re staying and what you have in mind.
