Tambor travel guide
Tambor, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A small, quiet fishing village with calm white sand beaches on Ballena Bay, and a great base for exploring the southern Nicoya Peninsula.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From San José
About 4 to 6 hours
Best Airport
SJO or LIR
Temperature
Hot and sunny
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Our take
Who Tambor is for
Tambor is a small fishing village with white sand beaches. It doesn’t have a ton going on, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a nice base because you can easily drive to busier Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Paquera. This is our favorite little corner of the country, and we’re sure you’ll love it too!
One thing to keep in mind: Tambor is small, so most activities are day trips to nearby towns.
How long to stay: At least four nights to really soak in all the good stuff.
Tambor or Montezuma?
Choose Tambor if…
You want calm water, a quiet beach and a relaxing resort or lodge stay.
Choose Montezuma if…
You want a lively little town with restaurants, waterfalls and more going on.
Our take
Montezuma is a short drive away, so stay in Tambor and visit for the day.
Getting there
Getting to Tambor
From San José
You have two options. Drive the whole way (about six hours on recently redone roads), or drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry to Paquera (about 70 minutes), then 30 minutes to Tambor. The ferry is usually faster and less driving. If you’re not driving, you can also take the bus or fly (see below).
From Liberia
You drive the whole way, no ferry needed. It’s about three hours on Route 21 through Nicoya, on well-maintained roads with some hectic town centers.
For more info:
Rental car
We recommend renting a car. Watch for unmarked speed bumps on the Nicoya roads (we’ve gotten some air on a few!).
Bus
The public bus leaves downtown San José at 6 am and 2 pm. It takes about five hours, costs under $10 and goes on the ferry.
Flights
Sansa flies from San José to the small Tambor airport several times a day. It’s the fastest way to get here.
Shuttles
Shared and private shuttles run from San José and Liberia, many including the ferry. Use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Tambor is on the Nicoya Peninsula, the big hook of Costa Rica, about 30 minutes from Paquera.
Good to know: In high season the ferry fills up with cars fast. Pre-book if you know which one you want.
Weather
Tambor weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Tambor. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (mid-Dec: Apr)
Hot, sunny and dry.
Rainy season (May: Nov)
May to August brings afternoon storms around 2 pm. From mid-August to December, a lot of things close because it’s really rainy and quiet.
Daytime
Hot and sunny
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Around 2 pm
Our tip
Our tip: Even in the green season, it’s super hot and sunny during the day.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Tambor
Tango Mar Beachfront Hotel
Beachfront · Pool · Highly recommended
It doesn’t get much better than this, with a nice hotel with a pool right on the beach. We highly recommend it.
Tambor Tropical Beach Resort
Luxury · Beachfront · Pool
A beautiful luxury beachfront hotel with a pool. Everything here is top-notch!
Fidelito Ranch & Lodge
Simple · Beautiful property
A simple hotel on a beautiful property, with extremely nice owners who take great care of you.
Also popular is Barceló Tambor, one of the few all-inclusives on the peninsula, with pools, the area’s only golf course and beach access. We haven’t stayed yet, and online reviews are mixed.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Tambor rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Tambor
Our favorite
Relax on Playa Tambor
Playa Tambor sits on a calm little cove of Ballena Bay. The water is usually really calm, so it’s a good beach for swimming and doing absolutely nothing.
Good to know
Tambor is still a fishing village, so you’ll see fishing boats and a pier at the end of the beach.
Day trip
Visit Isla Tortuga
An undisturbed tropical island you can visit on a day tour. It’s perfect for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach.
Good to know
Tours usually include the boat, lunch and snorkel gear. Book ahead in high season.
Walk to El Chorro Waterfall
From the pier at the end of Playa Tambor, walk along the beaches to a waterfall that drops onto the sand. It’s about 2.5 miles one way and you have to cross a river, so go at low tide.
Hike Curú Wildlife Refuge
Just northeast of Tambor. Every time we’ve visited, there were only a few other people. Trails for all levels, a nice beach and plenty of tours.
Day trip to Santa Teresa
The area’s most popular surf and yoga town, about an hour away. Great for a sunset and dinner.
Day trip to Montezuma
A short drive away, you can visit a butterfly farm, hike to the waterfalls, see sea turtles and more.
Go bioluminescent kayaking
Possible year-round nearby (around Paquera). The best time is during a new moon, when there’s very little light.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Tambor
Mar y Sol
Our favorite · Fresh daily
We’re big fans. They keep a small rotating menu of whatever is fresh and good that day. It’s always delicious!
Restaurant and Cafe Cristina
Seafood · Local
The perfect little place for fresh seafood and fish. It feels like true Costa Rican home cooking.
Eat at your hotel
Resort dining
Tambor is small, so if you’re staying at Tango Mar or Tambor Tropical, their restaurants are a nice option for a relaxed dinner.
Fun fact
Blue Zone
This area is one of the few Blue Zones in the world, where people regularly live to over 100. Eat like the locals do, with rice, beans, fresh fish and fruit.
For more choices, Montezuma is a short drive away.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Tambor
Relaxed beach clothes
You’ll spend most of your time by a pool or on the beach. Fast-drying clothes are best, and there’s no need for anything nicer unless you plan fancier dinners.
Sneakers or low hiking boots
For day trips to Curú or the waterfalls.
Rain gear
In the rainy season, storms roll in like clockwork in the afternoon.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Tambor is a small, quiet town and we’ve always felt safe here. Your biggest concern is petty theft.
Good to know
Practical basics
Groceries
Tambor has a few small mini supers for the basics. For a bigger shop, head to MegaSuper in Cóbano, about 20 minutes away.
ATMs and banks
The most reliable ATMs are at Banco Nacional in Cóbano, so bring some cash with you.
Gas
Fill up in Cóbano or Paquera. All gas stations in Costa Rica are full service, so stay in your car and an attendant fills it up.
Getting around
Getting around Tambor
If you’re just relaxing at a resort, skip the rental car and save money. The downtown is small and easy to walk.
Rental car
To explore Montezuma, Santa Teresa or Paquera, you’ll need a car. An SUV with decent clearance is best for the dirt roads.
Fly in
Tambor has a small domestic airport, so you can take a short flight from San José instead of the drive and ferry.
FAQ
Tambor FAQ: your questions
Is Tambor worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a calm, quiet beach base. It’s an underrated town with easy access to Isla Tortuga, Curú, Montezuma and Santa Teresa. We suggest at least four nights.
How do I get to Tambor?
Take the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry and drive about 30 minutes, or fly into the small Tambor airport from San José on a domestic flight.
Do I need a car in Tambor?
Not if you’re staying at a resort and relaxing. To explore nearby towns and parks, a rental car is best.
Is the water calm in Tambor?
Usually, yes. Playa Tambor is on a sheltered cove of Ballena Bay, so it’s good for swimming.
When is the best time to visit Tambor?
The dry season, mid-December to April. From mid-August to December it can be very rainy and some places close.
Is Tambor safe?
Yes, we’ve always felt safe. Just watch out for petty theft on the beach and in cars.
Keep exploring
More towns in Nicoya Peninsula
Planning more of the region? See our full Nicoya Peninsula guide.
