Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is a 1200 acres mangrove sanctuary, saltwater jungle, that  was established in 1990 to protect areas around the estuary and mouth of the Rio Matapalo.  It is located between Tamarindo and Playa Grande.  This is a beautiful area with a dry Guanacaste climate: hot climate year round with a long dry season from mid - November to mid - May. 

The Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge is home to the largest leatherback turtle nesting site in the world!  Pacific sea turtles, olive ridley turtles, and hawksbill turtles also nest here.  In addition, you might see ospreys, herons, kingfishers, howler monkeys, coatimundis, caiman, crocodiles, white nosed coati, roosterfish, snapper, snook, mullet, crevalle, and stingray. Trees in this refuge include the acacia, carob, mahogany, Tamarindo, and Guanacaste.  There are also 5 different kinds of mangroves: black, white, tea, bottemwood, and red. 

The 3 beaches that form Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge are Grande Beach, Ventana Beach, and Langosta Beach.  For the person coming to Costa Rica for some beautiful beaches, hot & dry climate, but also wants to see some wildlife, THIS IS THE PLACE!

Oh, and for the fisherman (saltwater anglers), Tamarindo is also the place! You can charter half day or full day trips.  And if you want some romance, you can go on a sunset cruise. You can kayak to rocky Isla El Capitan where you will find a beach full of sand dollars.  Of course surfing is the main draw for the younger crowd.  Be careful when swimming – there are strong currents and dangerous riptides.  You can also scuba dive, go snorkeling, or go sailing!

The refuge is near Tamarindo which is a fun area where you can find just about everything, including a great golf course!

The Tamarindo Wildlife refuge has 1200 acres and no public facilities. It is about 1 hr SW of  Liberia, and about a 4 ½ hr drive from San Jose. There is a domestic airport in Tamarindo.

There are no public facilities in the Tamarindo Wildlife refuge.