Quick Facts

Playa Tambor, Costa Rica, is located approximately 160 km west of San Jose. The long stretch of beach is protected from Pacific swells by rocky headlands which make this beach great for swimming. Playa Tambor is home to Costa Rica’s first large-scale all-inclusive resort (the Barcelo Playa Tambor Beach Resort). Although there were big plans to develop the area, and the American TV show ‘Temptation Island’ was filmed here, development never really took off. This adds to its peaceful and isolated vibe.

Getting There & Other Transportation

Tambor is the site of the only major commuter airport to the southern Nicoya peninsula. Upon your flight’s arrival at San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport, you can hop on a 30 minute flight directly to Tambor. Nature Air and Sansa are two airlines that run these commuter flights. If you are not flying to Tambor, you must take a ferry from Puntarenas. The trip takes 1 ½ hours.

Taxis are waiting at the airport as well as by the ferry harbor. Rides from the airport and the harbor are short and inexpensive.

Hotels & Places to Stay

Barcelo Playa Tambor Beach Resort

Stay here to experience Costa Rica’s first all-inclusive resort.

Hotel Dos Largatos

This hotel provides inexpensive cabanas and is located at the southern end of the beach.

Costa Coral

This location is another inexpensive hotel with an excellent restaurant.

Tambor Tropical

This hotel provides large ocean view rooms with full kitchens. It is right on the beach and has an extremely tropical feel.

Tango Mar Resort

With only 18 rooms, this luxury resort has a quaint feel and allows you to escape crowds.  Close by are seaside cliffs and waterfalls. The rooms are ocean view and provide balconies.

Dining & Nightlife

Many hotels in Playa Tambor have their own restaurants that are worth trying. They also usually include a continental breakfast. A great restaurant that is not associated with a hotel is the vegetarian restaurant  Juicy Jones.

Although this area of Costa Rica is known to be tranquil and slow, there are a few bars that are associated with different hotels in the area. If gambling is your thing, there is a small Casino at Hotel Casino with basic table games and slot machines.

Attractions

A major attraction in town is that every year whales migrate from the north to the warm waters of Ballena Bay to mate and give birth amid abundant marine habitat found here.

Bordered by two rocky platforms to the north and south, Tambor beach is protected from ocean swells, making it ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. Plus there are many deep sea fishing opportunities.

From Tambor, some beautiful places to visit are Curu National Wildlife Refuge and Cabo Blanco National Park.

Currency, Culture and Language

The official language in Costa Rica is Spanish.

The official currency in Costa Rica is the colón (or colones, plural).