Things to Do in Tambor, Costa Rica: 9 Best Tours & Activities
Looking for the best things to do in Tambor, Costa Rica? This quiet beach town on the southern Nicoya Peninsula sits on Bahía Ballena (“Whale Bay”), with calm water, empty beaches and some of the best boat tours in the country. It’s also a great base to explore Tortuga Island, Montezuma and Santa Teresa. We’re a local tour company based in Pochote, right next to Tambor, and these are our favorite things to do in the area.
1. Visit Tortuga Island
Tortuga Island is the most famous day trip from Tambor: white-sand beaches, turquoise water and great snorkeling around volcanic rocks. Most tours run on big catamarans from Puntarenas, but from Tambor you’re only about 35 minutes away by boat. On a private Tortuga Island tour, your group gets the boat to itself, with snorkeling, beach time and lunch included.
2. Go Whale Watching in Bahía Ballena
Tambor’s bay isn’t called Whale Bay by accident. Humpback whales come to these warm waters to give birth and raise their calves, from mid-July to mid-November and again from mid-December to April. Our private whale watching tour leaves from Tambor, and you can combine it with Tortuga Island in one day.
3. See Bioluminescence at Night
On dark nights, the calm water of the bay glows blue every time it moves. It’s one of the most magical things to do in Tambor, and the protected bay makes it ideal. Join our private bioluminescence boat tour, or read our guide on where to see bioluminescence in Costa Rica.
4. Ride Horses on the Beach
A ride along Tambor Beach, through the forest and across rivers is a relaxing way to see the area, and there’s usually time for a swim. Our Tambor horseback riding tour runs in the morning and afternoon and is great for beginners and families.
5. Explore Curú Wildlife Refuge
Just north of Tambor, Curú Wildlife Refuge protects forest, mangroves and coastline full of wildlife. Walk the trails to see howler, capuchin and spider monkeys, white-tailed deer and more than 200 bird species. Go early: our Curú birdwatching tour starts at 7:30 AM, when the birds are most active.
6. Live a Day on a Costa Rican Farm
In the hills of Paquera, Rancho Diamante Escondido offers a real taste of farm life: milk cows, make fresh cheese and ride through the forest of Matambú. It’s a favorite with families. See our farm tour and horseback ride in Paquera.
7. Fish in the Pacific or the Mangroves
For anglers, there are two very different options. Head offshore for mahi-mahi, tuna and roosterfish on a sport fishing charter, or try something quieter with fly fishing in the mangroves of Pochote.
8. Day Trip to Montezuma
Montezuma is a short drive south of Tambor and is known for its waterfalls and laid-back town. The best way to see it is from above: the Montezuma canopy tour combines ziplines over the forest with a swim at Montezuma Waterfall.
9. Relax on Tambor’s Beaches
Sometimes the best thing to do in Tambor is nothing at all. Playa Tambor and Playa Pochote are long, calm beaches, perfect for a swim, a walk at sunset or watching the fishing boats come in.
How to Get to Tambor
Tambor is easy to reach. From San José, you can take a short domestic flight to Tambor’s airport, or drive to Puntarenas and take the ferry to Paquera, then continue about 30 minutes by road. From Santa Teresa and Montezuma, it’s a short drive, and we can arrange transportation for most of our tours.
Plan Your Trip with Raccoon Travels
We’re a local, family-run company in Pochote, and all our boat tours leave from right here in Tambor Bay. If you need help planning your days, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you choose the best things to do in Tambor for your trip.
