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If you are travelling by car, we recommend a four-wheel drive vehicle, especially during the rainy season. Roads are paved most of the way, but the last 4 miles to Playa Tamarindo are gravel, although in fairly good condition. A 4WD will also let you enjoy other nearby natural sites without worrying about driving problems.

From San José, take the Interamerican Highway North. Turn left off the highway at Liberia, and follow the signs to Santa Cruz. When you reach the town of Belén, turn right off the main road to Huacas (16 miles away). Once there turn left for Villareal (9 miles away), located only five minutes from Tamarindo. The trip from San José will take 5 hours at the most.

When you reach Huacas, you can take the gravel road that leads the way to Playa Grande. This isolated beach is located across the estuary from Tamarindo, and it provides the area with interesting nature-oriented day and night tours.

There are two airlines flying to Tamarindo: Sansa ($110 round trip) and Nature Air (used to be 'travelaire') ($146 round trip). They both have at least one daily flight, and fly twice every day during high season. Flights take a bit less than an hour, and the aerial view is breathtaking all the way. Tamarindo airport is a 10-minute ride from the beach. You may be able to arrange with the hotel for a pick-up, or you can hire a taxi or wait for the next bus.

Empresa Alfaro buses run every day from San José to Tamarindo. They depart from San José at 3:30 pm, and leave Tamarindo at 6 am (tel. 222-2160). The bus ride takes 6 hours and the fare is $5 one-way.

If you want to avoid driving and hassling with buses, inquire in your hotel for daily shuttles to and from San José, the International Airport in Alajuela, Puntarenas or Liberia.