At a glance
- From Santa Teresa
- About 45 minutes via Cóbano, paved from Cóbano
- From the airports
- San José airport (SJO): about 5 hours via the Puntarenas–Paquera ferry. Liberia airport (LIR): about 3–4 hours by road. Scheduled flights land at Cóbano airport (ACO)
- Swimming
- Very calm water in a wide cove: a great swimming beach. Avoid river mouths
- Best for
- Families with young kids; couples who want a quiet beach, golf or an all-inclusive
- Facilities
- Hotels and resorts, restaurants, car rental and a local clinic post in Tambor
- Getting there
- By car from Santa Teresa (45 minutes) or Montezuma (30 minutes), or about 22 km from the Paquera ferry dock
- Surf
- None to speak of: it's the calm side of the peninsula
Is Playa Tambor good for swimming?
Yes. Playa Tambor is a wide cove with very calm water, which makes it a great beach for swimming, and one of the best choices on the southern peninsula for young kids. The sand is brown, shaded by palms and almond trees, and the bay is usually quiet.
A crocodile was spotted on the beach in June 2025. Sightings are rare, but it's a reminder to stay away from river mouths, especially at dawn and dusk, and to follow any posted signs.
What is there to do?
- Isla Tortuga: boat tours leave straight from the beach. See Isla Tortuga.
- Curú Wildlife Refuge: about 25 minutes north, for monkeys, trails and another calm bay. See Curú.
- Playa Muertos: a short boat hop from Pochote, just east. See Pochote and Playa Muertos.
- El Chorro: a waterfall that falls onto the beach, south of Tambor.
Where do you stay in Tambor?
Tambor has the peninsula's most resort-style stays: a large all-inclusive on the bay, the Los Delfines golf community and Tango Mar, a boutique beachfront hotel with a 9-hole course. It's a good base for a few nights with young kids, then on to Santa Teresa or Montezuma. See Tambor, Curú and the Gulf side for the full picture, and where to stay in Santa Teresa for the Pacific side.
Insider tip: Coming off the Paquera ferry with kids after a long travel day? Stop at Tambor for a swim before the last stretch to Santa Teresa. Calm water and shade are exactly what everyone needs.
How do you get to Tambor?
From Santa Teresa it's about 45 minutes: inland to Cóbano, then east on the paved road toward Paquera. Montezuma is 30 minutes south. Tambor's airstrip, by the beach, is used by charters only; scheduled flights land at Cóbano airport (ACO). See getting to the peninsula.
Nearby beaches
- Pochote and Playa Muertos
- Curú Wildlife Refuge and Playa Curú
- Isla Tortuga
- Montezuma: Beach, Waterfalls and Town
Frequently asked questions
Is Playa Tambor safe for kids?
It's one of the calmest beaches on the southern peninsula: a wide cove with very gentle water. As anywhere, watch children in the water, avoid river mouths, and follow posted signs.
How far is Tambor from Santa Teresa?
About 45 minutes by car, via Cóbano and the paved road toward Paquera. From Montezuma it's about 30 minutes.
Can you fly to Tambor?
Only by charter. Scheduled Sansa and Green Airways flights now use Cóbano airport (ACO), which is on the way between Santa Teresa and Tambor.
Do boats to Isla Tortuga leave from Tambor?
Yes, tours leave from Tambor beach, as well as from Montezuma. See Isla Tortuga for what a day includes.
Is Tambor better than Santa Teresa for families?
For swimming with young children, yes: the water is much calmer. Santa Teresa has more restaurants and activities and suits older kids and teens. Many families stay a few nights in each, or base themselves in Santa Teresa and spend a day on the Gulf side. See Santa Teresa with kids.