5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour

Overview

This five-hour sailing trip from Tamarindo beach runs under the Caballo Del Mar Adventure Charters flag, boarding at 1pm after a 12:45pm check-in at El Chiringuito restaurant. The afternoon is spent on the water with time for swimming and snorkelling, and dinner is a burrito bar included in the price.

The boat carries a maximum of 30 travellers, and reviewers repeatedly compare it favourably with the larger, more crowded catamaran tours. Several described the vibe as relaxed rather than party-style. Crew service comes up in almost every review: drinks kept topped up, and help offered to older guests boarding and getting in and out of the water.

Snorkelling gear and paddle boards are listed as included, along with dinner, all fees and taxes. Towels are not. Wildlife is a possibility rather than a promise: one reviewer reported a trip with no whale or dolphin sightings, while others have found rough water ruled out snorkelling. That weather dependence is the main thing to weigh before booking.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at El ChiringuitoArrive at 12:45pm on the beach side of the restaurant in Tamarindo, under the tree.
2. Board the catamaranBoarding takes place at the beach by the meeting point, and the trip runs for five hours in total.
3. Time on the waterThe five-hour trip includes snorkelling gear and paddle boards when conditions allow, plus drinks served on board. The listing does not fix the order of activities within the sail.
4. Dinner serviceA burrito bar with chicken, rice, beans, guacamole, salsas and tortillas is included, along with fresh fruit and tortilla chips.
5. Return to TamarindoThe tour is a sunset boat tour, and it ends back at the original meeting point.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape how this day goes, from what to wear at boarding to how weather can change the plan.

• What to wear. Towels are not included, so bring your own. Comfortable beachwear is the practical choice for a trip that includes swimming.
• Food and drink. Dinner is a burrito bar with chicken, black beans, rice, sautéed peppers and onions, guacamole, cheese, sour cream, sauces, salsa and tortillas, followed by fresh fruit and tortilla chips. Drinks are served through the trip, and one reviewer said the crew had water and soda on hand for a non-drinker.
• Group feel. The cap is 30 travellers, and reviewers describe the boat as smaller and more relaxed than the big-group party boats, with one calling the experience intimate. One reviewer said they chose this boat specifically for its smaller size after comparing options.
• Weather swings. Conditions on the Guanacaste coast can change fast. Reviewers describe choppy water that cancelled snorkelling, high winds, and one sudden rainstorm that cleared into a strong sunset. If you are prone to motion sickness, take that seriously before booking.
• Finding the crew. The meeting point is directly in front of El Chiringuito on the beach side, under the tree. Plan to be there for check-in at 12:45pm, ahead of the 1pm start.
• Fitness and mobility. Getting on and off the boat takes a bit of steadiness, since it is a beach boarding situation. Crew members have helped elderly passengers on and off the boat and in and out of the water, according to reviews, but the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Infants must sit on laps.

Common issues. This tour depends on weather and on a minimum number of travellers; if either cancels it, the operator offers a different date or a full refund, and no refund applies if you cancel within 24 hours of the 1pm start. Rough seas have stopped snorkelling on some trips, and one reviewer said the snorkel gear was never set out or offered on their sail, despite being listed as included. Another reviewer felt the catamaran itself needed a little work, though they still felt safe, and one reported no reply when contacting the operator before a windy-day departure.

Common Questions