In Playa Tamarindo, beach season is every season. With 300+ annual days of sunshine and a health-conscious population that loves the outdoors, fitness plays a major role in the Tamarindo lifestyle. Visitors quickly realize that this town epitomizes the phrase, “work hard, play hard,” with juice cafes and health clubs shoulder to shoulder with beach bars and dancehalls. Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can slack off from your fitness regimen (you’ll need to counterbalance all those Imperials somehow). If you’re looking to catch a sweat in Tamarindo, this list below should give you some options to stay fit while in the tropics.
Tamarindo Fitness
This is probably the most convenient gym that is central to Tamarindo. It’s a fully equipped workout room on the second floor of a small apartment complex with commercial grade equipment and machines. The space is divided into two separate rooms: the weight room on one side and the cardio zone on the other. On the cardio side, you can sign up for yoga, cycling, Zumba, core strength classes, martial arts, and more. Check out their Facebook page for times and schedules. They’re open every day from 6:00am – 8:30pm and their number is 2653-1423.
Ser Om Shanti
Costa Rica and yoga go hand-in-hand. With the explosion of yoga enthusiasts visiting the country, you’ll find many quality studios with experienced teachers and charming spaces. If you’re staying in Tamarindo, the recommended (and most central) Yoga studio is Ser Om Shanti, located upstairs at the main intersection of Tamarindo across the street from Sharky’s. The owner, Mariel, has been committed to her practice since 2002 and has traveled the world studying Hatha Yoga, Therapeutic Yoga, Raja Yoga, Anatomical Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Pilates, and Yoga Nidra. Check out their website for their schedule.
Flex and Flow
This is the newest open-air gym and yoga studio in Playa Grande just north of Tamarindo. Flex and Flow is only 150 meters from the ocean and offers a full-service gym, fitness retreats, fitness classes for all ages, and many styles of Yoga. There are two levels; the first floor is an air conditioned fitness center and the second floor is open air for yoga. Flex and Flow cares about the community and encourages health and fitness youth programs. Send your kids to the Tuesday Teen Training session to get them off their devices and burn some energy. Check out their Facebook page for scheduling.
Beachside Bar Gym
This is not an actual gym. It’s a series of pull up bars, gymnastic rings, dip stations, and free weights that’s set up just 50 meters from the water’s edge behind Casa Aura in Tamarindo. This is the perfect set up to catch a free workout in nature and then plunge into the ocean.
Surfside CrossFit
CrossFit has really blown up over the past ten years and it’s no wonder that the movement has made its way down to Costa Rica as well. Located in Playa Potrero about thirty minutes north of Tamarindo, Surfside CrossFit is the ideal option to mix cardio with weight training. Their traditional CrossFit class is high-intensity training at its finest. Workouts combine a variety of cardio, gymnastics, powerlifting, Olympic lifting, rope climbing, and plyometrics. They also offer a faster-paced cardio class which is designed to focus on a high-calorie burn while increasing muscle definition and toning the body. Surfside CrossFit is ideal If you’re staying in Playa Conchal, Flamingo, Potrero, or Las Catalinas. Check out their programs and schedule on their website.
KOA Training Center
If functional training is your priority, then you must catch a hearth throbbing, muscle-burning, pore-opening class at the KOA training center. The main objective of the classes is to improve performance in sports like surfing, cycling, soccer, hiking, martial arts, and more. This gym is located in a popular commercial center in Huacas, which s ia main intersection town between Playa Grande, Playa Conchal, Playa Flamingo, and Tamarindo. From Tamarindo, it takes about twenty minutes driving to get to KOA. You can check their schedule on their Facebook page.
Wise Training Studio
Wise Training Studio is located in the back roads of Tamarindo close to Volcano Brewing Company’s new location. This warehouse-style gym is an open space to train, learn, and transform yourself with functional classes and expert instructors. Whether you’re into Brazilian jiu-jitsu, circuit training, CrossFit, or yoga, Wise Training Studio offers classes taught by professionals that will kick your you-know-what. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Beyond Sports Campus & Gym
This gym is located roadside just outside of Playa Flamingo and is in the process of restructuring its offerings. Currently, they offer Yoga and Zumba for adults and youth sports such as basketball and volleyball. They hope to offer more classes in the coming months as they grow their new programs. Check out their Facebook page. This is a great option if you’re staying in Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, or Las Catalinas.
Yes, we understand vacation is your time to relax and take a break from your strict regimens. We also understand how hot Central American sun can feel and working out is the last thing on your mind. But for those of us who are passionate about fitness and well being, we understand how catching a quick workout and keeping your body in motion has a rippling effect in all other aspects of life. I hope this list helps you find balance while in Tamarindo.