2 Best Restaurants in Tamarindo, Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula

Sit back and relax in the outside swinging seats at this taco and burrito haven. The polished wood and laid-back atmosphere are perfect for sipping a cocktail and snacking on chips with a trio of dips before indulging in made-from-scratch tortillas and Mama's secret beef stew. Vegetarians and folks with food sensitivities will be happy with the large selection. Make sure to bring cash, because credit cards are not accepted.

Wildly popular, this casually chic, alfresco pizzeria on a quiet side street has plenty of cars parked outside most nights, with patrons inside feasting on the consistently delicious thin-crust pizzas. Families are especially fond of La Baula (the Costa Rican name for the leatherback turtle) because of its reasonable prices, noisy buzz, and adjacent playground and picniclike dining area.