Restaurant Scams in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Inflated bills, hidden charges, tourist menus, and food service tricks. Below are the restaurant scams scams reported in Tamarindo — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like La Fortuna.
Last updated: April 7, 2026
1
Restaurant Scams Scams
8
Total in Tamarindo
How it works
Tourist-facing restaurants on Calle Principal and beachfront present menus where prices shown differ from what appears on the bill, particularly for daily specials, imported alcohol, and seafood. Service charges of 10% and a government tax of 13% are legally required to be included in displayed prices in Costa Rica but are sometimes added on top.
See all scams in Tamarindo
8 total warnings across all categories
More about Tamarindo