Lazy Lizard Sailing

What it is

Lazy Lizard Sailing is a catamaran tour company on the north Pacific coast of Guanacaste, with its office at Playa Potrero and its boats sailing out of Playa Flamingo. It started in 2002 and says it was the first catamaran company in the Flamingo area. We first wrote about it in 2014. When we checked again in October 2026, its website was current, its tours were taking bookings, and it was still listed on the big travel sites.

The idea is simple: a relaxed half day on a sailing catamaran with a stop to swim, snorkel and paddle, plus food and drinks on board. One of its first crew members has been with the company since the first tour and has been a captain since 2007, which tells you something about how the place is run.

The tours

There are 3 ways to sail with Lazy Lizard. All of them last about 4 hours.

• Morning tour. It starts at 8:30 am from Flamingo, and it's the one families tend to pick. Mornings are a good time to spot marine life, and the crew mention dolphins, whales and manta rays as possible sightings. After snorkeling there's a tropical midday meal, with gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options.
• Tropical sunset tour. This is the company's most popular trip. You sail north along the coast past beach homes and forest to a quiet bay, swim or snorkel over the reef, or take a kayak along the shore, where brown pelicans and boat-billed herons are common. Then you head back toward Flamingo as the sun goes down.
• Private charter. You get the 38-foot catamaran just for your group. It includes everything the shared tours do, and you can ask to change the length, the menu or the activities.

Every tour includes drinks (with and without alcohol), snacks and a meal, plus snorkel gear and kayaks. There are small kayaks for kids too. Transport from your hotel in the Flamingo and Tamarindo area is included, but if you're staying farther out, the ride can take a while, so ask about pickup times when you book.

Who it suits (and who it doesn't)

It's a good pick for families with kids, couples, and groups of friends who want a half day on the water without needing any sailing or diving experience. The crew help people on and off the boat and in the water, so it works for most ages.

It's not a serious snorkeling or diving trip. If you want the manta rays and bull sharks of the Catalina and Bat Islands, book a dive boat instead, such as Rocket Frog Divers, which also runs out of Playa Flamingo. See our scuba diving guide for more.

Where it fits in a trip

Flamingo, Potrero, Conchal and Tamarindo are popular beach bases in northern Guanacaste, and a sail here is an easy way to fill an afternoon between beach days. If you're staying right in Flamingo, Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo is a short ride away. For a wider trip, pair the coast with a day at Rincón de la Vieja National Park and check our 7-day itinerary.

Getting there

Most guests don't need to get there at all, since hotel pickup in the Flamingo and Tamarindo area is part of the tour. If you're driving, the boats leave from Playa Flamingo, and the closest international airport is Liberia. Our guide to Costa Rica's airports explains the options.