Inside Tamarindo’s Underground Music Scene

Tamarindo’s underground music scene comes alive through Dreamsea Sonica, Carlo Lio, and the community building beyond Costa Rica’s festival stages.

Tamarindo, Costa Rica’s electronic music scene does not always reveal itself through massive stages or tourist-packed festivals. Some of its most memorable experiences unfold in the jungle. Such as within private gatherings and the relationships that connect the artists and locals who keep the music moving.

Costa Rica has increasingly established itself as an international destination for underground electronic music. Ocaso Festival has brought house and techno into intimate natural settings, while The BPM Festival returned to Tamarindo in 2025.

BPM’s homecoming arrived with a lineup featuring ARTBAT, Adriatique, CamelPhat, HUGEL and Francis Mercier. However, the week did not unfold as planned. Despite organizers maintaining that the necessary permits had been secured, authorities ultimately forced BPM to cancel its remaining three days.

The festival stages may have stopped, but Tamarindo’s music community did not. Boat parties, villa gatherings and smaller events continued throughout the area. Artists, locals and festivalgoers simply found somewhere else to dance.

That persistence reveals another side of Tamarindo’s electronic scene. It is one built beyond major international festivals and closely connected to the community surrounding Dreamsea Surf Camp. Owner Carlos Israel Tello has helped develop that relationship further through Dreamsea Sonica.

Tello explains that the concept grew from the similarities he saw between Tamarindo and Ibiza:

“That connection inspired us to create a meeting point for free spirits, creative minds and curious travelers; a place where different cultures and people could come together through music and art. That’s really the soul of Dreamsea Sónica: discovering new worlds, connecting with new people and experiencing the magic that happens when those worlds meet. For me, it started with the realization that Tamarindo and Ibiza have much more in common than you might expect. Tamarindo met Ibiza; Dreamsea Surf Camp met Ibiza Sónica Radio. Both places share a deep love for music, unforgettable sunsets, and a way of life built around freedom, nature, and nightlife.”

That philosophy became visible on a much smaller scale on July 19. Dreamsea hosted a private birthday celebration for Tello at its Finca Los Jobos property, roughly ten minutes from central Tamarindo. The lineup included Adri Card, Alex Orias, Double G, Kloe, Manolo, Pyramid, Samu and Santiago Brown before Carlo Lio closed the jungle portion of the celebration. Surrounded by tropical vegetation, the gathering felt considerably removed from a conventional nightclub or large festival stage.

Rather than feeling like a destination party created primarily for visitors, the night reflected the smaller community behind Tamarindo’s nightlife. Many guests already knew the organizers, artists, or one another. That familiarity also created an opportunity to speak directly with Tello about Dreamsea, Sonica and the local scene supporting both projects.

Carlo Lio brought the artist perspective to the night. The Toronto DJ and producer has spent years moving through underground house and techno. His groove-heavy sound is a natural fit for Dreamsea’s open-air setting. His connection to Costa Rica extends well beyond that night. Lio has played throughout Central and South America. He credits the crowds for making the region one of his favorite places to perform.

“South and Central America are some of my favorite places to play. I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad show in Costa Rica. It’s the energy, the people, the vibe. For me, Costa Rica is 10 out of 10.”

That relationship with the crowd also shapes how Lio approaches his sets. Rather than arriving with every track planned, he described reading the room and allowing the energy in front of him to guide where the set goes. His approach demonstrates how much the environment can influence a DJ’s selections. Lio had recently released the two-track STOMP project with Confidential Recipe through Vlau Series. However, he explained that he chose not to force the recent material into the set simply because it was new, and to read the crowd and go with the flow.

The decision offered a closer look at the instinct behind a DJ performance. A recent release may be the obvious music to promote, but Lio prioritized what worked for the setting. At Dreamsea, the jungle influenced the musical direction as much as the lineup itself.

That community will expand again when Dreamsea Sonica returns on January 22 and 23, 2027. The fourth edition will once again bring international and local electronic artists into Dreamsea’s jungle setting near Tamarindo, continuing its collaboration with Ibiza Sonica Radio.

“January 2027 is going to be a very special edition for us. Dreamsea Surf Camp celebrates its 13th anniversary, and we want Sónica to reflect everything that has grown around this community over the years. We’re preparing some incredible surprises: from curated Ibiza showcases and a strong local and international lineup to storytelling performers, live radio broadcasts, and spaces that give visibility to Tamarindo’s community, local brands, and entrepreneurs. As Sónica grows, we want to keep its essence intact: intimate, creative, and connected to its surroundings. The future isn’t just about bringing more people to Tamarindo; it’s about giving Tamarindo a platform to share its music, creativity and identity with the world.”

Major festivals have helped place Costa Rica on the international electronic music map. However, Dreamsea Sonica is building from something more intimate: the community already dancing in Tamarindo when the festival stages disappear.

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Ariana Roldan

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