A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Acapulco de Juarez vs. Tamarindo for Nightlife, Couples, Beaches, and Families

Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Acapulco de Juarez

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known, vibrant, and built-up city. And you can't forget about the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Acapulco de Juarez travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a scenic, laid back, and chill town. Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Acapulco de Juarez. Although Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo are both popular with visitors, Acapulco de Juarez has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Acapulco de Juarez is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling, while Tamarindo is known for its impressive beauty. Acapulco de Juarez is popular for its large hotels, golf courses, and lively bars and clubs. It is also home to the cliff divers of La Quebrada. Tamarindo is popular for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles.

How is Acapulco de Juarez different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tamarindo and Acapulco de Juarez. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo.

Acapulco de Juarez offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of history and cultural museums in the city that can be a nice way to spend a rainy day.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

Is the Food Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo can be an enjoyable experience.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Acapulco de Juarez area. The local cuisine is influenced by the area's indigenous cultures combined with Hispanic influences. Seafood is common as well.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tamarindo. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Acapulco de Juarez has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is part of what originally put this city on the map. Spring break is a prime time for partying and you'll find many bars along Costera Street, with the liveliest around Condesa Beach.

Tamarindo has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Resorts?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its resorts. However, Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

Acapulco de Juarez offers an unforgettable resort vacation. You'll find no shortage of resorts in the city, most with large pools and beachfront views.

Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Acapulco de Juarez is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are plenty of dive shops that offer snorkeling and scuba diving trips to premier spots.

Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

For a relaxing beach holiday, both Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo are very good choices.

Acapulco de Juarez is considered a top beach destination. The beaches are well developed with restaurants, hotels and bars lining the long stretches of sand. You'll find all kinds of water sports and activities nearby and several of the most popular beaches include Condesa Beach, Caleta Beach, and Icacos Beach.

Tamarindo is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Tamarindo and Acapulco de Juarez.

Many visitors go to Acapulco de Juarez to go shopping. You'll find tons of beachside shops where you can pick up any beach supplies you may need as well as souvenirs from your trip. The city also has retail outlets and shopping centers.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Tamarindo. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

Tamarindo is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Acapulco de Juarez is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo.

Acapulco de Juarez is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. It may have been made famous by spring breakers, but families with kids will find plenty to do as well. There are water parks, playgrounds, museums and, of course, the beach.

Tamarindo is a very family-friendly destination. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Acapulco de Juarez is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Acapulco de Juarez has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. Whether you're looking for an active nightlife scene, or romantic sunset walks, then this city has it all. The beach is active and beautiful, there are also botanical gardens and wonderful restaurants to experience.

Tamarindo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tamarindo is a great destination for backpackers. However, Acapulco de Juarez is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Tamarindo is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Acapulco de Juarez is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are more hotels and resorts than hostels, so most backpackers head elsewhere. There is a young crowd during the spring break season.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo.

You'll find some public transit in Acapulco de Juarez, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's an elaborate and fun bus system that travels around the city.

While Tamarindo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

Tamarindo is a great destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Acapulco de Juarez is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

Tamarindo is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

Acapulco de Juarez is somewhat walkable. The downtown and beachfront areas are the most walkable and many sights are within a short distance of each other.

For even more information, also check out Is Acapulco de Juarez Worth Visiting? and Is Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Acapulco de Juarez?

How long in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

In either Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. In our opinion, Acapulco de Juarez has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Tamarindo. However, 3-5 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Tamarindo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Acapulco de Juarez, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Acapulco de Juarez than Tamarindo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Acapulco de Juarez that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tamarindo than Acapulco de Juarez if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tamarindo.

One day in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the city of Acapulco de Juarez. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Tamarindo. This town offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the built-up destination of Acapulco de Juarez. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Tamarindo is a popular place to visit. Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the laid back town of Tamarindo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the well-known city of Acapulco de Juarez. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Tamarindo. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Most people come for the beaches. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tamarindo has to offer.

A week in Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

Acapulco de Juarez is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Tamarindo is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It offers something for everyone. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Tamarindo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo?

Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tamarindo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Tamarindo. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 29°C (83°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Tamarindo. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the autumn for the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 28°C (83°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the autumn, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during winter. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Acapulco de Juarez during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

In April, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Acapulco de Juarez