A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Accra vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Accra or Tamarindo?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Accra or Tamarindo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Accra or Tamarindo?

Accra

Accra is the capital city of Ghana, located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Popular attractions include the National Museum of Ghana, local beaches, markets, and cultural landmarks like those dedicated to Civil Rights activist W.E.B. DuBois.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a small beach town in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica on the Pacific Coast. This town is usually sought out by surfers, fishers, couples, and families. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches, and friendly Tico's and Tica's (local Costa Rican nicknames) everywhere.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Ghana, The Best Adventure Tours to Ghana, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Accra?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Accra is $51, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Accra and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Accra $22
    Tamarindo $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Accra $44
    Tamarindo $110
Compare Hotels in Accra and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Accra or Tamarindo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Accra


Hotels in Tamarindo


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Accra Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Accra $19
    Tamarindo $76

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Accra

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Accra:

  • Private Accra Airport Transfer, Pickup & Drop-off Services: $35
  • Private Accra Airport Transfer with Meet & Greet: $39
  • Kotoka Airport Private Transfer within Accra City: $50
  • Private Transfer from Kotoka Airport Accra Ghana (ACC) to Accra city: $77
  • Accra Private Airport Transfer: Zero-Stress Meet & Greet: $80
  • Airport & City Transfers: $100
  • Aburi Gardens Transfers: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Costa Rica Private Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Departure transfer: $5.00
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Waldorf Astoria Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Luna Llena: $21
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Swiss Captain: $22
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $24
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Conchal: $24
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport Hotel Arco Iris Tamarindo: $24
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $24

Is it cheaper to fly into Accra or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Accra change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Accra $19
    Tamarindo $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Accra

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Accra.

  • Local Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra to help support wellness community center: $45
  • Accra Osu Night Market Food Tour with Akosua Serwaa: $80
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra with Local Drinks: $80
  • Home Cooking Class by Auntie K: $89
  • Culinary for Social Change-Cooking Class: $90
  • Private Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $90
  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Lessons and Take Out Services.: $120
  • Authentic Ghanaian Cooking Class in Accra: $125
  • 12-Course Heritage Tasting Dinner & Optional Nightlife Experience: $130
  • Private Ghanaian Cooking Class at Accra's Premier Food Hub: $200

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.

  • Online Class on Zoom: Cooking Costa Rica Homemade Food: $35

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Accra $3.87
    Tamarindo $19

Tours and Activities in Accra

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Accra are as follows:

  • Accra Guided City Tour Cultural and Historical Experience: $40
  • Accra City Day Tour Experience.: $40
  • Experience the Beauty, History and the Culture Of Accra in a Day: $40
  • Makola Market Walking Tour: $41
  • 1 Day Accra City Tour: $51
  • Ghanaian Food Tasting Experience with Music and Drinks: $55
  • Accra Nightlife Tour: Experience Great Vibes & 2 Free drinks: $60
  • Ticket to Legacy Rhythm and Fire Show in Ghana: $60
  • Accra Textiles and Fashion Tour: $60
  • Half-Day Private Tour of Nima Market with Pick Up: $65
  • Accra Guided City Tour: $70
  • Explore Aburi Botanical Gardens, WaterFalls And Cocoa Farm Tour.: $80

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:

  • Paintball Experience near Tamarindo: $32
  • Tamarind Estero Tour Boat and/or Kayak Tour: $38
  • Boat adventure with wildlife viewing in Tamarindo: $45
  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
  • Tamarindo Mangrove Tour: $46
  • Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
  • Conchal Beach Horseback Riding - 1hr 30min Guided Tour: $50
  • Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $60
  • Tamarindo wildlife Estuary boat ride tour 1 hour and 45 minutes: $62
  • Prívate Beach tour at Guanacaste Province: $65
  • ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $65
  • Turtle Nesting Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Accra $5.55
    Tamarindo $15

Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo

Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Puro Vino - Tamarindo's Wine Tour Ride: $85


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Accra and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Accra much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Accra is in Africa 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 Accra would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Accra 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 Accra.

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



When is the best time to visit Accra or Tamarindo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Accra or Tamarindo in the Summer?

Both Tamarindo and Accra are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Accra throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In July, Accra usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Accra gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Accra is cooler than Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Accra averages around 25°C (77°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Accra 25°C (77°F) 
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Accra or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

Both Tamarindo and Accra during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Accra because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, the hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Accra usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Accra gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Accra is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Accra in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Accra 26°C (79°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Accra or Tamarindo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Accra and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Accra year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Accra usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Accra gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Accra is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Accra average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Accra 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Accra or Tamarindo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Accra as well as Tamarindo. Accra attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout 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. Accra receives a lot of rain in the spring. Accra usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindo. Accra gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Accra is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Accra averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Accra 28°C (82°F) 
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Accra

Accra Tamarindo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 120 mm (4.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 26°C (79°F) 281 mm (11.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 86 mm (3.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 24°C (75°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 25°C (77°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)