Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Tamarindo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Tamarindo?
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Puerto Plata, nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, is a captivating destination known for its beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. Whether you're arriving via the bustling Amber Cove cruise port or planning an extended stay, Puerto Plata offers a diverse range of experiences for every traveler.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Prices
Dominican Republic PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $246Tamarindo $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is $246, 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $150Tamarindo $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $300Tamarindo $110
Compare Hotels in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) 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.
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: Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $9.58Tamarindo $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Puerto Plata to Punta Cana Airport PUJ Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Transfer to/from Puerto Plata Airport to/from Surrounding Areas: $30
- Cibao International Airport (STI) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Santiago to Cibao International Airport (STI) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer Puerto Plata Airport (POP) ↔ Cabarete or Sosua: $35
- Transfer of Gregorio Luperón International to Puerto Plata: $37
- Private Transfer from or to Puerto Plata Airport: $44
- Puerto Plata Airport(POP)to Puerto Plata/Cofresi-Arrival Transfer: $52
- Private Puerto Plata Airport Transfer – Fast, Safe & Hassle-Free: $54
- Transfer Private Santiago Airport (STI) to Hotel in the City: $54
- Private Airport Transfer in Puerto Plata: $55
- Private Transfer Puerto Plata Airport to Hotels.: $55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Westin Conchal Hotel: $295
- Minivan Departure Transfer Tamarindo to San Jose Airport SJO: $293
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Las Catalinas: $250
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Las Catalinas, Costa Rica: $235
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort, Conchal, Costa Rica: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Costa Rica: $185
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Playa Conchal & Flamingo: $180
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Resort, Costa Rica: $180
- Airport Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo Hyatt (Round Trip): $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) 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
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Food Meals for one dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $80Tamarindo $62
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
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) $43Tamarindo $19
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
For Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Snorkeling Tour$44
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Banana Boat Ride$6.34
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Paragliding$54
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1 Hr Kayak Rental$13
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Water Skiing$19
Tours and Activities in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata)
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Amber Cove (Puerto Plata).
- Damjagua Waterfalls Tickets: $19
- City Tour puerto Plata jhensy: $30
- city tours privado guiado por puerto plata: $34
- Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata: $35
- Puerto Plata Fort de San Felipe and Beach City Tour: $40
- Walking tours of Puerto Plata from Taino bay cruise port: $40
- Half Day City Tour in Puerto Plata: $45
- Best Puerto Plata City Tour with beach: $47
- City tour With local beach puerto plata city: $50
- city tour: $50
- Puerto Plata City Tour with Pickup: $50
- Chayannetours and Tranfer city tours pto pta: $50
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- "Rio Celeste Waterfall, Cacao & Cofee tour and Sloth Adventure: $250
- 1 Full Private Tour to Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $183
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $85
- 2 Hours ATV Off Road Tour in Guanacaste Costa Rica: $85
- 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $180
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 3 HOURS Coastal ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Negra: $270
- 3 Hour ATV Full Tour Off-Road Tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: $190
- 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
- 3-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
- 30 Minutes Private Guided Jet Ski Tour in Conchal & Brasilito: $122
- 5 Tours in 1 – The Ultimate Volcano Adventure!: $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmber Cove (Puerto Plata) $14Tamarindo $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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) and Tamarindo, we can see that Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) is in Caribbean Islands 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) than you might in Tamarindo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Amber Cove (Puerto Plata) Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.