Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala?
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 Antigua Guatemala or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Antigua Guatemala 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: Antigua Guatemala or Tamarindo?
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Antigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAntigua Guatemala $74Tamarindo $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $74, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $161. 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 Antigua Guatemala and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAntigua Guatemala $22Tamarindo $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAntigua Guatemala $44Tamarindo $112
Compare Hotels in Antigua Guatemala and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Antigua Guatemala 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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Antigua Guatemala $13Tamarindo $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
- One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to Airport: $27
- Private Transfer From Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $29
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $30
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $30
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $30
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $30
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
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 From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort, Conchal, Costa Rica: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Costa Rica: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Resort, Costa Rica: $180
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Playa Conchal & Flamingo: $180
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort Costa Rica: $180
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort And Spa: $180
- Private Transfer: Liberia Airport to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Antigua Guatemala or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Antigua Guatemala 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 dayAntigua Guatemala $25Tamarindo $62
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.27
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Lunch$7.86
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and pastry class in Casa San Miguel: $38
- Antigua Guatemalan Authentic Cooking Class Chef David Farfan: $38
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking lesson with a Guatemalan family: $48
- Cooking class and market tour/Pepian Workshop: $50
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $60
- Private Street Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $65
- Antigua Street Food Tour: $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class With Wine, Transfer & Vegan Option: $72
- Cooking Classes and Jade Workshops: $75
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
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
- Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95
- Discover Tamarindo's Blue Zone: Healthy Cooking Class: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Antigua Guatemala $15Tamarindo $19
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Antigua Guatemala Historic Center Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.00
- Antigua Earthquake Baroque Architecture Audio Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Signature Lattes Tasting Experience in Antigua for Coffee Lovers: $13
- Historical and Cultural Walking Tour of Antigua Guatemala: $20
- Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- Guided City Tour with Chef David Farfan: $20
- Express tour in Antigua: $20
- Cultural and Fun Walking Tour in Antigua Guatemala: $22
- Walking Tour with Local Guide: $23
- From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $23
- Antigua Sightseeing: Private Walking Tour Culture and History: $24
- Antigua Walking Tour: $24
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- "KOKORUGA" Private Boat Tour with Food, Free Drink, Snorkel: $130
- "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 Jet Ski Tour in Papagayo with Snorkel Caves Mangrove: $280
- 2 Hours Private Jet Ski Tour in Brasilito Flamingo or Conchal: $275
- 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $180
- 2h ATV Beach & Dirt Trails Adventure Tour: $99
- 3 HOURS Coastal ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Negra: $270
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAntigua Guatemala $12Tamarindo $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo
Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Tamarindo Bar Crawl – #1 Nightlife Experience: $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Antigua Guatemala and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Antigua Guatemala 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.