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

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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.

Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Antigua Guatemala is $62, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $116. 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
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Antigua Guatemala $21
    Tamarindo $48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Antigua Guatemala $42
    Tamarindo $96
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.

Hotels in Antigua Guatemala


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: Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $12
    Tamarindo $66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Private Transfer From Tamarindo To San Jose Airport: $398
  • Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Tamarindo: $365
  • Private Transfer Service From Tamarindo To Arenal La Fortuna: $365
  • Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Papagayo: $365
  • Private Transfer International Airport Juan Santa Maria Costa Rica: $360
  • Private transfer from Tamarindo to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $320
  • Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $310
  • Private Transfer From Papagayo To Arenal La Fortuna: $290
  • Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $280
  • One way Transfer from Papagayo to SJO Airport or San José up to 5 passengers: $275
  • Private transfer from Four Season to SJO Airport or Hotel (one way 5 people max): $275
  • Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Westin Conchal Hotel: $270

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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $14
    Tamarindo $31
Typical Food prices in Antigua Guatemala

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:


  • Lunch
    $3.18
  • Lunch
    $7.63

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:

  • From Guatemala City: Guatemala Cooking Class Tour: $100

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: $85

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Antigua Guatemala $15
    Tamarindo $16

Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.

  • City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $18
  • Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
  • Morning Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • Gastronomic and Cultural Half-Day Tour: $50
  • Antigua ATV Coffee tour: $50
  • Antigua ATV cultural adventure: $56
  • Antigua Half-Day Lost Cities of the Almolonga Bike Tour: $59
  • Antigua Sip 'n Cycle Half-Day Bike Ride and Coffee Tour: $59
  • Antigua Full-Day Guided City Tour: $60
  • Antigua Villages Atv Tour: $63
  • Sky high ATV adventure: $63
  • Antigua Atv Mountain Adventure: $63

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

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

  • ATV adventure from Riu, Secrets and papagayo: $72
  • Buggy - Side by Side Beach and Mountain Tour : $198
  • Fun at the Ocean tour at Seafari boat : $975
  • Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
  • Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Waterfall Hiking: $170
  • Premium Tour:Sloths and Río Celeste y Cortez Waterfalls (Tenorio Volcano Park): $220
  • Private ATV or Buggy Tour from Riu Hotels: $85
  • Private Adrenaline, Tubbing, Zip Line, Rappelling, Hot Springs Tour: $240
  • Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $200
  • Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
  • "Los Coyotes " Waterfall swimming & Hot springs tour+ volcanic mud bath: $209
  • 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Antigua Guatemala $11
    Tamarindo $13

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 Experience: $25

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
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Antigua Guatemala vs. Tamarindo Travel Comparison

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