Which city is cheaper, Tamarindo or Belize City?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Belize City vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Belize City or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Belize City 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.
Where Should I go: Belize City or Tamarindo?
Belize City
Belize City is the largest city in Belize. It was once the capital of the country, but due to massive hurricane damage in 1961, the country decided to relocate it capital. With a population of 57,000 people, Belize City is located right at the mouth of the Haulover Creek.
This gorgeous tropical city experiences a monsoon climate – meaning there are warm and humid conditions throughout the course of the year. There is a wet season from May to January, so plan for a little bit of rain in that time.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBelize City $70Tamarindo $87
The average daily cost (per person) in Belize City is $70, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $87. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Belize City and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBelize City $39Tamarindo $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBelize City $78Tamarindo $72
Compare Hotels in Belize City and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Belize City 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: Belize City Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Belize City $4.64Tamarindo $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Belize City
Also for Belize City, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Belize Travelcation Airport Shuttle & Transfers: $28
- Private Transfer: Belize Airports or Water Taxi Terminal to Hotel in San Ignacio: $96
- Tours&airport transfer: $128
- Private Arrival Transfer: Belize International Airport to San Ignacio Hotels: $160
- Helicopter Transfer to Grand Caribe Heliport, Ambergris Caye: $1,493
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Volcano Adventure Sisisi Transfers & Tours Costa Rica: $155
- Transfer TO or FROM Tamarindo Area to SJO Airport: $325
- Transfer Liberia to Tamarindo: $90
- Private transfer from Tamarindo to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $265
- Private Transfer to Tamarindo Beach from Liberia Airport: $100
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Liberia Airport to Tamarindo with Free Drinks: $89
- Private Premium Transfer: From Tamarindo Zone: $85
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Or From Tamarindo: $86
Is it cheaper to fly into Belize City or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Belize City 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 dayBelize City $22Tamarindo $23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Belize City
For Belize City, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Private Mayan Cooking and Tasting Experience in Cayo: $70
- See and Taste Belize Cave Tubing and Food Tour: $77
- Belize Cultural Food Tour Altun Ha Ruin Included: $95
- Mestizo Food Tour (Rum & Ruin Included): $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Belize City $23Tamarindo $12
Tours and Activities in Belize City
For Belize City, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historical Tour: $27
- Belize City and Rum Factory Tour: $33
- Downtown Belize City Tour (Rum Factory included): $37
- Belize City Tour: $43
- Kukumba Beach and Belize City Tour: $49
- Cave Kayaking v.i.v.Tour: $60
- Zipline Adventures from Belize City: $62
- Belize Party Bus Ultimate Evening Experience Fridays Only: $64
- Cave Kayaking for Cruise Ship Passengers: $65
- Saint Herman's Cave Hiking and Blue Hole Tour from Belize City: $68
- Altun Ha Mayan Site tour from Belize City: $70
- Private Half-Day Tour in Altun-Ha: $70
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- 2 Days & 2 Nights Diving Adventure: $1,750
- 2.5 Hours Tamarindo ATV Snorkel Tour to Secluded Beaches: $77
- 4 Hour Beach & Mountain Tamarindo ATV Adventure: $144
- ATV Adventures: $85
- ATV Tour at Tamarindo: $77
- ATV Tour in Tamarindo: $92
- ATV Zipline Tour from Tamarindo/Flamingo: $125
- ATV and SUP Tour from Tamarindo Beach: $128
- Afternoon Sailing Tour in Guanacaste: $85
- Antares Sailing Adventures tour: $87
- Arenal One Day Tour: $230
- Blue Dolphin Sailing Adventure: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBelize City $9.57Tamarindo $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Belize City and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Belize City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Belize City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Belize City 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 Belize City.
When is the best time to visit Belize City or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer tropical climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Belize City or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Belize City as well as Tamarindo. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Belize City receives a lot of rain in the summer. Belize City usually gets more rain in July than Tamarindo. Belize City gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Belize City this time of the year. In the summer, Belize City often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Belize City gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Temperatures in Belize City average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo stays around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBelize City 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Belize City are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Belize City throughout the year. The warm tropical climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. It's quite rainy in Belize City. In October, Belize City usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Belize City gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Belize City usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during autumn. Belize City gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Belize City is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The temperature in Belize City is usually 26°C (80°F) in October, and Tamarindo stays around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBelize City 26°C (80°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Belize City during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Belize City because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm tropical climate that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Belize City. Belize City usually gets more rain in January than Tamarindo. Belize City gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Belize City often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Belize City gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Belize City is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Belize City in January are around 24°C (74°F), and Tamarindo is about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBelize City 24°C (74°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Belize City or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Belize City and Tamarindo. Belize City attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and tropical climate.
In April, Belize City usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Belize City gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Belize City, it's very sunny this time of the year. Belize City usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Belize City gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Belize City is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Temperatures in Belize City average around 27°C (80°F), and Tamarindo stays around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBelize City 27°C (80°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Belize City
| Belize City | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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