Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Bocas del Toro?
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 Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Bocas del Toro 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: Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo?
Bocas del Toro
The capital of the Bocas del Toro province, this city of the same name sits in the Caribbean West region of Panama. Bocas del Toro, or Bocas Town, is in the district of Bocas del Toro, which also includes the towns of Bastimentos, Cauchero, Punta Laurel, and Tierra Oscura. The district has a population of about 17,000 and covers a total area of 433.2 square kilometers, and the town has a population of about 13,000. The area is a tourist destination for its beautiful beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving, and interesting culture.
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 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Panama, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Bocas del Toro Prices
Panama PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBocas del Toro $96Tamarindo $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Bocas del Toro is $96, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $145. 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 Bocas del Toro and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBocas del Toro $33Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBocas del Toro $66Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Bocas del Toro and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Bocas del Toro 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: Bocas del Toro Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bocas del Toro $10Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bocas del Toro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Bocas del Toro:
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Water Taxi$3.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bocas del Toro
Also for Bocas del Toro, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Bocas del Toro to Puerto Viejo: $54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to Tamarindo.: $400
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $280
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Westin Conchal Hotel: $270
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $225
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Las Catalinas, Costa Rica: $205
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Four Seasons Resort: $200
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $185
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo, Guanacaste: $185
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Bocas del Toro 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 dayBocas del Toro $47Tamarindo $56
Typical Food Prices in Bocas del Toro
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Bocas del Toro:
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Lunch$15
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Breakfast$14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
- Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bocas del Toro $21Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bocas del Toro
For Bocas del Toro, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Island Boat Tour$25
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Starfish Island Boat Trip$20
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Yoga Class$5.00
Tours and Activities in Bocas del Toro
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Bocas del Toro.
- Zapatilla Island Hopping Day Tour: $49
- Bioluminescence Tour - Bocas del Toro: $49
- Bioluminescence Snorkeling and Boat Experience at Bocas del Toro: $50
- Isla Colon Tour to Bird Island, Boca del Drago and Starfish Beach: $50
- Bocas del Toro Island Hopping Day Tour in Zapatilla Beach: $51
- Panama Jungle Trail Wildlife and Hidden Waterfall Adventure: $55
- Stand Up Paddle Board Experience in Bahia Honda Bocas del Toro: $60
- Speed Boat tour to Mangrove Point -Starfish Beach -Bocas del Drago and Birds Island: $65
- Full-Day Speedboat Tour, Wildlife, and Snorkeling in Bocas del Toro in Panama: $68
- Full-Day Bocas del Toro Catamaran Dolphin and Snorkeling Tour in Panama: $105
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- ATV Tour Top Adventure Through beaches & Towns: $96
- Buggy - Side by Side Family Tour : $275
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Waterfall Hiking: $170
- Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $220
- Tamarindo wildlife Estuary boat ride tour 2 hours: $85
- "Rio Celeste Waterfall, Peace Tree Encounter & Sloth Adventure": $218
- 1 Full Private Tour To Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $180
- 1 Full Private Tour to Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $180
- 2 Hours ATV Off Road Tour in Guanacaste Costa Rica: $100
- 2 Hours Private Jet Ski Tour in Playa Brasilito: $270
- 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $180
- 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBocas del Toro $12Tamarindo $14
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: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bocas del Toro and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Bocas del Toro much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bocas del Toro would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bocas del Toro 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 Bocas del Toro.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bocas del Toro Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer 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 Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Bocas del Toro during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bocas del Toro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Bocas del Toro. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in July than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Bocas del Toro often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 124 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bocas del Toro and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bocas del Toro year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season. Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bocas del Toro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Bocas del Toro usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Bocas del Toro usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during autumn. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Bocas del Toro is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bocas del Toro in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bocas del Toro as well as Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Bocas del Toro receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bocas del Toro usually gets more rain in January than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In the winter, Bocas del Toro often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Bocas del Toro is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Bocas del Toro average around 25°C (77°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBocas del Toro 25°C (77°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Bocas del Toro or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Bocas del Toro are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bocas del Toro throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Tamarindo is December to May. The hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. It's quite rainy in Bocas del Toro. In April, Bocas del Toro usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Bocas del Toro usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during spring. Bocas del Toro gets 172 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Bocas del Toro is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Bocas del Toro averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBocas del Toro 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Bocas del Toro
| Bocas del Toro | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 319 mm (12.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 201 mm (7.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 193 mm (7.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 281 mm (11.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 408 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (79°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (78°F) | 367 mm (14.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 402 mm (15.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.