Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Boquete?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Boquete 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 Boquete 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: Boquete or Tamarindo?
Boquete
Boquete is a village located in the pacific west of Panama. This town very recently became an attractive destination for tourists and expatriates. Before the early 2000's, it was a quiet town hidden away in the mountains with very little tourism. After the development of Valle Escondido, which is a largely residential area, many North Americans flocked to this town and an expat community developed. Boquete is known for it's near perfect year round temperature of about seventy degrees Fahrenheit, beautiful untouched nature, and world renowned coffee.
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 Panama City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Panama City, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
-
Boquete Prices
Panama PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoquete $67Tamarindo $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Boquete is $67, 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 Boquete and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoquete $22Tamarindo $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoquete $44Tamarindo $110
Compare Hotels in Boquete and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Boquete 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: Boquete Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boquete $5.22Tamarindo $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boquete
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boquete:
- Private transfer from Boquete to Bocas del Toro: $165
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Private Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Departure transfer: $5.00
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Waldorf Astoria Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Luna Llena: $21
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Swiss Captain: $22
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $24
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Conchal: $24
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport Hotel Arco Iris Tamarindo: $24
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $24
Is it cheaper to fly into Boquete or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Boquete 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 dayBoquete $32Tamarindo $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
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boquete $17Tamarindo $19
Tours and Activities in Boquete
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boquete are as follows:
- Taste Panama Coffee Tasting Experience: $15
- Coffee Tasting Experience-Los Molinos Hotel-Panama's Top Product: $25
- Roast Your Own Coffee: Bajo Boquete Expert-Led Experience: $25
- Cloud Forest Wildlife Hike Tour: $36
- Cangilones Mini Canyons Tour: $38
- Hands-On Coffee Experience with Tasting: $40
- Small, Hands-on Coffee Tour: $46
- Guided Market Tour with Sensory Coffee Tasting Boquete: $48
- Boquete Adventure - E-Bike Tour (2 hrs.) (2 Person Min.): $55
- River Tubing - Fun and Nature Experience: $55
- Epic Cloud Forest Horseback Riding Adventure in Boquete: $55
- Tubing Adventure on the Cochea River: $55
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Paintball Experience near Tamarindo: $32
- Tamarind Estero Tour Boat and/or Kayak Tour: $38
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Boat adventure with wildlife viewing in Tamarindo: $45
- Tamarindo Mangrove Tour: $46
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
- Conchal Beach Horseback Riding - 1hr 30min Guided Tour: $50
- Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $60
- Tamarindo wildlife Estuary boat ride tour 1 hour and 45 minutes: $62
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $65
- Small-Group Zipline Canopy Tour in Tamarindo's Jungle: $65
- Prívate Beach tour at Guanacaste Province: $65
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoquete $4.45Tamarindo $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 Boquete and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Boquete much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boquete would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boquete 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 Boquete.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boquete 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.