Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Cabarete?
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 Cabarete or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cabarete 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: Cabarete or Tamarindo?
Cabarete
Nestled on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, Cabarete is a vibrant beach town known for its stunning coastline, world-class water sports, and lively nightlife. Originally a small fishing village, Cabarete has transformed into a hub for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Traveling to Cabarete on a budget is entirely feasible with a bit of planning. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hostels to affordable hotels and guesthouses. Eating on a budget is easy in Cabarete, with numerous local eateries and street vendors serving delicious Dominican dishes at reasonable prices. Look for "comedores," small local restaurants where you can enjoy meals like "la bandera" (rice, beans, and meat) for under $5. Public transportation in Cabarete is both affordable and convenient. The local "guaguas" (minibuses) and "motoconchos" (motorcycle taxis) are inexpensive ways to get around.
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 Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Adventure Tours to Dominican Republic, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Cabarete Prices
Dominican Republic PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCabarete $181Tamarindo $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Cabarete is $181, 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 Cabarete and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCabarete $74Tamarindo $56
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCabarete $148Tamarindo $112
Compare Hotels in Cabarete and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Cabarete 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: Cabarete Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cabarete $42Tamarindo $77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabarete
Also for Cabarete, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata -Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Puerto Plata Airport Transfer to Sosua: $30
- Cibao Airport (STI) to Sosua/Cabarete - Arrival Private Transfer: $40
- Puerto Plata: Private Airport Transfer to/from Cabarete: $40
- Punta Cana Airport PUJ to Puerto Plata Roundtrip Private Transfer: $44
- Transfers from Cabarete to Santiago Airport: $50
- Sosua/Cabarete to Puerto Plata Airport (POP) - Departure Transfer: $58
- Transfers from Jarabacoa to cabarete, sosua: $75
- Transfers from Samana Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
- Transfers from Santo Domingo Airport to cabarete, sosua: $250
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfers to or from Liberia Airport: $60
- Transfers Hotel Riu Guanacaste - Planet Hollywood - Papagayo.: $175
- Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $160
- Transfer from Tamarindo to Liberia Airport (LIR): $160
- Transfer from Liberia airport to Flamingo, Westin Conchal, Planet Hollywood: $75
- Transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $168
- Transfer Service To Playa Conchal & Flamingo From Liberia Airport: $168
- Transfer Service Liberia Airport To Playa Grande, Guanacaste: $165
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: $115
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo, Guanacaste: $185
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Golfo de Papagayo: $135
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $165
Is it cheaper to fly into Cabarete or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Cabarete 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 dayCabarete $72Tamarindo $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
- Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95
- Discover Tamarindo's Blue Zone: Healthy Cooking Class: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cabarete $53Tamarindo $19
Tours and Activities in Cabarete
For Cabarete, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Deep Caves in Cabarete with Guided Tour and Swimming: $45
- Surfing Experience in Cabarete Dominican Republic: $60
- Damajagua Waterfalls Adventure from Puerto Plata: $75
- Snorkeling Tour & Sosua Beach Day: $80
- Buggie & atv adventure Jungle Adventure: $80
- Jamao al Norte: Hidden River Kayak Adventure & Nature Escape: $80
- VIP All-Inclusive City Tour: Luxury Beach Experience: $85
- Full-Day Tour to Punta Rucia and Cayo Arena with Snorkeling: $89
- Monkeyland and Zipline Adventure from Puerto Plata: $90
- 4-Wheel Adventure: $102
- Combo Monkeys & plantation & city tours amber cove and Taino bay: $120
- Puerto Plata Triple Adventure: $120
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
- 1 Full Private Tour to Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $183
- 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $70
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $85
- 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $180
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 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
- 30 Minutes Private Guided Jet Ski Tour in Conchal & Brasilito: $122
- 5 Tours in 1 – The Ultimate Volcano Adventure!: $155
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCabarete $17Tamarindo $16
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
- Puro Vino - Tamarindo's Wine Tour Ride: $85
When comparing the travel costs between Cabarete and Tamarindo, we can see that Cabarete is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Cabarete is in Caribbean Islands and Tamarindo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cabarete 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.