Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Cali?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cali 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 Cali 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: Cali or Tamarindo?
Cali
Cali is Colombia's third largest city. Founded in 1536, can be explored on foot: walk under the shade of trees along the riverbank, admire the architecture of churches and other national monuments, and visit the city's many museums. Being the salsa capital of the world, Cali is primarily a destination for salsa and party but it also offers some great days out in the nearby natural surroundings. In Cali, travelers can enjoy music festivals, learn about sugarcane farming, and take in the mountainous landscapes.
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 Bogota, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Colombia, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCali $25Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Cali is $25, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $121. 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 Cali and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCali $6.16Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCali $12Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Cali and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Cali 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: Cali Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cali $5.76Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cali
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cali:
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Short Taxi Ride$1.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cali
Also for Cali, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport : $17
- Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airpot One Way Transfer: $18
- Transfer in Private Car from Cali Airport (CLO) -Cali City: $22
- Alfonso Aragon Airport CLO to Cali Palmira Arrival Transfer: $24
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Cali City- Cali Airport (CLO): $25
- Airport Transfers Cali (per way): $34
- Alfonso B.Aragon Airport (CLO) to Cali/Palmira-RoundTrip Transfer: $48
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Cali Airport (CLO) - Cali City: $51
- From Cali Airport: One-way Privater Transfer to Cali: $58
- Arrival Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by MiniSuv: $98
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cali Airport CLO to Cali City by Minivan: $102
- National Park Waterfalls Tour with Lunch & Transfer: $113
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfers Riu Palace or Guanacaste from Airports Round trip: $158
- Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $140
- Transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $143
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: $92
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $98
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $175
- Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $120
- Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
- Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Beach - Costa Rica: $145
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel: $181
Is it cheaper to fly into Cali or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Cali 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 dayCali $8.77Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cali
For Cali, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Street Food Tour: $21
- Alameda Market Food Tour: $55
- Street Food Tour - Live A Unique Gastronomic Experience: $55
- Flavors of Food tour at the local market: $59
- Patio Santo Style Rumba Dinner: $168
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: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cali $11Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Cali
For Cali, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Salsa, Urban Art & Resistance Tour in Cali: $13
- Gastronomic Tour at the Alameda Market Shared: $13
- Cali Salsa Tour: Learn the history, dance and play instruments: $15
- Cultural and heritage Cali tour: $15
- Walking Tour in the Historic Center of Cali City: $25
- The Cali Street Food Walking Tour: $30
- Cali Bike Tour: $32
- Private half day tour in Siloé Cali: $35
- Walking Tour: $35
- Coffee Tasting Experience in Cali Colombia : $35
- Walking tour of the historic center: $37
- Cali Walking Tour: $38
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Ecologic farming Sloth tour Hiking & Chocolate -Coffee tour: $260
- 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
- Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $185
- Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 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
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCali $8.68Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cali and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Cali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cali is in South America and Tamarindo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cali 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 Cali.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cali 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.