Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Copan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Copan 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 Copan 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: Copan or Tamarindo?
Copan
If you are a lover of history, or just really want to tap into your inner Indiana Jones, a trip to Copan, Honduras is right up your alley. Located in western Honduras, the cobblestone lined streets and white adobe buildings topped with red roofs provide the beautiful backdrop to this once powerful city.
Occupied by the Maya for 2,000 years, Copan was the ruling city in the southern Mayan kingdom. Settled nicely in a fertile river valley among rolling hills, this city is absolutely fascinating and the perfect place to explore history.
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 Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, 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 dayCopan $89Tamarindo $118
The average daily cost (per person) in Copan is $89, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $118. 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 Copan and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCopan $22Tamarindo $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCopan $44Tamarindo $98
Compare Hotels in Copan and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Copan 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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Copan $78Tamarindo $67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Airport Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo Hyatt (Round Trip): $180
- Costa Rica Private Airport Departure transfer : $49
- Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $39
- From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
- Guanacaste Airport transfer to Jw Marriott Guanacaste: $130
- JW Marriott/Riu Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Transfer: $39
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
- Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $95
- Liberia Airport Transfer To Playa Conchal And Playa Flamingo: $165
- Liberia: 1-Way Transfer from Guanacaste Airport to Tamarindo: $110
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
- Playa Conchal & Flamingo From Liberia Airport, Transfer Service: $168
Is it cheaper to fly into Copan or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Copan 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 dayCopan $21Tamarindo $32
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Copan $25Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Costa Rica: Santa Teresa day tour (only best view locations): $2.00
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo estuary tour with expert naturalist: $50
- Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
- Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
- Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $55
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $55
- Turtle Watching Tour: $56
- Private Wildlife Tour in Avellanas Beach: $61
- ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
- Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCopan $7.15Tamarindo $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: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Copan and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Copan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Copan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Copan 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 Copan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Copan 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.