A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fort-de-France vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Fort-de-France 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 Fort-de-France 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: Fort-de-France or Tamarindo?

Fort-de-France

As the largest city and capital of Martinique, Fort-de-France serves as the main entryway for visitors traveling to the island. It is a busy city with a significant population, which creates an atmosphere bustling with traffic amidst its historic and cultural sights.

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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Fort-de-France?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Fort-de-France is €152, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is €105. 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 Fort-de-France and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Fort-de-France 79
    Tamarindo 43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Fort-de-France 158
    Tamarindo 86
Compare Hotels in Fort-de-France and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Fort-de-France 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.

Hotels in Fort-de-France


Hotels in Tamarindo


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: Fort-de-France Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Fort-de-France 16
    Tamarindo 60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fort-de-France

Also for Fort-de-France, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Fort de France to Martinique Airport (FDF) - Departure Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfer from Martinique Airport to Fort de France Port: $73
  • Private Transfer from Fort de France to Fort de France Port: $73

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
  • Private Transfer from Tamarindo to Santa Teresa or Fortuna: $300
  • Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $280
  • Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
  • Round Trip Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $265
  • Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Las Catalinas: $240
  • Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
  • Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Las Catalinas, Costa Rica: $205
  • Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
  • Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
  • Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $185
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Fort-de-France or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Fort-de-France 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 day
    Fort-de-France 58
    Tamarindo 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fort-de-France

For Fort-de-France, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Food tour in the rainforest and St Pierre - Pile et Face: $104
  • Private Food Tour of Martinique in Fort-de-France: $205

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Fort-de-France 31
    Tamarindo 15

Tours and Activities in Fort-de-France

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fort-de-France.

  • Habitation Clement - entrance ticket: $15
  • Small train tour of a banana farm in Martinique: $22
  • Fort-de-France Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $26
  • Mangrove Guided Tour: $43
  • Martinique: The Jewels of the Southern Caribbean Tour: $65
  • Karaib Tour: $66
  • Fort-de-France Food Tasting and Cultural Walking Tour: $66
  • Martinique: Half-Day Dolphin and Volcano Cruise: $67
  • Martinique: Coral and Turtle Coves Cruise with Snacks: $67
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Unmissable Martinique North tour: $75
  • Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75
  • Martinique Shore Excursion - Authentic Tour of Southern Martinique: $75

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:

  • ATV adventure from Riu, Secrets and papagayo: $90
  • Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
  • 1 Full Private Tour To Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $180
  • 1 Full Private Tour to Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $180
  • 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
  • 2 Hours Private Jet Ski Tour in Playa Brasilito: $185
  • 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $110
  • 2-Hour Private Mountain E-Bike Experience at Hacienda Pinilla: $147
  • 3 Hour ATV Full Tour Off-Road Tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica: $95
  • 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
  • 5-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Buena Vista Eco Adventure Day Tour: $300
  • A.T.V-Tours : $160

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Fort-de-France 10
    Tamarindo 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Fort-de-France

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Fort-de-France:

  • Small-Group Tour: Unmissable Martinique with Rum Distillery, Ruins, and More: $75
  • North Tour: rainforest, rum distillery, black sand beach etc: $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fort-de-France and Tamarindo, we can see that Fort-de-France is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fort-de-France is in Caribbean Islands 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Fort-de-France would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fort-de-France than you might in Tamarindo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fort-de-France Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.