A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Fortaleza vs. Tamarindo for Nightlife, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza 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.

Fortaleza

Fortaleza is a cultural, lively, and vibrant city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Fortaleza travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a chill, scenic, and laid back town. Tamarindo is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Fortaleza and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Fortaleza than Tamarindo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Fortaleza is better known for its museums and attractions, shopping, and big city activities, while Tamarindo is more popular for its impressive beauty. Tamarindo is more touristy than Fortaleza and is popular for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles. Fortaleza is well known for its beaches, nightlife, and local culture. Also, Fortaleza is famous for Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture.

How is Fortaleza different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tamarindo and Fortaleza. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Fortaleza is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Tamarindo is not a good town for its museums and history.

Fortaleza offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Dragão do Mar is the cultural center in town. There are shows and concerts that highlight the local culture. Also part of the complex are a planetarium and two museums - the Museu de Arte Contemporânea and the Memorial da Cultura Cearense. Also worth seeing the Metropolitan Cathedral of Fortaleza, which is the third largest cathedral in the country.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

Is the Food Better in Fortaleza or Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at notable restaurants in both Fortaleza and Tamarindo.

Fortaleza has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. The city has a number of great restaurants that range from Brazilian barbecue restaurants to international cuisine. Many dishes are heavy and use a lot of meat. Local favorites include paçoca and escondidinho de carne seca.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Tamarindo area. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find high quality options in both Fortaleza and Tamarindo.

The nightlife in Fortaleza has something for everybody. Like much of Brazil, the city has a vibrant nightlife scene. There are beachfront bars, live music venues, and many places where you can enjoy a good party. You'll find a high concentration of places around Praia de Iracema and the Casario.

Tamarindo offers plenty to do in the evening. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

Both Fortaleza and Tamarindo are considered to be high quality beach destinations.

The beaches at Fortaleza attract visitors from all over. There are 5 kilometers of sandy beach in town and many visitors enjoy taking long walks. While there are technically four beaches in the area, they all kind of merge together and it can be difficult to tell one from the other. The most popular beach is Meireles, which has a boardwalk and is lined by high rise buildings.

Many people visit Tamarindo for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Fortaleza is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Fortaleza is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. It's a large city with plenty of shopping malls and other local boutiques which are fun to explore.

Tamarindo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

Tamarindo is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, Fortaleza is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tamarindo is a beautiful place to visit, too. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Fortaleza is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Tamarindo is a great town for its kid-friendly activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tamarindo is very family-friendly. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

Fortaleza is not the most family-friendly destination. There are several beaches and parks where kids will enjoy running around and stretching their legs.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Tamarindo is a great town for its romantic activities. However, Fortaleza is not known for couples.

Tamarindo is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Fortaleza is not always the best place to visit for a couple. While it's often overlooked by couples, those who have a few days in town can enjoy the beaches or take a stroll down the beachfront promenade.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Tamarindo is a great town for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Fortaleza is not known for backpackers.

Many backpackers visit Tamarindo. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Fortaleza is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most backpackers skip this city for the more popular destinations.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Fortaleza and Tamarindo both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Fortaleza offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The Metro system includes a rail and light rail system.

Tamarindo has a few public transit options. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is Fortaleza or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

Tamarindo is a great town for its high level of walkability. Also, Fortaleza is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Tamarindo is a very walkable town. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

Fortaleza is a somewhat walkable city. It's a relatively walkable city with some neighborhoods easier to explore on foot than others. It's important to understand the area you're in because safety could be a concern.

For even more information, also check out Is Fortaleza Worth Visiting? and Is Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Fortaleza?

How long in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

In either Fortaleza or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tamarindo than Fortaleza because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Fortaleza, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

Families should spend more time in Tamarindo than Fortaleza. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tamarindo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tamarindo than Fortaleza. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tamarindo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Tamarindo than Fortaleza if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Tamarindo.

One day in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Fortaleza. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find food and shopping around the town of Tamarindo. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the vibrant destination of Fortaleza. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the laid back destination of Tamarindo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the lively city of Fortaleza. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find nightlife and food around the scenic town of Tamarindo. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this town makes for a great vacation. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer.

A week in Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Fortaleza is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Tamarindo is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.

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

When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Tamarindo?

Fortaleza has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tamarindo experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tamarindo in the Summer?

Both Tamarindo and Fortaleza during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Fortaleza for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Fortaleza. In the summer, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Tamarindoin July. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.

Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets less rain in January than Tamarindoin July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year. July to January is the dry season in Fortaleza. January to July is the rainy season in Fortaleza.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Tamarindo. The autumn months attract visitors to Fortaleza because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Fortaleza in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during autumn. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Fortaleza gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tamarindo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Tamarindo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Fortaleza this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

In July, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindoin January. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the winter, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindoin January. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.

Fortaleza usually gets more rain in July than Tamarindoin January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, July to January in Fortaleza is the dry season. January to July in Fortaleza is the rainy season.

Should I visit Fortaleza or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Fortaleza for the beaches and the activities around the city. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during spring. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Tamarindo is December to May. The hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November.

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Fortaleza