Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo?
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
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 Budget Tours to Brazil, The Best Tours for Seniors to Brazil, 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $66Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, 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 Foz do Iguacu and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $49
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
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): $163
- Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $38
- From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
- Guanacaste Airport transfer to Jw Marriott Guanacaste: $130
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
- Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
- Playa Conchal & Flamingo From Liberia Airport, Transfer Service: $168
- Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $31
- Private Airport Transfer from Liberia to Tamarindo beaches Areas & surrounding : $140
- Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
- Private Transfer - Liberia Airport & Riu Hotel: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Foz do Iguacu 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $22Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $52
- Entrance to Rafain with Dinner and Show: $74
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Rafain Steakhouse Show - Dinner and Show Included: $103
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $107
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
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.Foz do Iguacu $24Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Humming Bird Garden Experience in Iguazu: $5.00
- Ciudad del Este Shopping Tour: $14
- Iguazú Casino Tour : $17
- Exclusive Bike Experience at Iguazu Falls: $25
- Bird Park Tour: $25
- Iguassu Falls Shopping Tour: $26
- Iguazu Falls National Park Tour - full day tour Argentinean side: $34
- Foz Do Iguaçu City Tour: $34
- Tour Tour, pick up at Foz do Iguaçu airport (IGU): $40
- Itaipu Dam Half-Day Sightseeing Panoramic Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $42
- Iguassu Falls Sightseeing Tour from Foz do Iguaçu: $44
- Paraguay Guided Shopping Tour from Foz do Iguacu: $44
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Costa Rica: tour in electric car (only best view locations): $2.00
- Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $44
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
- ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
- Tamarindo Estuary: Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
- Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
- ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
- ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
- Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
- Tamarindo Kayaking Tour with Snorkeling at Captain Island: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Tamarindo $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo?
Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Foz do Iguacu gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In the autumn, Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Foz do Iguacu is generally much colder than Tamarindoin January. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 18°C (64°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In July, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Foz do Iguacu during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 24°C (75°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Foz do Iguacu. Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.