A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Granada vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Granada or Tamarindo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Tamarindo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Granada or Tamarindo?

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Granada?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, 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 Granada and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada $17
    Tamarindo $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada $34
    Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Granada and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Granada 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 Granada


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: Granada Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada $8.59
    Tamarindo $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport/Cabinas El Labrador: $21
  • Private or VIP Transfer: Liberia Airport to Westin/Tamarindo: $22
  • Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $31
  • Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $31
  • Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
  • From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
  • Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Secrets Papagayo Resort: $66
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to RIU Guanacaste Hotel: $70
  • Transfer from Riu Guanacaste Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
  • Private Premium Transfer: From Tamarindo Zone: $85

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Granada 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
    Granada $14
    Tamarindo $32
Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.

  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Granada $10
    Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.19

Tours and Activities in Granada

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

  • Granada Kayak Tour: $30
  • Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
  • Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
  • Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
  • Granada City Tour: $40
  • Granada's City Tour: $40
  • Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
  • Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
  • Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
  • City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

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

  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
  • Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
  • Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
  • ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $55
  • ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
  • UTV Side By Side Off Road Tour Tamarindo Beach & Flamingo Beach: $65
  • Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
  • Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
  • ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
  • Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
  • Tamarindo River Boat Tour: $75
  • Turtle watching night tours with Expert Naturalist: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Granada $7.52
    Tamarindo $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36

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: $25


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

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



When is the best time to visit Granada or Tamarindo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Granada or Tamarindo in the Summer?

Both Tamarindo and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. It's quite rainy in Granada. In July, Granada usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Granada usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during summer. Granada gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Granada 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Granada or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

Both Tamarindo and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Granada often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Granada gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Granada is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Granada 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Granada or Tamarindo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Granada usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Granada, it's very sunny this time of the year. Granada usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Granada gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In the winter, Granada is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Granada 26°C (79°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Granada or Tamarindo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Tamarindo. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Granada this time of the year. In the spring, Granada often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Granada gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 29°C (84°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Granada 29°C (84°F) 
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Granada

Granada Tamarindo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)