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

Should you visit Guatemala City or Tamarindo?

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

Should I visit Guatemala City or Tamarindo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Guatemala City or Tamarindo?

Guatemala City

Referred to by the locals as "Guate," Guatemala City is the largest and most modern city in Guatemala, as well as its capital. While the atmosphere of the place is big, dirty, and dangerous with city fumes and skyscrapers, it is the hub of the country. It is the place where travelers first step foot into Guatemala and, though it is a place of modern chaos, it does have some of the best galleries and museums as well as a selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala, The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Guatemala City?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Guatemala City is $55, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $143. 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 Guatemala City and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Guatemala City $24
    Tamarindo $49
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Guatemala City $48
    Tamarindo $98
Compare Hotels in Guatemala City and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Guatemala City 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 Guatemala City


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: Guatemala City Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Guatemala City $6.16
    Tamarindo $68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guatemala City

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Guatemala City:

  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Antigua: $16
  • Antigua: One way shared transfer to Guatemala City: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer from Guatemala to La Aurora airport: $24
  • Private Airport Transfer La Aurora airport to Guatemala: $24
  • Private Ground Transfer Airport - Antigua Guatemala: $25
  • San Salvadorz: Convenient bus transfer from/to Guatemala: $34
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Guatemala City Airport to Hotels: $43
  • Private Airport Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $45
  • From Guatemala City One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey: $54
  • Guatemala Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Antigua Guatemala: $56
  • From One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $59
  • Private transfer from La Aurora Airport to Panajachel: $65

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Costa Rica Private Airport Departure transfer : $6.00
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Hotel Riu Guanacaste: $15
  • Private Transfer from Liberia/Tamarindo Guanacaste Airport: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport Hotel Arco Iris Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To La Palapa In Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Best Western Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Pastiempo Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Capitan Suizo, Tamarindo: $21
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Selina Tamarindo: $21

Is it cheaper to fly into Guatemala City or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Guatemala City 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
    Guatemala City $26
    Tamarindo $55

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guatemala City

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

  • Cooking class/Pepian Workshop: $35
  • Cooking and class with Private Guatemalan Chef : $72
  • Taste Antigua Guatemala Walking Food Tour : $75
  • Antigua: Authentic Guatemalan Cooking Class: $90
  • Small-Group Cooking Class in Antigua from Guatemala City: $120
  • Antigua Market, Cooking Class and Choco Museum from Guatemala City: $178
  • Pacaya Volcano Vistas + Enjoy Pizza Cooked Under Volcanic Heat: $180

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.
    Guatemala City $1.21
    Tamarindo $17

Tours and Activities in Guatemala City

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

  • Half Day Antigua Guatemala Tour: $17
  • Guided Walking Tour in Guatemala City: $26
  • Half Day Guatemala City Tour: $27
  • 2-Hour Culture and Historical Tour From Guatemala: $29
  • Guatemala city Walking Tour and public bus: $30
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Explorer Tour: $34
  • Graffiti Walking Tour in 4 Grados Norte Guatemala City : $35
  • Walking Tour: $35
  • UNESCO JEWELS: Antigua Half Day Tour from Guatemala City: $38
  • City walking tour Guatemala City and Relieff Map: $47
  • Private Night City Photo Tour in Guatemala: $50
  • Half-Day Guatemala City Tour : $55

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
  • Private Wildlife Tour in Avellanas Beach: $50
  • Tamarindo Birdwatching Crocodiles and Monkey Tour: $50
  • Tamarindo estuary tour with expert naturalist: $50
  • Private Wildlife Tour in Avellanas Beach: $50
  • Surf Lessons and Tours in Tamarindo-Shaka Surf: $50
  • Sea turtle watching tour near playa grande: $55
  • Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
  • ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
  • 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Guatemala City $6.83
    Tamarindo $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: $15
  • Tamarindo Bar Crawl Experience: $15


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

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