Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Guayaquil?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guayaquil or Tamarindo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Guayaquil or Tamarindo?
Guayaquil
Guayaquil is Ecuador's largest city and seaport. From a tourist perspective, the city acts primarily as a transportation gateway to the country and the Galapagos Islands. While the city can be skipped altogether, should you have a free day to spend here, there are a few noteworthy things to do, as well as some terrific dining and nightlife options. Guayaquil’s main tourist attraction is Las Penas, a hill with old, colorfully painted buildings at the north end of the Malecon, where you can walk the 400 steps to the lighthouse at the top for good views of the city. The neighborhood is filled with cafes, bars, restaurants, and art galleries and is relatively safe. Other important sights include the Malecon 2000, a massive urban development project that has brought new life to the riverside in the city center and the Parque Seminario, filled with fountains, trees and iguanas, located at 10 de Agosto Ave and Chile Ave.
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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador, 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 dayGuayaquil $95Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Guayaquil is $95, 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 Guayaquil and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGuayaquil $32Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGuayaquil $64Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Guayaquil and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Guayaquil 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: Guayaquil Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Guayaquil $15Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guayaquil
Also for Guayaquil, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel or vice versa: $12
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Departure Transfer from Hotels to the Airport.: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $17
- Guayaquil PRIVATE Arrival Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $18
- Private Airport Transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $20
- Private Transfer In From Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $25
- Private Transfers to and from the Airport in Guayaquil: $25
- Private Transfer Out From Hotel to Guayaquil Airport: $25
- Guayaquil Airport GYE to Guayaquil city -Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Transfer from Guayaquil airport to the hotel and vice versa: $30
- Shared transfer from Guayaquil Airport to Hotel: $47
- Shared transfer from Hotel to Airport in Guayaquil: $47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfers Riu Palace or Guanacaste from Airports Round trip: $158
- Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $140
- Transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $143
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: $92
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $98
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $175
- Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $120
- Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
- Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Beach - Costa Rica: $145
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel: $181
Is it cheaper to fly into Guayaquil or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Guayaquil 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 dayGuayaquil $29Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Guayaquil Culinary Adventure, Cacao Cooking Class: $185
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.Guayaquil $21Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Guayaquil
For Guayaquil, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Private Guayaquil City Tour: $18
- 1-hour Pacari Wine and Chocolate Tasting Experience: $20
- Shared Walking Tour in Guayaquil City: $35
- City Tour Guayaquil: $40
- Guayaquil City Tour: $40
- Self-guided walking tour of Guayaquil's landmarks.: $45
- Private Experience of Flavors and Wine Pairing in Guayaquil: $52
- From Montañita: Paragliding Experience: $55
- City Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drop-off: $63
- Guayaquil to Cuenca one-way tour with Cajas Park and a Cacao Farm visit: $74
- City Tour around Guayaquil: $75
- Private Guayaquil City Tour and Parque Historico: $80
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Ecologic farming Sloth tour Hiking & Chocolate -Coffee tour: $260
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Waterfall Hiking: $170
- Premium Tour:Sloths and Río Celeste y Cortez Waterfalls (Tenorio Volcano Park): $220
- Private ATV or Buggy Tour from Riu Hotels: $85
- Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $185
- Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
- 3-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGuayaquil $17Tamarindo $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Guayaquil
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guayaquil:
- Wine Tasting Experience with Tasting Menu: $55
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Guayaquil and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Guayaquil much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guayaquil 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 Guayaquil.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guayaquil Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Guayaquil as well as Tamarindo. Guayaquil attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Guayaquil receives a lot of rain in the summer. Guayaquil usually gets less rain in July than Tamarindo. Guayaquil gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In July, Guayaquil is generally cooler than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 23°C (73°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Guayaquil are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Guayaquil 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. In October, Guayaquil usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Guayaquil gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Guayaquil is cooler than Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Guayaquil averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGuayaquil 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Guayaquil during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Guayaquil because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Guayaquil. Guayaquil usually gets more rain in January than Tamarindo. Guayaquil gets 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the winter, Guayaquil is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Guayaquil in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Guayaquil or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Guayaquil and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Guayaquil year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Guayaquil gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Guayaquil usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Guayaquil gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In April, Guayaquil is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Guayaquil average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGuayaquil 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Guayaquil
| Guayaquil | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 230 mm (9.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (77°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 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.