Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Huaraz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Huaraz or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Tamarindo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Huaraz or Tamarindo?
Huaraz
Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.
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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru, 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 dayHuaraz $50Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHuaraz $20Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHuaraz $40Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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: Huaraz Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Huaraz $10Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$2.17
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 Huaraz or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Huaraz 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 dayHuaraz $18Tamarindo $32
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:
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Lunch$5.97
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Chips$1.49
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.Huaraz $19Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz
Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Climbing Gear$17
Tours and Activities in Huaraz
Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
- 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
- Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
- Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
- From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
- From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
- From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
- Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
- Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
- From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
- From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
- From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65
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 dayHuaraz $15Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Huaraz Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Huaraz 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 Huaraz or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Huaraz usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite cold in Huaraz in the summer. In the summer, Huaraz is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Huaraz in July average around 3°C (37°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHuaraz 3°C (37°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Tamarindo. Huaraz 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. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Huaraz. In October, Huaraz is generally much colder than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 4°C (39°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHuaraz 4°C (39°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Huaraz. In January, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Huaraz is much colder than Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 7°C (45°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHuaraz 7°C (45°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Huaraz or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Huaraz during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Huaraz usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindo. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Huaraz is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Huaraz in April average around 6°C (43°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHuaraz 6°C (43°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Huaraz
| Huaraz | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 7°C (45°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 8°C (46°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 7°C (45°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 6°C (43°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 5°C (41°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 4°C (39°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 3°C (37°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 3°C (37°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (39°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 6°C (43°F) | 112 mm (4.4 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.