A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers La Paz vs. Tamarindo for Beaches, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit La Paz 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 La Paz 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.

La Paz

La Paz is a beautiful, authentic, and cultural city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See La Paz travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a chill, scenic, and laid back town. Tamarindo is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Tamarindo travel costs.

La Paz and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in La Paz or Tamarindo?

Visitors will usually find more to do in La Paz than Tamarindo, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. La Paz is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Tamarindo is more popular for its nightlife and impressive beauty. La Paz is well known for its beautiful beaches, fascinating cultural setting, and authentic local atmosphere. Also, La Paz is famous for Balandra Beach. Tamarindo is well known for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles.

How is La Paz different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tamarindo and La Paz. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in La Paz or Tamarindo?

La Paz is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Tamarindo is not a good town for its museums and history.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to La Paz can be an interesting and educational experience. Sights and landmarks around town include La Paz Cathedral, the Museo de Antropología e Historia de Baja California Sur, the the Museo de Arte de Baja California Sur, and Teatro Juarez.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

Is the Food Better in La Paz or Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

La Paz is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit La Paz. As the capital of Baja California Sur, you'll find many local restaurants that serve traditional and authentic Mexican cuisine. The recipes include seafood and local produce. You'll find everything from food stalls to high end restaurants around town.

Tamarindo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Tamarindo is notable for nightlife and partying. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Tamarindo has plenty to do after the sun goes down. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in La Paz. There are many bars and restaurants around the Malecón.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Resorts?

La Paz is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, La Paz makes a nice vacation spot. There are a number of hotels and resorts around town that make for a nice vacation.

Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

La Paz is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to La Paz to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are organized diving and snorkeling excursions available around town. It's location by the Sea of Cortez makes diving a world class experience.

Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

La Paz is an amazing city to visit for the beach. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

The beaches in La Paz are among the best in the world. The beaches in the area are the main draw, and you'll find beaches that are family-friendly, romantic, or full of amenities. Some consider the beaches in the area among the best in Mexico.

The beaches at Tamarindo attract visitors from all over. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Is the Shopping Better in La Paz or Tamarindo?

La Paz is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

La Paz is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. Local boutiques, souvenir shops, and art galleries all make for interesting shopping opportunities.

Tamarindo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

Tamarindo is a town with good options for its scenery and beauty. However, La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Tamarindo is a beautiful place to visit, too. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

La Paz is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Both La Paz and Tamarindo are high quality to visit with kids.

La Paz is a very kid-friendly city. Older kids will enjoy swimming with whale sharks, whale watching, and experiencing the region's wildlife. There are also many beaches in the area where kids can play.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tamarindo. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Tamarindo is notable for its romantic activities. Also, La Paz is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Tamarindo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

La Paz is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy walking along the beach promenade known as Malecon. There are also beaches and amazing animal experiences such as whale watching or dolphin viewing.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both La Paz and Tamarindo are high quality destinations for backpackers.

La Paz is a great city to visit for backpackers. The city offers an authentic experience and hostels that make it a budget-friendly option for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tamarindo. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both La Paz and Tamarindo offer notable public transit options.

La Paz has a few public transit options. There's a cheap local bus system around town.

Tamarindo has some public transit options. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is La Paz or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

La Paz and Tamarindo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

La Paz is a very walkable city. The city is very walkable.

Tamarindo is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is La Paz Worth Visiting? and Is Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or La Paz?

How long in La Paz or Tamarindo?

In either La Paz or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tamarindo than La Paz because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for La Paz, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

Families should spend more time in La Paz than Tamarindo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in La Paz, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in La Paz than Tamarindo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in La Paz that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in La Paz than Tamarindo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in La Paz.

One day in La Paz or Tamarindo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of La Paz. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Tamarindo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in La Paz or Tamarindo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the cultural destination of La Paz. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Tamarindo is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in La Paz or Tamarindo?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the authentic city of La Paz. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tamarindo. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in La Paz or Tamarindo?

La Paz is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the laid back destination of Tamarindo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Mexico, The Best Tours for Seniors to Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between La Paz and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though La Paz is in North America and Tamarindo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

When is the best time to visit La Paz or Tamarindo?

La Paz 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 La Paz or Tamarindo in the Summer?

Both Tamarindo and La Paz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to La Paz for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

La Paz is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 30°C (86°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in La Paz. La Paz usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. La Paz gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In July, La Paz usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit La Paz or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

Both Tamarindo and La Paz during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to La Paz because of the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

In the autumn, La Paz is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in La Paz in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in La Paz. In the autumn, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Paz usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, the hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November.

Should I visit La Paz or Tamarindo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Paz and Tamarindo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to La Paz this time of year. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, La Paz is generally much colder than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in La Paz average around 18°C (65°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In La Paz, it's very sunny this time of the year. La Paz usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. La Paz gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, La Paz usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit La Paz or Tamarindo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to La Paz as well as Tamarindo. Many travelers come to La Paz for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

La Paz is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in La Paz averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in La Paz this time of the year. In the spring, La Paz often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 292 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

La Paz usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. La Paz gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo.

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and La Paz