Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or La Paz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: La Paz or Tamarindo?
La Paz
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur, Mexico. It has a population of about 215,000 people and is a significant commercial center for the region. The city has a good economy and a high standard of living when compared to much of Mexico. Much of the economy is focused on eco-tourism and there are many protected marine environments in the area.
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 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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Paz $118Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in La Paz is $118, 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 La Paz and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Paz $52Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Paz $104Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in La Paz and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in La Paz 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: La Paz Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Paz $22Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in La Paz
Some specific examples of transportation prices in La Paz:
- Roundtrip Transfer to La Paz International Airport: $73
- La Paz Airport to Costa Baja Private Roundtrip Transfer: $89
- La Paz Int. Airport (LAP): Private Transfer to La Paz hotels: $174
- Private Transfer from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas: $240
- La Paz Airport: Private Roundtrip Transfer to La Ventan: $259
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Hotel Riu Guanacaste: $15
- Private Transfer from Liberia/Tamarindo Guanacaste Airport: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Luna Llena Hotel Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Selina Tamarindo: $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: $38
- 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 RIU Guanacaste Hotel: $70
Is it cheaper to fly into La Paz or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and La Paz 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 dayLa Paz $38Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in La Paz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in La Paz.
- 4 Hours of Guided La Paz Street Food Tour: $81
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.La Paz $13Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in La Paz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for La Paz are as follows:
- Transparent Boat Tour with Mushroom Rock: $64
- Pearls of Pearl Farm Experience: $64
- Half Day Sandboarding and Paddleboarding Experience in La Paz: $81
- Unique Mexican Spirits Tasting & Pairing Experience: $85
- Sunset Sandboarding at La Paz Dunes Tour: $89
- City Tour & Beaches from La Paz: $91
- Supercombo 2-Day City Tour: $105
- Half Day Private Tour of the Beaches of La Paz: $113
- From Los Cabos: City Tour La Paz, Balandra and Todos Santos: $115
- holy spirit island tour: $116
- Los Cabos Tour from La Paz: $119
- Snorkel Tour with Whale Shark in La Paz: $119
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 dayLa Paz $12Tamarindo $14
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLa Paz 30°C (86°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLa Paz 27°C (80°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLa Paz 18°C (65°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLa Paz 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and La Paz
| La Paz | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (65°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 19°C (66°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (69°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (86°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 30°C (87°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 30°C (85°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (67°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.