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

Should you visit Leon 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 Leon 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: Leon or Tamarindo?

Leon

Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.

With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Leon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, 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 Leon and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Leon $16
    Tamarindo $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Leon $32
    Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Leon and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Leon 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 Leon


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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Leon $1.51
    Tamarindo $69

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: $31
  • From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
  • Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
  • Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
  • Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
  • 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 Premium Transfer: From Tamarindo Zone: $85
  • Private Premium Transfer: Round Trip Private Transfer From Liberia Airport: $192
  • Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $270

Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Leon 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
    Leon $12
    Tamarindo $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon

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

  • Tlakualli Food Tour: $19

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo

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

  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Leon $5.83
    Tamarindo $17

Tours and Activities in Leon

Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Leon City Walking Private Tour : $41
  • Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
  • Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
  • Telica Sunset Tour : $77
  • Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $79
  • Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
  • Horseback Riding Private Tour : $87
  • Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
  • Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding & Boat Tour: $120
  • Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
  • Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
  • 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $165

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

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

  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
  • Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
  • Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
  • ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $55
  • ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
  • UTV Side By Side Off Road Tour Tamarindo Beach & Flamingo Beach: $65
  • Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
  • Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
  • ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
  • Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
  • Tamarindo River Boat Tour: $75
  • Turtle watching night tours with Expert Naturalist: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Leon $3.54
    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: $25


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

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



When is the best time to visit Leon 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 Leon or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Leon usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during summer. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Leon is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Leon 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Leon or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Leon as well as Tamarindo. Leon 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. Leon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Leon often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Leon 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Leon or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Leon usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

Leon is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Leon 26°C (79°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Leon or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Leon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Leon usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Leon. In the spring, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Leon is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Leon 29°C (84°F) 
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Leon

Leon Tamarindo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)