Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Lima or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lima and Tamarindo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lima or Tamarindo?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, The Best Adventure Tours to Peru, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Lima Prices
Peru PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $95Tamarindo $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $95, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $144. 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 Lima and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $52Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $104Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Lima and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $6.06Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.95
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.95
- LIMA AIRPORT SHUTTLE - Shared Transfer: $13
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Private Transfer to Lima Airport (LIM): $13
- Transfer: Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima City Center: $16
- Private Transfer from Lima Airport (LIM) to Callao Port: $17
- Private Transfer from Lima City Hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $17
- Private Airport Transfer to Miraflores San Isidro and Barranco: $18
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Private Transfer from Callao Cruise Port to Lima Hotels: $18
- Private Transfer from Lima hotels to Callao Cruise Port: $18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Departure transfer : $6.00
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Secret Papagayo: $13
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Hotel Riu Guanacaste: $15
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $16
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Pastiempo Tamarindo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Palapa in Tamarindo: $21
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Selina Tamarindo: $21
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $22
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport To Hotel Pas Tiempo Tamarindo: $22
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Luna Llena: $22
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Conchal: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Lima 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 dayLima $32Tamarindo $56
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $9.15Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Beach tour and surfboards for rent in Lima, Peru: $14
- Lima City Tour with Baby Alpaca Class and Pisco Tasting: $16
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Miraflores and Barranco Private Bike Tour: $19
- Private Bike Tour in Lima: $19
- Bike Tour Lima: $19
- Water Magic Circuit Lima Night Tour by Panoramic Bus: $20
- Tour in Lima with Visit to the Catacombs of San Francisco: $20
- Bohemian and artistic ravine walking tour: $22
- Lima Half-Day City Walking Tour (Small Groups): $24
- Pisco Sour experience with mini causitas at República del Pisco: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $25
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $30
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
- Morning Moka -Tamarindo's Morning Coffee Tour: $62
- Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
- Turtle Watching Tour: $70
- ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
- Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
- Private Wildlife Tour in Avellanas Beach: $75
- Kayak and SUP Private Tour: $75
- Tamarindo River Boat Tour: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLima $5.95Tamarindo $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lima 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 Lima or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima 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 July, Lima usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Lima usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Lima gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Lima is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lima in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lima or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Lima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season. Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lima usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Lima often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Lima gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Lima is generally cooler than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 19°C (66°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lima or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. Lima usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Lima gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Lima is cooler than Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Lima or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lima as well as Tamarindo. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. Lima usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In the spring, Lima often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Lima gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Lima is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lima in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Lima
| Lima | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.