Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 Mexico, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $81Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, 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 Playa del Carmen and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Chetumal Airport (CTM) to Chetumal - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Private Transfer to Xplor / Xenses / Xplor Fire from Playa del Carmen: $25
- Shared transfer from Playa del Carmen tu Cancun airport: $25
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Playa del Carmen: $31
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Maroma Beach: Entry Ticket to Maroma Beach Club & Transfer: $47
- Shared Transfer Cancun Airport - Puerto Aventuras: $48
- Private Transfer to Xel-Há Park from Playa del Carmen: $53
- Private Transfer Airport-Costa Mujeres/Playa Mujeres 1-8 pax: $59
- Shared roundtrip transfer from Cancun airport to Playa del Carmen: $71
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Akumal City - Cancun Airport (CUN) : $74
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
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 Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Tamarindo $32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
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.Playa del Carmen $17Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
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 dayPlaya del Carmen $21Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo?
Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Tamarindo. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Playa del Carmen, it's very sunny this time of the year. Playa del Carmen usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Playa del Carmen gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Playa del Carmen gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 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 JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Tamarindo. Many visitors come to Playa del Carmen in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Playa del Carmen this time of the year. In the autumn, Playa del Carmen often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Playa del Carmen is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Playa del Carmen in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Playa del Carmen gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Playa del Carmen during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the beaches and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In April, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Playa del Carmen. In the spring, Playa del Carmen often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°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.