Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pucon 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 Pucon 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: Pucon or Tamarindo?
Pucon
A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.
Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Chile, 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 dayPucon $100Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, 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 Pucon and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Pucon $19Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
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 Pucon or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Pucon 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 dayPucon $38Tamarindo $32
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.Pucon $37Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Pucon
Here are a few actual costs in Pucon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
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 dayPucon $27Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pucon and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Pucon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pucon 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 Pucon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pucon 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 Pucon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pucon Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Pucon or Tamarindo?
Pucon 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 Pucon or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Pucon is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pucon in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Pucon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pucon usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Pucon usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 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 January and JulyPucon 16°C (61°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In April, Pucon is generally much colder than Tamarindoin October. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 11°C (52°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin October. Pucon gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Pucon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pucon usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPucon 11°C (52°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Pucon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Pucon is much colder than Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Pucon gets 66 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 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 July and JanuaryPucon 7°C (45°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Pucon during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In the spring, Pucon is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pucon in October average around 11°C (52°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin April. Pucon gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 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 October and AprilPucon 11°C (52°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Pucon
| Pucon | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.