Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Puerto Madryn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn 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: Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo?
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
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 Argentina, The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina, 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 dayPuerto Madryn $14Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $14, 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 Puerto Madryn and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $5.25Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $11Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn 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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $3.28Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
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 Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Puerto Madryn 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 dayPuerto Madryn $5.69Tamarindo $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.Puerto Madryn $5.77Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
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Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- Kayaking adventure in Puerto Madryn: $60
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- Shore Excursion: Punta Loma+City Tour, for cruise passengers: $70
- Punta Loma Shore Excursion with City tour: $75
- Punta Loma Excursion for Cruise Passengers: $75
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Peninsula Valdes Full Day Tour: $88
- Punta Tombo Tour, the Penguin Experience: $88
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Shore Excursion Punta Loma Sea Lions Reserve Including Puerto Madryn City Tour : $95
- Wonderful Punta Tombo Penguin Rookery Tour : $100
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 dayPuerto Madryn $3.13Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Madryn and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Madryn Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo?
Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Puerto Madryn is generally cooler than Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 22°C (71°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In January, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 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 JulyPuerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Puerto Madryn during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Puerto Madryn is much colder than Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 14°C (58°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 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 OctoberPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Puerto Madryn is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Madryn in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Puerto Madryn, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Madryn usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Puerto Madryn usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Puerto Madryn gets 18 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 July and JanuaryPuerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In October, Puerto Madryn is generally much colder than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 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 AprilPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Puerto Madryn
| Puerto Madryn | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.