Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas 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: Puerto Varas or Tamarindo?
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago, 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 Varas $109Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, 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 Varas and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas 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 Varas Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
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 Puerto Varas or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25Tamarindo $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 Varas $19Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
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 Varas $6.51Tamarindo $14
When comparing the travel costs between Puerto Varas and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Puerto Varas is in South America and Tamarindo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Varas Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Varas or Tamarindo?
Puerto Varas 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 Varas or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Puerto Varas is much colder than Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
In Puerto Varas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Puerto Varas usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Puerto Varas gets 204 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, Puerto Varas usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 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 Varas 16°C (60°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In the autumn, Puerto Varas is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Varas in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin October. Puerto Varas gets 104 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Puerto Varas usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Puerto Varas 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.
In July, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than Tamarindoin January. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 7°C (45°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Puerto Varas usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Puerto Varas gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Puerto Varas. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 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 Varas 7°C (45°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Puerto Varas during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Puerto Varas is much colder than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Puerto Varas often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin April. Puerto Varas gets 151 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 Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 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 Varas 11°C (51°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.