Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Quepos?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Quepos or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Tamarindo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Quepos or Tamarindo?
Quepos
Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.
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 Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Costa Rica, and The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayQuepos $117Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $117, 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 Quepos and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personQuepos $77Tamarindo $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomQuepos $154Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Quepos 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: Quepos Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Quepos $9.56Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos
Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $90
- Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
- Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
- One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
- Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport and surroundings : $209
- Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca: $220
- Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
- Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
- One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
- Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfers Riu Palace or Guanacaste from Airports Round trip: $158
- Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $140
- Transfer from Riu Guanacaste Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Planet Hollywood Beach Resort to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
- Transfer from Four Seasons Resort to Liberia Airport (LIR): $120
- Transfer from Andaz Papagayo Resort to Liberia Airport (LIR): $115
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Transfer Service Liberia Airport To Playa Grande, Guanacaste: $165
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport to Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: $115
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort Costa Rica: $125
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace and Riu Guanacaste: $105
Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Quepos 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
-
Food Meals for one dayQuepos $30Tamarindo $32
Typical Food Prices in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch$15
-
Seafood Dinner (for 1)$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos
For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
- 3 Hour Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
- Cooking Class & Medicinal Plants Garden Manuel Antonio: $77
- Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79
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
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Quepos $17Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Quepos
For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Beach Day Experience in Manuel Antonio: $20
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour : $27
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $28
- Manuel Antonio National Park Tour: $28
- 2-3-Hour Manuel Antonio Park Nature Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio with Mauro / Tickets not Included! : $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Group Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio Park Tour and its Amazing Wildlife and Beaches: $30
- Guided Tour in Manuel Antonio National Park!: $35
- Manuel Antonio Jungle Night Tour with pick up included: $39
- Guided hiking Tour by the Mystic Ebano Rainforest in Costa Rica: $40
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- ATV adventure from Riu, Secrets and papagayo: $90
- Buggy - Side by Side Family Tour : $260
- Ecologic farming Sloth tour Hiking & Chocolate -Coffee tour: $233
- Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
- Premium Tour:Sloths and Río Celeste y Cortez Waterfalls (Tenorio Volcano Park): $220
- Private ATV or Buggy Tour from Riu Hotels: $85
- Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
- 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 3-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
- 5-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Adventure Day Tour: $300
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayQuepos $15Tamarindo $14
When comparing the travel costs between Quepos 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. Since both cities are in Central America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Quepos Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Quepos or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Quepos or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Tamarindo. Quepos attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyQuepos 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
Both Tamarindo and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos 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. It's quite rainy in Quepos. In October, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during autumn. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Quepos is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberQuepos 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Quepos during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Quepos. In the winter, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Quepos is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Quepos in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryQuepos 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Quepos or Tamarindo in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In Quepos, it's very sunny this time of the year. Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 29°C (85°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilQuepos 29°C (85°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Quepos
| Quepos | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.