Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Rio de Janeiro?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo?
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the most popular travel destination in Brazil. It is the second largest city in Brazil and the sixth largest in the Americas. A portion of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site. It's also famous for Carnival, it's gorgeous beaches, and world-famous landmarks. Rio's appeal as a travel destination is apparent year round due to the great weather and plenty of fun activities. The city has a wonderful natural harbor that is surrounded by Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado Peak, and the hills of Tijuca, creating an absolutely breathtaking and awe-inspiring setting.
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 10-Day Tours in Brazil, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRio de Janeiro $105Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Rio de Janeiro is $105, 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 Rio de Janeiro and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRio de Janeiro $66Tamarindo $50
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRio de Janeiro $132Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Rio de Janeiro and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Rio de Janeiro 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: Rio de Janeiro Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rio de Janeiro $7.97Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Taxi Ride$2.93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rio de Janeiro
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rio de Janeiro:
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro City center - Airport (GIG): $13
- Rio Santos Dumont (SDU): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Rio Galeão Airport (GIG): Shuttle Transfer to/from Hotels: $15
- Private transfer Economico GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Zona Sul: $18
- Shared Transfer From or To Airport: $19
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Rio de Janeiro Airport (SDU) - Rio City Center: $19
- Transfer in Private Minivan from Rio de Janeiro City Center -Airport (SDU): $19
- Transfer service from / to Porto Maravilha - Zona Sul: $19
- One Way Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Rio de Janeiro: $20
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro to Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU): $21
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) to Rio: $21
- Private Transfer: Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro: $21
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 Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Rio de Janeiro 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 dayRio de Janeiro $20Tamarindo $32
Typical Food Prices in Rio de Janeiro
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rio de Janeiro:
-
Popcorn$0.59
-
Corn on the Cob$0.78
-
Hamburger$0.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rio de Janeiro
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rio de Janeiro.
- Waterfront Dinner & Live Music Experience: $46
- Barra da Tijuca Food Tour with Drinks: $72
- THE BEST FOOD TOUR: $79
- Feijoada Food Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Hotel pick-up and drop-off: $80
- Rio Bar Food Tour with a Local: $82
- Dinner & Rio Scenarium Nightclub Admission with Transfer: $85
- 9-Recipe Boozy Brazilian Cooking Class: $85
- Food Tour Rio de Janeiro - The Best Typical Brazilian Dishes: $92
- Rio Scenarium Entrance, Dinner, and Open Bar: $105
- Rio Scenarium: Fast Track Entrance, Dinner & Open Bar: $115
- Brazilian Cooking Class: $129
- Rio: Ginga Tropical Folkloric Show & Optional Dinner: $142
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rio de Janeiro $22Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few actual costs in Rio de Janeiro for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Santa Teresa: the staircase: $6.99
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro (Ipanema & Copacabana) Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Rio de Janeiro(Ipanema-Copacabana)Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.83
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Pelourinho): $7.83
- Rio de Janeiro (Urca) Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.84
- Rio de Janeiro Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Hiking Experience to Pedra do Telégrafo: $9.97
- A Self-Guided Black History Audio Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s Little Africa: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour-Story of Bossanova: Rhythm and soul of Rio: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Imperial Rio: $10
- Ticket to the match at maracanã of Flamengo: $10
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRio de Janeiro $12Tamarindo $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Rio de Janeiro
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba: $28
- Pub Crawl in Lapa: $29
- Rio de Janeiro Pub Crawl (Lapa district): $35
- Walking tour + Pub crawl + Samba in Lapa: $64
- Petropolis City Tour + Bohemia Brewery + Lunch: $77
- Petrópolis City and Brewery Bohemia Tour - Best of Rio's Mountains: $110
- Brazilian Wine Tasting Evening: $110
- Rio: Sitio Burle Marx and Cachaça Distillery Private Tour: $131
When comparing the travel costs between Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo?
Rio de Janeiro 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 Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rio de Janeiro and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Rio de Janeiro is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Rio de Janeiro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Rio de Janeiro usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Rio de Janeiro gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyRio de Janeiro 26°C (79°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rio de Janeiro as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Rio de Janeiro is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rio de Janeiro averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Rio de Janeiro receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Rio de Janeiro usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Rio de Janeiro gets 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberRio de Janeiro 25°C (77°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Rio de Janeiro 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 the winter, Rio de Janeiro is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rio de Janeiro in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
In July, Rio de Janeiro usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Rio de Janeiro gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryRio de Janeiro 21°C (70°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Rio de Janeiro or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Rio de Janeiro during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In October, Rio de Janeiro is generally cooler than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Rio de Janeiro average around 23°C (73°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
Rio de Janeiro usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Rio de Janeiro gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilRio de Janeiro 23°C (73°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Rio de Janeiro
| Rio de Janeiro | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 23°C (73°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 22°C (72°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 24°C (75°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 169 mm (6.7 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.