Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas 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: Saint Thomas or Tamarindo?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Tamarindo $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $144. 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 Saint Thomas and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.Saint Thomas $37Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $83
- VI Top Taxi and Tours - St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $90
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- St.Thomas to St.Thomas Airport (STT) - Departure Private Transfer: $115
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $135
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to the Redhook Ferry: $144
- St. Thomas USVI Airport Transfer to The Ritz Carlton Resort: $144
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
- Round Trip Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $265
- Round Trip Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $225
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort Costa Rica: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Costa Rica: $185
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo, Guanacaste: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Saint Thomas 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 daySaint Thomas $94Tamarindo $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
- Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
- Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
- St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- ATV Tour Top Adventure Through beaches & Towns: $96
- ATV adventure from Riu, Secrets and papagayo: $90
- Buggy - Side by Side Family Tour : $275
- Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
- 1 Full Private Tour to Arenal Volcano + Baldi Hot Springs: $183
- 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $30
- 2 Hours ATV Off Road Tour in Guanacaste Costa Rica: $100
- 2 Hours Private Jet Ski Tour in Brasilito Flamingo or Conchal: $270
- 2 Hours Pura Vida ATV Adventure from Tamarindo to Playa Conchal: $180
- 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
- 2h ATV Beach & Dirt Trails Adventure Tour: $130
- 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Thomas and Tamarindo, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Tamarindo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Thomas Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Saint Thomas during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in July than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Thomas in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo. Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during autumn. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Thomas is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Tamarindo. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in January than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Thomas often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Tamarindo is December to May. June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season. In April, Saint Thomas usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Saint Thomas is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Thomas in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.