Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Salto?
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 Salto or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salto or Tamarindo, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Salto or Tamarindo?
Salto
Salto is in the citrus growing region of Northern Interior Uruguay, on the east bank of the Rio Uruguay. It is closely connected to the neighboring Argentinian city of Concordia that lies across the river on the western bank. Salto is Uruguay's second-largest city and the most northerly crossing point to Argentina. Salto is a very picturesque city that has a relaxing feel the entire year. However, people mostly come here for the nearby hot springs and the recreation area above the enormous Salto Grande hydroelectric dam.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Salto Prices
Uruguay PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySalto $85Tamarindo $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Salto is $85, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $159. 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 Salto and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalto $29Tamarindo $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalto $58Tamarindo $110
Compare Hotels in Salto and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Salto 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: Salto Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salto $21Tamarindo $76
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Airport Transfer from Intl. Liberia (LIR) to Tamarindo- Flamingo: $170
- Airport Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo Hyatt (Round Trip): $180
- Costa Rica Private Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Departure transfer: $5.00
- Flamingo/Tamarindo to Liberia Airport(LIR)- Departure Transfer: $121
- Guanacaste Airport transfer to Jw Marriott Guanacaste: $130
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer to Best Western Tamarindo: $24
- Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $95
- Minivan Departure Transfer Tamarindo to San Jose Airport SJO: $293
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $100
- Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $106
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
- Private Round-Trip Transfer: Liberia Airport to Reserva Conchal with Free Drinks: $260
Is it cheaper to fly into Salto or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Salto 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 daySalto $41Tamarindo $62
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: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Salto $17Tamarindo $19
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- Paintball Experience near Tamarindo: $32
- Boat adventure with wildlife viewing in Tamarindo: $45
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Tamarindo Mangrove Tour: $46
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
- Conchal Beach Horseback Riding - 1hr 30min Guided Tour: $50
- Turtle Nesting Tour Playa Grande CR: $55
- Tamarindo wildlife Estuary boat ride tour 1 hour and 45 minutes: $62
- Prívate Beach tour at Guanacaste Province: $65
- Turtle Nesting Tour: $65
- ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySalto $13Tamarindo $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo
Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Puro Vino - Tamarindo's Wine Tour Ride: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salto and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Salto much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salto 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 Salto would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salto 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 Salto.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salto Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Salto or Tamarindo?
Salto 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 Salto or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salto and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Salto is generally cooler than Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 25°C (77°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Salto, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salto usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Salto gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salto usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Salto gets 116 mm (4.6 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 JulySalto 25°C (77°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salto or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salto as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Salto is cooler than Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salto averages around 19°C (65°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Salto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindoin October. Salto gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Salto receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salto usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Salto gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberSalto 19°C (65°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salto or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Salto 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, Salto is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salto in July average around 12°C (54°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Salto usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Salto gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Salto usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Salto gets 68 mm (2.7 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 JanuarySalto 12°C (54°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salto or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Salto during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In October, Salto is generally much colder than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Salto average around 18°C (64°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Salto. In the spring, Salto often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindoin April. Salto gets 243 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 Salto. Salto usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Salto gets 117 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Also, June to November in Tamarindo is the hurricane season.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilSalto 18°C (64°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Salto
| Salto | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 155 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (65°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (69°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 119 mm (4.7 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.