Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Salvador?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Salvador or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Salvador 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: Salvador or Tamarindo?
Salvador
Salvador de Bahia was the first capital of Brazil, founded by the Portuguese in 1549. Also known as "Brazil's capital of happiness," Salvador is famous for its plentiful and spirited street festivals. The third most populous city in Brazil, Salvador is also well-known for its Afro-Brazilian culture and Portuguese colonial architecture.
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 Contiki Tours to Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, 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 daySalvador $44Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Salvador is $44, 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 Salvador and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSalvador $24Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSalvador $48Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Salvador and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Salvador 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: Salvador Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Salvador $6.02Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Salvador
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Salvador:
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Bus from Airport$1.17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salvador
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salvador:
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Hotels: $16
- Arrival or Departure Shared Transfer from Airport to hotels in Salvador: $16
- Transfers: Airport, Hotels, Maritime Terminals, Bus Station.: $23
- Tourism and Transfer Salvador and Morro de São Paulo: $24
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel Litoral Norte: $24
- Transfer Hotel in Salvador / Salvador Airport: $24
- Transfer Salvador Airport / Hotel in Salvador: $24
- Praia do Forte Shared Transfer From Salvador : $28
- Private Transfer from Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port: $29
- Salvador to Salvador de Bahia Airport: Departure Private Transfer: $29
- Salvador Airport (SSA) to Salvador - Arrival Private Transfer: $29
- Private Transfer from Salvador de Bahia Cruise Port to Salvador : $29
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 Salvador or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Salvador 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 daySalvador $13Tamarindo $32
Typical Food Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Salvador:
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Dinner for 2$1.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salvador
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salvador.
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- 7-Recipe Boozy Cooking Class in Salvador: $75
- Private Cooking Experience with local in Salvador: $130
- Salvador by Night: Cultural Dinner and Show: $132
- Cultural Folkloric Show and Dinner in Salvador: $140
- Baiana Cooking Class with Market Visit & Lunch: $152
- Bahia By Night: Dinner and Folkloric show: $195
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.Salvador $5.67Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Salvador
Here are a few actual costs in Salvador for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Salvador, Vitória & Barra: Scavenger Hunt Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador, Pelourinho: Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $7.65
- Salvador Sights Self Guided Tour (Vitória and Barra): $7.84
- Walking tour historic Pelourinho: $13
- Panoramic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Historic City Tour - Half Day in Salvador: $19
- Full Day Tour to Frades Islands + Itaparica: $22
- Regular Tour to Forte Beach - Leaving Salvador by Bahia Top Turismo: $24
- Panoramic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
- Salvador Panoramic City Tour: $25
- Historic City Tour in Salvador: $25
- Bahia 500 Years Historic Tour, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil: $25
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 daySalvador $5.38Tamarindo $14
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salvador
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salvador:
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Beers for 2$1.37
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Drinks$2.74
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Salvador and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Salvador much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Salvador 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 Salvador would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Salvador 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 Salvador.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Salvador Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Salvador or Tamarindo?
Salvador 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 Salvador or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Salvador and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Salvador is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Salvador, it's very sunny this time of the year. Salvador usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Salvador gets 246 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Salvador gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Salvador usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin July. Salvador gets 138 mm (5.4 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 JulySalvador 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Salvador as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Salvador is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Salvador averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Salvador often gets more sunshine than Tamarindoin October. Salvador gets 190 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Salvador receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Salvador usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindoin October. Salvador gets 310 mm (12.2 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 OctoberSalvador 26°C (80°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Salvador 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, Salvador is cooler than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Salvador in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Salvador usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Salvador gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
It's quite rainy in Salvador. In July, Salvador usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin January. Salvador gets 175 mm (6.9 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 JanuarySalvador 24°C (75°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Salvador or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Salvador during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In October, Salvador is generally cooler than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Salvador average around 26°C (78°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 Salvador. In the spring, Salvador often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin April. Salvador gets 228 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 Salvador. Salvador usually gets more rain in October than Tamarindoin April. Salvador gets 115 mm (4.5 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 AprilSalvador 26°C (78°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Salvador
| Salvador | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 310 mm (12.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 360 mm (14.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 244 mm (9.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 175 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 143 mm (5.6 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.