A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Juan del Sur vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Juan del Sur and Tamarindo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo?

San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur is a popular port destination on the Pacific coast of southwest Nicaragua. The town was once a quaint fishing village but has grown into a tourist town with activities for visitors that include surfing, fishing, and, of course, partying. The town has a population of just over 15,000, most of whom are either fishermen or involved in the tourism industry. There is also a large expat community from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or San Juan del Sur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in San Juan del Sur is $53, 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 San Juan del Sur and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Juan del Sur $21
    Tamarindo $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Juan del Sur $42
    Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in San Juan del Sur and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in San Juan del Sur 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.

Hotels in San Juan del Sur


Hotels in Tamarindo


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: San Juan del Sur Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $18
    Tamarindo $69

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: $31
  • From Hotel Transfer to Liberia Guanacaste Airport: $62
  • Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
  • Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $55
  • Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $65
  • 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 Premium Transfer: From Tamarindo Zone: $85
  • Private Premium Transfer: Round Trip Private Transfer From Liberia Airport: $192
  • Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $270

Is it cheaper to fly into San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and San Juan del Sur 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 day
    San Juan del Sur $18
    Tamarindo $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tamarindo

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tamarindo.

  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Juan del Sur $15
    Tamarindo $17

Tours and Activities in San Juan del Sur

Here are a few actual costs in San Juan del Sur for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • SJDS PORT EXCURSION: Zipline and Adventure Park: $103
  • San Juan del Sur Shore Excursion: Private Masaya Volcano and Catarina Tour: $118
  • ATV Adventure Tour in San Juan del Sur, NICARAGUA: $130
  • atv tour also in Costa Rica: $132
  • Mombacho Volcano Hike and Ziplining Adventure from San Juan del Sur: $159

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:

  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $44
  • Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
  • Rain Forest Canopy Tour from Zipline, Hanging Bridge: $55
  • ATV Tour of Tamarindo: $55
  • ATV Beach and Mountain Tour!: $62
  • UTV Side By Side Off Road Tour Tamarindo Beach & Flamingo Beach: $65
  • Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
  • Howler Monkey Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $65
  • ATV and UTV Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Conchal Beach: $67
  • Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
  • Tamarindo River Boat Tour: $75
  • Turtle watching night tours with Expert Naturalist: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Juan del Sur $13
    Tamarindo $14

Sample the Local Flavors in Tamarindo

Also in Tamarindo, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Tamarindo Bar Crawl Experience: $25


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Juan del Sur and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is San Juan del Sur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Juan del Sur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Juan del Sur 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 San Juan del Sur.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Juan del Sur Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Juan del Sur and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Juan del Sur year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. San Juan del Sur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

San Juan del Sur usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during summer. San Juan del Sur gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to San Juan del Sur as well as Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur 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. San Juan del Sur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, San Juan del Sur often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Juan del Sur in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Juan del Sur 27°C (81°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo in the Winter?

Both Tamarindo and San Juan del Sur are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Juan del Sur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, San Juan del Sur usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Juan del Sur. San Juan del Sur usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. San Juan del Sur gets 244 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, San Juan del Sur is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in San Juan del Sur average around 26°C (79°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Juan del Sur 26°C (79°F) 
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit San Juan del Sur or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and San Juan del Sur during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Juan del Sur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

San Juan del Sur usually gets less rain in April than Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in San Juan del Sur. In the spring, San Juan del Sur often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. San Juan del Sur gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.

San Juan del Sur is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in San Juan del Sur averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Juan del Sur 29°C (84°F) 
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and San Juan del Sur

San Juan del Sur Tamarindo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)