Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or San Miguel de Tucuman?
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 San Miguel de Tucuman or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between San Miguel de Tucuman and Tamarindo can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: San Miguel de Tucuman or Tamarindo?
San Miguel de Tucuman
The capital of the Tucuman Province in Argentina, San Miguel de Tucuman is the largest city in the country's northwest. The city is probably most well known as the sight where the Declaration of Independence from Spain took place on July 9, 1816. The location of this event, a colonial-style house called "Casa Historica" or "Casita de Tucuman", remains an important landmark in the city.
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 Tours for Seniors to Argentina, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Argentina, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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San Miguel de Tucuman Prices
Argentina PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Miguel de Tucuman $50Tamarindo $144
The average daily cost (per person) in San Miguel de Tucuman is $50, 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 San Miguel de Tucuman and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Miguel de Tucuman $37Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Miguel de Tucuman $74Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in San Miguel de Tucuman and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in San Miguel de Tucuman 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: San Miguel de Tucuman Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Miguel de Tucuman $2.38Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfers to or from Liberia Airport: $54
- Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $140
- Transfer from Tamarindo to Liberia Airport (LIR): $115
- Transfer from Riu Guanacaste Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Planet Hollywood Beach Resort to Liberia Airport (LIR): $85
- Transfer from Liberia airport to Flamingo, Westin Conchal, Planet Hollywood: $75
- Transfer Service To Playa Conchal & Flamingo From Liberia Airport: $168
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Westin Resort Costa Rica: $185
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo, Guanacaste: $185
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace And Riu Guanacaste: $115
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace & Riu Guanacaste Costa Rica: $125
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace & Riu Guanacaste: $125
Is it cheaper to fly into San Miguel de Tucuman or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and San Miguel de Tucuman 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 daySan Miguel de Tucuman $5.36Tamarindo $56
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.San Miguel de Tucuman $25Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in San Miguel de Tucuman
For San Miguel de Tucuman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Entrance ticket to Aerial Park, Zip Line and Palestra: $27
- Yungas Half-Day Tour from Tucuman: $71
- Discover Tafí del Valle and Quilmes Ruins in a Day Tour: $110
- Rio Hondo Hot Springs Full Day Tour from Tucuman: $110
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 daySan Miguel de Tucuman $7.99Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Miguel de Tucuman and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is San Miguel de Tucuman much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Miguel de Tucuman 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 San Miguel de Tucuman would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Miguel de Tucuman 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 Miguel de Tucuman.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Miguel de Tucuman Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
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.