A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Santa Elena vs. Tamarindo for Backpackers, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena 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.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a tranquil, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a scenic, laid back, and chill town. Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Santa Elena and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Tamarindo. Although Santa Elena and Tamarindo are both popular with visitors, Tamarindo has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Tamarindo is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, and beaches, while Santa Elena is known for its hiking. Santa Elena is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation. Tamarindo is popular for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles. It is also home to Las Baulas National Marine Park.

How is Santa Elena different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tamarindo and Santa Elena. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

Tamarindo is adequate for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

Is the Food Better in Santa Elena or Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tamarindo is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tamarindo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Tamarindo is great for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Tamarindo for the nightlife scene. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Most people don't head to Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

Tamarindo is great for the beach. However, Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Tamarindo for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Tamarindo is not a hiking destination.

Santa Elena is a popular spot for hiking. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Tamarindo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

If you're looking to go shopping, Santa Elena and Tamarindo both offer plenty of good spots.

Santa Elena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Tamarindo is a great destination for shopping. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

You'll find a similar quality of good scenery and beauty in both Santa Elena and Tamarindo.

Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Tamarindo is a gorgeous place to visit. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Both Santa Elena and Tamarindo are great family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Santa Elena. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

Tamarindo is a very family-friendly place to visit. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Santa Elena and Tamarindo both great destinations for a couple.

Santa Elena is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Tamarindo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is an amazing town to visit for backpackers. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Santa Elena. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tamarindo. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Santa Elena and Tamarindo both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Santa Elena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Tamarindo has a few public transit options. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is Santa Elena or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

Tamarindo is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Tamarindo is a very walkable destination. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

Santa Elena is somewhat walkable. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

For even more information, also check out Is Santa Elena Worth Visiting? and Is Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Santa Elena?

How long in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

In either Santa Elena or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Tamarindo than Santa Elena because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Santa Elena, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

Families should spend more time in Tamarindo than Santa Elena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tamarindo, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Tamarindo than Santa Elena. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Tamarindo that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping around the town of Santa Elena. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic town of Tamarindo. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

You'll find shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the chill destination of Tamarindo. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This town offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the scenic town of Santa Elena. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the scenic town of Tamarindo. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Santa Elena or Tamarindo?

Santa Elena is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting Tamarindo. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena or Tamarindo in the Summer?

Both Tamarindo and Santa Elena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.

In July, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or Tamarindo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. The hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during autumn. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or Tamarindo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Tamarindo. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 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 Santa Elena this time of the year. In the winter, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Santa Elena in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Santa Elena or Tamarindo in the Spring?

Both Tamarindo and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena is February to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. The dry season in Tamarindo is December to May. June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo. In April, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tamarindo. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 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 Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 29°C (85°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Santa Elena