Which place is cheaper, Antigua Guatemala or Tamarindo?
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 Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala, 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: Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala?
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.
Antigua Guatemala
Before a disastrous earthquake in 1773, Antigua was the colonial capital of Guatemala. For 200 years it had reigned as so and today shows remnants of its glorious past with Spanish colonial buildings and other architectural landmarks still standing. Due to this large amount of preserved architecture, Antigua was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is now the most touristed city of Guatemala.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guatemala City, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Guatemala.
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Tamarindo Prices
Costa Rica PricesAntigua Guatemala Prices
Guatemala Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTamarindo $144Antigua Guatemala $74
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamarindo is $144, while the average daily cost in Antigua Guatemala is $74. 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 Tamarindo and Antigua Guatemala in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTamarindo $50Antigua Guatemala $22
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTamarindo $100Antigua Guatemala $44
Compare Hotels in Tamarindo and Antigua Guatemala
Looking for a hotel in Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala? 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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices and Antigua Guatemala Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tamarindo $69Antigua Guatemala $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Private Transfer from San Jose Airport to Tamarindo.: $400
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
- Round Trip Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $265
- Round Trip Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Private Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $225
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $205
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $185
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Margaritaville Costa Rica: $185
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Antigua Guatemala
Also for Antigua Guatemala, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Ground Transfer From Antigua To Guatemala City Airport: $25
- From Panajachel: One Way Shared Transfers to Antigua: $25
- One-Way Shared Van Transfer to Panajachel: $25
- Private Transfer from Antigua Guatemala to La Aurora Airport: $25
- Antigua: Private Transfer to Guatemala City Airport: $25
- Guatemala City Airport: Private Transfer to Antigua: $25
- Panajachel: One way shared transfer to Antigua: $25
- Shared Transfer From Antigua to Panajachel (Atitlan): $27
- Private Transfer from Antigua to La Aurora Airport: $28
- From Antigua Guatemala One way shared transfer to El Paredon: $34
- transfer service Guatemala City, Lake Atitlan destination: $35
- Antigua: One way shared transfer to Semuc Champey, Lanquin: $49
Is it cheaper to fly into Tamarindo or Antigua Guatemala?
Prices for flights to both Antigua Guatemala and Tamarindo 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 dayTamarindo $56Antigua Guatemala $25
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
- Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95
Typical Food Prices in Antigua Guatemala
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Antigua Guatemala:
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Lunch$3.26
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Lunch$7.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Antigua Guatemala
For Antigua Guatemala, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Antigua: Traditional Guatemalan Cooking Classes — Casa San Miguel.: $38
- Antigua: Traditional cooking class with a Guatemalan family: $50
- Taste of Guatemala,Walking Food Tour in Antigua Guatemala : $50
- Antigua: Guatemalan Cooking Class with a Local Family: $58
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Wine, transfer & vegan option: $65
- Antigua Street Food Tour : $65
- Private Cooking Class of Typical Guatemalan Dishes: $70
- Antigua: Cooking Class with Local Family: $74
- Local Street Food Tour of Antigua: $75
- Antigua: Private Evening Street Food Tour with Dinner: $84
- Guatemalan Cooking Class & Market Tour: $85
- Guatemalan Cooking Class and Market Tour: $85
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tamarindo $17Antigua Guatemala $15
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
Tours and Activities in Antigua Guatemala
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Antigua Guatemala.
- Essential Antigua: Half-Day Walking Tour: $20
- From Antigua: Pacaya Volcano Tour in English/Spanish: $23
- Antigua Walking Tour: $25
- City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Guided Walking Tour Legends of Antigua Guatemala: $25
- La Antigua Horror Stories Night Walking Tour: $25
- Antigua walking tour: Highlights, history, culture.: $25
- Cultural and fun tour in Antigua Guatemala: $25
- Colonial Antigua Afternoon Walking Tour: $25
- Antigua Guatemala Walking Tour History Architecture & Facades: $29
- Antigua: Marshmallows Roasting at Pacaya Volcano 6-hour Tour: $29
- Antigua Sightseeing: Private Walking Tour Culture and History: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTamarindo $14Antigua Guatemala $11
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: $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Antigua Guatemala
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Antigua Guatemala:
- Antigua Bar Crawl: $26
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamarindo and Antigua Guatemala, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Antigua Guatemala much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Antigua Guatemala would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Antigua Guatemala 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 Antigua Guatemala.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamarindo Expensive? and Is Antigua Guatemala 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.