A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tamarindo vs. Easter Island for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tamarindo or Easter Island?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tamarindo or Easter Island, 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 Easter Island?

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.

Easter Island

Although Easter Island is considered a territory of Chile, it is actually located far out in the Pacific, almost halfway to Tahiti. Easter Island is well known, despite being one of the most isolated islands on Earth, because of the mysterious giant stone busts which date back centuries. There are 887 monumental statues, called moai, that were built by the Rapa Nui people. There remains much mystery around the historic Polynesian culture which created the stones, as well as the specific meaning for them.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Easter Island or Tamarindo?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tamarindo is $121, while the average daily cost in Easter Island is $80. 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 Easter Island in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tamarindo $50
    Easter Island $44
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tamarindo $100
    Easter Island $88
Compare Hotels in Tamarindo and Easter Island

Looking for a hotel in Tamarindo or Easter Island? 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 Tamarindo


Hotels in Easter Island


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tamarindo $69
    Easter Island $2.59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Transfers Riu Palace or Guanacaste from Airports Round trip: $158
  • Transfer from Westin Conchal Hotel to Liberia Airport (LIR): $140
  • Transfer from JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa to Liberia Airport (LIR): $148
  • Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
  • Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $143
  • Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Planet Hollywood Costa Rica: $92
  • Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $98
  • Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $175
  • Transfer to Liberia or LIR Airport: $120
  • Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
  • Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Beach - Costa Rica: $145
  • Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel: $181

Is it cheaper to fly into Tamarindo or Easter Island?

Prices for flights to both Easter Island 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Tamarindo $32
    Easter Island $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
  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Dinner, Show and Traditional Curanto Te Ra'ai Cultural Experience: $120
  • Rapa Nui Dinner Show on Easter Island: $153

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tamarindo $17
    Easter Island $40

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

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

  • Ecologic farming Sloth tour Hiking & Chocolate -Coffee tour: $260
  • Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano Adventure Combo Tour: $220
  • Premium Tour: Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and Waterfall Hiking: $170
  • Premium Tour:Sloths and Río Celeste y Cortez Waterfalls (Tenorio Volcano Park): $220
  • Private ATV or Buggy Tour from Riu Hotels: $85
  • Sloth Farm Watching Tour & Amazimg Waterfall: $185
  • Wildlife Tour at Palo Verde National Park: $199
  • 1,5 Hours Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $80
  • 2-Hour Guided Tour by ATV near Playa Conchal: $130
  • 3 Hour ATV Secluded Beach Tour from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Conchal & Grande: $125
  • 3-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
  • 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95

Typical Entertainment Prices in Easter Island

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Easter Island's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Bike Rental
    $8.38

Tours and Activities in Easter Island

For Easter Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui: $70
  • Full Day Hotu Matua Tour from Vaihu to Anakena: $70
  • Orongo, Ahu Vinapu and Rano Kau Half Day Tour: $91
  • Easter Island Moai Archaeology Tour: Ahu Akivi, Ahu Tahai and Puna Pauâ Quarry.: $91
  • Full Day Tour in Rapa Nui National Park, Easter Island: $97
  • Private Sunrise Tour at 15 Moai Tongariki Park: $120
  • Full day tour - DREAM: $120
  • The Rapa Nui Stargazing Experience : $125
  • Private Tour: Tongariki Sunrise Experience: $125
  • Tour to the Motus: Boat trip and snorkeling in Rapa Nui: $149
  • Rapa Nui: Private Tour "The Legend of the BirdMan": $150
  • Private Tour: The Underground World of Rapa Nui Caves: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tamarindo $14
    Easter Island $5.34


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

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



When is the best time to visit Tamarindo or Easter Island?

Easter Island 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 Tamarindo or Easter Island in the Summer?

Both Easter Island and Tamarindo during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Tamarindo is generally a little warmer than Easter Islandin January. Daily temperatures in Tamarindo average around 28°C (82°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

In Easter Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Tamarindo often gets less sunshine than Easter Islandin January. Tamarindo gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 272 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. Tamarindo usually gets more rain in July than Easter Islandin January. Tamarindo gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Tamarindo 28°C (82°F) 
    Easter Island 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Tamarindo or Easter Island in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tamarindo and Easter Island. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.

Tamarindo is a little warmer than Easter Island in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tamarindo averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Easter Island fluctuates around 22°C (72°F)in April.

Tamarindo usually receives less sunshine than Easter Island during autumn. Tamarindo gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 185 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Easter Island receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Tamarindo usually receives more rain than Easter Islandin April. Tamarindo gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F) 
    Easter Island 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Tamarindo or Easter Island in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tamarindo as well as Easter Island. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Tamarindo is a little warmer than Easter Island. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tamarindo in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Easter Island averages at about 18°C (65°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tamarindo this time of the year. In the winter, Tamarindo often gets more sunshine than Easter Islandin July. Tamarindo gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Easter Island receives 148 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Easter Island. Tamarindo usually gets less rain in January than Easter Islandin July. Tamarindo gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Tamarindo 27°C (81°F) 
    Easter Island 18°C (65°F)

Should I visit Tamarindo or Easter Island in the Spring?

Both Easter Island and Tamarindo are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.

In April, Tamarindo is generally much warmer than Easter Islandin October. Daily temperatures in Tamarindo average around 29°C (85°F), and Easter Island fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite sunny in Easter Island. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. Tamarindo usually receives more sunshine than Easter Island during spring. Tamarindo gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Easter Island receives 224 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tamarindo usually receives less rain than Easter Islandin October. Tamarindo gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Easter Island receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Tamarindo 29°C (85°F) 
    Easter Island 20°C (67°F)

Typical Weather for Easter Island and Tamarindo

Tamarindo Easter Island
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 24°C (74°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 24°C (75°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 153 mm (6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 19°C (67°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 20°C (67°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 21°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 22°C (72°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)