Which place is cheaper, Roatan 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 Roatan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tamarindo or Roatan, 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 Roatan?
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.
Roatan
Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, and The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras.
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Tamarindo Prices
Costa Rica PricesRoatan Prices
Honduras Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTamarindo $161Roatan $42
The average daily cost (per person) in Tamarindo is $161, while the average daily cost in Roatan is $42. 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 Roatan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTamarindo $56Roatan $10
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTamarindo $112Roatan $20
Compare Hotels in Tamarindo and Roatan
Looking for a hotel in Tamarindo or Roatan? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tamarindo $77Roatan $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Guanacaste Airport (LIR) Private Departure Transfer: $3.25
- Private Transfers from Liberia Airport to Costa Rica Destinations: $10
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Waldorf Astoria Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Mangroove Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Planet Hollywood: $19
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $20
- Convenient airport transfers from Liberia: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Andaz Papagayo: $20
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport: $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:
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Water Taxi$3.92
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Roatan
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Roatan:
- Transfers to West End by night from hotels in West Bay or Sandy Bay: $25
- Airport, Hotel or Cruise Port, Ferry Roatan Private Transfer: $35
- Honduras Airport(RTB) to Roatan -Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Roatan to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Mahogany Bay Cruise Port to Roatan Island hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Roatan Island hotels to Mahogany Bay Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Catch a ride to West End & back to Port, Hotel or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $60
- Catch a ride to West Bay & back to Port, Hotel, or Airport (Roundtrip Transfer): $75
- Roatan Private Catamaran Shipwreck, Blue Channel and Starfish with Transfer: $79
- West Bay Aquarium Snorkeling, Chocolate & Rum Factory, City Tour plus Transfer: $85
- West Bay Beach Day Pass & Private Transfer – Roatán: $89
- Roatan East End Cultural Experience, Island Lunch & Private Transfer: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Tamarindo or Roatan?
Prices for flights to both Roatan 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 $63Roatan $15
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
- Discover Tamarindo's Blue Zone: Healthy Cooking Class: $154
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Roatan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Roatan.
- Roatan Cooking Class and Cultural Experience: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tamarindo $19Roatan $25
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- UNICO Luxury 1-Hour Boat Tour and Flamingo: $30
- Paintball Experience near Tamarindo: $32
- Boat Sightseeing Tour of Las Baulas Marine Park, Mangroves and Nature: $42
- Tamarind Mangrove Tour and Wildlife Watching: $42
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
- Mangrove Sightseeing Tour and Wildlife Experience: $45
- Mangrove tour, crocodiles , monkeys birds nature Boat or Kayak: $45
- Tamarindo Estuary Tour Wildlife Adventure in Guanacaste: $45
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour with Naturalist Guide: $45
- Tamarindo Mangrove Tour: $46
- Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
- Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
Tours and Activities in Roatan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:
- Organized trips and adventures: $26
- Roatan 35-Minute Private Guided Canopy Zipline Tour: $40
- Roatan Private and Public Snorkel Tours at West Bay Beach: $45
- Roatan Comprehensive Real Estate Tour Experience: $45
- Roatan Zipline & Eco walk/Suspension Bridge Combo Tours: $45
- Customizable Best Of Roatan Island Tour in Honduras: $45
- 1 Stop Snorkel Adventure with Beach Break: $45
- Customizable Island Tour While on Roatan: $45
- Roatan VIP island tour in Honduras: $45
- Customizable Roatán Private Tour: Rum, Chocolate & Island Culture: $50
- Roatan Chocolate Factory Rum Factory and Beach Day Tour: $50
- Roatán Private custom Tour Chocolate Rum Culture & Local Snacks: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTamarindo $16Roatan $6.50
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 – #1 Nightlife Experience | Shots all night!: $20
- Tamarindo Bar Crawl – #1 Nightlife Experience: $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Roatan
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Roatan:
- Half-Day Tour in Roatan With Brewery, Rum and Chocolate Factories visit: $46
- Bar Crawl Tour in West End Village by Pedibike- Let the Good Times Roll: $80
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tamarindo and Roatan, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Roatan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tamarindo Expensive? and Is Roatan 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.