Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Temuco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Temuco 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 Temuco 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.
Where Should I go: Temuco or Tamarindo?
Temuco
Temuco is a large and modern city found 680 km south of Santiago. While the city is dynamic, it does not have any particular charm with the exception of being a great point of departure for many excursions around the lake region and the many national parks found in the surrounding area. Temuco is also well known for its Mapuche culture, a proud and rebellious community of around 20 000 in the area today, who has fought continuously against every invaders in the past.
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 Food and Culinary Tours in Chile, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTemuco $80Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Temuco is $80, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $121. 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 Temuco and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTemuco $44Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTemuco $88Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Temuco and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Temuco 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: Temuco Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Temuco $23Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Temuco
Also for Temuco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from or to Temuco - Araucanía Airport: $35
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $49
- Transfer Araucanía Airport - Temuco: $50
- Temuco Airport (ZCO) to Pucon Thermal Resorts-Round-Trip Transfer: $98
- Transfer from Temuco Airport to Pucon: $140
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $307
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $280
- Round Trip Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $250
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Four Seasons Resort: $200
- Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $185
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Riu Guanacaste Hotel: $181
- Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hacienda Pinilla Guanacaste: $175
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Planet Hollywood Beach Resort: $171
- Private Transfer from Intl Liberia (LIR) Airport to Papagayo beaches areas: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Temuco or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Temuco 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 dayTemuco $22Tamarindo $32
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Temuco $7.85Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Temuco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Temuco.
- Tour Mapuche Community Araucanía: $582
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTemuco $5.13Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Temuco and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Temuco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Temuco 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 Temuco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Temuco 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 Temuco.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Temuco Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Temuco or Tamarindo?
Temuco 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 Temuco or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Temuco during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
In January, Temuco is generally much colder than Tamarindoin July. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 17°C (62°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Temuco. In the summer, Temuco often gets more sunshine than Tamarindoin July. Temuco gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
Tamarindo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Temuco usually gets less rain in January than Tamarindoin July. Temuco gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyTemuco 17°C (62°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Temuco and Tamarindo. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Temuco is much colder than Tamarindo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Temuco averages around 12°C (53°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
Temuco usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during autumn. Temuco gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Temuco usually receives less rain than Tamarindoin October. Temuco gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberTemuco 12°C (53°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Temuco as well as Tamarindo. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
In the winter, Temuco is much colder than Tamarindo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Temuco in July average around 8°C (46°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tamarindo. In the winter, Temuco often gets less sunshine than Tamarindoin January. Temuco gets 78 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
Temuco receives a lot of rain in the winter. Temuco usually gets more rain in July than Tamarindoin January. Temuco gets 169 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTemuco 8°C (46°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Temuco or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Temuco are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Temuco is generally much colder than Tamarindoin April. Daily temperatures in Temuco average around 12°C (54°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. Temuco usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during spring. Temuco gets 193 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Temuco usually receives more rain than Tamarindoin April. Temuco gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilTemuco 12°C (54°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Temuco
| Temuco | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 17°C (62°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 17°C (63°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 15°C (59°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (47°F) | 177 mm (7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 8°C (46°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 16°C (61°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
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.