Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Vieques Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vieques Island or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Vieques Island and Tamarindo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Vieques Island or Tamarindo?
Vieques Island
Amidst the melodious chorus of coqui frogs and gentle whispers of palm trees blowing in an evening breeze, you will find that the waters around you glow just as brightly as the stars above. This tropical paradise is none other than Vieques, Puerto Rico. Tropical forests, bioluminescent bays, coral reefs--this island attracts visitors from all around the world who seek to see the wonders and beauties of the tropics. This island suits those from all walks of life, from history buffs seeking to learn about its unique past to nature-lovers wanting to admire its untouched wilderness. Vieques is the place for a perfect vacation!
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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVieques Island $170Tamarindo $121
The average daily cost (per person) in Vieques Island is $170, 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 Vieques Island and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVieques Island $92Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVieques Island $184Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Vieques Island and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Vieques Island 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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vieques Island $30Tamarindo $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vieques Island
Also for Vieques Island, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Taxi Transfer From San Juan Airport to El Conquistador Hotel: $115
- Private Transfer Fajardo or Ceiba to San Juan Airport: $150
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 Liberia Airport (LIR) to Westin Conchal Hotel: $270
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Reserva Conchal: $270
- Round Trip Shuttle Transfer From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons Papagayo: $265
- Round Trip Transfer From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $250
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Andaz Papagayo Resort: $201
- Private Liberia airport transfer: $200
- Round Trip Transfer Liberia Airport (LIR) to Four Seasons Resort: $200
- Transfer To/From Liberia Airport To/ From JW Marriott Guanacaste: $195
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $188
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To JW Marriott Guanacaste: $185
Is it cheaper to fly into Vieques Island or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Vieques Island 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 dayVieques Island $54Tamarindo $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
- Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vieques Island $34Tamarindo $17
Tours and Activities in Vieques Island
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vieques Island.
- Puerto Rico Guided Adventure in El Yunque Rainforest: $45
- El Yunque Waterfalls and Waterslide River Tour: $50
- Overnight Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Vieques Island: $56
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $65
- Bioluminescent Bay Night Kayaking Tour in Laguna Grande Fajardo: $65
- Isla de Vieques Beach Sightseeing Day Tour: $70
- Bio Bay Kayak Tour in Fajardo: $72
- Private Tour to the East Side of Puerto Rico: $95
- Snorkeling Tour to Vieques Island: $100
- Fajardo Afternoon Snorkeling Boat Tour: $110
- Mosquito Bay Kayak Experience in Vieques: $115
- Icacos Island All-Inclusive Snorkel and Boat Tour : $125
Tours and Activities in Tamarindo
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:
- ATV adventure from Riu, Secrets and papagayo: $90
- 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
- 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-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Nature Day Tour: $300
- 5-Hour Guided Sunset Boat Tour in Tamarindo Costa Rica: $95
- 5-in-1 Rincon de la Vieja National Park Adventure Day Tour: $300
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVieques Island $30Tamarindo $14
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: $25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vieques Island and Tamarindo, we can see that Vieques Island is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vieques Island is in Caribbean Islands 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 Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Vieques Island would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vieques Island than you might in Tamarindo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vieques Island Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Vieques Island 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 Vieques Island or Tamarindo in the Summer?
Both Tamarindo and Vieques Island during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vieques Island 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. Vieques Island usually gets less rain in July than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Vieques Island. In the summer, Vieques Island often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun.
Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVieques Island 29°C (83°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vieques Island and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vieques Island year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Vieques Island gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Vieques Island usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Vieques Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vieques Island usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during autumn. Vieques Island gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vieques Island in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVieques Island 28°C (82°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Tamarindo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Vieques Island as well as Tamarindo. Vieques Island attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Vieques Island usually gets more rain in January than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 43 mm (1.7 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 Vieques Island this time of the year. In the winter, Vieques Island often gets less sunshine than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun.
In January, Vieques Island is generally around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Vieques Island average around 26°C (78°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVieques Island 26°C (78°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vieques Island or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Vieques Island are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vieques Island throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Vieques Island usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Vieques Island gets 72 mm (2.8 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 Vieques Island. Vieques Island usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo during spring. Vieques Island gets 272 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vieques Island is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Vieques Island averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVieques Island 27°C (80°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Vieques Island
| Vieques Island | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.