Is Tamarindo Expensive?

Is Tamarindo expensive to visit?

Tamarindo is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $144. Compared to the rest of Central America, it is a very expensive place to visit. It's ranked in the top 10% of cities in Central America for its travel prices, comparable to places like Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) and San Pedro.



Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica

How expensive is Tamarindo?

On average, visitors spend about $144 per day when visiting Tamarindo (U.S. Dollars). Two travelers together would spend an average of $289 per day. Prices vary dramatically by travel style and length of trip, but if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and use public transportation when possible, you can expect to stay close to this budget. See more travel costs for Tamarindo here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Tamarindo?

A weekend trip to Tamarindo costs about $433 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $866.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Tamarindo?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Tamarindo costs around $1,011 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $2,021.

Is it expensive to backpack in Tamarindo?

Tamarindo is a popular backpacker destination with more than 20 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $25 per night. (See hostel prices in Tamarindo here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $50 and the cheapest around $14 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Tamarindo.

  • $23 for a dorm bed at CASA PURA VIDA SURF HOSTEL
  • $17 for a dorm bed at La Botella de Leche
  • $17 for a dorm bed at Tamarindo Backpackers

Are hotels expensive in Tamarindo?

Considering our analysis of hotel prices in Tamarindo, it becomes apparent that they are very expensive in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, you can expect to spend around $181 per night for a hotel room. The city is home to approximately 2 five-star hotels, presenting an average rate of $407 per night. For a balanced choice catering to both comfort and cost-effectiveness, three-star hotels provide an average rate of $357 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more budget-friendly alternative at $72 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Tamarindo
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 2 $407
4 stars 5 $271
3 stars 39 $357
2 stars 14 $72
1 star 3 $82
No rating 5 $149

Tamarindo, Tamarindo
Overall Rating 9.5
Tamarindo de Villas Mariposa 100 MTS sur y 30 MTS Oeste, Tamarindo
Overall Rating 9.1

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Tamarindo?

Activities and things to do in Tamarindo can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $17 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is less than the country's average of $32.

  • ATV Hidden Beaches Tour: $140
  • ATV Tour Jobo: $117
  • Private Mega Combo Tour in Costa Rica: $160
  • Top Tour Activities Hot Spring, Horseback, Zip Lining,Water Slide: $200
  • The Official Craft Beer Tour of Costa Rica: $149
  • Miravalles volcano Tour and Waterfalls from Playa Flamingo: $178
  • Full Day Adventure Tour: $255
  • Miravalles Adventure Combo: $180

Is food expensive in Tamarindo?

Food in Tamarindo can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $56 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $42. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

  • Traditional Cooking Class In Tamarindo: $95
  • Tamarindo : Traditional Cooking Class: $95

Is transportation expensive in Tamarindo?

The prices of local transportation in Tamarindo can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $69 on local transportation per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $26. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

More for Tamarindo

If you're planning a trip to Tamarindo, Costa Rica, check out these other informative travel guides.



We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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