Travel budget and cost of living in Tamarindo (Costa Rica) how much does a trip cost?

Tamarindo travel budget

Tamarindo: calculate your travel budget

Sample budgets for a trip to Tamarindo

These example budgets assume a 2-week holiday in Tamarindo for 2 people.

* estimated local budget for 2 people for 2 weeks (excluding plane tickets).

Cost of living in Tamarindo compared to United States in 2024

On average, the cost of living in Tamarindo in 2024 is 12% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).

See the graphic below for the price variation percentage by type of expense in Tamarindo in 2024 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Local prices in Tamarindo by expense type

Restaurant budget in Tamarindo

Lunch

$ 11/person
($ 7.2 to $ 22)

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48% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 21

3 course dinner

$ 32/person
($ 21 to $ 51)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 38

McDonald's meal

$ 9.2/person
($ 9 to $ 11)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Local beer

$ 3.5 for 500ml
($ 2 to $ 7.4)

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41% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6

Imported beer

$ 2.9 for 330ml
($ 2.1 to $ 5)

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18% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Cappuccino

$ 3.5/cup
($ 2 to $ 5.9)

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29% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.1

Fizzy drink

$ 2/can
($ 1.5 to $ 3.6)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Water bottle

$ 1.5/bottle
($ 1.1 to $ 3)

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28% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.1

Hotel and accommodation budget in Tamarindo

1-star hotel

$ 169/night
($ 27 to $ 917)

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1% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168

2-star hotel

$ 120/night
($ 42 to $ 387)

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23% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 157

3-star hotel

$ 156/night
($ 47 to $ 501)

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31% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 229

4-star hotel

$ 404/night
($ 137 to $ 983)

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32% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 306

5-star hotel

$ 922/night
($ 616 to $ 1628)

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92% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 482

Hostel/Youth Hostel

$ 136/month
($ 51 to $ 579)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 165

Room with kitchen

$ 204/month
($ 47 to $ 991)

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15% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 241

Hotel with swimming pool

$ 222/month
($ 53 to $ 1163)

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5% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 212

Cottage or guest house

$ 185/month
($ 78 to $ 661)

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17% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 224

Family room

$ 271/month
($ 55 to $ 1116)

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26% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 215

Supermarket food budget in Tamarindo

Milk

$ 2/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 6.1)

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89% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.1

Bread

$ 2.6/500g
($ 1.6 to $ 5.2)

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26% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.6

Rice

$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.7 to $ 4.1)

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46% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.6

Eggs

$ 3.4/12 eggs
($ 1.8 to $ 6.1)

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7% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.7

Chicken

$ 11/kg
($ 5 to $ 14)

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14% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13

Apples

$ 4.7/kg
($ 2.8 to $ 9)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.3

Tomatoes

$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.2 to $ 4.6)

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44% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.9

Potatoes

$ 2.5/kg
($ 1.1 to $ 3.6)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3

Water bottle

$ 2.4
($ 1.1 to $ 4.1)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.2

Public and private transport budget in Tamarindo

Bus ticket

$ 1.2/ticket
($ 1.1 to $ 2.6)

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51% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.5

Taxi (per km)

$ 1.5/km
($ 1.2 to $ 4.1)

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11% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.7

Petrol

$ 1.5/litre
($ 1.3 to $ 1.8)

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56% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1

Taxi (initial pick-up charge)

$ 1.7
($ 1.3 to $ 4.1)

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54% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.8

Car hire

$ 44/24hrs
($ 17 to $ 145)

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19% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 55

Leisure activity budget in Tamarindo

Cinema

$ 5.6/ticket
($ 4.1 to $ 11)

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60% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 15

Tennis

$ 26/hr
($ 25 to $ 26)

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11% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 23

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Tamarindo

Cigarettes

$ 4.7/pack
($ 4.1 to $ 5.5)

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52% less than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11

Levi's jeans

$ 72
($ 52 to $ 106)

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36% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 53

Summer dress

$ 49
($ 25 to $ 72)

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9% more than in the United States (USA) Average price in the United States (USA): $ 44

Plane ticket budget

New York City → San José

$ 518
(fair price: $ 392)

Los Angeles → San José

$ 489
(fair price: $ 372)

Montreal → San José

$ 664
(fair price: $ 556)

London → San José

$ 767
(fair price: $ 681)

Toronto → San José

$ 643
(fair price: $ 506)

Chicago → San José

$ 516
(fair price: $ 422)