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.

Low budget
(backpacker)

Daily budget:

  • $ 88 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 20 per person
  • $ 5.6 per person
  • Free activities

Total budget:

$ 1928* (971950 CRC)

Average budget
(traveller)

Daily budget:

  • $ 150 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 38 per person
  • $ 16 per person
  • $ 7.9 per person

Total budget:

$ 3812* (1922074 CRC)

High budget
(tourist)

Daily budget:

  • $ 314 for 2 ppl.
  • $ 62 per person
  • $ 36 per person
  • $ 16 per person

Total budget:

$ 7540* (3801840 CRC)

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



Cost of living in Tamarindo compared to United States in 2025

Compare with the average cost of living in:

On average, the cost of living in Tamarindo in 2025 is 10% 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 2025 compared to average prices in the United States (USA):

Created with Highcharts 8.2.2%-23%-23%+6%+6%-5%-5%-10%-10%-15%-15%-13%-13%Price variation between Tamarindo and United States (countrywide average) in 2025RestaurantHotelFoodTransportLeisure activitiesShopping-25-20-15-10-50510



Local prices in Tamarindo by expense type

Restaurant budget in Tamarindo

On average, budget for eating in a restaurant in Tamarindo is 23% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Restaurant: sample prices in Tamarindo (compared to United States)2222424213136.66.61414353511113.43.4United StatesTamarindoLunch3 course dinnerMcDonald's mealLocal beer0246810121416182022242628303234363840424446
Lunch
Lunch
$ 14/person
($ 7.9 to $ 26)

38% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 22
3 course dinner
3 course dinner
$ 35/person
($ 24 to $ 57)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 42
McDonald's meal
McDonald's meal
$ 11/person
($ 10.2 to $ 14)

10% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 13
Local beer
Local beer
$ 3.4 for 500ml
($ 2.2 to $ 8)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 6.6
Imported beer
Imported beer
$ 3.3 for 330ml
($ 2.3 to $ 6.3)

16% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Cappuccino
Cappuccino
$ 4.5/cup
($ 2.5 to $ 7.9)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.7
Fizzy drink
Fizzy drink
$ 2.3/can
($ 1.8 to $ 4.1)

16% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.8
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 1.8/bottle
($ 1.4 to $ 2.3)

21% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.3

Hotel and accommodation budget in Tamarindo

On average, hotel and accommodation budget in Tamarindo is 6% more expensive than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Hotel: sample prices in Tamarindo (compared to United States)168168248248349349179179257257129129171171457457139139204204United StatesTamarindo2-star hotel3-star hotel4-star hotelHostel/Youth HostelCottage or guest house0255075100125150175200225250275300325350375400425450475500
1-star hotel
1-star hotel
$ 167/night
($ 30 to $ 896)

5% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 177
2-star hotel
2-star hotel
$ 129/night
($ 47 to $ 368)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 168
3-star hotel
3-star hotel
$ 171/night
($ 57 to $ 576)

31% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 248
4-star hotel
4-star hotel
$ 457/night
($ 104 to $ 1361)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 349
5-star hotel
5-star hotel
$ 1155/night
($ 674 to $ 2065)

103% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 570
Hostel/Youth Hostel
Hostel/Youth Hostel
$ 139/month
($ 45 to $ 581)

22% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 179
Room with kitchen
Room with kitchen
$ 231/month
($ 63 to $ 1144)

13% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 266
Hotel with swimming pool
Hotel with swimming pool
$ 240/month
($ 56 to $ 1350)

7% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 226
Cottage or guest house
Cottage or guest house
$ 204/month
($ 93 to $ 661)

20% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 257
Family room
Family room
$ 295/month
($ 60 to $ 1330)

35% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 220

Supermarket food budget in Tamarindo

On average, the price of supermarket food in Tamarindo is 5% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Food: sample prices in Tamarindo (compared to United States)4.14.114145.45.43.23.23.83.811113.53.52.72.7United StatesTamarindoEggsChickenTomatoesPotatoes0123456789101112131415
Milk
Milk
$ 2.2/litre
($ 1.6 to $ 6.8)

97% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.2
Bread
Bread
$ 3.1/500g
($ 1.4 to $ 5.8)

23% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.9
Rice
Rice
$ 2.3/kg
($ 2 to $ 3.9)

53% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5
Eggs
Eggs
$ 3.8/12 eggs
($ 2.2 to $ 6.8)

7% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4.1
Chicken
Chicken
$ 11/kg
($ 5.6 to $ 15)

19% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 14
Apples
Apples
$ 4.8/kg
($ 3.2 to $ 9.2)

16% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.8
Tomatoes
Tomatoes
$ 3.5/kg
($ 1.8 to $ 5.2)

34% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 5.4
Potatoes
Potatoes
$ 2.7/kg
($ 1.3 to $ 4.9)

18% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 3.2
Water bottle
Water bottle
$ 3.2
($ 1.8 to $ 4.6)

31% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.4

Public and private transport budget in Tamarindo

On average, the price of transport in Tamarindo is 10% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Created with Highcharts 8.2.2Price (USD)Transport: sample prices in Tamarindo (compared to United States)2.72.71.91.91182821.41.42.12.11.61.66767United StatesTamarindoBus ticketTaxi (per km)PetrolCar hire051015202530354045505560657075808590
Bus ticket
Bus ticket
$ 1.4/ticket
($ 1.2 to $ 2.9)

50% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 2.7
Taxi (per km)
Taxi (per km)
$ 2.1/km
($ 1.5 to $ 4.5)

10% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1.9
Petrol
Petrol
$ 1.6/litre
($ 1.5 to $ 2)

57% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 1
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
Taxi (initial pick-up charge)
$ 2.1
($ 1.5 to $ 4.5)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 4
Car hire
Car hire
$ 67/24hrs
($ 22 to $ 347)

17% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 82

Leisure activity budget in Tamarindo

On average, budget for leisure activities in Tamarindo is 15% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cinema
Cinema
$ 7.9/ticket
($ 7.9 to $ 12)

48% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 16
Tennis
Tennis
$ 28/hr
( $ 28)

18% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 24

Budget for clothes and price of cigarettes in Tamarindo

On average, shopping budget in Tamarindo is 13% cheaper than in the United States (USA).
Cigarettes
Cigarettes
$ 5.5/pack
($ 4.5 to $ 6.3)

49% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 11
Levi's jeans
Levi's jeans
$ 89
($ 58 to $ 118)

52% more than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 58
Summer dress
Summer dress
$ 28
($ 28 to $ 80)

42% less than in the United States (USA)United States Average price in the United States (USA): $ 47

Plane ticket budget

London → San José
London → San José
London → San José
$ 934
(fair price: $ 831)
Montreal → San José
Montreal → San José
Montreal → San José
$ 677
(fair price: $ 541)
New York City → San José
New York City → San José
New York City → San José
$ 553
(fair price: $ 408)
Los Angeles → San José
Los Angeles  → San José
Los Angeles  → San José
$ 557
(fair price: $ 432)
Toronto → San José
Toronto → San José
Toronto → San José
$ 677
(fair price: $ 519)
Atlanta → San José
Atlanta → San José
Atlanta → San José
$ 681
(fair price: $ 475)



About this information on the cost of living in Tamarindo

The information about the cost of living in Tamarindo shown on this page comes from multiple sources, including: Numbeo, Skyscanner and Hotels.com.

The information about the cost of living in Tamarindo was updated on 30-03-2025.

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