A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cabo San Lucas vs. Tamarindo for Nightlife, Couples, Food, and Beaches

Should you visit Cabo San Lucas 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 Cabo San Lucas 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.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is a wild, adventurous, and scenic city. You'll find world class beauty in Cabo San Lucas as well. And you can't forget about the museums, nightlife, and food. See Cabo San Lucas travel costs.

Tamarindo

Tamarindo is a laid back, chill, and scenic town. Tamarindo is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Tamarindo travel costs.

Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cabo San Lucas. Although Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo are popular destinations, Cabo San Lucas has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cabo San Lucas is more touristy than Tamarindo and is known for its beautiful coastline, all-inclusive resorts, and vibrant nightlife scene. It is also well known for Land's End. Tamarindo is famous for its surfing, wildlife, and leatherback sea turtles.

How is Cabo San Lucas different from Tamarindo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tamarindo and Cabo San Lucas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

Cabo San Lucas is a nice place to visit for its sights and museums. However, Tamarindo is not a good town for its museums and history.

Cabo San Lucas offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several historical sights in the area such as the Church of Saint Luke and San Jose del Cabo.

While most people don't head to Tamarindo specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Aside from a few art galleries, there aren't many real museums around town.

Is the Food Better in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Cabo San Lucas. If you step away from the all-you-can-eat buffets in the resorts, and the tourist hot spots, you'll find some excellent local Mexican cuisine and nice fine dining restaurants. Fresh seafood and local produce make the dishes unique.

Tamarindo is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There's a combination of beach bars and restaurants in town that offer local cuisine and international options. Many places have a laid back vibe that fits with the town's atmosphere but you'll also find some more upscale options.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Nightlife?

Cabo San Lucas is an amazing city to visit for nightlife and partying. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its evening party scene.

Cabo San Lucas has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. It has a long reputation of being one of Mexico's best party destinations. There are wild, all-night dance parties, crazy and crowded clubs, and music that lasts well into the morning. The best nightlife can be found in the blocks around Plaza Bonita, near the marina boardwalk.

Tamarindo has a large number of nightlife venues. The town has beach bars, dance clubs, and regular parties that attract tourists and locals alike. The evening has a vibrant atmosphere that is perfect for unwinding after a day of surfing or swimming.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Resorts?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. Many of the resorts are along parts of the coastline where it's not safe to swim. If you really want to enjoy swimming at a beachfront property, make sure you do some research in advance. Medano Beach is a nice area to consider.

Tamarindo is not a resort destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. There are many snorkeling and scuba diving excursions that go out on half day and full day trips. Some of the best snorkeling is found at Cabo Pulmo, which has the only living coral reef in the Sea of Cortez.

Tamarindo is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Beaches?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo are considered to be high quality beach destinations.

The beaches at Cabo San Lucas attract visitors from all over. Because of the water conditions, it's not safe to swim at many of the beaches in the area. This is particularly true on the Pacific side of the city. Many people consider Medano Beach to be one of the best in the area, but also nice are Lover's Beach, the ironically named Divorce Beach, and Chileno Beach.

Many people visit Tamarindo for it's beautiful beaches. The beaches are popular with surfers but the currents can be strong so swimmers should use caution. The golden sand and beautiful setting make this a fun and chill beach destination. There are also plenty of water sports to choose from.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for its Old Town?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its old town. However, Tamarindo does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cabo San Lucas to see the historical old town. San Jose del Cabo is an "old town" that's a bit outside of town. It's particularly nice to visit on Thursdays when there's a nice market.

Tamarindo does not have a historic old town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Hiking?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Tamarindo is not a hiking destination.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular spot for hiking. It's not hard to get out into nature and you'll find many great hiking trails that go through varied and beautiful landscapes.

Tamarindo is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

Cabo San Lucas is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Cabo San Lucas is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many great shopping areas where you can pick up souvenirs or other interesting items to remember your trip. There are mall, markets, and boutique vendors that sell a variety of products.

Tamarindo has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find most of the souvenir shops along Diria Grand Boulevard. There are a few upscale clothing boutiques and jewelry shops as well.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo More Beautiful?

Cabo San Lucas is an amazing city to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Cabo San Lucas as well. Beautiful beaches, stunning natural beauty, and striking landscapes make this a world class tropical destination.

Tamarindo offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The golden sand beaches offer a beautiful setting where you can relax and soak up a chill beachfront vibe.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Families?

Both Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo are high quality to visit with kids.

Cabo San Lucas is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the snorkeling, boat rides, and kid-friendly cuisine. There are many places where kids can get up close and personal with animals, such as Wild Canyon’s Kingdom or camel riding. You might even be able to see migrating whales during your visit. Surfing, fishing, and hiking are also popular in the area.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Tamarindo is very family-friendly. The golden beaches offer a great escape for families. The surf can be a bit strong, but the kids will love seeing the sea turtles or going horseback riding. There are also beginning surfing lessons available.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Couples?

Cabo San Lucas is an amazing city to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Tamarindo is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Cabo San Lucas has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It has long been a favorite honeymoon destination and couples who enjoy a beach paradise with wildlife, diving, and outdoor adventures will appreciate Cabo San Lucas. There's also amazing Mexican food and world class resorts.

Tamarindo makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples will enjoy romantic horseback rides along the beach, sunset cruises, and romantic meals. For the adventurous, there's surfing lessons and wildlife tours.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo are high quality places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Cabo San Lucas. It's a popular tourist destination, and there are a number of hostels and activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Many backpackers visit Tamarindo. There are plenty of hostels in the area and many wonderful activities that let you experience everything that Costa Rica has to offer.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo.

You'll find some public transit in Cabo San Lucas, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. Buses make up the main form of public transit. They are called Subercabos and run between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.

While Tamarindo offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are three public bus lines through town.

Is Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo a more walkable city?

Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo both are high quality when exploring on foot.

Cabo San Lucas is very walkable. The town is relatively easy to walk around with many things close together.

Tamarindo is a very walkable city. The town is easy to walk around and explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cabo San Lucas Worth Visiting? and Is Tamarindo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tamarindo or Cabo San Lucas?

How long in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

In either Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Tamarindo because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Cabo San Lucas, and 3-5 days is enough time in Tamarindo.

Families should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Tamarindo. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cabo San Lucas, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Tamarindo. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cabo San Lucas that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cabo San Lucas than Tamarindo if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cabo San Lucas.

One day in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

You'll find nightlife and food around the city of Cabo San Lucas. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Tamarindo, you'll find nightlife and food. Most people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the wild destination of Cabo San Lucas. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Tamarindo is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the idyllic city of Cabo San Lucas. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this city makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Most people head to the area for the nightlife. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tamarindo. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Cabo San Lucas or Tamarindo?

Cabo San Lucas is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cabo San Lucas, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the town of Tamarindo. It's also a great beach destination, too. Your budget might influence how long you stay. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Cabo San Lucas and Tamarindo, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Cabo San Lucas is in North America and Tamarindo is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.