A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Roatan vs. Tamarindo for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Roatan or Tamarindo?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Roatan and Tamarindo. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Roatan or Tamarindo?

Roatan

Your next great vacation lies just thirty miles off the north coast of Honduras. Right above the world's largest coral reef is the island of Roatan. As a popular tourist attraction and standard cruise destination, it's not uncommon to see tons of Americans during your trip. In fact, the cruising industry has had huge impact on the island's culture. While ships are in port, traffic will be heavier and prices may go up. Because of the growth of tourism, most locals speak both Spanish and English.

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 Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Adventure Tours to Honduras, The Best Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Roatan?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Roatan is $42, while the average daily cost in Tamarindo is $144. 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 Roatan and Tamarindo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Roatan $11
    Tamarindo $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Roatan $22
    Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Roatan and Tamarindo

Looking for a hotel in Roatan 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.

Hotels in Roatan


Hotels in Tamarindo


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: Roatan Hotel Prices and Tamarindo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Roatan $18
    Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Roatan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Roatan are as follows:


  • Water Taxi
    $4.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:

  • Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Departure transfer : $6.00
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Secret Papagayo: $13
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Hotel Riu Guanacaste: $15
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Guanacaste: $16
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Pastiempo Tamarindo: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Palapa in Tamarindo: $21
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Selina Tamarindo: $21
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Hotel Mar Rey Tamarindo: $22
  • Private Transfer Liberia Airport To Hotel Pas Tiempo Tamarindo: $22
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Hotel Luna Llena: $22
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Westin Conchal: $22

Is it cheaper to fly into Roatan or Tamarindo?

Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Roatan 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Roatan $15
    Tamarindo $56

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Roatan $26
    Tamarindo $17

Tours and Activities in Roatan

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Roatan are as follows:

  • Monkeys and sloths, private tour , and beach: $89

Tours and Activities in Tamarindo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tamarindo are as follows:

  • 1 Hour Private Horseback Riding Tour in Playa Conchal: $30
  • Tamarindo Estuary Tour: $45
  • Night Turtle Nesting Tour from Tamarindo: $46
  • Tamarindo Estuary Boat Tour: $47
  • Morning Moka -Tamarindo's Morning Coffee Tour: $62
  • Hiking Tour of La Leona Waterfall with Lunch: $65
  • Turtle Watching Tour: $70
  • ATV Tour through the Flamingo Potrero and Brasilito Area: $70
  • Zipline Canopy Tour from Guanacaste: $70
  • Private Wildlife Tour in Avellanas Beach: $75
  • Kayak and SUP Private Tour: $75
  • Tamarindo River Boat Tour: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Roatan $6.64
    Tamarindo $14


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Roatan and Tamarindo, we can see that Tamarindo is more expensive. And not only is Roatan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Roatan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Roatan 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 Tamarindo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tamarindo than you might in Roatan.

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