Which place is cheaper, Tamarindo or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Tamarindo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Tamarindo? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint John's or Tamarindo?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 Luxury Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Budget Tours to Costa Rica.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesTamarindo Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Tamarindo $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, 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 Saint John's and Tamarindo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Tamarindo $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Tamarindo $100
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Tamarindo
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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.
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: Tamarindo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Tamarindo $69
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
- Antigua&Barbuda Airport (ANU) to Antigua&Barbuda Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Antigua to Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) - Departure Transfer: $64
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tamarindo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tamarindo:
- Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Departure transfer : $6.00
- Guanacaste Airport transfer to Jw Marriott Guanacaste: $130
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer To Gulf of Papagayo Costa Rica: $125
- Liberia Airport Private Transfer to Best Western Tamarindo: $100
- Liberia Airport To Tamarindo Private Transfer: $95
- Monteverde: Transfer to Tamarindo: $100
- Playa Grande to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $107
- Private Round Trip Transfer: From Liberia Airport To Secrets Papagayo: $280
- Private Transfer From LIR Airport to JW Marriott Guanacaste: $130
- Private Transfer From LIR Airport to Westin Playa Conchal Resort: $140
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Casa Chameleon At Las Catalinas: $235
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Four Seasons: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Tamarindo?
Prices for flights to both Tamarindo and Saint John's 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint John's $117Tamarindo $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Tamarindo $17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Half Day Historical Tour in Antigua with Beach: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- SoCoHo Eco Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $85
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Biggvee Bus Adventure: $90
- Clear Kayak Tour in Mangrove Antigua: $90
- Trek Tours Hiking Experience in Antigua: $90
- Circumnavigate Tour: $95
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Tamarindo $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Tamarindo, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Tamarindo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Tamarindo is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tamarindo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tamarindo 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Tamarindo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Tamarindo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John's or Tamarindo?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Saint John's or Tamarindo in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Tamarindo. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Tamarindo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tamarindo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Tamarindo during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Tamarindo in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Tamarindo 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Tamarindo in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Tamarindo. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tamarindo throughout the year.
Also, December to May in Tamarindo is the dry season. Also, the hurricane season in Tamarindo is June to November. It's quite rainy in Tamarindo. Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets less rain in October than Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 169 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Tamarindo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and Tamarindo averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Tamarindo in the Winter?
Both Tamarindo and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tamarindo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Tamarindo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives less sunshine than Tamarindo during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Tamarindo receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint John's is generally cooler than Tamarindo. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and Tamarindo fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Tamarindo 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Tamarindo in the Spring?
Both Tamarindo and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tamarindo year-round.
December to May is the dry season in Tamarindo. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Tamarindo. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Tamarindo receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Tamarindo, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tamarindo. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tamarindo receives 255 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is cooler than Tamarindo in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and Tamarindo fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Tamarindo 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Tamarindo and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Tamarindo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.