Yes, Tamarindo, Costa Rica is expensive compared to most of Costa Rica, and many prices are close to what you’d pay in the US. A beachfront dinner main costs $20 to $45, a group surf lesson $60 to $90 and a mid-range hotel $65 to $195 a night. But you can eat a full local lunch for about $10 to $17 and stay in a hostel for $15 to $41.
We’re Tamarindo Guide, a free local business directory for Tamarindo, and we’ve lived here for over 10 years. The prices below come from local menus, Tamarindo’s supermarket, tour operators’ own rates and hotel booking prices, collected in October 2026. Prices change, so treat them as a guide. Planning the rest of your trip? Start with our local’s guide to Tamarindo.
Is Tamarindo expensive compared to the rest of Costa Rica?
Tamarindo is one of the more expensive places in Costa Rica. Hotels, beachfront restaurants and tours cost more here than in towns away from the coast, and the strong colón makes everything feel pricier for visitors paying in dollars. Local food, groceries and shared transport are still good value.
In 2024, the Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer ranked Tamarindo the most expensive of 40 destinations worldwide, ahead of New York. That survey priced a basket of tourist items, and Tamarindo’s three-course dinner for two and its sunscreen were among the highest on the list.
Why Tamarindo costs more
- Tourist demand: most visitors come from the US and Canada, and many prices are set for them.
- The strong colón: in 2026 the colón reached its strongest level against the dollar in years, so dollar prices went up.
- Imported goods: sunscreen, wine and many grocery items are imported and taxed.
- Taxes and service: most restaurant and tour prices add a 13% tax, and restaurants add a 10% service charge.
Visitors who flew out of Liberia airport in 2025 spent about $2,124 per person on their trip, according to the Costa Rica Tourism Board’s exit survey. Most stayed about a week.
How much does food cost in Tamarindo?
Food in Tamarindo costs $8 to $17 for a local breakfast or lunch, $11 to $25 for a main at a casual restaurant and $20 to $45 for a main at a beachfront restaurant. A local beer costs about $4 to $5 at a bar, and a cocktail $9 to $18.
Typical restaurant prices (late 2025 to October 2026, before the 10% service charge)
- Casado at a soda: ₡4,500 to ₡7,700 ($10 to $17). A soda is a small family-run Costa Rican restaurant, and a casado is the classic lunch plate of rice, beans, salad, plantain and meat or fish.
- Breakfast at a café: ₡3,500 to ₡6,000 ($8 to $13). A typical Costa Rican breakfast of gallo pinto (rice and beans) with eggs is usually the cheapest.
- Main at a casual restaurant: ₡5,000 to ₡11,000 ($11 to $25).
- Main at a beachfront restaurant: $20 to $45, with seafood at the top of the range.
- Imperial beer at a bar: ₡2,000 to ₡2,200 ($4.50 to $5).
- Cocktail: ₡4,000 to ₡8,000 ($9 to $18).
- Coffee: ₡1,000 to ₡2,700 ($2 to $6).
- Fresh juice or smoothie: ₡1,500 to ₡3,900 ($3.50 to $8.50).
Groceries (Auto Mercado Tamarindo, October 2026)
- Six-pack of Imperial beer (cans): ₡5,460 (about $12)
- Bottled water, 1.75 liters: ₡1,200 to ₡1,400 (about $3)
- Loaf of white bread: ₡1,750 to ₡2,490 ($4 to $5.50)
Ways to save on food
- Eat lunch at a soda. A casado is the lowest-priced full meal in town.
- Shop at a grocery store and make breakfast if your room has a kitchen. See grocery stores in Tamarindo.
- Save beachfront dinners for one or two special nights.
Browse all restaurants in Tamarindo to compare menus.
How much do tours and activities cost?
Most tours in Tamarindo cost $50 to $120 per person, plus 13% tax. Surf lessons start at about $60, sunset catamaran sails at about $90 to $106 and day trips to Rincón de la Vieja volcano at about $165 to $205. Sportfishing boats are priced per boat, not per person.
Typical tour prices (per person, before tax, October 2026)
- Group surf lesson: $60 to $90. Private lessons cost $100 to $125.
- Sunset catamaran sail: about $90 to $106 for adults, less for children.
- Estuary boat tour: about $35 to $65 per adult.
- Zipline (canopy) tour: about $52 to $65, often with transport.
- ATV tour, 2 to 4 hours: about $80 to $120.
- Two-tank scuba dive: about $120 to $165.
- Turtle tour to beaches near Matapalo (mostly October to April): about $65 to $70.
- Olive ridley tour to Playa Ostional: about $130 to $150.
- Rincón de la Vieja day tour: about $165 to $205.
- Half-day sportfishing: about $620 to $1,450 per boat, plus a fishing license of about $17 per person.
Ways to save on tours
- Book directly with local operators instead of through big booking sites.
- Ask about group or family rates, and whether transport and tax are included.
- Walk to the beach for sunset instead of paying for every evening out. It’s free and it’s the main event in Tamarindo.
Compare tour agencies in Tamarindo for prices and options, or see our 25 things to do in Tamarindo for ideas.
How much are hotels and vacation rentals?
Hotels in Tamarindo cost about $65 to $195 a night for a mid-range room and $225 to over $1,000 for an upscale hotel. Hostel beds cost $15 to $41. Prices in high season (December to April) are often 2 to 3 times higher than in the green season for the same room.
Typical nightly prices for 2 people (before about 13% tax, checked October 2026)
- Hostel dorm bed (per person): $15 to $22 in the green season, $20 to $41 in high season.
- Budget private room: $25 to $48 in the green season, up to about $90 in high season.
- Mid-range hotel: $65 to $106 in the green season, $91 to $195 in high season.
- Upscale hotel or resort: $225 to $350 in the green season, $430 to over $1,000 in high season.
- Two-bedroom vacation rental condo: about $70 to $160 a night in the green season and $180 to $300 in high season, on a weekly stay.
Ways to save on lodging
- Visit in the green season (May to November), when the same room can cost half as much.
- Book early for Christmas, New Year’s and Easter week.
- For groups and families, a vacation rental with a kitchen often costs less per person than hotel rooms.
See hostels in Tamarindo for budget options.
Should you pay in dollars or colones?
You can pay in US dollars almost everywhere in Tamarindo, but you’ll often get change in colones (₡), the local currency. Paying by card is the easiest choice in most hotels, restaurants and tour offices. Carry some colones for sodas, small shops and tips.
In October 2026, one US dollar was worth about ₡450 to ₡455, according to the Central Bank of Costa Rica’s exchange rate. That’s the strongest the colón has been against the dollar in years.
Money tips
- Prices in colones are often a better deal. Shops that price in dollars and give change in colones use their own rate.
- Cards work in most places. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and tour companies take cards. Small sodas and stands may want cash.
- Tell your bank you’re traveling so your card isn’t blocked.
- Choose to pay in colones on the card machine if it offers dollars or colones. Your own bank usually gives a better rate than the shop’s machine.
Where are the ATMs and banks in Tamarindo?
Tamarindo has branches or ATMs of Banco Nacional, Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and BAC Credomatic, plus a BCR ATM at the Auto Mercado supermarket. Most ATMs let you choose colones or dollars.
ATM tips
- BCR and Banco Nacional ATMs usually don’t charge foreign cards a fee. BAC and some other banks often charge about $4 to $9.
- Your home bank may also charge a fee, so take out larger amounts less often.
- Use ATMs inside a bank or a supermarket, during the day if you can. Our Tamarindo safety tips cover the rest.
- Most ATMs limit each withdrawal, often to ₡100,000 to ₡500,000.
Tipping in Tamarindo
Restaurants in Costa Rica add a 10% service charge to the bill by law, so you don’t need to leave an extra tip. Many people leave a little more for great service. For tour guides, drivers and hotel staff, tips aren’t included and are welcome.
The service charge comes from Costa Rica’s Law 4946, and most restaurants also add 13% tax. Check whether a menu’s prices already include them. Many menus say “10% service not included.”
Typical tips
- Restaurants: the 10% service charge is already on the bill. Extra is optional.
- Tour guides: about $10 to $15 per person for a half-day tour, $15 to $20 for a full day.
- Surf instructors: about 10 to 20% of the lesson price if you enjoyed it.
- Shuttle drivers: about $2 to $5 per person on a shared shuttle, more for a private one.
- Housekeeping: about $2 to $5 a day.
Sample daily budgets: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
A backpacker can spend about $60 to $100 a day in Tamarindo, a mid-range traveler about $180 to $280 a day and a luxury traveler $450 or more. These budgets are per person, for a couple sharing a room, and don’t include flights.
Backpacker: about $60 to $100 per person a day
- Hostel dorm bed: $15 to $41
- Breakfast at a soda and a casado for lunch: $20 to $30
- Groceries or a cheap dinner: $10 to $15
- A surf lesson or tour every few days, or a free beach day: $0 to $20 on average
Mid-range: about $180 to $280 per person a day
- Half of a mid-range hotel room: $35 to $100
- Café breakfast, lunch and a restaurant dinner with a drink: $55 to $85
- One tour or surf lesson most days: $60 to $90
- Half of a golf cart rental or taxis: $10 to $50
Luxury: about $450 or more per person a day
- Half of an upscale hotel room: $150 to $550
- Beachfront dining and cocktails: $100 to $150
- Private tours, surf lessons or a fishing charter: $150 or more
- Private shuttles and transport: $30 to $70
Tamarindo prices FAQ
Is $1,000 enough for a week in Tamarindo?
Yes, $1,000 per person is enough for a week in Tamarindo on a budget, staying in hostels or budget rooms, eating at sodas and choosing a few tours. For a mid-range trip with a hotel and daily tours, plan on about $1,300 to $2,000 per person for a week, not counting flights.
What is $1 US worth in Costa Rica?
In October 2026, $1 was worth about ₡450 to ₡455. A ₡1,000 bill is worth a little over $2, and a ₡5,000 bill is worth about $11.
Is Costa Rica cheap for Americans?
No, Costa Rica isn’t cheap for most American visitors, and Tamarindo is one of its pricier towns. Hotels, tours and imported goods often cost about the same as in the US. Local food, buses and groceries are where you’ll save.
How much does a 1-week trip to Tamarindo cost?
A one-week trip to Tamarindo costs about $500 to $700 per person on a backpacker budget and about $1,300 to $2,000 per person for a mid-range trip, not counting flights. In 2025, visitors flying out of Liberia spent about $2,124 per person on their trip.
Need cash before you go out? Find banks and ATMs in Tamarindo, all listed free on Tamarindo Guide.
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