Photo: Mike Vondran · CC BY 2.0
Cost of Living in Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo is a city in Costa Rica, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,100 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,937 per month, or $967 outside the centre. Internet is solid at around 86 Mbps median download speed, and Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Tamarindo scores 58/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 92°F and winter highs around 90°F, with roughly 212 sunny days a year.
Tamarindo Cost of Living Breakdown
🍽️ Dining
🛒 Groceries
🚌 Transportation
⚡ Utilities & Tech
🎬 Lifestyle
👔 Clothing
🏠 Housing
📊 Summary
Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Tamarindo
How Tamarindo Ranks Among 340 Cities
Of the 340 cities Voyica tracks, Tamarindo is cheaper than 69% of them, but sits in the bottom 5% for public transit.
| Metric | Tamarindo | World rank | Rank in Latin America & Caribbean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | $1,100 | #106 of 340 | #41 of 63 |
| Safety | 58/100 | #195 of 340 | #10 of 63 |
| Healthcare | 48/100 | #289 of 340 | #42 of 63 |
| Internet speed | 86 Mbps | #254 of 340 | #37 of 63 |
| Walkability | 48/100 | #218 of 340 | #36 of 63 |
| Public transit | 8/100 | #325 of 340 | #58 of 63 |
| Food scene | 65/100 | #263 of 340 | #42 of 63 |
| Air quality | 85/100 | #114 of 340 | #12 of 63 |
Rank 1 = most affordable, safest, and so on. Computed across every city in Voyica's dataset (June 2026 snapshot); ties share a rank.
Cheaper Alternatives to Tamarindo
Cities with a similar mix of safety, food, culture, walkability and climate that cost at least 15% less per month than Tamarindo.
- Bariloche, Argentina — $720/mo, 35% cheaper, safety 65/100
- Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala — $849/mo, 23% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Mendoza, Argentina — $680/mo, 38% cheaper, safety 52/100
- Arequipa, Peru — $700/mo, 36% cheaper, safety 55/100
Tamarindo FAQ
How much does it cost to live in Tamarindo?
A single person should budget around $1,100 per month in Tamarindo, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.
How much is rent in Tamarindo?
A one-bedroom apartment in central Tamarindo averages $1,937 per month, dropping to about $967 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $2,649.
Is Tamarindo safe?
Tamarindo scores 58/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 62/100.
How fast is the internet in Tamarindo?
Median download speeds in Tamarindo are around 86 Mbps — solid for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 22 coworking spaces in the city.
Does Costa Rica offer a digital nomad visa?
Yes — Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 90 days visa-free before applying.
What is the weather like in Tamarindo?
Tamarindo sees summer highs around 92°F and winter highs near 90°F, with about 212 mostly sunny days a year and at least 1 mm of rain on about 89 days.
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