Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Amman?
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 Amman or Santa Elena?
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 Amman and Santa Elena. 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: Amman or Santa Elena?
Amman
Amman is the largest city in of the Hashemite Kingdom of the country of Jordan. It is also the capital city of Jordan and has a population of over four million people. Many people use Amman as a base for venturing out into the rest of Jordan and other surrounding countries. There are many things to see and do in Amman.
Santa Elena
Santa Elena is a cute town, and the closest to the Monteverde Cloud Forest. It's one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, and is a great place to experience the cloud forest and see some of country's unique wildlife.
In the Monteverde Cloud Forest you have a good chance of seeing rare quetzals which are the national bird of Costa Rica. Other common animals include white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, orange-kneed tarantulas, any of 8-9 species of hummingbirds, and sloth.
Santa Elena is about 1,400 meters above sea level and has a humid and damp environment. The average yearly temperature is 64 degrees Fahrenheit and the average rainfall is 3,000 millimetres. Humidity can be anywhere between 74% and 97%.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, The Best Budget Tours to Jordan, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Amman Prices
Jordan PricesSanta Elena Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmman $135Santa Elena $122
The average daily cost (per person) in Amman is $135, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $122. 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 Amman and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmman $49Santa Elena $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmman $98Santa Elena $122
Compare Hotels in Amman and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Amman or Santa Elena? 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: Amman Hotel Prices and Santa Elena Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amman $24Santa Elena $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amman
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amman:
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Bus Ride (for Two)$0.71
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RIde to Airport$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amman
Also for Amman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Petra or WadiRum transfer to/from Amman, Airport, Madaba, Deadsea: $240
- Amman Airport Private Transfer To Petra By Minivan: $237
- Private Transfer From Amman Airport To Petra: $190
- Amman Private Transfer to Jerusalem with VIP Service: $175
- Amman Private Transfer to Jerusalem: $175
- Petra Transfer to and from Airport: $150
- Private Transfer: Amman Airport to Wadi Rum: $133
- Private Arrival Transfer: Amman Airport to Petra Hotels: $129
- Amman or Amman Airport Private Transfer to Aqaba: $115
- Private Transfer: Airport or Amman to Petra Vice Versa: $96
- Airport pickup or drop off transfer from or to Amman city: $95
- Day Tour To Petra Transfers Only From Amman: $94
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer from Monteverde to Tamarindo area: $65
- Shuttle Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal: $30
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Saint Helena Monte Verde: $45
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to your Destination: $260
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $229
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara: $269
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Monteverde to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) - Departure Transfer: $218
- MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $213
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $194
Is it cheaper to fly into Amman or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Amman 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 dayAmman $58Santa Elena $46
Typical Food Prices in Amman
For Amman, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Pastries$4.23
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Tea$5.64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amman
For Amman, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- private cooking with local chef: $40
- Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant in Amman: $80
- Amman Food Tours: 3-Hours Guided Walking Food Tour in Amman: $107
- Private Lunch or Dinner at Alee Restaurant in Amman: $120
- Private Jordan Heritage Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with Arak Experience: $140
- Private Food Tour in Amman by Day (inc Citadel & Roman Theatre): $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amman $32Santa Elena $33
Tours and Activities in Amman
For Amman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Night Private Overnight Dead Sea Independent Tour from Amman: $145
- 1Day Private spiritual Tour to Amman Madaba Baptism site Dead Sea: $100
- 2 Day Group Tour from Amman to Petra Wadi Rum Aqaba Dead Sea: $250
- 2 Day Madaba Mount Nebo Mujib Kerak Dana Shobak and Petra Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Shobak Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Madaba and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Mount Nebo and Dead Sea Private Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum Shobak Castle and Kerak Castle Private Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Aqaba Private Guided Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Baptism Private Guided Tour: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Bubble Experience: $195
- 2 Day Petra Wadi Rum and Dead Sea Private Guided Tour: $185
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- 18-Zipline Adventure Over 11 Waterfalls in Costa Rica: $109
- 5-Hour Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Monteverde: $120
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $39
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course: $69
- Adventure dans la forêt nuageuse de Monteverde: $30
- Authentic Coffee Farm Tour in Monteverde with Local Family: $40
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $44
- Best Monteverde Bird Watching Tour Curi-Cancha Reserve: $55
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde: $85
- Birdwatching Tour in the Cloud Forest hanging Selvatura: $75
- Birdwatching Tour in the Wildlife of Monteverde: $65
- Birdwatching Tour: unlock the wonder, whether beginner or advanced: $175
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmman $14Santa Elena $6.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Amman
Also in Amman, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Full Day Tour of Ajloun Castle with Cable Car and Wine Tasting: $127
When comparing the travel costs between Amman and Santa Elena, we can see that Amman 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 Amman is in Middle East and Santa Elena 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 Amman Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Amman or Santa Elena?
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 Amman or Santa Elena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Amman and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amman year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Amman usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Amman gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Amman, it's very sunny this time of the year. Amman usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Amman gets 364 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Amman is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amman in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmman 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Amman or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Amman as well as Santa Elena. Amman attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Also, June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season. It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Amman usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Amman gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amman this time of the year. In the autumn, Amman often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Amman gets 274 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Amman is generally cooler than Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Amman average around 20°C (68°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmman 20°C (68°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amman or Santa Elena in the Winter?
Both Santa Elena and Amman are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. It's quite rainy in Amman. In January, Amman usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Amman gets 149 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. Amman usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Amman gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Amman is much colder than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Amman averages around 8°C (46°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmman 8°C (46°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Amman or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Amman during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Amman because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
February to May is the dry season in Santa Elena. Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. Amman usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elena. Amman gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amman. In the spring, Amman often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Amman gets 269 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Amman is much colder than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amman in April average around 16°C (61°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmman 16°C (61°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Amman
| Amman | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 8°C (46°F) | 149 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 9°C (48°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 14°C (57°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 10°C (50°F) | 138 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.