Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Asuncion?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Asuncion or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Asuncion or Santa Elena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Asuncion or Santa Elena?
Asuncion
Asuncion is a vastly underrated city. It is the capital but also the administrative economic and cultural center of Paraguay. It is located in the south central part of the country, near the border with Argentina and it is one of the oldest cities in South America, with people living here since almost 500 years. The city has a beautiful and simple center, with a few unique colonial and beaux arts buildings, international cuisine, shady plazas and friendly people. Its handful of historic buildings around the Plaza de los Heroes, Plaza Uruguaya and Manzana de la Ribera, two or three small museums, old bars and cafes, but also smart suburbs, ritzy shopping malls and fashionable nightclubs will keep you entertained for a day or two. It is a very charming city for travellers and apart from the sights, the city boasts a good tourist infrastructure with hotels and restaurants.
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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAsuncion $68Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Asuncion is $68, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $92. 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 Asuncion and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAsuncion $22Santa Elena $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAsuncion $44Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Asuncion and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Asuncion 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: Asuncion Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Asuncion $8.82Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Asuncion
Also for Asuncion, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- RoundTrip Transfer in Private Minivan Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $59
- RoundTrip Private Transfer Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $52
- Transfer in private minivan from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $29
- Transfer in private minivan Asuncion City - Silvio Pettirosi Airport (ASU): $29
- Transfer in Private Car from Asuncion Airport (ASU) - Asuncion City: $21
- Transfer in private car from Asuncion City - Asuncion Airport (ASU): $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Asuncion or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Asuncion 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 dayAsuncion $17Santa Elena $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Elena
For Santa Elena, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Night Walk in Monteverde with Dinner Included: $55
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Asuncion $16Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Asuncion
For Asuncion, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Asunción Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $35
- Asuncion Birding Tour: $70
- Birding and Nature Chaco Tour: $140
- Crystal Fall - day tour in a reduced group: $85
- Day Tour “Cerrito”: $231
- Day tour “Circuito San Bernardino”: $214
- Day tour “Circuito Sapucai”: $221
- Day tour “Pai Pukú”: $230
- Day tour to “National Park Ybycuí”: $265
- Full day Paraguay River Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour: $207
- Golden Triangle Tour: $110
- Half-Day Yparacai Lake Tour from Asuncion with Pick Up: $185
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $45
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- 100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde: $57
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $80
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Bird Watching Experience in Monteverde: $90
- Bird-Watching private tour : $100
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Canopy Adventure From Monteverde: $72
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayAsuncion $10Santa Elena $6.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Asuncion
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Asuncion are as follows:
-
Beer$1.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asuncion and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Asuncion much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Asuncion is in South America and Santa Elena 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 Asuncion would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asuncion 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena than you might in Asuncion.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asuncion Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Asuncion or Santa Elena?
Asuncion has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Santa Elena experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Asuncion or Santa Elena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Asuncion and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Asuncion is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elenain July. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 29°C (84°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Asuncion, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asuncion usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Asuncion gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the summer. Asuncion gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asuncion usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain July. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAsuncion 29°C (84°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Asuncion as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Asuncion is cooler than Santa Elena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Asuncion averages around 24°C (75°F) in April, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Asuncion often gets more sunshine than Santa Elenain October. Asuncion gets 199 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Asuncion receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Asuncion usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Asuncion gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAsuncion 24°C (75°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Santa Elena in the Winter?
Both Santa Elena and Asuncion are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Asuncion is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Asuncion in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. Asuncion usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Asuncion gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Asuncion usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Asuncion gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAsuncion 19°C (66°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Asuncion or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Asuncion during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In October, Asuncion is generally cooler than Santa Elenain April. Daily temperatures in Asuncion average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asuncion. In the spring, Asuncion often gets less sunshine than Santa Elenain April. Asuncion gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asuncion. Asuncion usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Asuncion gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAsuncion 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Asuncion
| Asuncion | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°C (84°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 24°C (75°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 21°C (70°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (70°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (72°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (77°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 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.