A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Auckland vs. Santa Elena for Backpackers, Food, Nightlife, and Hiking

Should you visit Auckland or Santa Elena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Auckland

Auckland is a cosmopolitan , adventurous, and adrenaline-filled city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Auckland travel costs.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a tranquil, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Auckland and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Auckland. Although Auckland and Santa Elena are both popular with visitors, Auckland has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Auckland is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Elena is known for its hiking and impressive beauty. Auckland is popular for its waterfront setting, diverse beaches, and active and adrenaline-filled environment. It is also home to the Sky Tower. Santa Elena is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Auckland different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Elena and Auckland. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Auckland is great for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Auckland. The waterfront is filled with sights for tourists, and many of the city's attractions are geared towards thrill seekers. The Sky Tower is a popular landmark with its Sky Walk and Sky Jump. There are also many thrilling experiences that you can have along the Harbour Bridge. For museums, head to the New Zealand Maritime Museum, the Auckland Art Gallery, or the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

Is the Food Better in Auckland or Santa Elena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Auckland is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Auckland has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has a diverse selection of restaurants, but you'll also find many places that highlight local ingredients such as seafood and lamb. You'll often find the standard dishes such as fish and chips, oysters, and green-lipped mussels on the menus.

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

Auckland is great for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

Many people head to Auckland for the nightlife scene. The city has a cosmopolitan atmosphere and there are many bars and clubs that you can explore in the evening. Some of the best nightlife options are found in the vibrant Britomart precinct and around the trendy Ponsonby Road. Other popular areas include Viaduct Harbour and Wynyard Quarter.

Most people don't head to Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Beaches?

Auckland is great for the beach. However, Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Many people visit Auckland for it's beautiful beaches. You don't have to head too far from the city to find some impressive beaches that are diverse and beautiful. There are beaches that are secluded and private as well as more lively beaches with all of the amenities and activities that you might want.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Auckland has hiking trails worth exploring. Locals love to get outdoors, and you'll find many local hikes in the area. There are easy paths that are family-friendly and perfect for a stroll, as well as longer stretches that present more of a challenge.

Is the Shopping Better in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Auckland is great for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Auckland. The city centre is cosmopolitan and full of diverse shopping venues that sell international brands as well as local designers. Some of the most popular shopping areas are Britomart, High Street, and Queen Street.

Santa Elena is a great destination for shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

Santa Elena is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Auckland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Auckland is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Families?

You'll find high quality kid-friendly activities in either Auckland or Santa Elena.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Auckland is very family-friendly. There's a big focus on getting kids outside in the city, so you'll find many outdoor parks and play spaces. Popular activities for families include visiting the Huia Lodge Discovery Centre, going to the Museum of Transport and Technology, and wandering through the botanical garden.

Santa Elena is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Couples?

Both Auckland and Santa Elena are high quality destinations to visit as a couple.

Auckland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are many romantic restaurants in the city, as well as spas, cocktail bars, and evening venues. Couples will also enjoy one of the many thrill-seeking activities that New Zealand is famous for.

Couples visit Santa Elena frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is a must-visit destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Auckland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Santa Elena is extremely popular for backpackers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

Auckland is a very popular city for backpackers and budget travelers. Auckland is high on many backpackers' wish list, and usually they pass through the city at some point during their trip. You'll find a number of hostels in the city that are perfect for socializing and saving money.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Students?

Auckland is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Santa Elena is not popular with students.

Many students visit Auckland. Some of the country's best universities are found in the city, many of which are popular with international students.

Santa Elena is not popular with students.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Auckland and Santa Elena.

Auckland has some public transit options. There's a mishmash of different public transit options, and trips often include a variety of modes of transport. In the city you'll find ferries, trains, and buses to help you get around.

You'll find some public transit in Santa Elena, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Is Auckland or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

Santa Elena is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Auckland is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Santa Elena is a somewhat walkable place. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

Auckland is generally not very walkable. It is a very car-centric city and it can be challenging to explore on foot alone.

For even more information, also check out Is Auckland Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Elena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Auckland?

How long in Auckland or Santa Elena?

It's fun to spend time in either Auckland or Santa Elena. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Santa Elena due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Auckland, and 2-4 days is enough time in Santa Elena.

Families should spend more time in Auckland than Santa Elena. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Auckland, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Auckland than Santa Elena. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Auckland that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

One day in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Auckland is a adventurous city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Santa Elena offers shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Auckland is a thrill-seeking big city where you can fill many days. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Elena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Elena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Auckland or Santa Elena?

The adrenaline-filled city of Auckland offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santa Elena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Auckland or Santa Elena?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Auckland. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people come for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Santa Elena is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Santa Elena, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific 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 Santa Elena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Elena 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland than you might in Santa Elena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Auckland Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Auckland or Santa Elena?

Auckland 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 Auckland or Santa Elena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Santa Elena. Many visitors come to Auckland in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Auckland is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Auckland in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

In Auckland, it's very sunny this time of the year. Auckland usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Auckland gets 240 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. In January, Auckland usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Auckland or Santa Elena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Santa Elena. Most visitors come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.

In April, Auckland is generally much colder than Santa Elenain October. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 16°C (61°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Auckland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elenain October. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Auckland usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Auckland or Santa Elena in the Winter?

Both Santa Elena and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Auckland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Auckland is much colder than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Auckland. In July, Auckland usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May.

Should I visit Auckland or Santa Elena in the Spring?

Both Santa Elena and Auckland during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.

In the spring, Auckland is much colder than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Auckland in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.

In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Auckland often gets less sunshine than Santa Elenain April. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.

Auckland usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. February to May is the dry season in Santa Elena. Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October.

Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Auckland