Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Colonia del Sacramento?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena?
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia del Sacramento is in the Rio de la Plata region of Uruguay. It is filled with old colonial buildings and cobbled streets, and is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Colonia del Sacramento was founded in 1680 by the Portuguese, sandwiched in between the Portuguese colony of Brazil and the Spanish Viceroyalty of the River Plate, later Argentina, Uruguay and Southern Brazil. Its strategic position and use as a smuggling port meant that its sovereignty was constantly contested and the city changed hands several times between Spain and Portugal. The irresistibly picturesque town's charm and its proximity to Buenos Aires draw thousands of Argentine and other visitors on weekends and in summer. Prices rise in these periods and it can be difficult to find a room so make sure to book your trip well in advance.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColonia del Sacramento $68Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColonia del Sacramento $34Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColonia del Sacramento $68Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Colonia del Sacramento and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Colonia del Sacramento 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: Colonia del Sacramento Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $17Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Colonia del Sacramento
Also for Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Colonia Port Terminal Private Transfer : $15
- Colonia Bus Terminal Private Transfer : $15
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 Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Colonia del Sacramento 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 dayColonia del Sacramento $19Santa Elena $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sensory Experience - Blind dinner in Colonia Del Sacramento: $95
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Colonia del Sacramento $24Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Colonia del Sacramento
For Colonia del Sacramento, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Almacén de la Capilla - Winery Experience at Carmelo: $215
- Bus Ticket from Colonia del Sacramento to Carmelo: $27
- City Tour Colonia del Sacramento - Uruguay: $90
- Colonia del Sacramento City Tour : $58
- Adventure Sightseeing Bike Tour: $53
- Historical Walking Tour with Snack: $58
- Colonia: Private City Tour on Foot (Historic District): $89
- Experience an typical Uruguayan dish: Chivito & Tannat Wine: $78
- From Best Private Wine Experience: $185
- From Horse Ride Experience: $72
- From Montevideo: Colonia Day Trip & Sightseeing: $150
- Full Day Birdwatching and Nature Tour: $200
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayColonia del Sacramento $5.85Santa Elena $6.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Colonia del Sacramento and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Colonia del Sacramento much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Colonia del Sacramento Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena?
Colonia del Sacramento 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 Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Colonia del Sacramento and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Colonia del Sacramento is generally cooler than Santa Elenain July. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Colonia del Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Colonia del Sacramento gets 285 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, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain July. Colonia del Sacramento gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyColonia del Sacramento 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Colonia del Sacramento as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Santa Elena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Colonia del Sacramento averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Colonia del Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Santa Elenain October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Colonia del Sacramento receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Colonia del Sacramento gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberColonia del Sacramento 18°C (65°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena in the Winter?
Both Santa Elena and Colonia del Sacramento 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, Colonia del Sacramento is much colder than Santa Elena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. Colonia del Sacramento usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Colonia del Sacramento gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Colonia del Sacramento usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Colonia del Sacramento gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryColonia del Sacramento 12°C (53°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Colonia del Sacramento or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Colonia del Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In October, Colonia del Sacramento is generally much colder than Santa Elenain April. Daily temperatures in Colonia del Sacramento average around 18°C (64°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 Colonia del Sacramento. In the spring, Colonia del Sacramento often gets less sunshine than Santa Elenain April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 233 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 Colonia del Sacramento. Colonia del Sacramento usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Colonia del Sacramento gets 118 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilColonia del Sacramento 18°C (64°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Colonia del Sacramento
| Colonia del Sacramento | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 89 mm (3.5 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.