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

Should you visit Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or Santa Elena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a vibrant, relaxing, and scenic city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Florianopolis 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.

Florianopolis and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Florianopolis. Although Florianopolis and Santa Elena are both popular with visitors, Florianopolis has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Florianopolis is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Santa Elena is known for its impressive beauty. Santa Elena is more touristy than Florianopolis and is known for its birdwatching and environmental conservation. Florianopolis is popular for its sandy beaches, world-class surfing, and beautiful nature. It is also home to Praia Mole.

How is Florianopolis different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Florianopolis. There are a number of science and cultural museums in the area that will introduce you to the region's local wildlife and history.

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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Florianopolis has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Perhaps the most popular local dish is feijoada, which is a stew that's slow cooked in a clay pot. It's a great dish for sharing and it originated in the region's African slave population. Another common food is pão de queijo, which is a dough that is made from cassava root flour. Also make sure you try the seafood, which is available in many restaurants around town.

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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

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

Many people head to Florianopolis for the nightlife scene. The nightlife scene can vary between peak tourism times and the low season. There are plenty of bars around town that cater to the locals, and you can expect these to be open year round. Alternatively, there are also places that specifically open during the summer months and will close during the off season.

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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Resorts?

Florianopolis is great for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Florianopolis to choose from. You'll find a wide range of resorts that include everything from 5 star to more budget-friendly. There are also all-inclusive resorts and smaller, more personal places.

Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Is Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Beaches?

Florianopolis is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Florianopolis offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are miles of beautiful beaches that are popular for surfing. Joaquina Beach is one of the most popular beaches, particularly with surfers, but Mole Beach is quickly catching up in popularity. Campeche Beach is one of the widest and longest stretches of beach on the island.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Florianopolis and Santa Elena both have superb trails.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Florianopolis. The island is filled with beautiful jungles, striking beaches, and many dramatic settings that make it a great place to hike. The hikes also vary in length and skill level, so there really is something for everyone.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

Shoppers can find a variety of good stores in both Florianopolis and Santa Elena.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Florianopolis. You'll find shopping malls and boutique retail shops that make for a great shopping experience.

Many visitors go to Santa Elena to go shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Florianopolis or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

Santa Elena is a popular place for its scenery and beauty. However, Florianopolis 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.

Florianopolis is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Families?

Santa Elena is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Santa Elena is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Florianopolis. There are many outdoor activities, sports, beaches, and parks in the city. If your kids like to run around and have fun, you'll find some diverse experiences here.

Is Florianopolis or Santa Elena Better for Couples?

Santa Elena is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Florianopolis is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Santa Elena makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Florianopolis is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy the beautiful beaches and walking paths in the area. There's impressive natural beauty and a touch of undiscovered charm.

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

Santa Elena is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Florianopolis 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.

Florianopolis is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. While it's not the most popular destination in Brazil, it does have a huge appeal with surfers.

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

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

Florianopolis has some public transit options. There are buses around town, including buses that travel between the downtown and the beaches.

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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

Santa Elena is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Florianopolis is not a walkable destination.

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

Florianopolis is not a walkable destination. Most people get around the city with a vehicle.

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Florianopolis?

How long in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

It's fun to spend time in either Florianopolis or Santa Elena. Both can be explored in comparable amounts of time. In general, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Florianopolis, and 2-4 days is enough time in Santa Elena.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Elena than Florianopolis if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santa Elena.

One day in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the scenic city of Florianopolis. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Most people visit for the beaches. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Florianopolis. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Elena. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Five days in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

The scenic city of Florianopolis offers shopping and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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.

A week in Florianopolis or Santa Elena?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Florianopolis. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people visit for the beaches. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find shopping around the town of Santa Elena. 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. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Brazil, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Brazil, 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 Florianopolis and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.

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

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

Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Santa Elena. Most visitors come to Florianopolis for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Florianopolis is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Florianopolis in January average around 25°C (76°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.

Florianopolis usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Florianopolis gets 198 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. Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Florianopolis usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Elenain July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Florianopolis or Santa Elena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Santa Elena. The autumn months attract visitors to Florianopolis because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.

In April, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Santa Elenain October. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 22°C (71°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In the autumn, Florianopolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elenain October. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Florianopolis gets 93 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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena in the Winter?

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

Florianopolis is much colder than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In July, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 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 Florianopolis or Santa Elena in the Spring?

Both Santa Elena and Florianopolis during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Florianopolis for the beaches. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.

In the spring, Florianopolis is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Florianopolis in October average around 20°C (68°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, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Santa Elenain April. Florianopolis gets 159 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 Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 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 Florianopolis