Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Fortaleza?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Fortaleza or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Fortaleza and Santa Elena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Fortaleza or Santa Elena?
Fortaleza
A major city on Brazil's northeastern coast and the capital city of Ceara state, Fortaleza is best characterized by its city landscape lined with beaches and palm trees. It also features some great seafood as well as long-standing folk traditions in culture and dance.
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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, 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 dayFortaleza $69Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Fortaleza is $69, 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 Fortaleza and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFortaleza $30Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFortaleza $60Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Fortaleza and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Fortaleza 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: Fortaleza Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Fortaleza $21Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Fortaleza
Also for Fortaleza, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Jericoacoara Private Transfer From Fortaleza: $273
- Private Transfer From FOR to Any Point in Fortaleza City: $270
- 4x4 Transfer Private Service Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $259
- Transfer 4 X 4 Fortaleza to Jericoacoara or Jericoacoara to Fortaleza: $240
- 4x4 Private Transfer Service : $179
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza to Canoa Quebrada: $173
- Transfer Fortaleza - Jericoacoara: $153
- Arrival Private Transfer from Fortaleza Airport FOR to Fortaleza by Minivan: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Fortaleza City to Fortaleza Airport FOR by Minivan: $117
- Jericoacoara - Fortaleza x Jericoacoara transfer: $110
- Private Transfer from Fortaleza (FOR) Airport to Flexeiras: $109
- Shared Transfer from Fortaleza to Jericoacoara: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $179
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Fortaleza or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Fortaleza 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 dayFortaleza $24Santa 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Fortaleza $15Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Fortaleza
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Fortaleza.
- Águas Belas Tour: $15
- 3 Beaches in 1 Day Tour Leaving Fortaleza: $13
- Beach Park Full-Day Trip Including Brief Tour of Fortaleza: $35
- Canoe Quebrada Full Day Tour - Departure from Fortaleza by Vitorino Turismo: $19
- City Tour Fortaleza - Full Day Cumbuco Beach Tour by Nettour: $26
- City-Tour and Fortaleza (central market, cathedral, Fort, Theaters, encetur, P.ferreira: $56
- Cumbuco Beach Tour: $12
- Cumbuco Beach with City Tour from Fortaleza: $16
- Fortaleza Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
- Half-Day City Tour: $25
- Full Day Premium Tour in Jericoacoara: $90
- Full Day Tour to Cumbuco From Fortaleza: $11
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: $70
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Day & Night Nature Tour in Monteverde Combo tour : $190
- 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
- 5-Hour Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Monteverde: $100
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFortaleza $9.97Santa Elena $6.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Fortaleza and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Fortaleza much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Fortaleza Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Fortaleza or Santa Elena?
Fortaleza 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 Fortaleza or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Fortaleza are popular destinations to visit in the summer 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 summer, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Fortaleza in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Fortaleza gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Fortaleza. In January, Fortaleza usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain July. Fortaleza gets 119 mm (4.7 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 JulyFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Fortaleza during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In April, Fortaleza is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elenain October. Daily temperatures in Fortaleza average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Fortaleza often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elenain October. Fortaleza gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Fortaleza. Fortaleza usually gets more rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Fortaleza gets 356 mm (14 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 OctoberFortaleza 27°C (80°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Fortaleza and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Fortaleza averages around 26°C (79°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In Fortaleza, it's very sunny this time of the year. Fortaleza usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during winter. Fortaleza gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Fortaleza usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Fortaleza gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JanuaryFortaleza 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Fortaleza or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Fortaleza as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
In the spring, Fortaleza is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Fortaleza in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Fortaleza this time of the year. In the spring, Fortaleza often gets more sunshine than Santa Elenain April. Fortaleza gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
Fortaleza usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Fortaleza gets 13 mm (0.5 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 AprilFortaleza 28°C (82°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Fortaleza
| Fortaleza | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (80°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 356 mm (14 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 256 mm (10.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (80°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (79°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (80°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 28°C (82°F) | 44 mm (1.7 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.