Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Foz do Iguacu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena?
Foz do Iguacu
Foz do Iguacu is a larger city in Brazil that is most famous for the Iguacu Falls. The city serves as an entry point for Paraguay and Argentina as well. The obvious reason to visit the city is to see the beautiful falls, and together with Ciudad del Este, Paraguay and Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, it makes up one of the largest tourism sights in South America.
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 Jungle Trekking Tours in Brazil, The Best Luxury Tours to 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $66Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Foz do Iguacu is $66, 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 Foz do Iguacu and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFoz do Iguacu $29Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFoz do Iguacu $58Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Foz do Iguacu and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Foz do Iguacu 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: Foz do Iguacu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Foz do Iguacu $13Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Foz do Iguacu
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Foz do Iguacu:
- Transfer IN IGU & Iguassu Falls Brazilian side & Macuco Boat Safari: $220
- Private E Bike Tour Iguaçu Waterfalls + Transfers + Tickets: $131
- Shared Roundtrip Transfers with Brazilian and Argentinian sides: $120
- Roundtrip Airport Transfer in Foz do Iguaçu: $49
- Transfer from Foz de Iguazu Airport to Hotels on the Argentine side: $42
- Private transfer from Foz do Iguaçu airport and bus station: $22
- Foz do Iguaçu Airport Private Transfer : $20
- Transfer Cataratas Argentina: $19
- IGU Airport Transfers: $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $179
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- 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
Is it cheaper to fly into Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Foz do Iguacu 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 dayFoz do Iguacu $22Santa Elena $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Foz do Iguacu
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Foz do Iguacu.
- Official Entrance: Dinner with Latin American Show at Rafain Steakhouse: $52
- Entrance to Rafain with Dinner and Show: $74
- Rafain dinner Samba Show: $94
- Transport to Acaray Casino + dinner (optional): $100
- Dinner Show - Rafain Steakhouse : $100
- Rafain Steakhouse Show - Dinner and Show Included: $103
- Dinner Show at Rafain in Foz do Iguaçu: $107
- Dinner Show Rafain Steakhouse Belmond Hotel Cataratas : $135
- Foz do Iguacu Dancing Musical Show with Dinner and Pickup: $208
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.Foz do Iguacu $24Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few actual costs in Foz do Iguacu for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Days Private Tour Argentinean & Brazilian Side of Iguazu Falls: $150
- 2-Day Private Tour Iguaçu Falls Brazil and Argentina: $229
- 2-Day Private Tour to Argentina and Brazil Falls: $112
- 2-Days Private Brasil & Argentina Iguassu Falls Experience : $116
- 2-day private tour Both waterfalls+ bird park: $199
- Airport IGU Pick-Up & Shopping In Paraguay & Hotel Drop-Off - Private Tour: $100
- Airport IGU Round Trip & Iguassu Falls Argentinean side & Great Adventure: $295
- Argentina Bike Experience: Interact with indigenous communities: $90
- Argentinean Side Iguassu Falls - Private Tour: $120
- Argentinian Side of the Falls - All Tickets Included: $92
- Argentinian Side of the Falls and Boat Tour Gran Aventura - All Tickets Included: $231
- Bird Park Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Selvatura Park: Herpetarium Tour in Monteverde: $22
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $26
- Guided Butterfly Conservatory Tour in Costa Rica: $26
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $30
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $30
- Night Adventures in Monteverde: $30
- CuriCancha Reserve Admission Ticket: $33
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $34
- Guided walk Monteverde Biological Reserve-John's Nature Tours-: $35
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFoz do Iguacu $12Santa Elena $6.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Foz do Iguacu
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Foz do Iguacu from other travelers:
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Beer$0.88
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Foz do Iguacu and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Foz do Iguacu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Foz do Iguacu Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena?
Foz do Iguacu 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 Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Foz do Iguacu during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In the summer, Foz do Iguacu is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F)in July.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Foz do Iguacu. Foz do Iguacu usually gets less rain in January than Santa Elenain July. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFoz do Iguacu 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Foz do Iguacu and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Foz do Iguacu is generally cooler than Santa Elenain October. Daily temperatures in Foz do Iguacu average around 23°C (73°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Foz do Iguacu usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain October. Foz do Iguacu gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFoz do Iguacu 23°C (73°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Foz do Iguacu as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Foz do Iguacu is much colder than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Foz do Iguacu averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in January.
Foz do Iguacu usually gets more rain in July than Santa Elenain January. Foz do Iguacu gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFoz do Iguacu 18°C (64°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Foz do Iguacu or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Foz do Iguacu are popular destinations to visit in the spring 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 spring, Foz do Iguacu is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Foz do Iguacu in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Foz do Iguacu. In October, Foz do Iguacu usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain April. Foz do Iguacu gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFoz do Iguacu 24°C (75°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Foz do Iguacu
| Foz do Iguacu | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 23°C (73°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 21°C (70°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 24°C (75°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.