Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Freeport 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 Freeport 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: Freeport or Santa Elena?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
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 G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $244Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $244, 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 Freeport and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Santa Elena $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Freeport 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: Freeport Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Freeport Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): Transfer to Freeport: $262
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort : $235
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $195
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $195
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $168
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer to the Port Lucaya Market: $150
- Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $145
- Grand Bahama Airport: One-Way Transfer to Freeport Hotels: $140
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Freeport Airport to Hotel: $133
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $30
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 to Samara : $269
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $181
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Freeport 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
-
Food Meals for one dayFreeport $64Santa Elena $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Santa Elena $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
10 Dive Package$300
-
4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
-
1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- 4 Hour Private Sandy Cay Experience with Snorkeling - Adults Only: $275
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour : $200
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $82
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $85
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $70
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Snorkel/Swim with the Turtles Experience: $250
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
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
- Day & Night Nature Tour in Monteverde Combo tour : $126
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- 100% Adventure Park Combo: Zipline, Superman, and Mega Tarzan Tour in Monteverde: $68
- 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
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $31Santa Elena $6.19
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Santa Elena, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport is in Caribbean Islands 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport 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 Freeport Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
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.