Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $34Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla de Ometepe $11Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $179
- 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
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Isla de Ometepe 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $13Santa 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.Isla de Ometepe $13Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $25
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $26
- Adventure Day - Outdoor activities for Family and Friends Special Package.: $29
- Night Adventures in Monteverde: $30
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $30
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $30
- CuriCancha Reserve Admission Ticket: $33
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $34
- Authentic experience of Coffee, Cane and Caco inside the forest: $37
- Regular Guided tour Monteverde Reserve: $38
- Moteverde Night Hike -Experience the Nocturnal Life of the Cloud Forest: $39
- Finca El Paraiso Farm Cheese Tour in Monteverde: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla de Ometepe $8.85Santa Elena $6.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla de Ometepe and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in July than Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Isla de Ometepe usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena in the Winter?
Both Santa Elena and Isla de Ometepe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. In the winter, Isla de Ometepe often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during spring. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 29°C (84°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.