Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este or Santa Elena?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, 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 dayPunta del Este $98Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $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 - Liberia: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- 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: $180
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Santa 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.Punta del Este $11Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $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: $45
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- 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
- 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
- Canopy Adventure From Monteverde: $72
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Santa Elena $6.22
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When comparing the travel costs between Punta del Este and Santa Elena, we can see that Punta del Este is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Punta del Este is in South America and Santa Elena is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Santa Elena?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Punta del Este 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.
Punta del Este is cooler than Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 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. In January, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 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 JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In the autumn, Punta del Este is much colder than Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Punta del Este in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elenain October. Punta del Este gets 171 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. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elenain October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 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 OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Santa Elenain January. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 10°C (50°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 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 JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Punta del Este is much colder than Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 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 Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elenain April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Santa Elenain April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 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 AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.