A Travel Price Comparison for Costa Rica Quepos vs. Santa Elena for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Quepos or Santa Elena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Quepos and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Quepos or Santa Elena?

Quepos

Quepos is both a district and the capital of Aguirre canton in the Puntareanas Province of Costa Rica. The town is quite small, and the district has a population of about 22,000 people. Quepos is a popular tourist destination in Costa Rica due to its close proximity to Manuel Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. The town's economy is centered around tourism and there is no shortage of bars and restaurants in the area. The town also has a lively nightlife for such a small community.

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 Wildlife Tours to Costa Rica, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Costa Rica, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Costa Rica, and The Best Adventure Tours to Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Quepos?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Quepos is $118, 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 Quepos and Santa Elena in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Quepos $77
    Santa Elena $55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Quepos $154
    Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Quepos and Santa Elena

Looking for a hotel in Quepos 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.

Hotels in Quepos


Hotels in Santa Elena


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: Quepos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Quepos $9.59
    Santa Elena $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quepos

Also for Quepos, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer - San Jose Airport & Manuel Antonio/Quepos : $300
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Quepos - Manuel Antonio to Monteverde: $276
  • Manuel Antonio & Quepos one way transfer to SJO hotels - Airport up to 5 people.: $274
  • Private transfer from Manuel Antonio Quepos to Hotels in San Jose or the Airport: $269
  • Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to SJO Airport or Hotels: $230
  • Private transfer from SJ Airport to Manuel Antonio and vice versa: $230
  • Private Transfer from Manuel Antonio to Nauyaca Waterfalls (Round Trip): $199
  • One-Way Private Transfer from Uvita to Quepos - Manuel Antonio: $140
  • Private Transfer From San Jose Airport To Manuel Antonio Beach: $125
  • Transfer TO or FROM Manuel Antonio, Quepos to SJO Airport - Private (ONE WAY): $105
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to San Jose City Hotels: $91
  • Private Transfer from Quepos Cruise Port to Liberia City Hotels: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena

Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $215
  • Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
  • Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde to Samara : $269
  • One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
  • Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $182

Is it cheaper to fly into Quepos or Santa Elena?

Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Quepos 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 day
    Quepos $30
    Santa Elena $24
Typical Food Prices in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch
    $15
  • Seafood Dinner (for 1)
    $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quepos

For Quepos, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Night Jungle Tour with Dinner (Rainmaker Park): $59
  • Cooking Class in Manuel Antonio with Medicinal Plants Garden Visit: $77
  • Night Mangrove Safari Boat Tour with Dinner | Manuel Antonio: $79

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Quepos $17
    Santa Elena $30

Tours and Activities in Quepos

For Quepos, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 10 in 1 Tour! Zip Lines, Rappels, Tarzan Swing, Waterfalls & More: $130
  • Adventure Full Day Tour from Manuel Antonio & Quepos + 2 Tours : $161
  • All Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure from Manuel Antonio: $83
  • All-Inclusive Catamaran Eco Adventure with Lunch: $93
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Nauyaca Waterfall and Beach Town Tour: $142
  • All-Inclusive Jungle Night Tour: $59
  • Birding at El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Private Birding Tour : $120
  • Birdwatching Manuel Antonio/ El Rey. (Marshes,rice fields,canals) Group Tour : $129
  • Birdwatching Tour: $120
  • Birdwatching Tour Manuel Antonio /Esquipulas Group Tour Experience: $185
  • Canopy Tour From Manuel Antonio: $116
  • Catamaran Adventure From Manuel Antonio: $116

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: $75
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Quepos $15
    Santa Elena $6.24


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Quepos and Santa Elena, we can see that Quepos is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Quepos would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quepos 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 Quepos Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Quepos or Santa Elena?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Quepos or Santa Elena in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Quepos and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Quepos year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the summer. Quepos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during summer. Quepos gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Quepos 28°C (82°F) 
    Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Santa Elena in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Quepos as well as Santa Elena. Quepos 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. Quepos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Quepos is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Quepos in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Santa Elena in the Winter?

Both Santa Elena and Quepos are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Quepos throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Quepos usually receives around the same amount of rain as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Quepos. Quepos usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during winter. Quepos gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Quepos is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Quepos average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Quepos 27°C (81°F) 
    Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Quepos or Santa Elena in the Spring?

Both Santa Elena and Quepos during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Quepos because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.

Quepos usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 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 Quepos. In the spring, Quepos often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Quepos gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.

Quepos is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Quepos averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Quepos 29°C (85°F) 
    Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)

Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Quepos

Quepos Santa Elena
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)