Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Elena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Saint John's or Santa Elena?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesSanta Elena Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Santa Elena $110
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $110. 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 Saint John's and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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.Saint John's $17Santa Elena $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $267
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- Discover the Best of Antigua Sightseeing Tour - Eagle Transfers: $129
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $118
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
- VATS Antigua Airport Transfers: $100
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $89
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport to St. James's Club & Villas: $83
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: $188
- MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $175
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $222
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $117Santa Elena $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Santa Elena $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $134
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $203
- Adventure Power Boat Tour Antigua and Private Laviscount Island: $182
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Island Tour: $199
- Antigua Island Tour And Darkwood Beach: $129
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $133
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: $22
- Night Adventures in Monteverde: $28
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $29
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $29
- Monteverde: Oktari Monteverde Night Walk Tour: $29
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
- Selvatura Park: Herpetarium Tour in Monteverde: $29
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $30
- Cloud Forest Small Group Tour: $30
- Walking Guided Tour in Monteverde Reserve: $30
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $30
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Nature Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Santa Elena $6.23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Santa Elena, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's 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 Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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 Saint John's Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Saint John's during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets less rain in July than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Santa Elena. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is cooler than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Saint John's is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.