Which place is cheaper, Cordoba or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Santa Elena or Cordoba?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Santa Elena and Cordoba. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Santa Elena or Cordoba?
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%.
Cordoba
Cordoba is the capital of the Cordoba province and the second largest city in all of Argentina. The city is in a beautiful setting surrounded by valleys and hills. Within the city you will find many colonial buildings and beautiful architecture. Cordoba also has many universities and scientific institutes, giving it the nickname "La Docta." Because of the large number of students, Cordoba's population is young and active, which keeps the atmosphere light and fun.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Adventure Tours to Argentina, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Argentina.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Cordoba $8.40
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Cordoba is $8.40. 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 Santa Elena and Cordoba in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Cordoba $3.05
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Cordoba $6.10
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Cordoba
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Cordoba? 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: Cordoba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Cordoba $2.08
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cordoba
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cordoba are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$0.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cordoba
Also for Cordoba, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private minivan from Cordoba to Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella Airport: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Cordoba?
Prices for flights to both Cordoba and Santa Elena 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 daySanta Elena $24Cordoba $3.83
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
Typical Food Prices in Cordoba
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Cordoba:
-
Empanadas$0.01
-
Sandwich$0.00
-
Ice Cream$0.00
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Cordoba $1.88
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
Tours and Activities in Cordoba
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Cordoba.
- Alta Gracia: Unveiling Cordoba's Cultural Heritage Tour: $48
- Córdoba CityTour FULLDAY x 2 pax: $60
- Córdoba: Villa Carlos Paz Tour: $59
- Caroya WineTour x 2 Pax: $60
- Cordoba City Tour: $50
- Cordoba City Tour with Optional Jesuitic Square: $60
- Cordoba Cumbrecita Tour with Spanish Speaking Guide: $88
- Cordoba Jesuit Legacy Tour: $87
- Cumbrecita Tour: $88
- El Inicio WineTour x 2 Pax (History and Wines): $85
- Exploring Villa Carlos Paz: Guided Sightseeing Tour: $50
- Full Day Jesuit Legacy Tour from Cordoba: $80
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Cordoba $1.48
Sample the Local Flavors in Cordoba
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cordoba:
- Full-Day Private Colonia Caroya Wine Tour from Córdoba: $120
- Wine Tour Privado - Colonia Caroya: $130
- Wine Tour Privado - Calamuchita: $150
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Cordoba, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Cordoba much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena is in Central America and Cordoba is in South 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 Cordoba would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cordoba 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 Cordoba.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Elena Expensive? and Is Cordoba Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Cordoba?
Cordoba 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 Santa Elena or Cordoba in the Summer?
Both Cordoba and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
In the summer, Santa Elena is much warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Cordoba averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Cordoba. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than Cordoba during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 277 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. In July, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Cordobain January. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Cordoba 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cordoba in the Autumn?
Both Cordoba and Santa Elena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In October, Santa Elena is generally much warmer than Cordobain April. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Cordoba fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets less sunshine than Cordobain April. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 196 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in October than Cordobain April. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Cordoba 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cordoba in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Cordoba. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Cordoba in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Cordoba fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Cordoba during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Cordoba receives 189 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Cordobain July. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Cordoba 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Cordoba in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Cordoba. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Santa Elena is much warmer than Cordoba. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Cordoba averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cordoba. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the spring, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Cordobain October. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cordoba receives 243 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena usually gets less rain in April than Cordobain October. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cordoba receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Cordoba 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Cordoba and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Cordoba | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 70 mm (2.8 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.