Which place is cheaper, Liberia or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Elena or Liberia?
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 Liberia. 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 Liberia?
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%.
Liberia
Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.
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 2-Week Tours in Costa Rica, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Costa Rica.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Liberia $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Liberia is $112. 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 Liberia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Liberia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Liberia $120
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Liberia
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Liberia? 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: Liberia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Liberia $43
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Bike Rental$25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Santa Teresa: $300
- Punta Islita Hotel to/from Liberia Airport - Shuttle & Transfers Service: $279
- Liberia Airport (LIR)to Malpais / Montezuma - Raund-Trip Transfer: $272
- Liberia Airport To Nandel Beach Resort, Private Transfer: $265
- Private Transfer Int. Airport Liberia To La Fortuna From 7 to 10 passengers: $262
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nosara: $250
- Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $245
- One-Way Private Transfer from Liberia Guanacaste Airport to La Fortuna (Arenal): $241
- Transfer Service From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas, Costa Rica: $240
- RoundTrip Private Transfer - Liberia Airport to your selected location: $240
- Private Transfer from Liberia Airport (LIR) to Arenal / La Fortuna : $231
- Liberia or LIR Airport: Transfer to La Fortuna de Arenal: $226
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Liberia?
Prices for flights to both Liberia 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
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Food Meals for one daySanta Elena $24Liberia $21
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 Liberia
Some typical examples of dining costs in Liberia are as follows:
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Snacks$1.97
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Lunch at The Shack (for 1)$4.95
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Lunch$11
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Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)$14
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Ginger Ale$1.28
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Liberia
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Liberia.
- Private Sunset Dinner at the Beach with Chef : $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Liberia $25
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
Tours and Activities in Liberia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Liberia are as follows:
- ATV Tour Guanacaste the Beach Excursion & Trail: $110
- Birdwatching Experience private tour : $275
- Llanos de Cortez Safari and Waterfall Tour: $190
- Mega Combo Adventure: $195
- Nicaragua one day tour from Costa Rica, Discover it: $250
- 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81
- 2-Hours UTV Tour: $110
- 3 Hour ATV Adventure Tour in El Jobo: $120
- 4 Tours in 1 Action Package - Playa del Coco area: $170
- 5 in 1 sloth, Rainforest, waterfalls, hanging bridges, volcanic activity tour.: $285
- 6 Hours Guanacaste Cultural and Local Farm Experience: $77
- 7 Hour Private Tour in Palo Verde National Park with Pickup: $120
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Liberia $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Liberia, we can see that Liberia 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 Liberia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Liberia 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 Santa Elena Expensive? and Is Liberia Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Liberia?
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 Santa Elena or Liberia in the Summer?
Both Liberia and Santa Elena during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Liberia year-round.
Liberia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 164 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Liberia averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Liberia 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Liberia in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Liberia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Liberia attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to April in Liberia is the dry season. Also, April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Liberia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during autumn. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Liberia. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Liberia in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Liberia. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia throughout the year.
Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Liberia 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 Liberia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the winter, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Liberia receives 264 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Liberia in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Liberia fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Liberia 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Liberia in the Spring?
Both Liberia and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Liberia because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Liberia is December to April. The rainy season in Liberia is April to December. In April, Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of rain as Liberia. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Liberia receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Liberia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Liberia during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Liberia receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Liberia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Liberia averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Liberia 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Liberia and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Liberia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.