Which place is cheaper, Lima or Santa Elena?
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 Santa Elena or Lima?
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 Lima. 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 Lima?
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%.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Santa Elena Prices
Costa Rica PricesLima Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $109Lima $95
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $109, while the average daily cost in Lima is $95. 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 Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Lima $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Lima $104
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Lima $6.06
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: $197
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Saint Helena Monte Verde: $210
- MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $215
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $233
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to your Destination: $240
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Taxi Ride$5.73
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Short Taxi Ride$4.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Direct Private Transfer From Lima to Paracas, English Speaking Driver: $269
- Private Transfer From Lima To Huacachina With 2 Stops: $263
- Private Transfer from Pisco Port to Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM): $201
- Private Transfer from Jorge Chávez (LIM) Airport to Lima: $59
- Larco Museum Complete Guided Tour with Transfers (Small Group): $55
- Lima Airport (LIM) to Miraflores - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Lima J Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $43
- Lima Airport Transfers by SUV/Van: $43
- Assistance - Transfer Cusco Airport to Hotel & Viceversa: $40
- Tour Magic Water Park in Lima with Small Group Transfer: $38
- Private Lima Airport Transfer - Minivan 24hrs: $35
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima 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 $41Lima $32
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:
- Monteverde Cooking Class: $60
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.59
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Ice cream$3.73
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Coffee$3.15
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Donut$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Food Tour with Ceviche, Pisco, and Grilled Chicken: $32
- Food Tour and Market Experience: 12 Peruvian Snacks: $40
- Lima Food Tour - Prepare your Anticuchos and Pisco Sour : $48
- #1 Reviewed Lima Cooking Class: $49
- Dinner at the Huaca Pucllana Restaurant: $55
- Private Guided Walking Street Food Tour in Lima: $55
- Peru’s Most Beloved Recipes Cooking Class: $58
- Lima Market Tour & Ceviche Cooking Class with Pisco Sour: $59
- Lima Night: Cooking Experience with locals: $65
- Peruvian Cooking Class, Local Market Tour & Exotic Fruit Tasting: $65
- Vegan Peruvian Food Cooking Class | Ceviche + Pisco Sour: $69
- 4 iconic restaurants of Lima / 3-hour guided food tour: $69
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Lima $9.15
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $22
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $22
- Night Walk Tour in Monteverde: $24
- Guided Butterfly Conservatory Tour in Costa Rica: $26
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $26
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $27
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $27
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $28
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
- Selvatura Park: Herpetarium Tour in Monteverde: $29
- Cloud Forest Small Group Tour: $30
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$17
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Movie Tickets$2.44
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Tour From Lima (Private Group): $190
- Cycling Tour Miraflores - Barranco - Chorrillos: $30
- Lima bike and 5 Step Food Tasting Experience: $92
- Private Classic City Tour Experience of Lima: $65
- Private Stopover Tour of Lima from the Airport: $150
- Sunset in Huacachina and Tacama: Private Tour from Lima: $220
- #1 Full Day Tour From Paracas and Huacachina Oasis: $59
- 1 Day Tour to Huacachina from Lima (Dunebuggy + Vineyards): $225
- 2 Day Tour from Nazca Lines Flight, Paracas, and Huacachina: $279
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Ballestas Island and Huacachina: $149
- 2 Day Tour from Paracas, Huacachina, and Pisco Vineyard: $149
- 2 Days 1 Night Paracas Ica Tour from Lima: $150
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.21Lima $5.95
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.71
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Beer$4.30
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Cocktail$3.44
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Lima Pub Crawl - Party tour: Friday Barranco/Saturday miraflores: $19
- Bar Crawl Night Tour in Miraflores: $30
- Local Wine Tour : $55
- From Paracas & Huacachina & Wine Tasting: $135
- Full Day Paracas, Huacachina and Wine Tasting from Lima : $138
When comparing the travel costs between Santa Elena and Lima, we can see that Santa Elena 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 Santa Elena is in Central America and Lima is in South 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 Santa Elena Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Lima?
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 Lima in the Summer?
Both Lima 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 Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in July than Lima. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Lima. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Santa Elena is much warmer than Lima. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Lima averages at about 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Lima. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Lima during autumn. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Santa Elena is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Lima in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Lima. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in January than Lima. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the winter, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Lima. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena is a little warmer than Lima in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Lima fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima 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 Lima 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. In April, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Lima. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Lima during spring. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Santa Elena is a little warmer than Lima. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Lima averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.