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

Should you visit Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo?

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 Puerto Viejo. 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 Puerto Viejo?

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%.

Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town in Caribbean Costa Rica in the province of Limon. There are two gorgeous National Parks nearby - Cahuita and Manzanillo, and it rains more than on the Pacific side, which is why it is so lush and green with the rainforest coming down to the sea. Clear water, coconut palms, great surf and a laid-back Caribbean atmosphere make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on about an hour south of Limon, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity between the smaller villages of Cahuita and Manzanillo. The relaxed, seaside town is framed by jungle, turquoise seas, banana plantations and scenic rivers. It's known for the Salsa Brava surf break and beaches like black-sand Playa Negra, but this burgeoning party town is no longer a destination only for intrepid surfers; it's bustling with tourist activity. Stylish eateries serve global fusion, and intentionally rustic bamboo bars pump dancehall and reggaeton. With its blend of Afro-Caribbean descendants, expat Europeans and indigenous Costa Ricans, Puerto Viejo charms visitors with a unique mix of people and cultures. Rastafari culture has a firm foothold in the town, and many Rastas sell handmade jewelry and other wares along the town's vibrant roadside. Nearby you'll find rainforest fruit and cacao farms and wide-open beaches. If you're looking to chill a little, party a little and eat a little, you've come to the right place.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Puerto Viejo or Santa Elena?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Puerto Viejo is $145. 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 Puerto Viejo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santa Elena $55
    Puerto Viejo $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santa Elena $110
    Puerto Viejo $142
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Puerto Viejo

Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo? 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 Santa Elena


Hotels in Puerto Viejo


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: Puerto Viejo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santa Elena $11
    Puerto Viejo $38

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Viejo

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

  • Puerto Viejo de Limon: Transfer to San Jose or Alajuela: $373

Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo?

Prices for flights to both Puerto Viejo 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 day
    Santa Elena $24
    Puerto Viejo $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santa Elena $30
    Puerto Viejo $79

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

Tours and Activities in Puerto Viejo

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

  • Private night adventure in Manzanillo refuge: $55

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santa Elena $6.24
    Puerto Viejo $13


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Puerto Viejo, we can see that Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Puerto Viejo 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 Puerto Viejo Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo?

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 Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo in the Summer?

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

Puerto Viejo receives a lot of rain in the summer. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Santa Elena 28°C (82°F) 
    Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Puerto Viejo throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in October than Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 198 mm (7.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Elena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo averages at about 26°C (79°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Santa Elena 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo in the Winter?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Viejo. In January, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 319 mm (12.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Puerto Viejo during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Puerto Viejo receives 159 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Puerto Viejo. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Santa Elena 27°C (81°F) 
    Puerto Viejo 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Santa Elena or Puerto Viejo in the Spring?

Both Puerto Viejo and Santa Elena during the spring 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 Puerto Viejo year-round.

Puerto Viejo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Santa Elena usually gets less rain in April than Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Puerto Viejo receives 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. In the spring, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Puerto Viejo. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Puerto Viejo receives 172 hours of full sun.

Santa Elena is a little warmer than Puerto Viejo in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Puerto Viejo fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Santa Elena 29°C (85°F) 
    Puerto Viejo 26°C (79°F)

Typical Weather for Puerto Viejo and Santa Elena

Santa Elena Puerto Viejo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 319 mm (12.6 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 201 mm (7.9 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 193 mm (7.6 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 281 mm (11.1 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 276 mm (10.9 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 408 mm (16.1 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 163 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 26°C (79°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 367 mm (14.4 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 402 mm (15.8 in)