Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Elena or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas. 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 Saint Thomas?
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%.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Saint Thomas? 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.Santa Elena $11Saint Thomas $37
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
- One-Way Private Transfer: Monteverde to Quepos and Manuel Antonio: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde To La Fortuna From 1 to 6 passengers: $270
- Private Transfer Lake crossing from Monteverde To Arenal From 1 to 6 passengers: $249
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $179
- Peñas Blancas to Liberia Airport (LIR) Departure Private Transfer: $38
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $24Saint Thomas $54
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Saint Thomas $60
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: $70
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Day & Night Nature Tour in Monteverde Combo tour : $190
- 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
- 5-Hour Birdwatching and Photography Tour in Monteverde: $100
- 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
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour : $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena is in Central America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. In July, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Saint Thomas 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 more rain in October than Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
In October, Santa Elena is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Saint Thomas. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Santa Elena usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. 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 Saint Thomas. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Santa Elena is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 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.