Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Santa Elena or Valdivia?
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 Valdivia. 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 Valdivia?
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%.
Valdivia
Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.
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 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $92Valdivia $69
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $92, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Valdivia $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Valdivia
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Valdivia? 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: Valdivia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Valdivia $8.08
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia
Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Valdivia?
Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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 $24Valdivia $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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Valdivia $13
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 Valdivia
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.
- Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
- Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
- Private City Tour: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.22Valdivia $4.79
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Valdivia, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena is in Central America and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.
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 Valdivia Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Valdivia?
Valdivia 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 Valdivia in the Summer?
Both Valdivia 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 Valdivia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santa Elena in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Valdivia averages at about 16°C (61°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Valdivia. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than Valdivia during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. In July, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Valdiviain January. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Valdivia 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Valdivia in the Autumn?
Both Valdivia 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 Valdiviain April. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain April. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun.
Valdivia 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 Valdiviain April. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Valdivia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Santa Elena is much warmer than Valdivia in the winter. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Valdivia fluctuates around 7°C (45°F)in July.
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun in the winter.
Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Valdiviain July. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Valdivia 7°C (45°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Valdivia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Valdivia. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Santa Elena is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santa Elena in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Valdivia averages at about 11°C (52°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the spring, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain October. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Valdivia. Santa Elena usually gets less rain in April than Valdiviain October. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Valdivia 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Valdivia and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Valdivia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 297 mm (11.7 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 247 mm (9.7 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 162 mm (6.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 109 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.