Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Terre-de-Haut?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena?
Terre-de-Haut
Les Saintes (also known as Iles des Saintes) is a small archipelago of Guadeloupe, a French overseas territory in the Caribbean. The islands here are best known for their tropical beauty, untouched beaches, and bayside villages. Only two of the nine are inhabited.
Terre-de-Haut of Les Saintes is the most popular island to visit. It is known for the Pain de Sucre, a small bay lined with coconut trees and an ideal location for snorkeling, in addition to white sandy beaches like the Plage de Pompierre. There is also a nineteenth-century fort which can be reached on foot for striking views of the surrounding area.
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%.
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 dayTerre-de-Haut €140Santa Elena €87
The average daily cost (per person) in Terre-de-Haut is €140, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is €87. 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 Terre-de-Haut and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTerre-de-Haut €68Santa Elena €52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTerre-de-Haut €136Santa Elena €104
Compare Hotels in Terre-de-Haut and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena? 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: Terre-de-Haut Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Terre-de-Haut €44Santa Elena €11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Terre-de-Haut
Also for Terre-de-Haut, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Deshaies or Trois Riviers to Pointe a Pitre Airport by SUV: $92
- Guadeloupe to Pointe-a-Pitre Airport - Private Departure Transfer: $79
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Terre-de-Haut 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 dayTerre-de-Haut €45Santa Elena €22
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Terre-de-Haut
For Terre-de-Haut, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Grilled Lobster and Fish Private Cooking Tour with Lunch Included: $231
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.Terre-de-Haut €20Santa Elena €28
Tours and Activities in Terre-de-Haut
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Terre-de-Haut.
- Private Shooting Tour Around Soufrière: $106
- Sailing and Snorkeling Day Tour to Les Saintes: $133
- Small Day Cruise (Ilet caret, mangrove, coral reef: $103
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTerre-de-Haut €44Santa Elena €5.90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Terre-de-Haut and Santa Elena, we can see that Terre-de-Haut is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Terre-de-Haut is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Elena is in Central 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 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 Terre-de-Haut would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Terre-de-Haut 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 Terre-de-Haut Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena?
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 Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Terre-de-Haut are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Terre-de-Haut throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Terre-de-Haut. In July, Terre-de-Haut usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Terre-de-Haut gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Terre-de-Haut is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTerre-de-Haut 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Terre-de-Haut during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Terre-de-Haut because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Terre-de-Haut. Terre-de-Haut usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Terre-de-Haut. In the autumn, Terre-de-Haut often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
In October, Terre-de-Haut is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Terre-de-Haut average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTerre-de-Haut 27°C (80°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Terre-de-Haut and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Terre-de-Haut year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Terre-de-Haut usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In Terre-de-Haut, it's very sunny this time of the year. Terre-de-Haut usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Terre-de-Haut gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
Terre-de-Haut is cooler than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Terre-de-Haut averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTerre-de-Haut 24°C (76°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Terre-de-Haut or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Terre-de-Haut as well as Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Terre-de-Haut receives a lot of rain in the spring. Terre-de-Haut usually gets more rain in April than Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Terre-de-Haut this time of the year. In the spring, Terre-de-Haut often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Terre-de-Haut gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Terre-de-Haut is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Terre-de-Haut in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTerre-de-Haut 26°C (78°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Terre-de-Haut
| Terre-de-Haut | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.