Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Veracruz?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Veracruz or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Veracruz and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Veracruz or Santa Elena?
Veracruz
Veracruz is the name of both a state and city in the country of Mexico. Locals often call the city "Puerto" (port) in order to differentiate the city from the state. The general area runs along the Gulf of Mexico and encompasses ruins, old colonial cities, lush green mountains, and delicious seafood.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Playa del Carmen, The Best 2-Week Tours from Cancun, 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 dayVeracruz $122Santa Elena $92
The average daily cost (per person) in Veracruz is $122, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $92. 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 Veracruz and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVeracruz $54Santa Elena $55
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVeracruz $108Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Veracruz and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Veracruz 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: Veracruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Veracruz $28Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Veracruz
Also for Veracruz, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Veracruz Airport to Hotel in Veracruz Port: $32
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $28
- Airport Transfer: $25
- Shared Arrival Transfer: General Heriberto Jara International Airport to Veracruz Hotels: $23
- Colima Airport (CLQ) to Colima - Arrival Private Transfer: $14
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Veracruz or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Veracruz 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 dayVeracruz $50Santa Elena $24
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.Veracruz $15Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Veracruz
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Veracruz.
- 1 day tour of Tlacotalpan and Alvarado from Veracruz: $102
- 3-hour tour to the San Juan de Ulúa Fortress: $25
- Adventure through the Chachalacas Beach and Dunes from Veracruz: $123
- Alvarado And Tlacotalpan Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- Antigua and Zempoala Tour from Veracruz: $86
- Aquatico Inbursa Waterpark: Veracruz - Ticket: $27
- Catemaco And Los Tuxtlas Tour From Veracruz Or Boca Del Rio: $112
- City Tour en Veracruz y Acuario: $100
- Coffee Route, an adventure of aroma and flavor to Veracruz: $150
- From Veracruz or Boca del río: Coffee Tour in Coatepec: $96
- From Alvarado, Tlacotalpan and Agustín Lara Tour: $100
- From Catemaco, Nature, Waterfalls & Monkeys Tour: $100
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVeracruz $17Santa Elena $6.22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Veracruz and Santa Elena, we can see that Veracruz is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Veracruz is in North America 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 Veracruz would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Veracruz 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 Veracruz Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Veracruz or Santa Elena?
Veracruz 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 Veracruz or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Veracruz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Veracruz is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the summer temperatures in Veracruz in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Veracruz gets 208 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. It's quite rainy in Veracruz. In July, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVeracruz 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Veracruz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
In October, Veracruz is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Veracruz average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In the autumn, Veracruz often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Veracruz. Veracruz usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVeracruz 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Veracruz and Santa Elena. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Veracruz is cooler than Santa Elena in the winter. The daily temperature in Veracruz averages around 21°C (71°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. Veracruz usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Veracruz gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Veracruz usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVeracruz 21°C (71°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Veracruz or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Veracruz as well as Santa Elena. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
In the spring, Veracruz is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the spring temperatures in Veracruz in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 29°C (85°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Veracruz this time of the year. In the spring, Veracruz often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 203 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
Veracruz usually gets less rain in April than Santa Elena. Veracruz gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVeracruz 26°C (78°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Veracruz
| Veracruz | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (71°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (71°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (74°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 410 mm (16.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 351 mm (13.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 346 mm (13.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (76°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (73°F) | 27 mm (1.1 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.