A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Brasilia vs. Santa Elena for Backpackers, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Brasilia 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 Brasilia and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.

Brasilia

Brasilia is a vibrant, cultural, and lively city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Brasilia travel costs.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a outdoorsy, scenic, and tranquil town. Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Brasilia and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Brasilia. Although Brasilia and Santa Elena are popular destinations, Brasilia has more sights and attractions for tourists. Brasilia is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Santa Elena attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Santa Elena is more touristy than Brasilia and is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation. Brasilia is famous for its modernist architecture, abundant green space, and planned layout. It is also well known for the Cathedral of Brasilia.

How is Brasilia different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Santa Elena and Brasilia. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Brasilia is a good destination for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Brasilia. There are a variety of museums that highlight the city's rich history, modernist architecture, and diverse culture. Notable museums include the Museu Nacional, showcasing contemporary art, and the Museu de Arte de Brasília (MAB), which focuses on Brazilian art. The Memorial dos Povos Indígenas offers insight into indigenous cultures, while the Museu do Catetinho takes visitors through the early days of the city’s creation.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

Is the Food Better in Brasilia or Santa Elena? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Brasilia is a good destination for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Brasilia is becoming an appealing option for foodies. The city's food scene is diverse, offering a mix of traditional Brazilian dishes and international cuisine. Since it is home to people from all over Brazil, you can find food from many different regions in one place. Popular dishes include Picanha (Brazilian steak), Feijoada (black bean and pork stew), and Tucunaré na Brasa (grilled fish).

Santa Elena offers some easy restaurants to choose from. You'll find some basic but good restaurants around town. Many offer pasta, pizza, and typical Costa Rican dishes.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

Brasilia is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Brasilia has a few options to choose from. The nightlife scene is more sophisticated and calm compared to other Brazilian capitals. It's not a party city by traditional standards, but it's ideal for those looking to enjoy good food, drinks, and live music in a more relaxed atmosphere. If you're looking for high-energy nightlife, the city might feel quieter, but it's still plenty of fun.

Most people don't head to Santa Elena specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There's a couple of bars but not much else for nightlife in town.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Brasilia is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Brasilia is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Brasilia is great for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Brasilia. There is a mix of modern malls, local markets, and high-end boutiques. The city is home to several large shopping centers, such as Shopping Iguatemi, ParkShopping, and Conjunto Nacional, which feature a variety of international brands, local shops, and food courts. For more traditional items, the Feira da Torre is a popular open-air market where you can find local crafts, souvenirs, and handmade goods.

Santa Elena is a great destination for shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

Santa Elena is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Brasilia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Brasilia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Families?

Santa Elena is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Santa Elena is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Monteverde has many canopy walks, zipline courses, and animal parks that the kids will love. The nature and wildlife make this a fun and educational destination for everyone.

Brasilia offers lots of family activities. While it doesn't have as many theme parks as some of the other large cities in Brazil, there are a number of activities that families can enjoy. There's the Parque da Cidade, where children can ride bikes and play on playgrounds. There's also Nicolândia, a small amusement park with exciting rides. At the Brasília Zoo, kids can see native animals like jaguars, toucans, and capybaras while learning about Brazil's wildlife. The Planetarium of Brasília is a great spot for young space enthusiasts, featuring interactive exhibits and fascinating star shows.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Couples?

Santa Elena is well known for couples. Also, Brasilia is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Santa Elena frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Brasilia is a nice destination for couples. There are sunset boat rides on Paranoá Lake. If you enjoy culture, you can visit the National Museum or admire the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Brasília. A romantic dinner at a lakeside restaurant in Pontão do Lago Sul is perfect for a night out with delicious food and a relaxing atmosphere. For nature lovers, a peaceful walk or picnic at Jardim Botânico de Brasília provides a lovely escape from the city.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is renowned for backpackers. However, Brasilia is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Santa Elena is a very popular town to visit for backpackers. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

Brasilia is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's fascinating architecture and great green spaces, but the city has limited nightlife and it isn't the most popular destination for backpackers. There are some budget-friendly hostels and public buses that make it possible to explore without spending too much. Though it lacks a strong backpacker scene, Brasília's mix of culture, green spaces, and history makes it an interesting stop for adventurous travelers.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Brasilia and Santa Elena.

You'll find some public transit in Brasilia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The public transit system is relatively limited compared to larger Brazilian cities, but it still offers a few options for getting around. The Metro is an efficient choice for traveling through central areas, with two main lines that connect key neighborhoods like Asa Norte and Plano Piloto. There are also buses that are more comprehensive.

While Santa Elena offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Is Brasilia or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

Santa Elena is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Brasilia is not particularly known for its walkability.

Santa Elena is a somewhat walkable town. It's relatively easy to walk around, but you will need to take a bus to Monteverde.

Brasilia is generally not a very walkable city. The city isn't particularly walkable because it is very spread out.

For even more information, also check out Is Brasilia Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Elena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Brasilia?

How long in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

It's fun to spend time in either Brasilia or Santa Elena. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Santa Elena due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Brasilia, and 2-4 days is enough time in Santa Elena.

Families should spend more time in Santa Elena than Brasilia. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Santa Elena, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Santa Elena than Brasilia. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Santa Elena that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Santa Elena than Brasilia if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Santa Elena.

One day in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural city of Brasilia. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The town of Santa Elena offers shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the vibrant destination of Brasilia. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Santa Elena is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Santa Elena, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

The cultural city of Brasilia offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Santa Elena is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Brasilia or Santa Elena?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Brasilia. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Santa Elena is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Brazil, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Brazil, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.

When comparing the travel costs between Brasilia and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Brasilia is in South America and Santa Elena is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brasilia Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.