Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Dar es Salaam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Santa Elena can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesSanta Elena Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Santa Elena $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, while the average daily cost in Santa Elena is $109. 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 Dar es Salaam and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Santa Elena $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
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 your Destination: $240
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $233
- Monteverde to Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO) - Departure Transfer: $221
- MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $215
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Saint Helena Monte Verde: $210
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $197
- Transfer from Monteverde to Santa Tereza Montezuma : $99
- Shuttle Transfer from Monteverde to Tamarindo area: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Dar es Salaam 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
-
Food Meals for one dayDar es Salaam $33Santa Elena $41
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:
- Monteverde Cooking Class: $60
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Bagamoyo Full-Day Tour: Historic Slave Trade Route & Kaole Ruins: $255
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- 2 Days 1 Night Bagamoyo Historical Tour : $300
- Ancient Bagamoyo City Day Tour: $249
- Bagamoyo Adventure, Historical Tour: $238
- Bagamoyo Historical Tour - Everyday: $199
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Bird Watching Tour to Tegetero Forest 2days 1 night: $205
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
- Dar Es Salaam City tour: $164
- Dar Es Salaam Local Markets and Village-National Museum Day tour: $150
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
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: $22
- Curi-cancha Bird-Watching tour semi private : $50
- Wildlife Tour in Curicancha : $24
- 2x1 Guided Tour Combo Hanging Bridges and Night Walk: $40
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $95
- 4 Hours Bird Watching guided Experience in Woodpecker,Monteverde : $100
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Arenal Volcano Jungle Night Tour: $45
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Birdwatching tour at the Cloud Forest -Monteverde Wild-: $80
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Santa Elena $6.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Santa Elena, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam 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. In July, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 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 Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during summer. Dar es Salaam gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Dar es Salaam is generally cooler than Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (77°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
Both Santa Elena and Dar es Salaam during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in October than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Dar es Salaam. In the autumn, Dar es Salaam often gets more sunshine than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 25°C (78°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. In January, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 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 Dar es Salaam, it's very sunny this time of the year. Dar es Salaam usually receives less sunshine than Santa Elena during winter. Dar es Salaam gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Dar es Salaam in January average around 28°C (82°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Santa Elena in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Also, June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season. Dar es Salaam receives a lot of rain in the spring. Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in April than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 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. In the spring, Dar es Salaam often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Dar es Salaam gets 155 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun.
In April, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.