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

Should you visit Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

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 Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena. 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.

Isla Mujeres

Isla Mujeres is a relaxing, laid back, and idyllic island. Isla Mujeres offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Isla Mujeres travel costs.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a tranquil, outdoorsy, and scenic town. Santa Elena is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Isla Mujeres. Although Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena are both popular with visitors, Isla Mujeres has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Isla Mujeres is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches, while Santa Elena is known for its hiking. Isla Mujeres is popular for its award-winning beaches, underwater marine life, and tranquil atmosphere. It is also home to the Underwater Museum of Art. Santa Elena is popular for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Isla Mujeres different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Neither Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena offer quality museums and landmarks.

Isla Mujeres offers a few options for museum-goers. Nobody really heads to this island for the museums.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Santa Elena. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

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

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

Isla Mujeres has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The island has many restaurants, particularly along Hidalgo Street in the Centro area. They typically have a laid back island vibe and serve local seafood or other popular cuisines.

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 Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres has a few options to choose from. Many people visit the island as a day trip, but those who spend the night will enjoy hanging out at the beach bars along Playa Norte. Many have a laid back vibe and some have live music or DJs.

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 Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Resorts?

Isla Mujeres is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Isla Mujeres for its luxury resorts. Despite its small size, there are a range of impressive resorts on the island. Accommodation ranges from affordable hostels to stunning luxury resorts.

Santa Elena is not a resort destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Isla Mujeres is a must-visit destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Isla Mujeres. There are many great snorkeling and diving areas just off the island. It's easy to arrange tours that will take you to the best spots. Popular areas include Manchones Reef, the Underwater Museum of Art, and Garrafon Natural Park.

Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Beaches?

Isla Mujeres is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Isla Mujeres offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has spectacular beaches where the white sand meets the blue water. The idyllic setting is the perfect place to relax with a drink or soak up the island vibe. Playa Norte is an award winning beach that has calm water and stunning snorkeling. Playa Centro has many restaurants and bars, and you'll likely see people sunbathing topless. There's a beach club at Playa Albatros as well as hammocks, umbrellas, and recreational activities.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

Santa Elena is notable for the nearby hiking options. However, Isla Mujeres is not a hiking destination.

Santa Elena is a popular spot for hiking. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has a range of trails including a walk along the Continental Divide. There's also the famous red hanging bridge.

Isla Mujeres is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

Both Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena are good shopping destinations.

Isla Mujeres offers some nice shopping areas. Head downtown for the best opportunities to pick up gifts or souvenirs. You'll find local jewelry, art, and handicrafts.

Santa Elena has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena are somewhat similar when it comes to the good scenery.

Isla Mujeres is a beautiful place to visit, too. Beautiful beaches with white sand and blue water make this a beautiful destination. The underwater world is also spectacular to explore.

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

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Families?

Isla Mujeres is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Isla Mujeres is very family-friendly. Kids will love the outdoor sports, which include kayaking, surfing, cave exploration, and snorkeling or diving. There are also opportunities to get up close with marine life or spend the day playing at a water park.

Santa Elena is 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.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Couples?

Isla Mujeres is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for romance.

Isla Mujeres is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a world class honeymoon destination and couples enjoy the white powdery sand beaches, turquoise blue waters, and laid back island vibe. There's diving and snorkeling as well as romantic hotels and wonderful local restaurants.

Santa Elena is a very popular place to visit for couples. The cloud forest is filled with romantic views and unique landscapes. Couples who enjoy the outdoors will fall in love with this magical setting.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Santa Elena is an unbeatable place for backpackers. Also, Isla Mujeres is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Santa Elena. Backpackers will enjoy hiking and affordable activities. There are also many hostels with social activities that make this a great backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Isla Mujeres. There are a handful of hostels on the island that offer budget accommodation and a social atmosphere.

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

Both Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena offer good public transit options.

Isla Mujeres has a few public transit options. There are two bus routes around the island that are operated by Isleños Bus.

Santa Elena has some public transit options. There are buses through town that travel to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Is Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

Isla Mujeres is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its walkability.

Isla Mujeres is a very walkable destination. The most walkable part of the island is the North part, which is the town center.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Isla Mujeres?

How long in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

It's fun to spend time in either Isla Mujeres 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, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Isla Mujeres, and 2-4 days is enough time in Santa Elena.

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

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

One day in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the idyllic island of Isla Mujeres. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Santa Elena, many people enjoy the shopping that this tranquil town offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the laid back destination of Isla Mujeres. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island 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 fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

The idyllic island of Isla Mujeres offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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.

You'll find shopping around the outdoorsy destination of Santa Elena. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

A week in Isla Mujeres or Santa Elena?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Isla Mujeres. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Santa Elena is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Mexico, The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Isla Mujeres and Santa Elena, we can see that Isla Mujeres is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Isla Mujeres 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 Isla Mujeres Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.