Which place is cheaper, Santa Elena or Leon?
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 Leon or Santa Elena?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Santa Elena can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Leon or Santa Elena?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua, The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica.
-
Leon Prices
Nicaragua PricesSanta Elena Prices
Costa Rica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $68Santa Elena $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $68, 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 Leon and Santa Elena in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Santa Elena $55
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Santa Elena $110
Compare Hotels in Leon and Santa Elena
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.50Santa Elena $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santa Elena
Also for Santa Elena, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Direct transfer from Monteverde to San Jose, English Speaking Driver: $197
- MiniVan Departure Transfer Monteverde to San Jose Airport SJO: $215
- One Way Private Transfer from Monteverde - Liberia: $276
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to San Jose With 2 Stops: $233
- Private Transfer From Monteverde to your Destination: $240
- Private Transfer Liberia Airport to Saint Helena Monte Verde: $210
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Santa Elena?
Prices for flights to both Santa Elena and Leon 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 dayLeon $21Santa Elena $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
- Cooking Workshop in Nicaragua: $25
- Nicaraguan Food Cooking Workshop & Market Tour: $40
- Cooking Class Private Tour: $55
- Nicaraguan Cooking Class with a Local Family at Leon City: $60
- Leon City: Cooking Class: $60
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.Leon $5.80Santa Elena $30
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $448
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $227
- A Stroll Through León’s Enchanting Streets: Romantic Walking Tour: $246
- Half Day Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $49
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $120
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Leon Colonial City Tour: $39
- Leon Nicaragua City Tour: $122
- Leon city: Walking tour by our landmarks.: $15
Tours and Activities in Santa Elena
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santa Elena.
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Curicancha Birdwatching Tour: $22
- Cloud Forest hanging bridges with a local naturalist tour guide: $22
- Night Walk Tour in Monteverde: $24
- Guided Butterfly Conservatory Tour in Costa Rica: $26
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Tour: $26
- Kinkajou Night Walk Tour: $27
- Monteverde: Kinkajou Forest Night Walking Tour: $27
- Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tour: $28
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
- Selvatura Park: Herpetarium Tour in Monteverde: $29
- Cloud Forest Small Group Tour: $30
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.52Santa Elena $6.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Santa Elena, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Santa Elena would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santa Elena than you might in Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Leon or Santa Elena?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Leon or Santa Elena in the Summer?
Both Santa Elena and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon 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 Leon. Leon usually gets less rain in July than Santa Elena. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun.
In July, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leon or Santa Elena in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Santa Elena. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October. Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Leon usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Leon is around the same temperature as Santa Elena in the autumn. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Santa Elena in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Santa Elena. Leon 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. Leon usually gets less rain in January than Santa Elena. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 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 Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets less sunshine than Santa Elena. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Leon is around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Typically, the winter temperatures in Leon in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Santa Elena 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Leon or Santa Elena in the Spring?
Both Santa Elena and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena. In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Santa Elena. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Santa Elena. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 29°C (84°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Santa Elena 29°C (85°F)
Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Leon
| Leon | Santa Elena | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.