Which place is cheaper, Punta Arenas or Santa Elena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santa Elena or Punta Arenas?
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 Santa Elena and Punta Arenas. 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.
Where Should I go: Santa Elena or Punta Arenas?
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%.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is in the far south of Chile and has a long history of maritime commerce, oil extraction, and sheep farming. It's the most populated city on the Strait of Magellan and has all the facilities you might need as a traveler, including banks, markets, drugstores and equipment shops. With a population of about 130,000, the city is a comfortable place to spend time. It serves as a base for Antarctic expeditions, although many expeditions also start in Ushuaia, Argentina, and Christchurch New Zealand.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Costa Rica, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Costa Rica, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Santa Elena Prices
Costa Rica PricesPunta Arenas Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySanta Elena $109Punta Arenas $79
The average daily cost (per person) in Santa Elena is $109, while the average daily cost in Punta Arenas is $79. 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 Santa Elena and Punta Arenas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSanta Elena $55Punta Arenas $32
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSanta Elena $110Punta Arenas $64
Compare Hotels in Santa Elena and Punta Arenas
Looking for a hotel in Santa Elena or Punta Arenas? 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: Punta Arenas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santa Elena $11Punta Arenas $1.80
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
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta Arenas
Also for Punta Arenas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales: $267
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ) to Punta Arenas Port: $78
- Private Transfer - Punta Arenas Port to Punta Arenas Airport(PUQ): $78
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Transfer: $76
- Punta Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $57
- Private Transfer from Punta Arenas hotels to Punta Arenas Port: $43
- Punta Arenas Airport PUQ to Punta Arenas Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Oneway Private Transfer from Punta Arenas Airport to Punta Arenas: $37
- Punta Arenas to Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) - Departure Transfer: $35
- Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ) to Punta Arenas - Arrival Transfer: $35
- Punta Arenas Airport Private Transfer: $33
- Transfer Airport Punta Arenas : $30
Is it cheaper to fly into Santa Elena or Punta Arenas?
Prices for flights to both Punta Arenas and Santa Elena 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 daySanta Elena $41Punta Arenas $36
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
Typical Food Prices in Punta Arenas
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Punta Arenas:
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Donut$1.05
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Dinner$25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santa Elena $30Punta Arenas $6.44
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 : $40
- 2x1 Guided Tour Combo Hanging Bridges and Night Walk: $40
- 3 Hours Bird Watching Guided Experience in Bajo Cebadilla: $90
- 3 hours of the Longest and Highest Extreme Zip line Experience in Monteverde: $95
- Admission Ticket to Las Pumas Rescue Center : $20
- Adventure Day - Outdoor Fun for Family & Friends Package: $29
- Adventure Park High Ropes Course : $69
- Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde : $85
- Canopy Adventure From Monteverde: $86
- Cloud Forest Small Group Tour: $30
- Coffee Tour Monteverde : $60
Tours and Activities in Punta Arenas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta Arenas.
- Bike Tour in Punta Arenas, 100% local tour.: $70
- Cruises Shore Excursions : City tour Cruises Regular: $70
- Cruises shore Excursions: City Tour Cruises Private: $230
- For Cruise-ship passengers: Magdalena Island (Penguins): $200
- Fuerte Bulnes Shore Tour for Cruisers in Punta Arenas: $80
- Full day Torres del Paine from Punta Arenas ,Regular tours: $180
- Guided Tour of Punta Arenas and Fort Bulnes: $300
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
- King Penguin & Tierra del Fuego Tour: $154
- Magallanes National Reserve and Punta Arenas City Tour: $165
- Magdalena Island Penguin Boat Tour and Marta Island: $165
- Magdalena Island Penguin Tour by Boat from Punta Arenas: $160
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySanta Elena $6.21Punta Arenas $4.86
Typical Alcohol Prices in Punta Arenas
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Punta Arenas:
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Alcohol$7.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Santa Elena and Punta Arenas, we can see that Santa Elena is more expensive. And not only is Punta Arenas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santa Elena is in Central America and Punta Arenas is in South 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 Punta Arenas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta Arenas 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 Punta Arenas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santa Elena Expensive? and Is Punta Arenas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Santa Elena or Punta Arenas?
Punta Arenas 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 Santa Elena or Punta Arenas in the Summer?
Both Punta Arenas and Santa Elena are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.
Santa Elena is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the summer. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Punta Arenas. Santa Elena usually receives less sunshine than Punta Arenas during summer. Santa Elena gets 164 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 208 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Santa Elena. In July, Santa Elena usually receives more rain than Punta Arenasin January. Santa Elena gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySanta Elena 28°C (82°F)Punta Arenas 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Punta Arenas in the Autumn?
Both Punta Arenas and Santa Elena during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Santa Elena is much warmer than Punta Arenas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Santa Elena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas averages at about 7°C (44°F)in April.
In the autumn, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin April. Santa Elena gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 119 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. Santa Elena usually gets more rain in October than Punta Arenasin April. Santa Elena gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Punta Arenas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Santa Elena and Punta Arenas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.
Punta Arenas can be very cold during winter. In January, Santa Elena is generally much warmer than Punta Arenasin July. Daily temperatures in Santa Elena average around 27°C (81°F), and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 1°C (35°F).
In Santa Elena, it's very sunny this time of the year. Santa Elena usually receives more sunshine than Punta Arenas during winter. Santa Elena gets 264 hours of sunny skies, while Punta Arenas receives 70 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Santa Elena usually receives less rain than Punta Arenasin July. Santa Elena gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter. February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySanta Elena 27°C (81°F)Punta Arenas 1°C (35°F)
Should I visit Santa Elena or Punta Arenas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Santa Elena as well as Punta Arenas. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Santa Elena is much warmer than Punta Arenas in the spring. The daily temperature in Santa Elena averages around 29°C (85°F) in April, and Punta Arenas fluctuates around 7°C (44°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Santa Elena this time of the year. In the spring, Santa Elena often gets more sunshine than Punta Arenasin October. Santa Elena gets 255 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Punta Arenas receives 183 hours of full sun.
Santa Elena usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Punta Arenasin October. Santa Elena gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Punta Arenas receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Santa Elena.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSanta Elena 29°C (85°F)Punta Arenas 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Punta Arenas and Santa Elena
| Santa Elena | Punta Arenas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (85°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 29°C (83°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (79°F) | 289 mm (11.4 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 328 mm (12.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 254 mm (10 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 29 mm (1.1 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.