A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Santander vs. Costa Vicentina for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Santander or Costa Vicentina?

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 Santander and Costa Vicentina can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Santander or Costa Vicentina?

Santander

Santander is the capital of the Cantabria Region which runs along the northern coast of Spain. Located right on the bay, it is a place of many historic churches and a handful of interesting museums that range from archaeological discoveries of the region, to maritime history, and cultural features like bullfighting. There is also a large selection of beaches for those looking for a more relaxing getaway in the sun and sand.

Costa Vicentina

Costa Vicentina is the beautiful coastal area in southwest Portugal which runs through both the Algarve and Alentejo Regions along the southern coast. This is actually part of the longest stretch of protected coastline in Portugal, making it one of the best places to experience the unadulterated beauty and nature of the country. Costa Vicentina offers miles of some of the best Portugal beaches, fantastic hiking trails, and lovely old villages to explore. The area sees far more Portuguese tourists than international ones, so expect Portuguese to be the only language spoken by many people, especially in the smaller villages.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Madrid, The Best 2-Week Tours from Barcelona, The Best Walking Tours in Portugal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Costa Vicentina or Santander?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Santander Prices
    Spain Prices
    Costa Vicentina Prices
    Portugal Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Santander 138
    Costa Vicentina 150

The average daily cost (per person) in Santander is €138, while the average daily cost in Costa Vicentina is €150. 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 Santander and Costa Vicentina in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santander 51
    Costa Vicentina 66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santander 102
    Costa Vicentina 132
Compare Hotels in Santander and Costa Vicentina

Looking for a hotel in Santander or Costa Vicentina? 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.

Hotels in Santander


Hotels in Costa Vicentina


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: Santander Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santander 24
    Costa Vicentina 40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santander

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santander:

  • One-way Private Transfer From/To Santander Airport: $48
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao: $290
  • Private Transfer from Santander city to Bilbao Airport: $290
  • Santander Private Arrival Transfer: $39
  • Santander Private Departure Transfer: $39
  • Santander Private Transfer from the city centre to Santander Airport: $67

Is it cheaper to fly into Santander or Costa Vicentina?

Prices for flights to both Costa Vicentina and Santander 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 day
    Santander 70
    Costa Vicentina 59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Santander 18
    Costa Vicentina 17

Tours and Activities in Santander

Here are a few actual costs in Santander for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Santander Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self Guided Tour: $5.77
  • Guided tour of Santander Cathedral: $14
  • The El Centro Botin Skip the Line Entry Ticket: $15
  • 1-Hour City Cruise Around the Bay: $17
  • Guided tour in English of the center of Santander: $20
  • El Sardinero Stadium Guided Tour: $21
  • Obregón: Parque de la Naturaleza de Cabárceno Entry Ticket: $30
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour & Train: $31
  • City Sightseeing Santander Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • Guided kayak tour of Santander Bay with a tour guide.: $41
  • Guided Tour by Electric Bike: $65
  • Santillana del Mar & Altamira Museum with tickets- small groups: $72

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Santander 14
    Costa Vicentina 8.71

Sample the Local Flavors in Santander

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Santander:

  • Wine Tourism and Cheese in Cantabria: $209


When comparing the travel costs between Santander and Costa Vicentina, we can see that Costa Vicentina 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. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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