A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sydney vs. Santa Elena for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Sydney or Santa Elena?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sydney or Santa Elena, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Sydney

Sydney is a energetic, outdoorsy, and adventurous city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Sydney travel costs.

Santa Elena

Santa Elena is a outdoorsy, scenic, and tranquil town. Santa Elena offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include hiking and shopping. See Santa Elena travel costs.

Sydney and Santa Elena: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Sydney. Although Sydney and Santa Elena are popular destinations, Sydney has more sights and attractions for tourists. Sydney is famous for its iconic buildings, world-renowned beaches, colorful nightlife, and cosmopolitan restaurants. It is also well known for the Sydney Opera House. Santa Elena is famous for its birdwatching and environmental conservation.

How is Sydney different from Santa Elena?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its historical sights. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Sydney has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with iconic and world famous landmarks such as the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. There's also the famous Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Tower Eye.

Santa Elena offers a few options for museum-goers. The area is filled with outdoor gardens, parks, and nature reserves, but there are few museums to visit.

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

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

Sydney has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are international restaurants offering impressive dishes from around the world. You'll also find some local Australian favorites around town. Seafood is abundant, as are a number of Asian cuisines. Barramundi is a local fish that you'll find on many menus. Oysters, prawns, and John Dory (a local fish) are also popular.

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 Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Nightlife?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its evening party scene. However, Santa Elena is not a good destination for nightlife.

Sydney is a world class party destination. The city is filled with nightclubs and DJ hosted dance parties. There's a huge young crowd that brings together residents, students, and backpackers in a vibrant nightlife scene. Some of the best areas for nightlife are Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour.

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 Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Sydney is a good destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Sydney. There's some good snorkeling and diving nearby with a diversity of marine life and interesting ecosystems. Some of the best snorkeling spots are at Palm Beach, Shelly Beach, and Clifton Gardens.

Santa Elena is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Beaches?

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

Sydney offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are more than 100 beaches near the city with everything from hidden coves to world famous destinations. Bondi Beach is the most famous beach in town and it has all of the tourist sights and activities that you could need. Surfers often head to Bronte Beach, which isn't too far away. Divers and snorkelers love Gordons Bay. Manly is also a nearby suburb with family-friendly beaches that can be reached by ferry.

Santa Elena is not a beach destination.

Is Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Hiking?

Sydney and Santa Elena are both places where visitors can find great hiking trails.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Sydney. The city offers a number of coastal and inland trails that are easily accessible from town. There are short paths as well as multi-day routes not far and pass by stunning landscapes and viewpoints.

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

Is the Shopping Better in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for shopping.

Many people travel to Sydney specifically to go shopping. There's a wonderful mix of shopping streets, modern malls, and boutique vendors who sell local fashions. For souvenirs or local art, go to The Rocks, which is not far from Sydney Opera House. The Queen Victoria Building and Strand Arcade are also popular shopping areas.

Santa Elena is a great destination for shopping. There are some art galleries and artisan shops around town where you can pick up some interesting souvenirs.

Is Sydney or Santa Elena More Beautiful?

Sydney is great for its scenery and beauty. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its scenery and beauty.

With stunning beauty, Sydney attracts visitors from all around. The waterfront setting and grand buildings make this a truly beautiful city. It also has a lot of natural beauty with impressive beaches and nice green spaces.

Santa Elena is a gorgeous place to visit. The cloud forest and canopy walks give you access to breathtaking views and unique wildlife.

Is Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Families?

Sydney 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, Sydney is very family-friendly. The city has great beaches where kids can learn to surf, zoos and aquariums with local wildlife, and outdoor activities that take advantage of the city's waterfront location. There's everything from whale watching to visiting the Olympic Park, all of which will fascinate kids of all ages.

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 Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Couples?

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

Sydney is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. It's a romantic city that's filled with iconic landmarks like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. There are also award winning restaurants and world class beaches. Wander around the botanical gardens or take a sailing cruise on the harbor. There is an endless supply of romantic activities to choose from.

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 Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sydney and Santa Elena are world-class places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sydney is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. It's popular for its adventure sports, active beaches, and vibrant nightlife. While it's not a particularly cheap city to visit, there are plenty of hostels around town and no shortage of backpackers to hang out with.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

Is Sydney or Santa Elena Better for Students?

Sydney is a must-visit destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Santa Elena is not popular with students.

Sydney is a very popular place to visit for students. Students love the energy and plethora of outdoor activities in this beautiful city. Many international students come not only for the excellent universities but also for the diverse environment and many things to do.

Santa Elena is not popular with students.

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

Sydney is a must-visit destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Santa Elena is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its public transit.

Sydney has a world-class public transit network to take passengers everywhere in the city. There are a variety of types of public transit in town including buses, trains, ferries and light rail.

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

Is Sydney or Santa Elena a more walkable city?

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

Sydney is a very walkable destination. The city center and nearby suburbs are relatively easy to walk around. On the western side of the city, the suburbs are much less walkable.

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 Sydney Worth Visiting? and Is Santa Elena Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Santa Elena or Sydney?

How long in Sydney or Santa Elena?

It's fun to spend time in either Sydney or Santa Elena. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Sydney due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Sydney, and 2-4 days is enough time in Santa Elena.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sydney than Santa Elena if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sydney.

One day in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney is a adventurous city where you can fill many days. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the destination of Santa Elena. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney is a outdoorsy big city where you can fill many days. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Santa Elena is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney is a outdoorsy city where you can fill many days. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Santa Elena. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Travelers enjoy the shopping when visiting the scenic destination of Santa Elena. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Australia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Australia, 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 Sydney and Santa Elena, we can see that Sydney is more expensive. And not only is Santa Elena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sydney is in Pacific 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 Sydney would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sydney 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 Sydney Expensive? and Is Santa Elena Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Sydney or Santa Elena?

Sydney 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 Sydney or Santa Elena in the Summer?

Both Santa Elena and Sydney during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Sydney for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Santa Elena year-round.

Sydney is cooler than Santa Elena in the summer. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

It's quite sunny in Sydney. In the summer, Sydney often gets more sunshine than Santa Elenain July. Sydney gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 164 hours of full sun.

Santa Elena gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually gets less rain in January than Santa Elenain July. Sydney gets 116 mm (4.6 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sydney or Santa Elena in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sydney and Santa Elena. Many visitors come to Sydney in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Santa Elena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Sydney is cooler than Santa Elena. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sydney in April average around 19°C (65°F), and Santa Elena averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.

Sydney usually receives more sunshine than Santa Elena during autumn. Sydney gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Santa Elena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sydney gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sydney usually receives less rain than Santa Elenain October. Sydney gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 254 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn. June to October in Santa Elena is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Sydney or Santa Elena in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sydney as well as Santa Elena. Most visitors come to Sydney for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Santa Elena throughout the year.

In July, Sydney is generally much colder than Santa Elenain January. Daily temperatures in Sydney average around 12°C (53°F), and Santa Elena fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Santa Elena. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sydney this time of the year. In the winter, Sydney often gets less sunshine than Santa Elenain January. Sydney gets 208 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Santa Elena receives 264 hours of full sun.

Sydney usually gets more rain in July than Santa Elenain January. Sydney gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, February to May in Santa Elena is the dry season.

Should I visit Sydney or Santa Elena in the Spring?

Both Santa Elena and Sydney are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Sydney because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Santa Elena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Sydney is much colder than Santa Elena in the spring. The daily temperature in Sydney averages around 18°C (64°F) in October, and Santa Elena fluctuates around 29°C (85°F)in April.

It's quite sunny in Santa Elena. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sydney. Sydney usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Santa Elena during spring. Sydney gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Santa Elena receives 255 hours of full sun in the spring.

In October, Sydney usually receives more rain than Santa Elenain April. Sydney gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Santa Elena receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Santa Elena is February to May. The hurricane season in Santa Elena is June to October.

Typical Weather for Santa Elena and Sydney