Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Acapulco de Juarez?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas?
Acapulco de Juarez
Located on the southwestern Pacific Coast of Mexico is the beautiful beach city of Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco is one of the original travel and resort destinations in Mexico, and it's still considered a popular spring break destination for Americans. Known as simply "Acapulco" to many travelers, this region is a popular spot for cruise lines to stop and timeshares to grow. Thanks to those cruise lines and timeshares, tourist activities like water parks and jet skis have experienced considerable growth.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAcapulco de Juarez $81Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Acapulco de Juarez is $81, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Acapulco de Juarez and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAcapulco de Juarez $39Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAcapulco de Juarez $78Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Acapulco de Juarez and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas? 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: Acapulco de Juarez Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $16Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Acapulco de Juarez
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Acapulco de Juarez:
- Private Airport Transfer &on 2nd Day 4Hr TourAll AttractionsCombo: $90
- Private Best Round Trip Airport - Hotel - Airport Transfer : $70
- Airport Transfer in Suburban: $65
- Transfer in private minivan from Bahía de Acapulco -Acapulco Airport (ACA): $32
- Acapulco hotels to Acapulco Airport (ACA) – Departure Private Transfer : $20
- Acapulco Airport Transfer: $10
- Shared transfer from Acapulco Airport (ACA) - Acapulco: $6.00
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Acapulco de Juarez 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 dayAcapulco de Juarez $29Saint Thomas $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Acapulco de Juarez
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Acapulco de Juarez.
- High Divers DeLuxe Three Course Dinner +Three Drinks plus SUNSET: $49
- Cliff Diver De Luxe 3 Course Dinner at "La Quebrada" in Acapulco: $56
- Off the Beaten Path Mexican Cooking Class Lagoon Boatride &Lunch: $89
- Hands On Mexican Cooking Class with Food Tasting & Market Visit: $100
- Bella Vista PRIVATE Al Fresco 3 Course Dinner Cliff Diver3Drinks: $191
- Super DeLuxe Bella Vista Dinner &1 Drink +2 Drinks at CliffDivers: $193
- Divers Show and Luxury Dinner in Acapulco: $199
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to Lovango w/ Open Bar and Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $159
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar & Hors D'oeuvres - Ritz-Carlton: $169
- Waterfront Harbor Dinner Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $209
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Acapulco de Juarez $18Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Acapulco de Juarez
Here are a few actual costs in Acapulco de Juarez for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6Hr Walking Tour San Diego Fort Museum Cliff Divers Zocalo: $68
- Small-Group or Private All Inclusive 4 Hours City Tour & Divers: $36
- 4 Hrs Exclusive to Cruise Ship Passengers Sightseeing Experience : $62
- 4-6Hrs Acapulco City Tour With a Fun Guide. Diver Show, Mex Lunch: $47
- 4Hrs Small Group Half Day City Tour with Lunch at High Divers: $85
- 4hr City Tour For Cruises or Hotels Diver Peace Chapel & Mural: $40
- 6Hr City Tour Cruise or Hotel Turtle Nesting High Diver & Market: $51
- 6Hr Cruise or Hotels City Tour, Divers, Baby Turtles Peace Chapel: $51
- 6Hr Cruisers or Hotels High Diver Peace Chapel BabyTurtleRelease: $50
- Acapulco City Tour : $35
- Acapulco Historical Tour with Cliff Divers Show: $65
- Acapulco Malibu, Avenida Kids Tour : $50
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAcapulco de Juarez $11Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Acapulco de Juarez and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Acapulco de Juarez much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Acapulco de Juarez is in North America and Saint Thomas is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Acapulco de Juarez would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Acapulco de Juarez 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 Saint Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Acapulco de Juarez.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Acapulco de Juarez Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas?
Acapulco de Juarez has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Acapulco de Juarez and Saint Thomas, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas?
Acapulco de Juarez has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Acapulco de Juarez during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Acapulco de Juarez because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Acapulco de Juarez. In the summer, Acapulco de Juarez often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 209 mm (8.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAcapulco de Juarez 29°C (83°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Acapulco de Juarez and Saint Thomas. The shopping scene are the main draw to Acapulco de Juarez this time of year. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Acapulco de Juarez is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez average around 28°C (83°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Acapulco de Juarez, it's very sunny this time of the year. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Acapulco de Juarez gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAcapulco de Juarez 28°C (83°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Acapulco de Juarez as well as Saint Thomas. Many travelers come to Acapulco de Juarez for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Acapulco de Juarez averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Acapulco de Juarez this time of the year. In the winter, Acapulco de Juarez often gets more sunshine than Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Acapulco de Juarez usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAcapulco de Juarez 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Acapulco de Juarez or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Acapulco de Juarez are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Acapulco de Juarez in the spring for the beaches. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Acapulco de Juarez is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Acapulco de Juarez in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Acapulco de Juarez. Acapulco de Juarez usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during spring. Acapulco de Juarez gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Acapulco de Juarez usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Acapulco de Juarez gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAcapulco de Juarez 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Acapulco de Juarez
| Acapulco de Juarez | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (80°F) | 1 mm (0 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 312 mm (12.3 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 341 mm (13.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.