A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Big Pine Key vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key or Saint John?

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 Big Pine Key and Saint John. 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: Big Pine Key or Saint John?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Big Pine Key is in North America and Saint John 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 Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John than you might in Big Pine Key.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Saint John?

Big Pine Key has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint John in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint John. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Big Pine Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint John in the Spring?

Both Saint John and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint John. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Big Pine Key