Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John? 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: Florianopolis or Saint John?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Florianopolis and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Saint John? 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68Saint John $44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis is in South 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Florianopolis or Saint John?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In January, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Saint Johnin July. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 25°C (76°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Saint Johnin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Florianopolis is cooler than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 22°C (71°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
Saint John receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Saint Johnin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the winter, Florianopolis is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Florianopolis in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Saint Johnin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Florianopolis 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 October, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Saint Johnin April. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 20°C (68°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.