Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Saint John's?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John's? 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's?
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's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or Saint John's? 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's $17
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
- Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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's $68
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Florianopolis $26Saint John's $103
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
- Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68Saint John's $18
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's, we can see that Saint John's 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's 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or Saint John's?
Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and Saint John's, 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 Florianopolis or Saint John's?
Florianopolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's and Florianopolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
Florianopolis is cooler than Saint John's in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F)in July.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Florianopolis. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Saint John'sin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John's in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Saint John's. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Saint John's. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In July, Florianopolis is generally cooler than Saint John'sin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun.
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Saint John'sin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint John's in the Spring?
Both Saint John's and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Florianopolis is cooler than Saint John's in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. It's quite rainy in Florianopolis. In October, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.