A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Florianopolis vs. San Pedro for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Florianopolis or San Pedro?

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

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Pedro? 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 San Pedro?

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.

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Brazil, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Pedro or Florianopolis?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, while the average daily cost in San Pedro is $135. 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 San Pedro in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Florianopolis $26
    San Pedro $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Florianopolis $52
    San Pedro $132
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and San Pedro

Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis or San Pedro? 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.

Hotels in Florianopolis


Hotels in San Pedro


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Florianopolis $13
    San Pedro $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis

Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
  • Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
  • Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
  • Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
  • One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
  • Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
  • Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
  • Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
  • Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
  • Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or San Pedro?

Prices for flights to both San Pedro 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Florianopolis $22
    San Pedro $40
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis

For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • A Quick Snack
    $0.44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Florianopolis $26
    San Pedro $33
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • 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 San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • The best of San Pedro Town walking tour: $202
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • 5-Hour Guided Jetboat Tour to Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize.: $200
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Altun Ha Cave Tubing and Zip line Tours from San Pedro Ambergris Caye: $250
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Cave Tubing and Zip line Adventure from San pedro Ambergris caye: $250
  • Double Activity Limo Tour: Xunantunich Ruins & Cave Tubing Adventure: $220
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Florianopolis $8.68
    San Pedro $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:


  • Beer
    $0.59


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and San Pedro, we can see that San Pedro 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 San Pedro 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 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 San Pedro would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Pedro 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 San Pedro Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Florianopolis or San Pedro?

Florianopolis has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of Florianopolis and San Pedro, 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 San Pedro?

Florianopolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Pedro in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as San Pedro. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.

Florianopolis is cooler than San Pedro in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and San Pedro fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. In the summer, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Pedroin July. Florianopolis gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 226 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in January than San Pedroin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Florianopolis 25°C (76°F) 
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Pedro in the Autumn?

Both San Pedro and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than San Pedro. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and San Pedro averages at about 26°C (80°F)in October.

Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Pedro during autumn. Florianopolis gets 179 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than San Pedroin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Florianopolis 22°C (71°F) 
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Pedro in the Winter?

Both San Pedro and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.

In July, Florianopolis is generally cooler than San Pedroin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and San Pedro fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).

In the winter, Florianopolis often gets less sunshine than San Pedroin January. Florianopolis gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Pedro receives 199 hours of full sun.

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Florianopolis usually gets less rain in July than San Pedroin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Florianopolis 17°C (62°F) 
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Florianopolis or San Pedro in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and San Pedro. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Florianopolis is cooler than San Pedro in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and San Pedro fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Pedro this time of the year. Florianopolis usually receives less sunshine than San Pedro during spring. Florianopolis gets 159 hours of sunny skies, while San Pedro receives 256 hours of full sun in the spring.

Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than San Pedroin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while San Pedro receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Florianopolis 20°C (68°F) 
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Pedro and Florianopolis

Florianopolis San Pedro
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 25°C (76°F) 163 mm (6.4 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 24°C (75°F) 173 mm (6.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 22°C (71°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 17°C (63°F) 95 mm (3.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 134 mm (5.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 22°C (71°F) 130 mm (5.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 24°C (74°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)