Should you visit Guadalajara or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Guadalajara or Saint Thomas, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Guadalajara or Saint Thomas?
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco in western Mexico, as well as one of the country's largest cities. It is best known for tequila and mariachi music, which both originate in Jalisco, as well as a thriving historic center with colonial architecture and landmarks.
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 from Cancun, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico.
Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Guadalajara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Guadalajara is $117, 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 Guadalajara and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
Looking for a hotel in Guadalajara 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:
Guadalajara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Guadalajara
Also for Guadalajara, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Private transfer from Guadalajara to Sayulita:
$240
-
Airport-Chapala/Ajijic Transfer:
$229
-
Guadalajara Airport (GDL): Transfer to Guadalajara hotels:
$174
-
Airport to City Transfer:
$151
-
Airport Transfer to Guadalajara Hotels:
$119
-
Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$98
-
Guadalajara to Tequila - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver:
$98
-
Tequila to Guadalajara - Private Transfer with English-speaking driver:
$98
-
Private Transfer from Guadalajara city hotels to Manzanillo Port:
$76
-
Guadalajara Airport(GDL) to Tequila - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$76
-
Private transfer: Guadalajara Airport (GDL) to Guadalajara:
$73
-
Guadalajara hotels to Guadalajara Airport (GDL) - Departure Private Transfer:
$49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
-
Scooter Rental
$65
-
Taxi Ride
$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton :
$180
-
Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers:
$173
-
PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian :
$170
-
Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI:
$169
-
Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville:
$160
-
Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove :
$160
-
Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry:
$160
-
Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport:
$135
-
Private Ground Transfers:
$120
-
PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove:
$110
-
Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven:
$110
-
Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove :
$110
Is it cheaper to fly into Guadalajara or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Guadalajara 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 day
Guadalajara $48
Saint Thomas $54
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
Tours and Activities in Guadalajara
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Guadalajara.
-
10-Day Audio Guide Tour of Guadalajara:
$12
-
6 Hours Private Tour Guide in Guadalajara, you choose!:
$144
-
Air Adventure Paraglide over Incredible Landscapes:
$156
-
Canopy Experience Panoramic Flight in Zip Lines:
$43
-
Chapala Ajijic Area Tour from Guadalajara:
$40
-
Chapala and Ajijic Private Tour:
$120
-
Charreria heritage tour be a charro for a day:
$50
-
City tour in Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque:
$94
-
Complete Tour on the Tequila Route from Guadalajara:
$58
-
Downtown Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque Tour:
$73
-
Enjoy an exclusive Tequila Tour with a Tequila Master:
$149
-
From Chapala Lake & Ajijic Tour:
$83
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
-
Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion :
$58
-
1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John:
$159
-
1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef:
$179
-
Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling:
$40
-
Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach:
$35
-
Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!:
$250
-
Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!:
$150
-
Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience:
$79
-
Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour:
$10
-
Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire:
$115
-
Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort:
$115
-
Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour :
$169
Alcohol
Sample the Local Flavors in Guadalajara
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Guadalajara:
-
Guadalajara Arquitecture and Brewery Tour:
$56
-
Tequila distillery experience, Jose Cuervo & Tequila Magic Town:
$77
-
Private One Day Adventure Tour in Tequila and La Fortaleza Distillery:
$173
-
Sip & Savor Tequila Experience Distillery w/ Lunch fr Guadalajara:
$180
-
Private Tour La Fortaleza Distillery and visit to Tequila:
$190
-
Private Tour Cascahuin Distillery and visit to Tequila:
$190
-
Private Tour to El Tequileño Distillery and visit to Tequila:
$190
-
Private Tour one day in Guachimontones and La Fortaleza Distillery:
$209
-
Private Tour to Tequila Ocho Distillery and the Town of Arandas:
$209
-
Guachimontones and Tequila Distillery in One Day:
$264
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 Guadalajara and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Guadalajara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Guadalajara 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 Guadalajara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Guadalajara Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Guadalajara or Saint Thomas?
Guadalajara has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Guadalajara 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.
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