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

Should you visit Huaraz or Saint John?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Huaraz and Saint John can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Huaraz or Saint John?

Huaraz

Huaraz is a large town in the Cordillera Blanca region of Peru's Central Sierra. Huaraz stands tall at 3100m; travellers from Lima might need a day or two to acclimatize to the change in atmosphere. Nearly wiped out by the earthquake of 1970, the town of 100,000 blends a mix of modern and native culture. Huarez is first and foremost a trekking metropolis. During high season the streets buzz with hundreds of backpackers and adventurers freshly returned from arduous hikes or planning their next expedition. The town has many markets, shops, quality restaurants and hopping bars catering to tourist and local needs. Mountain adventures in the off-season can be equally rewarding, but the vibe is calmer and some places go into hibernation once the rains set in.

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 Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Huaraz?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Huaraz is $50, 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 Huaraz and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Huaraz $20
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Huaraz $40
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Huaraz and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Huaraz 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.

Hotels in Huaraz


Hotels in Saint John


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: Huaraz Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Huaraz $10
    Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Huaraz

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Huaraz are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $2.17

Is it cheaper to fly into Huaraz or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and Huaraz 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
    Huaraz $18
    Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Huaraz

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Huaraz:


  • Lunch
    $5.97
  • Chips
    $1.49

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Huaraz $19
    Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Huaraz

Here are a few typical costs in Huaraz for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Climbing Gear
    $17

Tours and Activities in Huaraz

Here are a few actual costs in Huaraz for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Traditional Picante de Cuy Gastronomy Tour in Huaraz: $15
  • 69 Lake Tour of Peru: $26
  • Glacier Pastoruri and Puya Raimondi Full Day Tour: $28
  • Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $30
  • From Huaraz || Full day tour Laguna 69 in -Cordillera Blanca: $36
  • From Tour to Llanganuco Lakes (Chinancocha Lake): $37
  • From Tour to Archeological Complex of Chavin: $38
  • Ancash: Nevado pastors and puyas Raymondi Tour | Full Day |: $40
  • Lake 69 Full-Day Hiking Tour from Huaraz: $40
  • From Lake 69 Trek Day Tour - White Mountain Range: $46
  • From Chavín de Huantar fullday tour: $56
  • From Llanganuco Lagoon fullday tour: $65

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Huaraz $15
    Saint John $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Huaraz and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Huaraz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Huaraz 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 Huaraz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Huaraz 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 Huaraz.

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



When is the best time to visit Huaraz or Saint John?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Huaraz or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and Huaraz are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Huaraz throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Huaraz usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Huaraz gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Huaraz can get quite cold in the summer. Huaraz is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 3°C (37°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Huaraz 3°C (37°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Huaraz during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Huaraz because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Huaraz usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Huaraz gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Huaraz can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Huaraz is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Huaraz in October average around 4°C (39°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Huaraz 4°C (39°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Huaraz and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Huaraz year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Huaraz gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Huaraz usually receives more rain than Saint John. Huaraz gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In January, Huaraz is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Huaraz average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Huaraz 7°C (45°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Huaraz or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Huaraz as well as Saint John. Huaraz attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Huaraz usually gets more rain in April than Saint John. Huaraz gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Huaraz is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Huaraz averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Huaraz 6°C (43°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Huaraz

Huaraz Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 7°C (45°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 8°C (46°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 7°C (45°F) 126 mm (5 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 5°C (41°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 4°C (39°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 3°C (37°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 3°C (37°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 4°C (39°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 5°C (41°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 6°C (43°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)