Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Isla de Ometepe?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Isla de Ometepe 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: Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas?
Isla de Ometepe
Ometepe is a dramatically beautiful island in Lake Nicaragua in the country of Nicaragua. The island is the largest in the lake and is formed by two dramatic twin volcanoes that climb high from the water's surface. The two volcanoes are Concepcion and Maderas, and they are joined by an isthmus to make one island with an area of 276 square kilometers. The island is 31 kilometers long and between 5 and 10 kilometers wide. There are several small settlements on the island as well as a few coffee plantations. It is also one of the top sights in the country and makes for a unique travel destination.
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 in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIsla de Ometepe $34Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Isla de Ometepe is $34, 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 Isla de Ometepe and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIsla de Ometepe $13Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIsla de Ometepe $26Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Isla de Ometepe and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Isla de Ometepe 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Isla de Ometepe $11Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $28
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Isla de Ometepe 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 dayIsla de Ometepe $13Saint 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Isla de Ometepe $13Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Isla de Ometepe
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Isla de Ometepe are as follows:
- A great tour day for the ISLAND OF OMETEPE.: $80
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIsla de Ometepe $8.85Saint Thomas $27
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 Isla de Ometepe and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Isla de Ometepe much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Isla de Ometepe is in Central 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 Isla de Ometepe would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Isla de Ometepe 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 Isla de Ometepe.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Isla de Ometepe Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Isla de Ometepe as well as Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Isla de Ometepe receives a lot of rain in the summer. Isla de Ometepe usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the summer, Isla de Ometepe often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Isla de Ometepe are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Isla de Ometepe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. It's quite rainy in Isla de Ometepe. In October, Isla de Ometepe usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Isla de Ometepe gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Isla de Ometepe in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberIsla de Ometepe 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Isla de Ometepe during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Isla de Ometepe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Isla de Ometepe usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Isla de Ometepe. In the winter, Isla de Ometepe often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Isla de Ometepe is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Isla de Ometepe average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryIsla de Ometepe 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Isla de Ometepe or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Isla de Ometepe and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Isla de Ometepe year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Isla de Ometepe usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Isla de Ometepe gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Isla de Ometepe, it's very sunny this time of the year. Isla de Ometepe usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Isla de Ometepe gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Isla de Ometepe is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Isla de Ometepe averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilIsla de Ometepe 29°C (84°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Isla de Ometepe
| Isla de Ometepe | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 196 mm (7.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 144 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 210 mm (8.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 31°C (88°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 11 mm (0.4 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.