Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or La Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Plata or Saint Thomas?
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 La Plata and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Plata or Saint Thomas?
La Plata
Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, the bustling university city of La Plata is notable for being South America's first planned city. Indeed, also known as the City of Diagonal, La Plata's intricate grid system includes diagonal streets that run through it, contributing to easy navigation but confusing intersections.La Plata is the Capital of the Province of Buenos Aires, the main Argentine state, so you will find lots of elaborate government buildings alongside leafy green plazas in this laid back as well as active city. La Plata is a happening university town with a population of over 700,000. You can walk the width of it in under an hour, stopping at trendy craft beer bars, local music joints, and great restaurants along the way. Also, football is a religion in Argentina and if you're looking for some local atmosphere, La Plata is the place to go! Two of Argentina's biggest football teams, Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata and Estudiantes de La Plata challenge each other each year. If you are around during that special day for the city, you will witness thousands of fans wearing the relevant colours heading off to watch the match and parade by calle 7.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Buenos Aires, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Buenos Aires.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Plata $8.62Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in La Plata is $8.62, 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 La Plata and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Plata $3.47Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Plata $6.94Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in La Plata and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in La Plata 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: La Plata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Plata $2.47Saint 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:
- 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 La Plata or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and La Plata 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 dayLa Plata $3.37Saint Thomas $54
Typical Food Prices in La Plata
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to La Plata:
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Ice Cream$0.01
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.La Plata $2.16Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in La Plata
For La Plata, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Sciencias Naturales Museum Entrance Fee$0.01
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLa Plata $1.20Saint 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 La Plata and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is La Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Plata is in South 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 La Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Plata 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 La Plata.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Plata Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, La Plata or Saint Thomas?
La Plata has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of La Plata 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.
When is the best time to visit La Plata or Saint Thomas?
La Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit La Plata or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and La Plata are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, La Plata is generally cooler than Saint Thomasin July. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. La Plata gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, La Plata usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin July. La Plata gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyLa Plata 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and La Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
La Plata is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in La Plata averages around 18°C (65°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in October.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin October. La Plata gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. La Plata usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomasin October. La Plata gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberLa Plata 18°C (65°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both La Plata and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, La Plata is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in La Plata in July average around 12°C (53°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. La Plata usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. La Plata gets 102 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, La Plata usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin January. La Plata gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryLa Plata 12°C (53°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit La Plata or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to La Plata as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In October, La Plata is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin April. Daily temperatures in La Plata average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the spring, La Plata often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin April. La Plata gets 167 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
La Plata receives a lot of rain in the spring. La Plata usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomasin April. La Plata gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilLa Plata 18°C (64°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and La Plata
| La Plata | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 22°C (71°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 18°C (65°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (53°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (55°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 18°C (64°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 21°C (69°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 23°C (74°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.