Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Lake Titicaca (Puno)?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Saint Thomas. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Saint Thomas?
Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Lake Titicaca, which directly translates to "puma stone" in Quechua, is located high in the Andes Mountains straddling Peru and Bolivia, with about 60% of the lake in Peru and 40% in Bolivia. Among the lake are three main islands, the most popular of which are the Uros Islands, also known as the floating islands, where the Uros people live on totora reeds that grow in the lake.
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 Photography Tours in Peru, and The Best Jungle Trekking Tours in Peru.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $55Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Titicaca (Puno) is $55, 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Titicaca (Puno) $26Saint Thomas $131
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Titicaca (Puno) $52Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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: Lake Titicaca (Puno) Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $11Saint Thomas $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
-
Taxi$0.81
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno):
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay With a 2 Hour Stop: $296
- Private Transfer From Puno to Oruro With a Stop in Lake Titicaca: $285
- Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco With 2 Stops: $249
- Private Transfer From Puno to Chivay, English Speaking Driver: $209
- Direct Private Transfer From Puno to Cusco, English Local Speaking Driver: $205
- Private Transfer from Puno to Frontera Kasani: $202
- Private Transfer from Puno to Desaguadero: $193
- Puno Airport Private Transfer: $44
- Private Transfer from Hotel Puno to Puerto de Puno: $21
- Private Transfer from Puerto de Puno to Hotel Puno: $21
- Puno Airport Shared Transfer: $20
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:
- 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $15Saint Thomas $54
Typical Food Prices in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
-
Tamales$1.49
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
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Titicaca (Puno) $29Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Lake Titicaca (Puno)
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lake Titicaca (Puno) are as follows:
- 2-Day Lake Titicaca Tour with Stay in a Local Family Home: $109
- 2-Day Tour Lake Titicaca: Uros, Amantani & Taquile Islands: $98
- 2-Day Tour Uros Islands with Stay in a Local Family House from Puno: $109
- 2-Day Tour to Uros, Amantani and Taquile From Puno: $85
- 2-Hour Crop Circles Private Tour on Lake Titicaca from Puno: $130
- 2-day Tour: Puno To Chivay And Canyon Of Colca: $195
- 3 Days Tour to Ruta del Sol in Puno: $120
- 3h Boat Tour to Uros Island from Puno: $38
- Bus Day Tour along the Ruta del Sol from Puno to Cusco: $62
- Bus Ticket from Puno to Cusco with Stop.: $108
- Chucuito Bike Tour: $194
- Cultural Tour to Uros Floating Island: $60
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
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Titicaca (Puno) $13Saint 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Lake Titicaca (Puno) much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno) would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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 Lake Titicaca (Puno).
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake Titicaca (Puno) Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lake Titicaca (Puno) or Saint Thomas?
Lake Titicaca (Puno) has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Lake Titicaca (Puno) 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.
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.