Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Leon or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Saint Thomas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Leon or Saint Thomas?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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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Leon Prices
Nicaragua PricesSaint Thomas Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $68Saint Thomas $258
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $68, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Leon and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Leon and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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: Leon Hotel Prices and Saint Thomas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.50Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Leon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Leon:
- From San Jorge: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- San Juan del Sur: One way shared transfer to Leon: $57
- One way shared transfer to San Juan del Sur: $57
- From Granada: One way shared transfer to San Jorge: $39
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:
- Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian: $174
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove: $174
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $174
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $180
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin: $134
- Prince Taxi USVI- ST.Thomas Aiport Transfer to Crown bay ferry: $120
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $189
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Leon 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 dayLeon $21Saint Thomas $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $25
- Volcano Boarding Sunset Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $50
- Cooking Class Private Tour: $55
- Leon City: Cooking Class: $55
- Nicaraguan Cooking Class with a Local Family at Leon City: $60
- León - Niaragua: Private Cooking Class with Local Family: $60
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:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $90
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- St. Thomas Dinner Sail to St. John with Open Bar - Ritz-Carlton: $129
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Westin Frenchman's Reef: $139
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour: $145
- 2-Hour Pizza Pi and Snorkel Sail: $175
- Pizza Pi Party- Snorkel & Sunset Cruise: $180
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Leon $5.80Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $1,205
- Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding Adventure from León: $90
- Half Day Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $69
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour": $67
- Horseback Riding Private Tour: $120
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- León off the beaten track: authentic tour with a live local guide (100% in French): $13
- León’s Enchanting Streets Stroll : Private Romantic Tour: $482
- León’s Enchanting Streets Stroll : Romantic Private Walking Tour: $293
- León: Central Market Food Tasting Tour: $33
- León: Cerro Negro Volcano Boarding Adventure with Pickup: $72
- Leon City Walking Private Tour: $48
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: $25
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry: $34
- Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- St. John Ghost Tour of Historic Cruz Bay: $45
- St Thomas Luxury 2 Hour Island Tour/ Explore: $46
- Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
- Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
- High Speed Harbor Tour from Charlotte Amalie Cruise Port: $50
- Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.52Saint Thomas $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Da Conch Crawl- Walking Tour and Bar Crawl Downtown St. Thomas: $148
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Leon or Saint Thomas?
Leon has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Leon 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 Leon 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 Leon or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Leon during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Leon gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Leon often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Leon gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Leon usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Leon gets 195 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Leon 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 OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Leon as well as Saint Thomas. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Leon usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leon this time of the year. In the winter, Leon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Leon gets 244 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
In January, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Leon usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Leon gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Leon. Leon usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Leon gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 29°C (84°F) in April, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Leon
| Leon | 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.