Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Lima or Saint John?
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 Lima and Saint John. 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: Lima or Saint John?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $77Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $77, 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 Lima and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Saint John $106
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Lima and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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.
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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.73Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Taxi Ride$5.43
-
Taxi Ride$5.43
-
Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- J.Chavez Airport to Miraflores City Hotels- Round Trip Transfer: $41
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Lima Airport Transfers: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima City in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into Lima or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Lima 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 dayLima $18Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
-
Lunch for Two$4.34
-
Ice cream$3.53
-
Coffee$2.99
-
Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lima $8.66Saint John $23
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
-
Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
-
Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
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 dayLima $5.63Saint John $44
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
-
Bottle of Wine$7.30
-
Beer$4.07
-
Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lima 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 Lima or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Lima usually receives less rain than Saint John. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Lima is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lima as well as Saint John. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Lima usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Lima is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lima in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Saint John. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Lima is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Lima during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Lima usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Lima is cooler than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 22°C (72°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Lima
| Lima | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.