A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mar del Plata vs. Saint John's for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mar del Plata or Saint John's?

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 Mar del Plata and Saint John's can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Saint John's?

Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata is found only 404 km southeast of the city of Buenos Aires, on the Atlantic coast. Today Mar Del Plata is Argentina‘s most well known beach resort. It has successfully married the two worlds of beach and city into a fun, cosmopolitan urban center with the presence of highly developed tourist infrastructure. Founded in 1874, Mar del Plata was at first mainly an industrial and commercial center before becoming a vacation destination for Argentinians. For a peaceful trip and intimate oceanfront promenades, avoid visiting Mar del Plata during summer time, as the gorgeous arced coastline will be crawling with visitors. But the city is more than just beaches. It also offers some culture, lively nightlife, and great food.

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Mar del Plata?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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 Mar del Plata and Saint John's in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mar del Plata $3.15
    Saint John's $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mar del Plata $6.30
    Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Saint John's

Looking for a hotel in Mar del Plata or Saint John's? 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.

Hotels in Mar del Plata


Hotels in Saint Johns


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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.50
    Saint John's $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $254
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $155
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
  • 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99

Is it cheaper to fly into Mar del Plata or Saint John's?

Prices for flights to both Saint John's and Mar del 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Mar del Plata $3.81
    Saint John's $68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Mar del Plata $2.27
    Saint John's $103

Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
  • Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mar del Plata $1.78
    Saint John's $18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mar del Plata and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Mar del Plata much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mar del Plata is in South America and Saint John's 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 Mar del Plata would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mar del 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 John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Mar del Plata.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mar del Plata Expensive? and Is Saint John's Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Saint John's?

Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Mar del Plata and Saint John's, 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 Mar del Plata or Saint John's?

Mar del Plata has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint John's in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Saint John's. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

In the summer, Mar del Plata is cooler than Saint John's. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mar del Plata in January average around 20°C (69°F), and Saint John's averages at about 27°C (81°F)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mar del Plata this time of the year. In the summer, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Saint John'sin July. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in January than Saint John'sin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Mar del Plata 20°C (69°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint John's in the Autumn?

Both Saint John's and Mar del Plata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Saint John'sin October. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In April, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Mar del Plata 15°C (59°F) 
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint John's in the Winter?

Both Saint John's and Mar del Plata during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

Mar del Plata is much colder than Saint John's in the winter. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 9°C (47°F) in July, and Saint John's fluctuates around 24°C (76°F)in January.

Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in July than Saint John'sin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Mar del Plata 9°C (47°F) 
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint John's in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Saint John's. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Mar del Plata is much colder than Saint John's. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mar del Plata in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Saint John's averages at about 26°C (78°F)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Saint John's during spring. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the spring. In October, Mar del Plata usually receives less rain than Saint John'sin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Mar del Plata 13°C (56°F) 
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John's and Mar del Plata

Mar del Plata Saint John's
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 20°C (69°F) 96 mm (3.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Feb 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Mar 18°C (65°F) 97 mm (3.8 in) 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Jun 9°C (48°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in)
Jul 9°C (47°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Aug 9°C (49°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Nov 16°C (61°F) 75 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in)
Dec 19°C (66°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in)