Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Mar del Plata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mar del 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 Mar del Plata and Saint Thomas can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas?
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 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 Luxury Tours to Argentina, and The Best Budget Tours to Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMar del Plata $8.78Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Mar del Plata is $8.78, 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 Mar del Plata and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMar del Plata $3.15Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMar del Plata $6.30Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Mar del Plata and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Mar del 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: Mar del Plata Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mar del Plata $2.50Saint 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 Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one dayMar del Plata $3.81Saint Thomas $54
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.Mar del Plata $2.27Saint Thomas $60
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 dayMar del Plata $1.78Saint 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 Mar del Plata and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas?
Mar del Plata has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas?
Mar del 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 Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Mar del 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.
Mar del Plata is cooler than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 20°C (69°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mar del Plata. Mar del Plata usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Mar del Plata gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin July. Mar del Plata gets 96 mm (3.8 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 JulyMar del Plata 20°C (69°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Mar del Plata during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the autumn, Mar del Plata is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mar del Plata in April average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Mar del Plata usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomasin October. Mar del Plata gets 67 mm (2.6 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 OctoberMar del Plata 15°C (59°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mar del Plata and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Mar del Plata is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin January. Daily temperatures in Mar del Plata average around 9°C (47°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In July, Mar del Plata usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin January. Mar del Plata gets 63 mm (2.5 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 JanuaryMar del Plata 9°C (47°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mar del Plata or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mar del Plata as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Mar del Plata is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Mar del Plata averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Mar del Plata often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin April. Mar del Plata gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Mar del Plata usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomasin April. Mar del Plata gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilMar del Plata 13°C (56°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Mar del Plata
| Mar del Plata | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (69°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (65°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (47°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (49°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 19°C (66°F) | 88 mm (3.5 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.