A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montanita vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montanita or Saint John?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Saint John, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Montanita or Saint John?

Montanita

Montanita is a small village located on Manglaralto parish along the southern coast of Ecuador. The Pacific Coast of Ecuador is lined with beach towns, either small villages with local fisherman or larger towns more set up for foreign travellers like Montanita. With one of the best beaches in Ecuador, one of the best surf breaks in the region, and a great laid-back atmosphere Montanita is a great little getaway, especially for the hippies of the world. It has also become a popular weekend destination for English teachers and Spanish students coming from Guayaquil and Quito. The beachfront village of Montanita has a laid-back atmosphere and steady stream of cosmopolitan backpackers, with as many South Americans as gringos.

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 The Best G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montanita and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Montanita much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montanita 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 Montanita would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montanita 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 Montanita.

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

When is the best time to visit Montanita or Saint John?

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 Montanita or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Saint John. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Montanita usually gets less rain in July than Saint John. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Montanita is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montanita in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Montanita usually receives less rain than Saint John. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Montanita during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montanita because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Montanita usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Montanita is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Montanita or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Montanita usually receives less rain than Saint John. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Montanita is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montanita in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Saint John and Montanita