Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Montanita?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montanita or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Montanita or Saint Thomas, 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 Thomas?
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 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 G Adventures Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Ecuador.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontanita $96Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Montanita is $96, 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 Montanita and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontanita $41Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontanita $82Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Montanita and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Montanita 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montanita $39Saint 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 Montanita or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Montanita 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 dayMontanita $28Saint 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.Montanita $31Saint 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 dayMontanita $7.86Saint 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 Montanita and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Montanita or Saint Thomas?
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 Montanita or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Montanita are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montanita throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Montanita usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during summer. Montanita gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Montanita is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montanita in July average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontanita 25°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Montanita during the autumn 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 Thomas year-round.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montanita usually gets less rain in October than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 117 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
In October, Montanita is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Montanita average around 26°C (78°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontanita 26°C (78°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montanita and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montanita year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Montanita usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Montanita usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Montanita gets 88 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
Montanita is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Montanita averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontanita 27°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montanita or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montanita as well as Saint Thomas. Montanita attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Montanita usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the spring, Montanita often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Montanita gets 133 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Montanita is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montanita in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontanita 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Montanita
| Montanita | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 26°C (79°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (78°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 26°C (78°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (78°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.