Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Piriapolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Piriapolis or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis or Saint Thomas?
Piriapolis
Piriapolis is a small beach town between Montevideo and Punta del Este in Uruguay. It is a more laid back version of Punta del Este with fewer fancy restaurants and clubs but it has perhaps more charm, with its grand old hotel and beachfront promenade backed by small mountains. The rather old-school coastal resort is vaguely reminiscent of a Mediterranean beach town.
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 Adventure Tours to Uruguay, and The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPiriapolis $67Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, 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 Piriapolis and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPiriapolis $27Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPiriapolis $54Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis 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: Piriapolis Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Piriapolis $31Saint 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:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Piriapolis 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 dayPiriapolis $23Saint 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.Piriapolis $5.89Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Port Shuttle to St John Ferry : $44
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Sunset Kayak Tour in the Mangrove Lagoon, St Thomas: $49
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPiriapolis $8.11Saint 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 Piriapolis and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Piriapolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Piriapolis Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Saint Thomas?
Piriapolis 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 Piriapolis or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Piriapolis during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In the summer, Piriapolis is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Piriapolis in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Piriapolis. In the summer, Piriapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomasin July. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomasin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPiriapolis 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Piriapolis is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin October. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPiriapolis 17°C (63°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Piriapolis is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin January. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Piriapolis usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomasin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPiriapolis 10°C (50°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Piriapolis or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Piriapolis is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Piriapolis in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piriapolis. Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Piriapolis usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPiriapolis 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Piriapolis
| Piriapolis | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.