A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Piriapolis vs. San Ignacio for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Piriapolis or San Ignacio?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Piriapolis or San Ignacio, 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 San Ignacio?

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.

San Ignacio

So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.

You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.

This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, San Ignacio or Piriapolis?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Piriapolis is $67, while the average daily cost in San Ignacio is $72. 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 San Ignacio in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Piriapolis $27
    San Ignacio $19
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Piriapolis $54
    San Ignacio $38
Compare Hotels in Piriapolis and San Ignacio

Looking for a hotel in Piriapolis or San Ignacio? 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 Piriapolis


Hotels in San Ignacio


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 and San Ignacio Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Piriapolis $31
    San Ignacio $3.11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:

  • From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
  • San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Piriapolis or San Ignacio?

Prices for flights to both San Ignacio 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Piriapolis $23
    San Ignacio $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.

  • Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Piriapolis $5.89
    San Ignacio $100

Tours and Activities in San Ignacio

Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
  • Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
  • Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
  • Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
  • From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
  • Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
  • Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
  • Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
  • Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
  • Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
  • Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
  • Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Piriapolis $8.11
    San Ignacio $17


When comparing the travel costs between Piriapolis and San Ignacio, we can see that San Ignacio is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Piriapolis is in South America and San Ignacio is in Central America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Piriapolis or San Ignacio?

San Ignacio has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Piriapolis. When comparing the sizes of Piriapolis and San Ignacio, 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 San Ignacio?

Piriapolis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Ignacio experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Piriapolis or San Ignacio in the Summer?

Both San Ignacio and Piriapolis are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Piriapolis is generally cooler than San Ignacioin July. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 23°C (73°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in San Ignacio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Piriapolis. Piriapolis usually receives more sunshine than San Ignacio during summer. Piriapolis gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. In January, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than San Ignacioin July. Piriapolis gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Piriapolis 23°C (73°F) 
    San Ignacio 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or San Ignacio in the Autumn?

Both San Ignacio and Piriapolis during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round.

Piriapolis is much colder than San Ignacio in the autumn. The daily temperature in Piriapolis averages around 17°C (63°F) in April, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 26°C (80°F)in October.

In the autumn, Piriapolis often gets less sunshine than San Ignacioin October. Piriapolis gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 196 hours of full sun.

San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Piriapolis usually gets less rain in April than San Ignacioin October. Piriapolis gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Piriapolis 17°C (63°F) 
    San Ignacio 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or San Ignacio in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Piriapolis and San Ignacio. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Piriapolis is much colder than San Ignacio. Typically, the winter temperatures in Piriapolis in July average around 10°C (50°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 24°C (74°F)in January.

Piriapolis usually receives less sunshine than San Ignacio during winter. Piriapolis gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.

San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the winter. In July, Piriapolis usually receives less rain than San Ignacioin January. Piriapolis gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Piriapolis 10°C (50°F) 
    San Ignacio 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Piriapolis or San Ignacio in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Piriapolis as well as San Ignacio. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.

In October, Piriapolis is generally much colder than San Ignacioin April. Daily temperatures in Piriapolis average around 16°C (61°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Piriapolis this time of the year. In the spring, Piriapolis often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacioin April. Piriapolis gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 256 hours of full sun.

Piriapolis usually gets more rain in October than San Ignacioin April. Piriapolis gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Piriapolis 16°C (61°F) 
    San Ignacio 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for San Ignacio and Piriapolis

Piriapolis San Ignacio
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 23°C (73°F) 75 mm (3 in) 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Mar 20°C (68°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in)
Jul 10°C (50°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 11°C (52°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in)
Sep 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in)
Oct 16°C (61°F) 85 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in)
Dec 21°C (70°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)