Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Playa del Carmen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Playa del Carmen or Saint John?
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is in Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It's a popular resort town and is about seventy kilometers south of Cancun. It has a European atmosphere with many small hotels and a nice relaxed feel. It was originally a small fishing town but tourism began with the introduction of a passenger ferry to Cozumel. The area developed rapidly and there are many luxury hotels, condos, and resorts. There are also American chains and a variety of shopping opportunities nearby.
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 2-Week Tours in Mexico, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPlaya del Carmen $81Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Playa del Carmen is $81, while the average daily cost in Saint John is $192. 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 Playa del Carmen and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPlaya del Carmen $40Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPlaya del Carmen $80Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Playa del Carmen or Saint John? 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: Playa del Carmen Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Playa del Carmen $24Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Playa del Carmen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Playa del Carmen:
- Cancun International Airport From/to Akumal - Private Transfer: $130
- Transfer in Private vehicle from Xcaret - Cancun Airport (CUN): $88
- 2x1 Tour: Isla Contoy, Isla Mujeres, Open Bar, Lunch and Transfers: $190
- Access to Xel-Há Park with Transfer: $145
- Airport Transfers to Playa del Carmen - Private van (ROUND TRIP) FLAT RATE: $227
- Akumal to Cancún Airport (CUN) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Akumal to Cancun - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $77
- Amazing ATV (single) Cenote and Ziplines with Transfer from Playa del Carmen: $80
- CUN Airport One-Way/Round-Trip Transfers to Playa del Carmen: $115
- Cancún Airport Transfer to Playa del Carmen One Way: $118
- Cancun Airport Private Transfer One Way: To or From Akumal area Up to 03 Pass.: $105
- Cancun Airport Round Trip transfer to Puerto Aventuras: $190
Is it cheaper to fly into Playa del Carmen or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Playa del Carmen 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 dayPlaya del Carmen $24Saint John $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Playa del Carmen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Playa del Carmen.
- Cenotes by Bike and Mayan Cooking Class Half-Day Guided Tour: $60
- Walking Food Tour: $65
- Playa Del Carmen Authentic Downtown Food Tour: Tacos and Local Flavors: $75
- Playa del Carmen Walking Food Tour: $77
- Mexican Cooking Class: $100
- Seafood Tour in Playa del Carmen: $101
- PDC Traditional Mexican Cooking Experience: $104
- Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Playa del Carmen: $120
- Isa’s Authentic Mexican Cooking Class: $120
- Cultural Coba Sunset Adventure with Dinner and show from Cancun: $130
- Sunset Adventure in Coba and Dinner with Show from Riviera Maya: $155
- Riviera Maya: Sunset Cruise with Beach Dinner and Open Bar: $157
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Playa del Carmen $17Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Playa del Carmen
Here are a few actual costs in Playa del Carmen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shopping Tour & Tulum Mayan Ruins: $11
- Cancun Airport: Bus Ticket to/from Playa del Carmen: $14
- Tulum Ruins: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Ek Balam: Self-Guided Tour with Audio Narration & Map: $15
- Riviera Maya: Frida Kahlo Museum Guided Tour 2024: $20
- YAL-KÚ Park in Riviera Maya Admission Ticket: $23
- Chichen Itza and Cenote Full Day Tour from Playa del Carmen: $28
- Ultramar Ferry, Regular round ticket, Playa del Carmen-Cozumel: $32
- Tulum and 2 Cenotes Half Day Tour from Riviera: $34
- Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to/from Cozumel: $35
- Mayan tour 4x1: Tulum, Cobá, Cenote & Playa del carmen: $35
- Tulum Ruins and Amusement Park Shared Tour: $37
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPlaya del Carmen $21Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Playa del Carmen and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Playa del Carmen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Playa del Carmen is in North 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 Playa del Carmen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Playa del Carmen 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 Playa del Carmen.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Playa del Carmen Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John?
Playa del Carmen has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Playa del Carmen are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Playa del Carmen in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite rainy in Playa del Carmen. In July, Playa del Carmen usually receives more rain than Saint John. Playa del Carmen gets 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPlaya del Carmen 28°C (82°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Playa del Carmen during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Playa del Carmen because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
In October, Playa del Carmen is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Playa del Carmen average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Playa del Carmen. Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in October than Saint John. Playa del Carmen gets 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to October in Playa del Carmen is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPlaya del Carmen 26°C (79°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Playa del Carmen and Saint John. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Playa del Carmen this time of year. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Playa del Carmen is cooler than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Playa del Carmen averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Playa del Carmen usually receives less rain than Saint John. Playa del Carmen gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPlaya del Carmen 23°C (73°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Playa del Carmen or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Playa del Carmen as well as Saint John. Many travelers come to Playa del Carmen for the beaches and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the spring, Playa del Carmen is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Playa del Carmen in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
Playa del Carmen usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Playa del Carmen gets 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Playa del Carmen is June to October.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPlaya del Carmen 27°C (81°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Playa del Carmen
| Playa del Carmen | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (75°F) | 21 mm (0.8 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.