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

Should you visit Pucon or Saint John?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pucon and Saint John can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Pucon or Saint John?

Pucon

A popular hub for adventure tourism, Pucon is a town in the Lake District of the South American nation of Chile. Located on Lake Villarirca with the snowcapped Villarrica volcano looming above and plenty of forested valleys below, the town has become a home base year-round for a full range of outdoor activities.

Check out our ultimate guide to Traveling in Patagonia.

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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Pucon?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, 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 Pucon and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pucon $43
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pucon $86
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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.

Hotels in Pucon


Hotels in Saint John


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pucon $19
    Saint John $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:

  • Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
  • Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
  • Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114

Is it cheaper to fly into Pucon or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and Pucon 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
    Pucon $38
    Saint John $56

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pucon $37
    Saint John $23

Tours and Activities in Pucon

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

  • 3-Hour Rafting Experience in Pucon: $60
  • Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
  • Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
  • Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
  • Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
  • Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
  • Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
  • Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pucon $27
    Saint John $44


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

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



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

Pucon 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 Pucon or Saint John in the Summer?

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

Pucon is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

In January, Pucon usually receives less rain than Saint Johnin July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Pucon 16°C (61°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Pucon or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Pucon during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In the autumn, Pucon is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pucon in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pucon. Pucon usually gets less rain in April than Saint Johnin October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Pucon 11°C (52°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Pucon or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Pucon is generally much colder than Saint Johnin January. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Pucon usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Pucon 7°C (45°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Pucon or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Pucon is much colder than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

Pucon receives a lot of rain in the spring. Pucon usually gets more rain in October than Saint Johnin April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Pucon 11°C (52°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and Pucon

Pucon Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)