Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Pucon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Pucon or Saint Thomas?
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 Thomas 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 Thomas?
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 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPucon $100Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Pucon is $100, 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 Pucon and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPucon $43Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPucon $86Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Pucon and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Pucon 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.Pucon $19Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pucon
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pucon:
- Pucon Temuco Airport Private Transfer: $130
- Pucon to Puerto Montt El Tepual Airport (PMC) -Departure Transfer: $114
- Private Transfer Pucon Thermal Resorts to Temuco Airport: $49
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 Pucon or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one dayPucon $38Saint 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.Pucon $37Saint Thomas $60
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
- Full Day Excursion Tour to Quetrupillán Volcano: $177
- Full Day Private Tour Ascending Sollipulli Volcano: $140
- Half Day Tour to The Eyes Of Caburgua from Pucon: $93
- Local Chile-Bavarian Culinary Pretzel Baking Experience n Sausage: $149
- Private 3-Hour Canyoning Experience on the Correntoso River: $68
- Private Half Day Andean Lakes Experience with pickup: $110
- Sightseeing Tour in Pucon and Villarica: $93
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 dayPucon $27Saint 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 Pucon and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Pucon or Saint Thomas?
Pucon has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Pucon 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 Pucon or Saint Thomas?
Pucon 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 Pucon or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Pucon during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Pucon is much colder than Saint Thomas in the summer. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Pucon. In the summer, Pucon often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomasin July. Pucon gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
Pucon usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomasin July. Pucon gets 54 mm (2.1 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 JulyPucon 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pucon and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the autumn, Pucon is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pucon in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during autumn. Pucon gets 132 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. Pucon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Pucon usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin October. Pucon gets 133 mm (5.2 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 OctoberPucon 11°C (52°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Pucon as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In July, Pucon is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin January. Daily temperatures in Pucon average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In the winter, Pucon often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin January. Pucon gets 66 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Pucon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Pucon usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomasin January. Pucon gets 312 mm (12.3 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 JanuaryPucon 7°C (45°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Pucon or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Pucon 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.
Pucon is much colder than Saint Thomas in the spring. The daily temperature in Pucon averages around 11°C (52°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. Pucon usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Pucon gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Pucon. In October, Pucon usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin April. Pucon gets 109 mm (4.3 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 AprilPucon 11°C (52°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Pucon
| Pucon | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.