Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Puerto Madryn?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas? 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: Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas?
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is mostly known as the gateway to Peninsula Valdes, welcoming tourists who come for whale watching. The Peninsula Valdes is a nature reserve designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site; 97 km long and 63 km wide, it is connected to the continent by an isthmus of 35 km from which we can see both gulfs, San Jose at north and the Nuevo at south.
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 2-Week Tours in Argentina, and The Best 3-Week Tours in Argentina.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Madryn $14Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Madryn is $14, 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 Puerto Madryn and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Madryn $5.25Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Madryn $11Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Puerto Madryn and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Madryn 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: Puerto Madryn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Madryn $3.28Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Madryn
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Madryn:
- From Punta Tombo Day Trip with Hotel Transfer: $131
- Trelew Airport Shuttle Transfer To Puerto Madryn : $47
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:
- Transfer from Cyril E. King Airport(STT) to Charlotte Amalie Port: $28
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Puerto Madryn 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 dayPuerto Madryn $5.69Saint 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.Puerto Madryn $5.77Saint Thomas $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Puerto Madryn
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Puerto Madryn are as follows:
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Whale Watching for Two$0.35
Tours and Activities in Puerto Madryn
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Puerto Madryn are as follows:
- 4 x 4 experience around Puerto Madryn: $100
- Cruise Shore Excursion Ea San Lorenzo Peninsula Valdes - Patagonia - Argentina: $229
- Cruise Shore Excursion Peninsula Valdes - Pto Madryn - Patagonia - Argentina: $119
- Cruise Shore Excursion Punta Tombo - Tickets included - Puerto Madryn Patagonia: $129
- Excursion to Punta Loma and Puerto Madryn for Cruisers: $60
- From City and Punta Loma Tour: $70
- From Florentino Ameghino Dam Day Tour: $194
- From Penguin Tour & Península Valdés Day Trip: $152
- From Valdes Peninsula Full-Day Tour: $130
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience: $90
- Full Day Peninsula Valdes Experience - optional Whale Watching : $87
- Full Day Punta Tombo - Walking Among Penguins Experience - Madryn: $105
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 dayPuerto Madryn $3.13Saint 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 Puerto Madryn and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Madryn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Madryn Expensive? and Is Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas?
Puerto Madryn has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas?
Puerto Madryn 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 Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Puerto Madryn as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the summer, Puerto Madryn is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Puerto Madryn in January average around 22°C (71°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomasin July. Puerto Madryn gets 11 mm (0.4 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 JulyPuerto Madryn 22°C (71°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Puerto Madryn are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Puerto Madryn is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin October. Daily temperatures in Puerto Madryn average around 14°C (58°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. In April, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin October. Puerto Madryn gets 14 mm (0.6 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 OctoberPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas and Puerto Madryn during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Puerto Madryn is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Puerto Madryn averages around 7°C (45°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Puerto Madryn. In the winter, Puerto Madryn often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin January. Puerto Madryn gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Puerto Madryn usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomasin January. Puerto Madryn gets 18 mm (0.7 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 JanuaryPuerto Madryn 7°C (45°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Puerto Madryn or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Madryn and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Puerto Madryn is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Puerto Madryn in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
In October, Puerto Madryn usually receives less rain than Saint Thomasin April. Puerto Madryn gets 20 mm (0.8 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 AprilPuerto Madryn 14°C (58°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Puerto Madryn
| Puerto Madryn | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (71°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 21°C (69°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (58°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 7°C (45°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 9°C (48°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (53°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 18°C (64°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 12 mm (0.5 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.