Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Puerto Varas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas 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: Puerto Varas or Saint John?
Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is a city in Southern Chile, in the Los Lagos (Lakes) Region, Llanquihue Province. It is a charming town, only 23 km away from Puerto Montt and surrounded by the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes as well as the impressive Llanquihue lake. In terms of landscape, accommodation and activities, Puerto Varas is well served! Kayak, paddle, canyoning, rock climbing, trekking, ski, fishing, you name it! If you decide to stop in that area, we recommend that you stay in Puerto Varas, as it provides the perfect starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.
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 G Adventures Tours to Chile, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPuerto Varas $109Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Varas is $109, 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 Puerto Varas and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPuerto Varas $67Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPuerto Varas $134Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Puerto Varas and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Puerto Varas 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: Puerto Varas Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Puerto Varas $21Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Varas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Varas:
- Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $21
- Transfer to Puerto Montt Airport: $22
- Transfer from Hotel in Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $24
- Transfer from Puerto Varas to Puerto Montt Airport: $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Puerto Varas or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Puerto Varas 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 Varas $25Saint John $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Puerto Varas $19Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Puerto Varas
Here are a few actual costs in Puerto Varas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Tour Frutillar: $31
- Half day Frutillar and Llanquihue Town tour: $34
- Half-Day Tour to Frutillar and Llanquihue: $35
- Half day Osorno Volcano tour: $35
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- Todos los Santos Lake and Villa Peulla Tour: $48
- From Osorno Volcano & Petrohue Falls Day Tour: $49
- Half-Day Small-Group Rafting Experience in Petrohué River: $52
- From Puerto Varas or Puerto Montt: Chiloé Island Tour: $60
- FullDay Chiloe Island Tour Castro and dalcahue: $62
- Full-Day Tour Chiloe Island: Castro and Dalcahue : $62
- Peulla Full Day Tour from Puerto Varas: $68
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 dayPuerto Varas $6.51Saint John $44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Puerto Varas and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Puerto Varas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Puerto Varas Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Varas or Saint John?
Puerto Varas 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 Puerto Varas or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Puerto Varas 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.
In January, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than Saint Johnin July. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In January, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin July. Puerto Varas gets 90 mm (3.5 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 January and JulyPuerto Varas 16°C (60°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Puerto Varas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Puerto Varas is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Puerto Varas averages around 11°C (51°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 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 Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Johnin October. Puerto Varas gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Varas and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the winter, Puerto Varas is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Puerto Varas in July average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F)in January.
Puerto Varas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Puerto Varas usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin January. Puerto Varas gets 229 mm (9 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 July and JanuaryPuerto Varas 7°C (45°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Puerto Varas or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Varas as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In October, Puerto Varas is generally much colder than Saint Johnin April. Daily temperatures in Puerto Varas average around 11°C (51°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Puerto Varas receives a lot of rain in the spring. Puerto Varas usually gets more rain in October than Saint Johnin April. Puerto Varas gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPuerto Varas 11°C (51°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Puerto Varas
| Puerto Varas | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 16°C (60°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 15°C (59°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 13°C (55°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 11°C (51°F) | 143 mm (5.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 8°C (46°F) | 224 mm (8.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 7°C (45°F) | 229 mm (9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 8°C (46°F) | 209 mm (8.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 9°C (47°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 121 mm (4.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 14°C (58°F) | 103 mm (4.1 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.