Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Punta del Este?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Punta del Este or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Punta del Este or Saint John, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Punta del Este or Saint John?
Punta del Este
Punta del Este with its many beaches, elegant seaside homes, yacht harbor, high-rise apartment buildings, pricey hotels, ardent night scene and glitzy restaurants is a chic beach resort town in Uruguay. Many tourists come from Brazil and Argentina, on the other side of the Rio de la Plata, to get some nice sun and lay on the beach for a weekend getaway. Punta del Este is more expensive than other areas in Uruguay and has been called the Monaco of South America. Tourist season varies wildly from totally deserted in the winter to very crowded in the summer.
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 Cultural Tours in Uruguay, and The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPunta del Este $98Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Saint John $49
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Montevideo hotels: $72
- Private Transfer to Punta del Este Airport: $60
- Punta del Este Airport Private Transfer: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Punta del Este 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 dayPunta del Este $31Saint John $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Punta del Este $11Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
- Skip the Line: Casapueblo Museum Admission Ticket in Punta del Este: $15
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Punta del Este Classic City Tour with Sunset in Casapueblo: $30
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $50
- Punta del Este, City Tour: $50
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Private - Punta del Este City Tour for Cruisers: $120
- Punta del Este Shore Excursion: Private Sightseeing Tour of Punta del Este: $127
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Punta del Este
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Punta del Este:
- Wine Tasting: $42
- Half Day Private Canelones Wine Tour from Montevideo : $158
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Punta del Este and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Punta del Este much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Punta del Este Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Punta del Este or Saint John?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the summer, Punta del Este is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in January than Saint Johnin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Saint Johnin October. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In April, Punta del Este usually receives less rain than Saint Johnin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Punta del Este during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Punta del Este is much colder than Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in July than Saint Johnin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Punta del Este is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
In October, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 20°C (68°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 17°C (63°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 11°C (52°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (50°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (70°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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.