Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas 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 Thomas?
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 Thomas, 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 Thomas?
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 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 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 Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Punta del Este is $98, 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 Punta del Este and Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPunta del Este $55Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPunta del Este $110Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Punta del Este and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Punta del Este 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: Punta del Este Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Punta del Este $22Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Punta del Este
Also for Punta del Este, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montevideo to Punta Del Este Cruise Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Cruise Port to Montevideo: $85
- Private Transfer - Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $85
- Private Transfer from Montevideo hotels to Punta Del Este Port: $72
- 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
- Private Transfer from Montevideo City to Montevideo Cruise Port: $55
- Montevideo hotels to Carrasco International Airport (MVD) - Departure Transfer: $49
- Montevideo Hotels to Carrasco Airport MVD Departure Transfer: $49
- Private Transfer from Montevideo city to Montevideo Cruise Port: $30
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:
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours - Airport Transfer to the Ritz Carlton : $180
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer Bluebeard’s / Yacht Haven: $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
Is it cheaper to fly into Punta del Este or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 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.Punta del Este $11Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Punta del Este
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Punta del Este.
- Bike Tour Peninsula - Punta del Este: $65
- Colonia Wine Experience for Food & Wine Lovers: $180
- Discovering Half-Day City Tour: $47
- East Coast of Uruguay – Private Multi Day Tour: $2,600
- From Cabo Polonio - Full Day Private Tour: $1,000
- Full Day Private Shore Tour Montevideo from Punta Del Este Port: $292
- Full Experience Tasting Menu Viña Edén: $157
- Gourmet Food & Wine Experience from Punta del Este: $205
- Guided Tour of Vineyards: $33
- Guided Tour of the Winery Viña Edén: $18
- Half Day Tour in Punta del Este and Jose Ignacio: $170
- La Vista 360 ticket de admisión: $11
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $159
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $179
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Aerial Sightseeing Adventure!: $250
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Charlotte Amalie Walking Tour + Contemporary Art Experience: $79
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise aboard Breakaway Charters at Sapphire: $115
- Cocktail Sunset Cruise from Sapphire Beach Resort: $115
- Coral Reef and Turtle Discovery Kayak and Snorkel Tour : $169
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPunta del Este $7.70Saint Thomas $27
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
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 Punta del Este and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 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 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 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 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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Punta del Este or Saint Thomas?
Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Punta del Este. When comparing the sizes of Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Saint Thomas?
Punta del Este 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 Punta del Este or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Punta del Este are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Punta del Este is cooler than Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Punta del Este in January average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Punta del Este. Punta del Este usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during summer. Punta del Este gets 296 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In January, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin July. Punta del Este gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyPunta del Este 23°C (73°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas and Punta del Este during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
In April, Punta del Este is generally much colder than Saint Thomasin October. Daily temperatures in Punta del Este average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin October. Punta del Este gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Punta del Este usually gets less rain in April than Saint Thomasin October. Punta del Este gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberPunta del Este 17°C (63°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Punta del Este and Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Punta del Este is much colder than Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Punta del Este averages around 10°C (50°F) in July, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. Punta del Este usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during winter. Punta del Este gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun in the winter.
In July, Punta del Este usually receives more rain than Saint Thomasin January. Punta del Este gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryPunta del Este 10°C (50°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Punta del Este or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Punta del Este as well as Saint Thomas. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
In the spring, Punta del Este is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Punta del Este in October average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Punta del Este this time of the year. In the spring, Punta del Este often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomasin April. Punta del Este gets 248 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun.
Punta del Este usually gets more rain in October than Saint Thomasin April. Punta del Este gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilPunta del Este 16°C (61°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Punta del Este
| Punta del Este | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.