Which place is cheaper, Lima or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Lima?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Lima? 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: Saint John's or Lima?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Lima $77
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Lima is $77. 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 Saint John's and Lima in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Lima $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Lima $98
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Lima
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Lima? 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: Lima Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Lima $5.73
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $59
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $77
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Island Hotels: $78
- Antigua VC Bird Airport to Island Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $82
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- Airport Transfer Service in Lima: $95
- Assistance /Transfer Hotel - Airport Lima Airport : $40
- From The Larco Museum Complete Tour with transfers: $52
- J.Chavez Airport to Miraflores City Hotels- Round Trip Transfer: $41
- Jorge Chavez Airport (LIM) to Lima - Arrival Private Transfer : $31
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
- Lima : Private transfer between airport to your destination: $29
- Lima Airport Arrival Transfer for small groups: $79
- Lima Airport Transfers: Jorge Chavez Airport LIM to Lima City in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport Transfers: Lima City to Jorge Chavez Airport LIM in Standard Van: $31
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Lima?
Prices for flights to both Lima and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Lima $18
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Lima $8.66
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
- Coffee tasting experience at Terrua Cafe: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Lima $5.63
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Lima, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Lima is in South America, 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Lima Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Lima?
Lima has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Lima, 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 Saint John's or Lima?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Saint John's or Lima in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Lima. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Lima. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Lima during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 36 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Lima fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Lima 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Lima in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Lima. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Lima. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Lima receives 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Lima. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 60 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is a little warmer than Lima in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Lima fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Lima 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Lima in the Winter?
Both Lima and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Lima because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Lima. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Lima receives 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Lima during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Lima receives 185 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Lima. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Lima averages at about 23°C (73°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Lima 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or Lima in the Spring?
Both Lima and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Lima. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Lima receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Lima. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lima receives 182 hours of full sun.
In April, Saint John's is generally a little warmer than Lima. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Lima fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Lima 22°C (72°F)
Typical Weather for Lima and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Lima | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.