Which place is cheaper, San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or San Ignacio? 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 San Ignacio?
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.
San Ignacio
So you want a tropical getaway, but also don't want to lay around with nothing to do. You want an adventure! You want relaxation and exploration.
You want to visit the small town of San Ignacio, Belize.
This section of the Cayo region is really more of a jungle than a typical Belize beach getaway. Located close the ancient Mayan ruins on the western and inland side of Belize, this town is most popular for its many outdoor adventures including hiking, climbing, and caving!
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222San Ignacio $72
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in San Ignacio is $72. 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 San Ignacio in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120San Ignacio $19
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240San Ignacio $38
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and San Ignacio
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or San Ignacio? 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: San Ignacio Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17San Ignacio $3.11
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:
- 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $59
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $155
- Antigua VC Bird Airport to Island Hotels Private Arrival Transfer: $82
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $254
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $77
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Ignacio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Ignacio:
- From Van Transfer To Flores Peten in Guatemala: $20
- San Ignacio Hotel to Belize City Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or San Ignacio?
Prices for flights to both San Ignacio 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 $68San Ignacio $21
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Ignacio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Ignacio.
- Xunantunich & Food Tour with local chocolate experience: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103San Ignacio $100
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
Tours and Activities in San Ignacio
Here are a few actual costs in San Ignacio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Xunantunich Maya Site with Local Tour guide: $65
- Xunantunich & Adventure Horse Ride: $75
- Xunantunich Mayan Ruins Tour from San Ignacio: $75
- Half-Day Cave Canoeing Adventure: $75
- From Xunantunich Mayan Tour & Optional Combos: $75
- Cave Canoeing with Local Tour Guide: $80
- Cave Tubing with local tour Guide and Belizean Lunch: $90
- Farm Ride plus Xunantunich tour: $90
- Belize Cave Tubing Adventure from San Ignacio: $90
- Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
- Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
- Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18San Ignacio $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and San Ignacio, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and San Ignacio is in Central 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 San Ignacio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Ignacio 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 San Ignacio.
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 San Ignacio Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or San Ignacio?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 44% larger than the population of San Ignacio. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and San Ignacio, 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 San Ignacio?
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 San Ignacio in the Summer?
Both San Ignacio and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In July, Saint John's usually receives less rain than San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in San Ignacio. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than San Ignacio during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 226 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as San Ignacio in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)San Ignacio 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or San Ignacio in the Autumn?
Both San Ignacio and Saint John's during the autumn 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 San Ignacio year-round.
San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets less rain in October than San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 255 mm (10 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 196 hours of full sun.
In the autumn, Saint John's is around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint John's in October average around 27°C (80°F), and San Ignacio averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)San Ignacio 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or San Ignacio in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and San Ignacio. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
San Ignacio receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint John's usually receives less rain than San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than San Ignacio during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while San Ignacio receives 199 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as San Ignacio. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 24°C (76°F), and San Ignacio fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)San Ignacio 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Saint John's or San Ignacio in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as San Ignacio. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the spring. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while San Ignacio receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the spring, Saint John's often gets around the same amount of sunshine as San Ignacio. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Ignacio receives 256 hours of full sun.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as San Ignacio in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 26°C (78°F) in April, and San Ignacio fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)San Ignacio 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for San Ignacio and Saint John's
| Saint John's | San Ignacio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 258 mm (10.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 243 mm (9.6 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 138 mm (5.4 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.