A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Valdivia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Valdivia?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint John's or Valdivia? 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 Valdivia?

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.

Valdivia

Valdivia is a vibrant university city situated in southern Chile. It sits at the meeting point of three rivers in the aptly named Region de Los Rios (The Rivers Region) and is approximately 200 kilometers from both Temuco and Puerto Montt. Due to a large student population, Valdivia boasts a youthful and energetic vibe that is visible in its many bars, cafes and restaurants. The city is also known for having one of Chile's best craft beer cultures, which had its early beginnings when German settlers arrived in the 1840s. The rivers, nearby Pacific coastline and wetlands offer plenty for lovers of the outdoors, too.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Valdivia or Saint John's?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, while the average daily cost in Valdivia is $69. 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 Valdivia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Valdivia $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Valdivia $80
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Valdivia

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Valdivia? 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.

Hotels in Saint Johns


Hotels in Valdivia


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: Valdivia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Valdivia $8.08
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $254
  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $155
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax Zone D: Hotels: $130
  • 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
  • Private Airport Transfers 1- 2 Pax. Zone C: Hotels: $120
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $112
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $99
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valdivia

Also for Valdivia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Valdivia Airport Private Transfer: $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Valdivia?

Prices for flights to both Valdivia 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John's $68
    Valdivia $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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Valdivia $13
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:


  • 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:

  • 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
  • 6-Hours Guided Stingray Tour in the East Coast of Antigua: $161
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $125
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $190
  • Animal Lovers Dream Tour: $180
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $135
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Sunset Catamaran Cruise From St. John's: $116

Tours and Activities in Valdivia

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Valdivia.

  • Valdivia SUP Cruises for 6 People with Transportation Included: $35
  • Sightseeing Tour in Valdivia : $76
  • Private City Tour: $90

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Valdivia $4.79


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Valdivia, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Valdivia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Valdivia 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 Valdivia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valdivia 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 Valdivia.

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 Valdivia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Valdivia?

Valdivia has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Valdivia, 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 Valdivia?

Valdivia has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John's or Valdivia in the Summer?

Both Valdivia and Saint John's during the summer 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.

In July, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Valdiviain January. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Valdivia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Valdiviain January. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 296 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Valdiviain January. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Valdivia 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Valdivia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Valdivia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.

Saint John's is much warmer than Valdivia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F)in April.

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 132 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Valdivia receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Valdiviain April. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Valdivia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Valdivia. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Saint John's is much warmer than Valdivia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Valdivia averages at about 7°C (45°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Valdiviain July. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valdivia receives 66 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Valdivia. Saint John's usually gets less rain in January than Valdiviain July. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Valdivia 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Valdivia in the Spring?

Both Valdivia and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.

In April, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Valdiviain October. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Valdivia fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Valdivia during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Valdivia receives 198 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Valdiviain October. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Valdivia receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Valdivia 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Valdivia and Saint John's

Saint John's Valdivia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 16°C (61°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 133 mm (5.2 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 9°C (48°F) 295 mm (11.6 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 297 mm (11.7 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 312 mm (12.3 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 8°C (46°F) 247 mm (9.7 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 9°C (48°F) 162 mm (6.4 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 11°C (52°F) 109 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) 16°C (60°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)


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