A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Ignacio vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Ignacio or Saint John?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Ignacio 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: San Ignacio or Saint John?

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!

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 Budget Tours to Belize, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize.


Which place is cheaper, Saint John or San Ignacio?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Ignacio is $72, 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 San Ignacio and Saint John in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Ignacio $19
    Saint John $106
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Ignacio $38
    Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in San Ignacio and Saint John

Looking for a hotel in San Ignacio 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.

Hotels in San Ignacio


Hotels in Saint John


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Ignacio $3.11
    Saint John $49

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 San Ignacio or Saint John?

Prices for flights to both Saint John and San Ignacio 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
    San Ignacio $21
    Saint John $56

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Ignacio $100
    Saint John $23

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
  • Full-Day Mountain Pine Ridge Tour from San Ignacio with Lunch: $100
  • Xunantunich horseback riding tour: $100
  • Private Tour:Xunantunich Mayan Ruin from San Ignacio: $103

Tours and Activities in Saint John

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
  • St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Ignacio $17
    Saint John $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Ignacio and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is San Ignacio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since San Ignacio is in Central 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 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 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 San Ignacio.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Ignacio Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit San Ignacio or Saint John?

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 San Ignacio or Saint John in the Summer?

Both Saint John and San Ignacio are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Ignacio throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in San Ignacio. In July, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Saint John. San Ignacio gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    San Ignacio 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint John 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and San Ignacio during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Ignacio because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in San Ignacio. San Ignacio usually gets more rain in October than Saint John. San Ignacio gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in San Ignacio averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    San Ignacio 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint John 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Saint John in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Ignacio and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Ignacio year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Ignacio gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Ignacio usually receives more rain than Saint John. San Ignacio gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, San Ignacio is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in San Ignacio in January average around 24°C (74°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    San Ignacio 24°C (74°F) 
    Saint John 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit San Ignacio or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Ignacio as well as Saint John. San Ignacio attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

San Ignacio usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. San Ignacio gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, San Ignacio is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in San Ignacio average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    San Ignacio 27°C (80°F) 
    Saint John 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint John and San Ignacio

San Ignacio Saint John
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)