A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers San Pedro vs. Santiago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit San Pedro or Santiago?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between San Pedro or Santiago, 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 Pedro or Santiago?

San Pedro

San Pedro is the largest town on Ambergris Caye, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Belize. Here you can find a tropical paradise with warm weather, clear blue waters, plenty of activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, and a host of hotels, restaurants, and other amenities.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.

Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Belize, The Best G Adventures Tours to Belize, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or San Pedro?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $135, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $141. 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 Pedro and Santiago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    San Pedro $66
    Santiago $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro $132
    Santiago $220
Compare Hotels in San Pedro and Santiago

Looking for a hotel in San Pedro or Santiago? 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 Pedro


Hotels in Santiago


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: Santiago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    San Pedro $34
    Santiago $5.41

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Pedro

Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Pedro:

  • Cave Tubing and Zipline Adventure (Boat Transfer): $205

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:


  • Metro Ride
    $1.13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:

  • Arturo Merino Benítez Intl Airport: Shared Transfer: $24
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $25
  • Santiago Airport (SCL) to Santiago hotels - Arrival Transfer: $27
  • Private Transfer From The Hotel in Santiago City To the Airport: $29
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Santiago City: $29
  • Private Transfer: $31
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $35
  • From Farellones/Valle Nevado Roundtrip Transfer: $35
  • Departure Transfer - Hotel in Santiago to Santiago International Airport: $35
  • Arrival Transfer - Santiago International Airport to Hotel in Santiago: $35
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $39
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into San Pedro or Santiago?

Prices for flights to both Santiago and San Pedro 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 Pedro $40
    Santiago $13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Pedro.

  • Belizean Sunset and Cultural Dinner Cruise: $120

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:


  • Empanada
    $1.89
  • Hamburger
    $2.50
  • Dinner
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.

  • Sunset at Alyan Family Wines Winery with Dinner: $94
  • Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai: $109
  • Sunset Winery Tour with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Small-Group Night City Tour: San Cristobal Hill and Dinner Show: $120
  • 4-Hour Private Night Tour with Dinner and Show: $150
  • Private Dinner and Show with Transfers: $158
  • Traditional Chilean Cooking Class with a Local in Her Santiago Countryside Home: $168

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    San Pedro $33
    Santiago $47

Tours and Activities in San Pedro

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for San Pedro are as follows:

  • Sunset Tiki Bar Cruise in Caye Caulker, Belize: $45
  • Shark & Ray Afternoon Swim Tiki Bar Cruise: $45
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $54
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $75
  • SAN PEDRO; Belizean Food Experience: $86
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $89
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $93
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $95
  • Hol Chan, Shark Ray Full-Day Snorkeling Tour From San Pedro Belize: $110
  • All-Inclusive Full-Day Hol Chan Snorkeling Tour : $120
  • Mexico Rocks Day Sail Shared Guided Tour: $129
  • Exclusive All-in-1 Full Day Shared Guided Tour: $139

Tours and Activities in Santiago

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:

  • Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Explore Santiago's Soul: Walking In-App Audio Tour: $5.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • La Paz from the Heights: Down hill Walking tour & Cable Cars: $12
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $15
  • Cousiño Macul Official Winery Tour with Tasting: $23
  • "Tour Tradicional" Viña Cousiño Macul Oficial español: $23
  • Skip the Line: Concha y Toro Traditional Tour Ticket: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Walking tour through Santiago: $26
  • From Valle Nevado and Farellones Small Group Tour: $29
  • Small-Group Tour to Valle Nevado and Farellones from Santiago: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro $16
    Santiago $8.41

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $37
  • Concha y Toro Ticket and Tour with Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $50
  • Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $62
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $63
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • From Concha y Toro Marqués Half-Day Wine Tasting: $89
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $99
  • From Maipo Valley Wine Tour: $99
  • Private Tour: Viña del Mar and Valparaíso Tour with Wine Tasting in Casablanca Valley: $143
  • Premium Wine Tasting and Tour at Santa Rita with Transport: $145
  • Santa Rita: Ultra Premium Wine Tasting, Tour and Transport: $145


When comparing the travel costs between San Pedro and Santiago, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though San Pedro is in Central America and Santiago is in South America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, San Pedro or Santiago?

Santiago has a larger population, and is about 570 times larger than the population of San Pedro. When comparing the sizes of San Pedro and Santiago, 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 San Pedro or Santiago?

Santiago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but San Pedro experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit San Pedro or Santiago in the Summer?

Both Santiago and San Pedro are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Pedro throughout the year.

San Pedro is a little warmer than Santiago in the summer. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Santiago fluctuates around 21°C (70°F)in January.

It's quite rainy in San Pedro. In July, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin January. San Pedro gets 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    San Pedro 28°C (82°F) 
    Santiago 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Santiago in the Autumn?

Both Santiago and San Pedro during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to San Pedro because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, San Pedro is much warmer than Santiago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Pedro in October average around 26°C (80°F), and Santiago averages at about 15°C (59°F)in April.

It rains a lot this time of the year in San Pedro. San Pedro usually gets more rain in October than Santiagoin April. San Pedro gets 255 mm (10 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    San Pedro 26°C (80°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Santiago in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both San Pedro and Santiago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to San Pedro year-round.

In January, San Pedro is generally much warmer than Santiagoin July. Daily temperatures in San Pedro average around 24°C (74°F), and Santiago fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

San Pedro gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, San Pedro usually receives more rain than Santiagoin July. San Pedro gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    San Pedro 24°C (74°F) 
    Santiago 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit San Pedro or Santiago in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to San Pedro as well as Santiago. San Pedro attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Pedro is much warmer than Santiago in the spring. The daily temperature in San Pedro averages around 27°C (80°F) in April, and Santiago fluctuates around 15°C (59°F)in October.

San Pedro usually gets more rain in April than Santiagoin October. San Pedro gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Santiago receives 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    San Pedro 27°C (80°F) 
    Santiago 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Santiago and San Pedro

San Pedro Santiago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (74°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 26°C (78°F) 25 mm (1 in) 18°C (64°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 52 mm (2 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 258 mm (10.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 243 mm (9.6 in) 9°C (48°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 187 mm (7.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 287 mm (11.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 255 mm (10 in) 15°C (59°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Dec 25°C (76°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)