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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile, and The Best Luxury Tours to Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Santiago or San Pedro?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • San Pedro Prices
    Belize Prices
    Santiago Prices
    Chile Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    San Pedro $163
    Santiago $150

The average daily cost (per person) in San Pedro is $163, while the average daily cost in Santiago is $150. 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 $109
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    San Pedro $132
    Santiago $218
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): $210

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:

  • Santiago Airport (SCL) Private Transfer to Multiple Destinations: $18
  • Santiago de Chile Airport Private Transfer: $25
  • Official Transfer to Concha y Toro Winery: $27
  • Private Santiago Airport to Santiago Transfer: $32
  • Airport Private Transfer to/from Santiago de Chile: $40
  • Transfer Santiago de Chile airport: $40
  • Farellones Full Day Roundtrip Transfer: $40
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Santiago, Chile : $43
  • Santiago Int Airport (SCL) to Santiago - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
  • Santiago to Santiago Airport (SCL) - Departure Private Transfer: $44
  • Valle Nevado Ski Day Trip with Hotel Transfers: $45
  • Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers : $49

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 $69
    Santiago $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Pedro

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

  • Maya Sunset Dinner Feast: $49
  • The Maya Dinner Experience: Season 2: $111
  • The Garifuna Dinner Experience: Season I: $111

Typical Food Prices in Santiago

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


  • Empanada
    $1.88
  • 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.

  • Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
  • Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $82
  • 4-Hour Boozy Chilean Cooking Class in Santiago: $85
  • Bali Hai Dinner & Show, Transport and Wine refill: $106
  • Dinner Show in Bali Hai with Wine refill and transportation: $114
  • Private Dinner & Chilean Folk Show with Transfers: $116
  • Alyan Winery Sunset with Wine Tastings and Dinner: $117
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Chilean Cooking Class in a Local Home: $122
  • San Cristobal Hill Night Tour with Dinner Show: $129
  • Bali Hai Polynesian Dinner Show with Transfer: $130
  • Private Night City Tour with San Cristobal Hill And Dinner Show: $181
  • Santiago Chilean and Peruvian Cooking Class with a Local Carol: $184

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:

  • The Maya Brunch Experience: $44
  • 3 Hours Barrier Reef Tour in Caye Caulker, Belize: $59
  • Haunted Tales of the Maya: Cocktail | Dessert Experience: $66
  • Ambergris Caye Food and History Tour: $75
  • Half Day Snorkeling Tour Caye Caulker: $80
  • Ambergris Caye Sunset Sail Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $85
  • Belizean Food Experience: $87
  • San Pedro Local Diving Experience : $97
  • Hol Chan Full-Day Bucket List Snorkeling and Marine Life Tour: $99
  • Hol Chan Marine Reserve Snorkel Tour on the 40' Sirena Azul Sailboat: $99
  • Caye Caulker Private Camping Adventure: $100
  • Belize Hol Chan Marine Reserve & Shark Ray Alley Snorkel Tour - Ambergris Caye: $113

Tours and Activities in Santiago

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

  • Official Tour of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago: $9.00
  • Santiago Cathedral's Bell Tower Official Tour: $9.00
  • Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino Admission Ticket: $17
  • A historical tour of Santiago, Chile: $18
  • Cable Car Admission Ticket: $18
  • Santiago City Tour: Living History and Local Food Tasting: $20
  • Guided City Tour through the historic center of Santiago: $23
  • Private Guided Walking Tour of the City Center: $24
  • Guided Walking Tour of the Historical Old Town: $25
  • Yungay, Memory, Art, and Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -small group: $25
  • Santiago : Highlights Walking Tour With A Guide: $26

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    San Pedro $16
    Santiago $8.40

Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago

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

  • Ludwig's Original Pub Crawl with VIP Club Entry: $34
  • Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $63
  • Undurraga Wine tour: $70
  • Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $70
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $79
  • Valparaiso Port and Viña del Mar with wine tasting in Casablanca: $79
  • Inca Lagoon and Vineyard Visit with Wine Tasting: $80
  • Half Day Trip to Cousiño Macul Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Half Day Trip to Concha y Toro Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $87
  • Maipo Valley Wine Tour with 4 vineyards from Santiago.: $89
  • Kross Brewery Tour: A Craft Beer Tasting Experience: $93


When comparing the travel costs between San Pedro and Santiago, we can see that San Pedro 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)