Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Tulum?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tulum or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tulum and Saint John can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tulum or Saint John?
Tulum
When you think of ancient ruins you probably picture dusty archaeological digs surrounded by sand and professors in khaki shorts. What if I told you there is a way to see ancient ruins and visit a tropical beach? That's exactly what you find in Tulum, Mexico.
Built near the end of Mayan era, the ruins of Tulum served as a port before the arrival of the Spanish. It may have been called Zama, meaning City of Dawn, given that these ruins face the sunrise. Because of Tulum's access to both land and sea routes, this spot was an important hub for the trade industry. It may have had another claim to fame, too. According to some murals and other works around the site, it seems this spot was an important site for the worship of the Diving or Descending God. Today, the area is the third most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico with daily tour buses dropping off visitors.
This area is usually packed with people looking to get a glimpse of the seaside ruins. To avoid crowds and capture the best view of the day, try to arrive as early as possible.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTulum $122Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Tulum is $122, 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 Tulum and Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTulum $60Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTulum $120Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Tulum and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Tulum 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.
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: Tulum Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tulum $28Saint John $49
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tulum
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tulum:
- Cancun Airport Departure transfer from Akumal, Tulum: $191
- Departure Private Transfer from Tulum to Cancun Airport CUN by Minivan - Minibus: $117
- One Way Private Tulum Transfers to or from Cancun Airport: $160
- Private Luxury Transfer Tulum to Cancun Airport: $220
- Private Transfer From Cancun Airport - Tulum: $208
- Private Transfer Tulum Zone - Cancun International Airport: $160
- Private Transfer Tulum-Bacalar with optional 2h in Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve: $210
- Private Transfer in Vehicle from Tulum to Cancun Airport : $91
- Round-trip Private Transfer Cancun Airport to TULUM - up to 9 pax: $299
- Roundtrip Private Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $254
- Roundtrip Transfer from Cancun Airport to Tulum: $269
- Tulum to Bacalar - Private Transfer with Optional Sightseeing: $153
Is it cheaper to fly into Tulum or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John and Tulum 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 dayTulum $34Saint John $56
Typical Food Prices in Tulum
Some typical examples of dining costs in Tulum are as follows:
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Lunch$3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tulum
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Tulum.
- Tulum Local Walking Food Tour: $86
- Vegan Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $87
- Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum: $87
- Mayan Night Guided Tour, Cenote Swim and Mayan Dinner: $209
- Private transfer for 5 hours (go dinner,cenotes, shopping and more) : $299
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tulum $32Saint John $23
Tours and Activities in Tulum
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Tulum are as follows:
- Audioguide Tulum, Audioguide-App Mayastadt Tulum, Tour Tulum Archaeological Site: $4.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Return Home: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Coba Ruins: The trail of the Mayas: $10
- Tulum Archeological Site Skip-the-Line Ticket: $12
- Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $12
- Self-Guided Mayan Ruins Tour: $13
- Explore Coba: The Ultimate Self-Guided Audio & Map Tour: $15
- Archeological Guided Walking Tour in Tulum: $20
- Archaeological Site Guided Walking Tour: $20
- Tulum Mural Tours: $36
- Playa del Carmen: ATV, Cenote, and Zipline Tour with a Meal: $41
- Entrance tickets to swim in 4 Cenotes in Casa Tortuga Park: $42
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTulum $25Saint John $44
Sample the Local Flavors in Tulum
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Tulum:
- 30 Minutes Brewery Tour in Tulum: $39
- Wine Tasting at Pan y Vino Tulum: $58
- Beer Tasting and Brewery Tour: $69
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tulum and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Tulum much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tulum is in North 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 Tulum would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tulum 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 Tulum.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tulum Expensive? and Is Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tulum or Saint John?
Tulum has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tulum or Saint John in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tulum and Saint John. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tulum this time of year. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Tulum gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Tulum usually receives more rain than Saint John. Tulum gets 145 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTulum 28°C (83°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint John in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tulum as well as Saint John. Many travelers come to Tulum for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
In the autumn, Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tulum in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite rainy in Saint John. Tulum receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Tulum usually gets more rain in October than Saint John. Tulum gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, November to April in Tulum is the dry season. June to October in Tulum is the rainy season. Also, the hurricane season in Tulum is June to October.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTulum 27°C (81°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint John in the Winter?
Both Saint John and Tulum are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tulum in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Tulum is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Tulum average around 23°C (74°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
In January, Tulum usually receives more rain than Saint John. Tulum gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTulum 23°C (74°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tulum or Saint John in the Spring?
Both Saint John and Tulum during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tulum for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Tulum is around the same temperature as Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Tulum averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
Tulum usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Tulum gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April is the dry season in Tulum. June to October is the rainy season in Tulum. Keep in mind that June to October is the hurricane season in Tulum.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTulum 27°C (81°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Tulum
| Tulum | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (74°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (78°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (83°F) | 192 mm (7.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 145 mm (5.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (82°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 25°C (77°F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.