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

Should you visit Valdivia or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Valdivia or Saint John? 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: Valdivia or Saint John?

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.

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 10-Day Tours in Chile, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Valdivia or Saint John?

Valdivia 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 Valdivia or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Valdivia as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Valdivia is much colder than Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Valdivia averages around 16°C (61°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

Valdivia usually gets less rain in January than Saint Johnin July. Valdivia gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Valdivia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Valdivia is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Valdivia in April average around 11°C (52°F), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. It's quite rainy in Valdivia. In April, Valdivia usually receives less rain than Saint Johnin October. Valdivia gets 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Valdivia or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Valdivia during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

In July, Valdivia is generally much colder than Saint Johnin January. Daily temperatures in Valdivia average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Valdivia. Valdivia usually gets more rain in July than Saint Johnin January. Valdivia gets 312 mm (12.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Valdivia or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Valdivia and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

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

Valdivia gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Valdivia usually receives more rain than Saint Johnin April. Valdivia gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Valdivia