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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng 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: Vang Vieng or Saint John?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

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 Adventure Tours to Laos, and The Best Budget Tours to Laos.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Vang Vieng much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vang Vieng is in Asia 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 Vang Vieng would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vang Vieng 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 Vang Vieng.

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

When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Saint John?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint John in the Summer?

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

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Saint John. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Vang Vieng is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vang Vieng in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint John in the Autumn?

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

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Saint John. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint John in the Winter?

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

Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Vang Vieng is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Saint John in the Spring?

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

Vang Vieng gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Saint John. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Vang Vieng is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vang Vieng in April average around 23°C (73°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Saint John and Vang Vieng