A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cumberland Island National Seashore vs. Saint John for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John?

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

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore 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: Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John?

Cumberland Island National Seashore

The Cumberland Island National Seashore, located on the southern coastline of Georgia, preserves an island of beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. It is also home to many historic sites and structures, preserved and interpreted for visitors to explore.

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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John?

Cumberland Island National Seashore 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cumberland Island National Seashore as well as Saint John. Most visitors come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is around the same temperature as Saint John in the summer. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Cumberland Island National Seashore receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Cumberland Island National Seashore are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Cumberland Island National Seashore because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Cumberland Island National Seashore is cooler than Saint John. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint John averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives less rain than Saint John. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John in the Winter?

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

In January, Cumberland Island National Seashore is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Cumberland Island National Seashore average around 53°F (12°C), and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Cumberland Island National Seashore usually gets more rain in January than Saint John. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cumberland Island National Seashore or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cumberland Island National Seashore and Saint John. Many travelers come to Cumberland Island National Seashore for the beaches and the natural beauty. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is cooler than Saint John in the spring. The daily temperature in Cumberland Island National Seashore averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Cumberland Island National Seashore usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint John. Cumberland Island National Seashore gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Cumberland Island National Seashore