Which place is cheaper, Monterey or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Monterey? 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: Saint John's or Monterey?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Monterey
When it comes to California, Monterey may not be mentioned half as much as you hear about Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it is a beautiful city to visit, with a diverse expanse of exciting and relaxing things to do, whether you're looking for adventure, a quiet getaway, or romance.
Located on California's central coast, the city of Monterey was the first State Capital of California. It was also home to many artists, athletes, and musicians, such as John Steinbeck, Clint Eastwood, and Ron Johnson.
Monterey has mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Cold season runs from December to April and warm season, from July until October. The peak travel seasons are during summer, from July to September. If you want to avoid crowds, the months of April and October are ideal times to visit for fewer crowds and comfortable weather.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Saint John's Prices
Antigua and Barbuda PricesMonterey Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $272Monterey $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Monterey is $211. 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 Saint John's and Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Monterey? 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: Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Monterey $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Private Transfer from Antigua island hotels to St. John's Port: $57
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
- Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
- Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
- Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
- Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $117Monterey $98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
- Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint John's $103Monterey $27
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
- 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
- Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
- Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
- Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
- Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
- Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
- Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
- Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
- Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
- Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135
Tours and Activities in Monterey
For Monterey, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Treasure Hunt The Ride - Ticket + Power-Up Combo: $23
- Mist, Mayhem & Murder: Monterey Ghost Tours: $24
- Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour: $62
- Cannery Row Kayak Tour: $65
- Catamaran Sailing Cruise: $65
- Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide: $70
- Whale Watching Cruise: $72
- Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide: $75
- 17-Mile Drive Pebble Beach E-Bike Tour: $75
- Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour: $75
- "Family Friendly" Scenic E-Bike Tour along 17 Mile Dr: $79
- 17-Mile Drive Guided E-Bike Tour: $79
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint John's $18Monterey $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Monterey
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Monterey:
- Carmel Valley Wine Tasting Tour: $206
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint John's and Monterey, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Monterey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Monterey is in North America, 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 Monterey would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Monterey 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Monterey.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Monterey?
Monterey has a larger population, and is about 25% larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's and Monterey, 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 Saint John's or Monterey?
Monterey has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Monterey in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Monterey. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint John's is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Monterey averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Monterey in the Autumn?
Both Monterey and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Monterey in the Winter?
Both Monterey and Saint John's during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint John's is much warmer than Monterey in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Monterey. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Monterey in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Monterey. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Monterey averages at about 56°F (13°C).
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Monterey receives 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
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.