A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cocoa Beach vs. Saint Croix for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Cocoa Beach and Saint Croix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix?

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, Florida has long been a favorite vacation spot for travelers looking for sun, sand, and waves. The location was also made famous as the setting for the 1960's television show, "I Dream of Jeannie". The town of just over 11,000 is located in Brevard County along the Atlantic coast. Many people visit the area because of its excellent surfing. There are many surfing festivals and competitions held here yearly and the famous Ron Jon's surf shop receives about 2 million visitors a year. The city is also home to the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame.

Saint Croix

Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.

The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.

This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Cocoa Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Cocoa Beach Prices
    USA Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cocoa Beach $176
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Cocoa Beach is $176, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $277. 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 Cocoa Beach and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cocoa Beach $85
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cocoa Beach $170
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Cocoa Beach and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix? 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.

Hotels in Cocoa Beach


Hotels in Saint Croix


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: Cocoa Beach Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cocoa Beach $26
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Cocoa Beach 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cocoa Beach $75
    Saint Croix $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Village Food Tours Lunch & History Tour: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Croix

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Croix.

  • A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cocoa Beach $16
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Cocoa Beach

For Cocoa Beach, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Palm Bay by 3Quest Challenge: $10
  • 2 Hr Dolphin & Manatee River Cruise . Melbourne, Cocoa Beach,Fl. : $30
  • Brevard County Tours, dolphin and manatee tours in Palm Bay, FL: $40
  • 1-Hour Virtual Reality Experience Skull & Books VR - Cocoa Beach: $45
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
  • Cocoa Beach Sunset Tour: $48
  • Sunset Cruise: $48
  • Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour: $48
  • Dolphin Eco Cruise Nature Adventure in Cocoa Beach: $49
  • 2 hour Dolphin Sightseeing Tour in Melbourne Florida : $49
  • Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee & Dolphin Sightings: $50
  • Manatee and Dolphin Kayak Tour: $50

Tours and Activities in Saint Croix

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:

  • Christiansted's Artisan Shopping Tour: $33
  • Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
  • Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cocoa Beach $20
    Saint Croix $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Croix

Also in Saint Croix, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Farm to Bottle Tour at Prosperity Farm Distillery: $35


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cocoa Beach and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Cocoa Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cocoa Beach is in North America and Saint Croix 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 Cocoa Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cocoa Beach 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 Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Cocoa Beach.

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



When is the best time to visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix?

Cocoa Beach has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Cocoa Beach as well as Saint Croix. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cocoa Beach this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

In July, Cocoa Beach is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Cocoa Beach receives a lot of rain in the summer. Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Cocoa Beach gets 8.3 inches (211 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cocoa Beach 81°F (27°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Cocoa Beach are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cocoa Beach for the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Cocoa Beach is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cocoa Beach averages around 77°F (25°C) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. It's quite rainy in Cocoa Beach. In October, Cocoa Beach usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Cocoa Beach gets 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Cocoa Beach is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cocoa Beach 77°F (25°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix in the Winter?

Both Saint Croix and Cocoa Beach during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cocoa Beach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the winter, Cocoa Beach is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cocoa Beach in January average around 63°F (17°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Cocoa Beach usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Cocoa Beach gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cocoa Beach 63°F (17°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cocoa Beach or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Cocoa Beach and Saint Croix. Most visitors come to Cocoa Beach for the beaches during these months. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Cocoa Beach is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Cocoa Beach average around 73°F (23°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Cocoa Beach usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Croix. Cocoa Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Cocoa Beach.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cocoa Beach 73°F (23°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 63°F (17°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 77°F (25°C) 3 inches (75 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 6.7 inches (171 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 7.2 inches (183 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 77°F (25°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 69°F (21°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 64°F (18°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)