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

Should you visit Medellin or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Medellin or Saint Croix? 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: Medellin or Saint Croix?

Medellin

In addition to big improvements in public safety, Medellin has witnessed a huge surge in urban development projects, including Colombia's first metro system and cable cars to service poorer neighborhoods located high on the mountain sides. There is an abundance of parks, libraries, museums and public spaces with many cultural events taking place. Many travelers also enjoy visiting the surrounding villages, where life is simple and landscapes and nature reserves are wonderful. Medellin has now become one of the "it" cities in the world, with tons of tourists visiting and foreigners settling and retiring here. Beautiful mountains, warm weather, friendly locals, and a vibrant culture are just a few of the reasons why you should visit Medellin.

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 Adventure Tours to Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Medellin?

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

  • Medellin Prices
    Colombia Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Medellin $29
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Medellin is $29, 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 Medellin and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Medellin $4.64
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Medellin $9.28
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Medellin and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Medellin 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 Medellin


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: Medellin Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Medellin $4.05
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Medellin:


  • Taxi
    $1.61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Medellin

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Medellin:

  • Private tour transfer from Medellin to JMC airport, or: $25
  • Medellín Private Transfer: José María Córdova Airport : $30
  • Medellin hotels to Medellin Airport (EOH) - Departure Transfer: $32
  • Medellin Airport (MDE) to Medellin - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
  • Medellin to Medellin Airport (MDE) - Departure Private Transfer: $32
  • Medellín: José María Córdova Airport Private Transfer: $33
  • Medellin Airport (MDE) to Medellin - Arrival Transfer: $34
  • Medellin to Medellin Airport (MDE) - Departure Transfer: $34
  • Medellín: Private Airport Transfer: $35
  • Medellín Airport Private Transfer Service (Departure): $35
  • Private Medellin MDE airport pick up transfer service one way: $35
  • Private Transfer José María Cordova Airport in Medellín: $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Medellin or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Medellin 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
    Medellin $16
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Medellin

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Medellin:


  • Lunch
    $2.05

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Medellin

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

  • Medellín: Comuna 13 True Story and Street Food Tour: $11
  • Medellín: Empanada Cooking Class by Local Chef in Comuna 13: $19
  • Private Empanada Cooking Class in Guatape: $30
  • A night in Medellín: food tour and bars in El Poblado!: $32
  • Laureles Food Tour: $35
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Street Art and Street Food Tour: $38
  • Food tour with 12 tastings in the best area of Medellin: $40
  • Medellín: Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings (El Poblado): $56
  • Private Night City Tour on Electric Bicycle + Gourmet Dinner: $59
  • Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
  • Medellin Night E-Bike Tour with Gourmet Dinner Included: $60
  • Community project cooking class and Medellin social transformation tour: $64

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.
    Medellin $12
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Medellin

Here are a few actual costs in Medellin for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • History and Street Art Tour in Comuna 13: $8.00
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Snacks and a Local Guide: $9.75
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 and Graffiti Walking Tour with Snacks: $10
  • Entry Ticket to the Museum of Modern Art of Medellin: $11
  • Medellín: Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
  • Medellin Historic Walking Tour: $11
  • Medellín Explore Downtown And Live The Real City Experience: $11
  • Comuna 13: Graffiti tour & Street Food/drink with telesferic: $11
  • Medellin Commune 13 Historic Tour With Snacks and Drinks : $12
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour with Spray Painting and ice cream : $12
  • Shared Tour of Medellin's Historic & Cultural Downtown: $12
  • Medellín: Comuna 13 Tour Through Color, Snacks & History: $12

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Medellin $7.04
    Saint Croix $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Medellin

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

  • Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks, Games and VIP: $7.50
  • Medellin Pub Crawl in El Poblado with Drinks Games and VIP: $12
  • Guided Medellin Pub Crawl: $18
  • The Medellin Pub Crawl: $20
  • Rooftop Bar Crawl with VIP Access & Hidden Clubs: $27
  • Live the Nightlife Rooftop Pub Crawl : $49
  • Medellín Nightlife: Rooftop Bar Crawl: $85
  • Night Out Gay Bar Crawl in Medellin: $130
  • NightOUT Medellin Gay Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellin LGBTQ Rooftop Bar Crawl: $150
  • Medellín Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks: $175

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 Medellin and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Medellin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Medellin is in South 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 Medellin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Medellin 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 Medellin.

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