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

Should you visit Pensacola or Saint Croix?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Pensacola and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Pensacola or Saint Croix?

Pensacola

With sands as white as sugar grain and a sky devoid of grey clouds and innumerable downpours, Pensacola is known by many as the "Western Gate to the Sunshine State." Located in northern Florida, Pensacola is a waterfront city known for its pristine beaches and rich Floridian history. As one of the earliest European settlements in the U.S., Pensacola is riddled with museums and landmarks that commemorate the state's history, making the city quite appetizing for history buffs and students alike. However, if you are simply looking to get the most out of the all-around good weather of Florida, Pensacola's protected beaches complemented with high-class restaurants and stores make this a vacation capital for many.

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 Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Pensacola?

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

  • Pensacola Prices
    USA Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Pensacola $234
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Pensacola is $234, 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 Pensacola and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pensacola $115
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pensacola $230
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Pensacola and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Pensacola 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 Pensacola


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: Pensacola Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pensacola $64
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Pensacola

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


  • Boca Grande Causeway Toll
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Pensacola or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Pensacola 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
    Pensacola $84
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Pensacola

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pensacola are as follows:


  • Two Ice Creams
    $6.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pensacola

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

  • Palafox Palete Food Tour: $50
  • Seville Haunted Luncheon or Dinner and Ghost Tour: $50

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.
    Pensacola $13
    Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Pensacola

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Pensacola are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $16

Tours and Activities in Pensacola

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

  • Pensacola's Famous Ghosts Smartphone Guided App Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pensacola by Wacky Walks: $10
  • The Great Pensacola Birthday Party Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Pensacola by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Pensacola Ghost Tours: Perdition, Pirates, & Purgatory: $24
  • Spooky Stories Walking Ghost Tour: $25
  • Penscola Most Haunted: Ghost Tour and Scavenger Hunt: $30
  • Pensacola Haunted Walking Tour with Ghost Equipment: $30
  • Pensacola Amazing Race Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $30
  • Pensacola Most Haunted Ghost Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $30
  • North Hill Historic Homes Tour of Pensacola: $32
  • Pensacola Ghost Tours: Perdition, Pirates, & Purgatory: $32

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
    Pensacola $44
    Saint Croix $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Pensacola

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

  • Walking Ghost Tour Pub Crawl - Boos with Booze : $20
  • Walking Pub Tour : $21
  • Party Bike Pub Crawl of Downtown Pensacola : $45

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

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



When is the best time to visit Pensacola or Saint Croix?

Pensacola 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 Pensacola or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Pensacola are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Pensacola for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Pensacola is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Pensacola. In July, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Pensacola gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pensacola 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Pensacola or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Pensacola during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Pensacola because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the autumn, Pensacola is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pensacola in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Pensacola. Pensacola usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Pensacola gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Pensacola is June to November.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pensacola 69°F (21°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Pensacola or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Pensacola and Saint Croix. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Pensacola this time of year. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Pensacola is generally much colder than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Pensacola average around 51°F (10°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Pensacola gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Pensacola usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Pensacola gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pensacola 51°F (10°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Pensacola or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Pensacola as well as Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Pensacola for the beaches. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Pensacola is cooler than Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Pensacola averages around 67°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Pensacola usually gets more rain in April than Saint Croix. Pensacola gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Pensacola.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pensacola 67°F (20°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Pensacola

Pensacola Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (10°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 60°F (16°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 67°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 74°F (24°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 7.4 inches (189 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.4 inches (188 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 61°F (16°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 54°F (12°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)