Which place is cheaper, Monterey or Saint Croix?
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 Croix or Monterey?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Croix 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 Croix or Monterey?
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.
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 Croix Prices
USVI PricesMonterey Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Croix $277Monterey $211
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Croix is $277, 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 Croix and Monterey in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Croix $149Monterey $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Croix $298Monterey $180
Compare Hotels in Saint Croix and Monterey
Looking for a hotel in Saint Croix 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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices and Monterey Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Croix $35Monterey $32
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 : $179
- 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 Saint Croix or Monterey?
Prices for flights to both Monterey and Saint Croix 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 Croix $97Monterey $98
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Croix $58Monterey $27
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
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 Croix $27Monterey $21
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
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 Croix and Monterey, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Monterey much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix 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 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 Monterey.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Croix Expensive? and Is Monterey Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Monterey?
Monterey 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 Saint Croix or Monterey in the Summer?
Both Monterey and Saint Croix during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Monterey because of the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Croix is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Croix in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Monterey averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Saint Croix usually gets more rain in July than Monterey. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 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 Croix 29°C (83°F)Monterey 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Monterey in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Monterey. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Also, the shopping scene are the main draw to Monterey this time of year.
In October, Saint Croix is generally much warmer than Monterey. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 28°C (82°F), and Monterey fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).
Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 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 Croix 28°C (82°F)Monterey 62°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Monterey in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Monterey. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Monterey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Croix is much warmer than Monterey in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 26°C (78°F) in January, and Monterey fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
Saint Croix usually gets less rain in January than Monterey. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 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 Croix 26°C (78°F)Monterey 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Monterey in the Spring?
Both Monterey and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Monterey in the spring for the beaches.
In the spring, Saint Croix is much warmer than Monterey. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Croix in April average around 27°C (80°F), and Monterey averages at about 56°F (13°C).
In April, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Monterey. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 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 Croix 27°C (80°F)Monterey 56°F (13°C)
Typical Weather for Monterey and Saint Croix
| Saint Croix | Monterey | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 inches (55 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (4 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.6 inches (14 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.