Which place is cheaper, Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz?
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.
Santa Cruz
On the central coast of California in between Monterey Bay and San Jose lies Santa Cruz, California, a laid-back coastal college town with a reputation of locals open to liberal views and accepting of alternative lifestyles. Among its residents are University of California, Santa Cruz students, a large artist colony, and professional surfers.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Croix Prices
USVI PricesSanta Cruz Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Croix $277Santa Cruz $156
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Croix is $277, while the average daily cost in Santa Cruz is $156. 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 Santa Cruz in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Croix $149Santa Cruz $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Croix $298Santa Cruz $122
Compare Hotels in Saint Croix and Santa Cruz
Looking for a hotel in Saint Croix or Santa Cruz? 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 Santa Cruz Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Croix $35Santa Cruz $40
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 Saint Croix or Santa Cruz?
Prices for flights to both Santa Cruz 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 $97Santa Cruz $70
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santa Cruz
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santa Cruz.
- Capitola Friday Night Food Tour: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Croix $58Santa Cruz $18
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
Tours and Activities in Santa Cruz
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santa Cruz are as follows:
- Self Guided UC Santa Cruz Walking Tour: Unlock Secret Stories : $20
- Capitola Private 2-Hour Walking Tour: $30
- Half Day Private Beach Tour in Santa Cruz: $35
- Santa Cruz Guided eBike Ride & Most Fun Bike e-Bike Tour : $110
- Santa Cruz 2Hour Guided eBike Tour for Small E-Bike Groups: $110
- Santa Cruz Family Friendly Guided Electric Bike Tour (eBike): $110
- Guided eBike Tour: $120
- Mermaid Experience & Photoshoot: $220
- Capitola Watercolor Journaling Experience: $297
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Croix $27Santa Cruz $8.57
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 Santa Cruz
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Santa Cruz:
- Wine Tasting Experience: $25
- Private Brewery Tour: $500
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Croix and Santa Cruz, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Santa Cruz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands and Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz.
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 Santa Cruz Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Croix or Santa Cruz?
Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz in the Summer?
Both Santa Cruz and Saint Croix are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Santa Cruz this time of year.
In July, Saint Croix is generally a little warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 29°C (83°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In July, Saint Croix usually receives more rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Croix gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.1 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Croix 29°C (83°F)Santa Cruz 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Cruz in the Autumn?
Both Santa Cruz and Saint Croix during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Santa Cruz for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
Saint Croix is much warmer than Santa Cruz in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Croix averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. Saint Croix usually gets more rain in October than Santa Cruz. Saint Croix gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Croix 28°C (82°F)Santa Cruz 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Cruz in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Croix and Santa Cruz. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Santa Cruz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Saint Croix is much warmer than Santa Cruz. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Croix in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Santa Cruz averages at about 51°F (10°C).
In January, Saint Croix usually receives less rain than Santa Cruz. Saint Croix gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Croix 26°C (78°F)Santa Cruz 51°F (10°C)
Should I visit Saint Croix or Santa Cruz in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Croix as well as Santa Cruz. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Santa Cruz for the beaches during these months.
In April, Saint Croix is generally much warmer than Santa Cruz. Daily temperatures in Saint Croix average around 27°C (80°F), and Santa Cruz fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Saint Croix usually gets more rain in April than Santa Cruz. Saint Croix gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Santa Cruz receives 1 inches (26 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Croix 27°C (80°F)Santa Cruz 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Santa Cruz and Saint Croix
| Saint Croix | Santa Cruz | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 65°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 2.1 inches (53 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.