Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Tampa?
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 Tampa or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tampa 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: Tampa or Saint Croix?
Tampa
On the north shore of Tampa Bay, across the water from Saint Peterburg, is the city of Tampa. The city has a population of almost 350,000. The metropolitan area includes Tampa, St. Peterburg, and Clearwater. It has about 2.9 million residents and is the second largest metropolitan area in the state. The city is a popular destination for outdoor activities and in 2008 it was ranked the 5th best outdoor city by Forbes.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.
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Tampa Prices
USA PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampa $218Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampa is $218, 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 Tampa and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampa $85Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampa $170Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Tampa and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Tampa 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.
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: Tampa Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampa $69Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampa
Also for Tampa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- TPA Airport Private Transfer to Tampa(downtown): $33
- Private Arrival Transfer - from Tampa Airport (TPA): $36
- St. Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- Clearwater Beach to St.Pete–Clearwater Airport (PIE) -Departure Private Transfer: $41
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $50
- Private Transfer from Tampa Bay Cruise Port to Tampa hotels: $59
- St Petersburg to Tampa Airport (TPA) -Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Lakeland / Winter Haven to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Tampa hotel or address to Tampa Airport (TPA) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Tampa hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Lakeland / Winter Haven - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Tampa Airport (TPA) to Clearwater Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
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 Tampa or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Tampa 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 dayTampa $92Saint Croix $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampa
For Tampa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Ybor City Food Tour with 5 Local Delicacies Tastings: $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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampa $20Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Tampa
For Tampa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Ybor City Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Ybor City Immigrant influence Smart Phone guided App (GPS) walking tour: $9.75
- Tampa's Highlights Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Tampa by Crazy Dash: $10
- Tampa Riverwalk Private Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $11
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Tampa with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Tampa Bay Lightning Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $23
- Tides of Tethered Terror: Tampa Ghost Tours: $24
- Selfie WRLD Admission Ticket: $25
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park Ticket with After Hours Option: $30
- Tampa Celebrity Homes Boat Tour: $31
- Tampa History Cruise: $31
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampa $26Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Tampa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tampa:
- Tampa Bar Hunt: Tampa Takeover Bar Crawl: $12
- Naples Bar Crawl Experience: $15
- Tampa Terrors: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Tampa Terrors Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Wine Tasting Experience in Historic Ybor: $40
- Tampa Bar Crawl on New Street Legal Golf Cart: $40
- Downtown 3-Hour Food and Wine Tour: $145
- Tampa's Top Dive Bar Tour Experience by Golf Cart: $275
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 Tampa and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampa 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 Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 Tampa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampa Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Tampa or Saint Croix?
Tampa 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 Tampa or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Saint Croix. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In July, Tampa is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTampa 82°F (28°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Tampa is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTampa 75°F (24°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In the winter, Tampa is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).
Tampa usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTampa 60°F (15°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Tampa or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Tampa is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTampa 71°F (22°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Tampa
| Tampa | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 60°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 71°F (22°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 77°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 68°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.