Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Big Pine Key or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Big Pine Key and Saint Croix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Saint Croix?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
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 in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $144Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $144, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $236. 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 Big Pine Key and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Saint Croix $149
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key 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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Saint Croix $35
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: $109
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $42Saint Croix $56
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
- Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $129
- C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $129
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Saint Croix $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Saint Croix?
Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. It's quite rainy in Big Pine Key. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Big Pine Key during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In January, Big Pine Key is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Big Pine Key usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Croix. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.