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

Should you visit Buzios or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Buzios 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: Buzios or Saint Croix?

Buzios

Initially a fishing village, Armação dos Buzios is a small beach resort town about three hours from Rio de Janeiro by bus. Buzios is a common weekend getaway destination for Cariocas. With 23 beaches, visitors from all over come to swim, snorkel, surf and enjoy sun and sand.

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 Adventure Tours to Brazil, and The Best Eco Tours in Brazil.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Buzios?

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

  • Buzios Prices
    Brazil Prices
    Saint Croix Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Buzios $91
    Saint Croix $277

The average daily cost (per person) in Buzios is $91, 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 Buzios and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Buzios $36
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Buzios $72
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Buzios and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Buzios 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 Buzios


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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Buzios $18
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Buzios

Also for Buzios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Private Transfer: $45
  • Beach Resorts to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) - Departure Transfer : $45
  • Tour in Buzios City Tour, Lunch and Transfer: $60
  • Rio de Janeiro Transfer from Buzios to Airport (GIG)(SDU): $73
  • Private Transfer from Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Private Transfer Buzios to Rio de Janeiro: $91
  • Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Beach Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $91
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 4 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Executive private transfer from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 3 pax to Buzios: $115
  • Private Transfer from Buzios Port to Cabo Frio Airport (CFB): $118
  • Private Transfer from Cabo Frio Airport (CFB) to Buzios Port: $118
  • Private transfer Minivan from GIG Rio Galeao airport up to 6 pax to Buzios: $134

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • 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 Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84

Is it cheaper to fly into Buzios or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Buzios 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
    Buzios $40
    Saint Croix $97

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.
    Buzios $25
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Buzios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Buzios.

  • Tour of the most beautiful beaches and islands of Buzios by Buziana Tour: $11
  • Boat Tour Open Bar A Floor Arraial do Cabo : $13
  • Buggy Ride in Buzios by Buziana Tour: $19
  • Tour of Bugre in Arraial (Buggy): $21
  • Boat Tour in Arraial do Cabo: $23
  • Catamaran Boat Tour in Búzios: $26
  • Half-Day Schooner Sightseeing Trip in Buzios Peninsula Beaches: $27
  • 3-hour Small Group Buzios Peninsula Open Air Trolley Tour: $31
  • Buzios Trolley City Tour: $31
  • Tour in Boat Tour in Buzios: $38
  • Underwater Adventure in Diving and Snorkeling: $46
  • Schooner Tour in Buzios - Departure from Buzios: $51

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Buzios $17
    Saint Croix $27

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

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