Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Cartagena?
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 Cartagena or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cartagena and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Cartagena or Saint Croix?
Cartagena
The capital of the Bolivar Department of Colombia, Cartagena is one of the most visited cities in the country. It sits on Colombia's northern coast by the Caribbean Sea. It's a port city with a population of almost 900,000, making it the fifth largest city in Colombia. The city has a rich history and was the first Spanish colony on the American continent. It was also one of the first sanctuaries for freed African slaves in the Americas.
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 Colombia, and The Best Eco Tours in Colombia.
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Cartagena Prices
Colombia PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $55Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $55, 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 Cartagena and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCartagena $27Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCartagena $54Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Cartagena and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Cartagena 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: Cartagena Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cartagena $7.46Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $9.29
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $9.29
- Transfer airport - old city (walled city /center): $9.53
- Transfers from the Airport to Hotels in Cartagena: $10
- Airport Transfer to Cartagena Hotels: $10
- Transfer from Cartagena hotels to the airport: $10
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $10
- Private Transfer from Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Transfer to Cartagena Airport (CTG): $11
- Private Airport Transfers in air conditioning buses: $12
- Airport Private Transfer to Hotel in the urban City : $12
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Cartagena or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Cartagena 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 dayCartagena $17Saint Croix $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Cartagena Fritters Cooking Class – by Lunático Experience: $23
- Street food tour Cartagena: $40
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $42
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $44
- Traditional cooking class in a restaurant in the historic center: $45
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $47
- Flavors of Colombia: Cooking Class with Chef Andrés: $52
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $52
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Food Tour of the Old City Flavors and Culture: $59
- Dinner Cruise Along Cartagena's Bay: $60
- Cartagena Island Dinner (Island of Tierra Bomba): $60
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.Cartagena $21Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Ghost of Downtown: Fear in the streets. : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Streets of Downtown : $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: Pirate Tales in Cartagena: $10
- Self Guided Audio Tour The Great Battle Fort of San Felipe: $11
- Shared Walking Tour of the Colonial Old Town: $11
- CITY TOUR OVERVIEW of the city Boots castle chiva: $11
- CITYTOUR of Cartagena Monuments, Walls and Castles : $11
- Historic Center & Getsemaní Shared Tour in Cartagena : $12
- Cartagena Sunset Walking Tour: $12
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.17Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Cartagena
Also in Cartagena, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Open Bar Sunset Cruise with Bar Crawl After Party: $16
- Group Night Experience: Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $21
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $21
- Getsemaní Pub Crawl with Shots and Dance Class: $22
- Thursday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $24
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Saturday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Cartagena, Colombia: $25
- Centro Histórico Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $29
- Pub Crawl Only Locals Have Fun In The Walled City: $35
- Pub Crawl-Last Call For Alcohol-Cartagena Night Tour (Bar/Club) : $50
- Pub Crawl Nightlife in Cartagena : $60
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 Cartagena and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Cartagena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cartagena 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 Cartagena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cartagena 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 Cartagena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cartagena Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Cartagena or Saint Croix?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Cartagena or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cartagena and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cartagena year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Cartagena gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCartagena 29°C (84°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Cartagena as well as Saint Croix. Cartagena attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. Cartagena receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cartagena usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Saint Croix. Cartagena gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Cartagena is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cartagena in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCartagena 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Cartagena are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cartagena throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Cartagena usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Cartagena is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Cartagena average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCartagena 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Cartagena or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Cartagena during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cartagena because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Cartagena usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Cartagena gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Cartagena is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Cartagena averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCartagena 28°C (82°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Cartagena
| Cartagena | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 29°C (84°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (84°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 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.