Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Cartagena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCartagena $48Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Cartagena is $48, 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 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 $7.64Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cartagena
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cartagena:
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Cartagena: $7.81
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Getsemani: $7.81
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Morros: $7.81
- Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in Marbella: $7.81
- Transfer aeropuerto-centro: $8.02
- Cartagena Airport: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: $10
- Shared Transfer from the Airport to Cartagena City or Vice Versa: $10
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Manga: $11
- Cartagena:Transfer from the Airport - Hotels in the Bosque: $11
- Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Laguito: $11
- Airport transfer to any hotel in Castillogrande: $11
- Bilingual Private Transfer In Cartagena : $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: $217
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
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 $10Saint Croix $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cartagena
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cartagena.
- Featured in NYTimes > Arepas and Dancing: Danceable Cooking Class in Cartagena: $32
- Cooking class of typical food at the beach and sunset view: $39
- Taste Cartagena Food tour: $40
- Street Food Tour in Cartagena: $42
- Guided Street Food Tour with Tastings: $43
- Local Flavors Food Tour with Native Chef: $50
- Cooking Class: Street food & Mojito making: $50
- Cruise by the Bay with Dinner and Wine: $55
- Private Dinner at a Local Chef's House in Cartagena: $58
- Cartagena Gourmet: Cooking Class with a View, Elegance & Flavor: $59
- Cooking class: Street Food & Mojito making: $60
- Street food tour: $61
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cartagena $22Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Cartagena
Here are a few actual costs in Cartagena for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Emeralds Tour: $0.03
- Totumo Mud Volcano Experience: $0.21
- Cartagena de Indias: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Artists' Quarter Getsemani Self-guided Tour: $6.31
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - The Great Battle: Fort of San Felipe: $6.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Shared walking tour in the historic center: $9.02
- Tour the city on a rumba in a typical bus: $9.23
- Old Town & Getsemani Quarter Self-guided Tour: $9.52
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of San Diego Neighborhood Tour: $10
- Republican Architecture Self-Guided Audio Tour in Cartagena: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: The Rise of the Wall City Part II: $10
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCartagena $9.39Saint 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:
- Pub Crawl with Dancing Lessons and Free Shots: $18
- Cartagena's Best Pub Crawl all included!: $23
- Cartagena Pub Crawl: Let's Party & Matching in Getsemaní: $24
- Nightlife Pub crawl in Cartagena: $71
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.