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

Should you visit Cesis or Saint Thomas?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cesis and Saint Thomas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cesis or Saint Thomas?

Cesis

Cesis is the quintessential old world town in Latvia. It is nestled among rolling hills, giving it a beautiful, fantasy world like setting. The small town is sprinkled with old castles, fortresses, and parks that you can leisurely wander through to pass the time. There's a lovely town square that is the perfect place to grab a seat on a bench and people watch. Because of the square's central location, many residents pass through it on their way to and from the market. The town is intertwined with lovely cobblestone streets that are lined with old homes, in various stages of disrepair. Cesis manages to perfectly balance a level of authentic wear and tear with a fairytale ambiance. Outside of town you'll find great hiking trails that you can use to explore the rolling hills and picturesque countryside. The small town is also conveniently located less than 100 kilometers from Riga, making it an easy trip on a bus.

Saint Thomas

Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.

Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Cesis?

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

  • Cesis Prices
    Latvia Prices
    Saint Thomas Prices
    USVI Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Cesis $162
    Saint Thomas $258

The average daily cost (per person) in Cesis is $162, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $258. 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 Cesis and Saint Thomas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cesis $56
    Saint Thomas $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cesis $112
    Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Cesis and Saint Thomas

Looking for a hotel in Cesis or Saint Thomas? 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 Cesis


Hotels in Saint Thomas


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cesis $35
    Saint Thomas $37

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $65
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas

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

  • Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
  • Exclusive Airport Transfers (up to 4 persons) One-Way: $135
  • PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
  • PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay / Limetree: $110
  • Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
  • Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
  • Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
  • Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
  • Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
  • Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179

Is it cheaper to fly into Cesis or Saint Thomas?

Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas and Cesis 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
    Cesis $84
    Saint Thomas $94
Typical Food Prices in Cesis

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cesis:


  • Lunch in town for two
    $7.83

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas

For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
  • St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
  • Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
  • Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
  • Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
  • Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
  • St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
  • Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
  • Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cesis $19
    Saint Thomas $60

Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas

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

  • Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
  • Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
  • Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
  • Cruise Ship Shuttle to Ferry going to St. John: $34
  • Rum Tasting Experience in the Old Barrel House: $35
  • Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
  • St. Thomas Sightseeing Tour with a Guide: $40
  • Guided Tour of Coral World Ocean Park & Happy Hour: $40
  • St. Thomas Ghost Tour of Historic Charlotte Amalie : $41
  • Prince taxi & Tours St.Thomas Virgin Islands-Island Scenic Tour: $45
  • Guided Kayak Tour from Margaritaville: $48
  • Guided Kayak Tour from Elysian: $48

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cesis $20
    Saint Thomas $27


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cesis and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas is more expensive. And not only is Cesis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cesis is in Europe and Saint Thomas 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 Cesis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cesis 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 Thomas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Thomas than you might in Cesis.

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


Which is Bigger, Cesis or Saint Thomas?

Saint Thomas has a larger population, and is about 10% larger than the population of Cesis. When comparing the sizes of Cesis and Saint Thomas, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Cesis or Saint Thomas?

Cesis has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Cesis or Saint Thomas in the Summer?

Both Saint Thomas and Cesis during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cesis for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.

In July, Cesis is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 17°C (63°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Cesis usually gets more rain in July than Saint Thomas. Cesis gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cesis 17°C (63°F) 
    Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cesis and Saint Thomas. Many visitors come to Cesis in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cesis is much colder than Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Cesis averages around 7°C (45°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Cesis usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Cesis gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cesis 7°C (45°F) 
    Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Saint Thomas in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cesis as well as Saint Thomas. Most visitors come to Cesis for the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.

Cesis can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Cesis is much colder than Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Cesis in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Cesis usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Cesis gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cesis -5°C (23°F) 
    Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Cesis or Saint Thomas in the Spring?

Both Saint Thomas and Cesis are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Cesis because of the small town charm and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Cesis is generally much colder than Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Cesis average around 5°C (42°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Cesis usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Cesis gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cesis 5°C (42°F) 
    Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Cesis

Cesis Saint Thomas
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -4°C (24°F) 25 mm (1 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -0°C (31°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 5°C (42°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 12°C (53°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 15°C (60°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 17°C (63°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 76 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 7°C (45°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec -2°C (28°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)