Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Dar es Salaam?
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 Dar es Salaam 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 Dar es Salaam and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix?
Dar es Salaam
Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.
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 Safaris in Tanzania, and The Best Safaris in Tanzania.
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Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDar es Salaam $493Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $493, 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 Dar es Salaam and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDar es Salaam $452Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDar es Salaam $904Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Dar es Salaam $14Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam
Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Dar es Salaam Airport Transfers Comfortable Ride to Your Hotel: $60
- Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $106
- Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
- Private Layover Tour with Airport Transfer: $120
- Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
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 Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Dar es Salaam 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 dayDar es Salaam $33Saint 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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Dar es Salaam -Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.
- Private Insightful City Tour of Dar es Salaam: $34
- Daressalaam city sightseeing private tour: $55
- Private Tour to Jozani Forest Reserve Half-Day Guided Tour from Zanzibar: $90
- The Best/Top Rated Cultural City Tour in Dar es Salaam : $90
- Full Day Private Tour in Dar es Salaam City: $90
- Dar es Salaam City Tour - Everyday: $97
- Dar es Salaam City Walking tour - Explore the Life of the Local People!: $100
- Stone Town & Spice Tour: $110
- Bagamoyo Tour: $120
- Dar es Salaam Guided City Experience (Shared Group): $130
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $140
- Dar Es Salaam City Tour: $150
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDar es Salaam $7.97Saint 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 Dar es Salaam and Saint Croix, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Saint Croix much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Dar es Salaam is in Africa 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 Saint Croix would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Croix 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Saint Croix.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Dar es Salaam during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Dar es Salaam because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Dar es Salaam usually gets less rain in July than Saint Croix. Dar es Salaam gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the summer, Dar es Salaam is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Dar es Salaam in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyDar es Salaam 25°C (77°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Dar es Salaam and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Dar es Salaam year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Croix receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Dar es Salaam usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Dar es Salaam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In October, Dar es Salaam is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Dar es Salaam average around 25°C (78°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberDar es Salaam 25°C (78°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Dar es Salaam as well as Saint Croix. Dar es Salaam attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Dar es Salaam usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Dar es Salaam gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Dar es Salaam averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryDar es Salaam 28°C (82°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Dar es Salaam or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Dar es Salaam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Dar es Salaam throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Dar es Salaam. In April, Dar es Salaam usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Dar es Salaam gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
In the spring, Dar es Salaam is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Dar es Salaam in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilDar es Salaam 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Dar es Salaam
| Dar es Salaam | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (83°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 269 mm (10.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (78°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (76°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 25°C (78°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.