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

Should you visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach 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: Daytona Beach or Saint Croix?

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach, Florida, located on the Atlantic coast, is a wildly popular tourist destination for people from all over the world due to great beaches, spring break fun, and NASCAR races. Tourists come to enjoy the warm Florida weather, the beautiful beaches, the activities, the boardwalk, the nightlife, and many other things the city has to offer. The beaches around Daytona are famous for their hard-packed sand, which makes them easy for cars to drive on. For this reason, Daytona has a history of automobile racing, and is home to dozens of races that take place throughout the year, the most famous of which is the Daytona 500. Naturally, Daytona is also home to NASCAR headquarters. But it's so much more than just a race destination, as it's also a fun and family-friendly destination that attractions a wide range of visitors.

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 Coach Bus Tours in United States of America, and The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Daytona Beach?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Daytona Beach is $211, 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 Daytona Beach and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Daytona Beach $84
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Daytona Beach $168
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Daytona Beach and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Daytona Beach 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 Daytona Beach


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: Daytona Beach Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Daytona Beach $53
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Daytona Beach

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Daytona Beach:

  • Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $185
  • Private Transfer from Daytona to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $200
  • Private Transfer from New Smyrna Beach to Port Canaveral: $239

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
  • Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $218
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $218

Is it cheaper to fly into Daytona Beach or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Daytona Beach 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
    Daytona Beach $80
    Saint Croix $56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Daytona Beach

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Daytona Beach.

  • Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach: $53

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Daytona Beach $28
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Daytona Beach

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Daytona Beach are as follows:

  • St. Johns River Nature Cruise at Blue Spring State Park : $28
  • Wildlife Tour of Indian River Lagoon with Experienced Captain: $32
  • The Great Daytona Wine Bar Tour: $40
  • Guided Wildlife Eco Kayak Tour in New Smyrna Beach: $45
  • Zipline Adventure through Tuscawilla Park: $59
  • New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour: $65
  • Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach: $65
  • Orlando Manatee and Natural Spring Adventure Tour at Blue Springs: $65
  • Dolphin and Manatee Kayak Tour of Daytona Beach: $65
  • Ormond Beach Manatee and Nature Tour Kayaking or Paddle Boarding: $65
  • Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65
  • 2 Hour Coastal Discovery Cruise: $75

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Daytona Beach $43
    Saint Croix $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Daytona Beach

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Daytona Beach:

  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $38
  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl from Daytona Beach: $40


When comparing the travel costs between Daytona Beach and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Daytona Beach is in North America and Saint Croix is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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



When is the best time to visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix?

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

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Daytona Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Daytona Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In July, Daytona Beach is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 81°F (27°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite rainy in Daytona Beach. In July, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Daytona Beach gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Daytona Beach 81°F (27°C) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Daytona Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Daytona Beach this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

Daytona Beach is cooler than Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Daytona Beach averages around 74°F (23°C) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Daytona Beach. Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Daytona Beach gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Daytona Beach 74°F (23°C) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Daytona Beach and Saint Croix. Many travelers come to Daytona Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the winter, Daytona Beach is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Daytona Beach in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).

In January, Daytona Beach usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Daytona Beach gets 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Daytona Beach 58°F (14°C) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Daytona Beach or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Daytona Beach as well as Saint Croix. Many visitors come to Daytona Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

In April, Daytona Beach is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Daytona Beach average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Daytona Beach usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Daytona Beach gets 2.2 inches (57 mm) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Daytona Beach 69°F (21°C) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 58°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (70 mm) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 59°F (15°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 65°F (18°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 69°F (21°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6 inches (152 mm) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 6.2 inches (157 mm) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 80°F (26°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 74°F (23°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 66°F (19°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 60°F (16°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)