Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Florianopolis?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Florianopolis or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis or Saint Croix?
Florianopolis
With a population of almost 500,000, Florianopolis is the capital city of the state of Santa Catarina in southern Brazil. The city is split between mainland Brazil and Santa Catarina Island.
Florianopolis has grown in popularity with tourists recently because of its wonderful scenery, beautiful beaches, and fascinating culture. Many Brazilians have also moved here, leaving behind the big cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Florianopolis has a warm humid subtropical climate. There are summer, winter, spring and fall seasons. Frosts are rare but do occur occasionally. Highs during the warmest months are usually in the high 70s Fahrenheit. Rain is evenly distributed throughout the year and there is no distinct dry season.
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 G Adventures Tours to Brazil, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Rio de Janeiro.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFlorianopolis $62Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Florianopolis is $62, 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 Florianopolis and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFlorianopolis $26Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFlorianopolis $52Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Florianopolis and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Florianopolis 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: Florianopolis Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Florianopolis $13Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Florianopolis
Also for Florianopolis, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hercilio Luz Airport - North Island Transfer: $14
- Private Transfer Florianópolis Airport to City Center: $32
- Shared transfer from Florianópolis airport to Balneário Camboriú: $35
- Florianópolis Airport Transfer anywhere on the island by Floripa Nativa: $40
- One Way Transfer : Florianopolis Airport to or from Florianopolis: $64
- Transfer Florianópolis Airport / Costão do Santinho: $78
- Private Transfer from FLN Airport to the City Balneario Camboriú : $84
- Private Transfer Florianopolis Airport to Bal. Camboriu: $96
- Private Transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $97
- Roundtrip transfer from Florianópolis Airport to Bombinhas: $168
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
Is it cheaper to fly into Florianopolis or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Florianopolis 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 dayFlorianopolis $22Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Snack$0.44
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.Florianopolis $26Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Florianopolis
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Florianopolis's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Internet$0.59
Tours and Activities in Florianopolis
For Florianopolis, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Historic Center Walking Tour in Florianopolis with Local Bar Hop: $14
- Bombinhas Beach and 4 Islands Tour: $22
- Shared Shuttle between Florianópolis Airport and Hotel with optional City Tour: $23
- Florianópolis Full Day City Tour: $25
- Rafting Adventure in Apuama - Rio Cubatão in Greater Florianópolis: $30
- Floripa City Tour by Bus - Whole Island - The Most Complete City Tour: $32
- Balneário Camboriú City Tour from Florianópolis: $35
- Blumenau City Tour - departing from Florianópolis: $37
- Tour Balneario Camboriu and Laranjeiras Beach TELEFERICO INCLUDED: $37
- Blumenau City Tour from Florianópolis: $38
- Private Tour: The 7 Most Preserved Beaches on the South Island by Floripa Nativa: $39
- Lagoinha do Leste Hiking and Photography Adventure : $42
Tours and Activities in Saint Croix
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Saint Croix are as follows:
- 1 Hour Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands : $250
- 30 Minute Private Jetcar Experience in Virgin Islands: $150
- Grange Estate History and Heritage Private Tour and Luncheon : $60
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $75
- St Croix Island Tour: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFlorianopolis $8.68Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Florianopolis
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Florianopolis from other travelers:
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Beer$0.59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Florianopolis and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Florianopolis much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Florianopolis Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Florianopolis or Saint Croix?
Florianopolis 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 Florianopolis or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Florianopolis as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Florianopolis is cooler than Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 25°C (76°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.
Florianopolis receives a lot of rain in the summer. Florianopolis usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croixin July. Florianopolis gets 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyFlorianopolis 25°C (76°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Florianopolis are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Florianopolis is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Florianopolis in April average around 22°C (71°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. In April, Florianopolis usually receives less rain than Saint Croixin October. Florianopolis gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberFlorianopolis 22°C (71°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Florianopolis during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
In July, Florianopolis is generally much colder than Saint Croixin January. Daily temperatures in Florianopolis average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
Florianopolis usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croixin January. Florianopolis gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryFlorianopolis 17°C (62°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Florianopolis or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Florianopolis and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Florianopolis is cooler than Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Florianopolis averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.
Florianopolis gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Florianopolis usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin April. Florianopolis gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilFlorianopolis 20°C (68°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Florianopolis
| Florianopolis | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (76°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 197 mm (7.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 24°C (75°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (71°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 19°C (67°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 95 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 20°C (68°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 22°C (71°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.