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

Should you visit Granada or Saint Croix?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Granada and Saint Croix. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Granada or Saint Croix?

Granada

Granada is Nicaragua's oldest colonial city, and arguably, the most beautiful city in the country. It sits on the northern edge of Lake Nicaragua (Lago Cocibolca) and has many beautifully colored buildings and nice churches. The city's beauty and colonial architecture, along with its relative safety and accessibility, make it one of Nicaragua's top tourist destinations. The city has long been a center for commerce, but today its economy depends heavily on tourism. The city is the sixth largest in Nicaragua and a real estate boom in the early 2000's brought a large number of expats to the town.

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 2-Week Tours in Nicaragua, and The Best Adventure Tours to Nicaragua.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Granada?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Granada is $40, 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 Granada and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Granada $17
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Granada $34
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Granada and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Granada 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 Granada


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: Granada Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Granada $8.57
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Granada

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Granada:

  • One-Way Private Transfer From/To Airport or Hotels in Granada: $80

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: $217
  • St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217

Is it cheaper to fly into Granada or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Granada 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
    Granada $14
    Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of dining costs in Granada are as follows:


  • Pizza
    $2.29

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.
    Granada $10
    Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Granada

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Granada are as follows:


  • Lago de Nicaragua Boat Tour
    $8.17

Tours and Activities in Granada

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

  • Granada Kayak Tour: $30
  • Colonial Granada Horse Carriage & Walking Tour: $35
  • Paddle Boarding and Meditation Wellness Experience in Las Isletas: $39
  • Las Isletas: Kayak Tour: $39
  • Granada City Tour: $40
  • Granada's City Tour: $40
  • Las Isletas: Boat Tour: $45
  • Masaya Night Tour Minimum 2 People from Granada: $45
  • Las Isletas 2-Hour Kayak Adventure in Granada with Pickup: $48
  • City Walking Tour and Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: $50
  • Full-Day Tour: Masaya Volcano, Art Market and White Villages: $60
  • Experience Granadas Best Sights Carriage ride + Local Guide: $65

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
    Granada $7.50
    Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Granada

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Granada:


  • Tequila
    $1.36


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Granada and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Granada much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Granada is in Central 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 Granada would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Granada 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 Granada.

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



When is the best time to visit Granada 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 Granada or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Granada are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Granada 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 Granada. In July, Granada usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Granada gets 144 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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


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

Should I visit Granada or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Granada during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Granada because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Granada. Granada usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croix. Granada gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Granada is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Granada averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Granada 27°C (81°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Granada or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Granada and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Granada year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In January, Granada usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Granada gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

In the winter, Granada is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Granada in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Granada 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Granada or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Granada as well as Saint Croix. Granada attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Granada usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Granada gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Granada is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Granada average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Granada 29°C (84°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Granada

Granada Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 27°C (80°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 28°C (82°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 29°C (84°F) 131 mm (5.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 144 mm (5.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 151 mm (5.9 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 210 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 31°C (88°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)