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

Should you visit Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman 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: Grand Cayman or Saint Croix?

Grand Cayman

When people think of the Cayman Islands, they typically think of offshore bank accounts and sunny, cruise ship ports. Grand Cayman has more to offer travelers than a playground for the wealthy or a short stopover for cruise passengers. This tropical island is the largest of the three Cayman Islands, it is a shopper's heaven, a center for global finance and an ideal vacation spot.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Grand Cayman?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Cayman is $243, 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 Grand Cayman and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Grand Cayman $150
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Grand Cayman $300
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Grand Cayman and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Grand Cayman 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 Grand Cayman


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: Grand Cayman Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Grand Cayman $31
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Grand Cayman

Also for Grand Cayman, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer - Owen Roberts Intl Airport to GeorgeTown or Seven Mile Beach: $80
  • Airport Transfer to West Bay Accommodations (GCM)-Round Trip: $88
  • Owen Roberts Airport GCM to George Town-Arrival Private Transfer: $150
  • Owen Roberts Airport (GCM) to George Town Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $150
  • Airport Transfers to East End Accommodations (GCM) - Round Trip: $239

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:

  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $90
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $90
  • St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $82
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port: $173
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $173
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $86
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix: $176
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port: $86
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $165

Is it cheaper to fly into Grand Cayman or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Grand Cayman 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
    Grand Cayman $68
    Saint 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 Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • A Evening Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $100
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $155

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Grand Cayman $41
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Grand Cayman

For Grand Cayman, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Bling and Beverages Cayman Jewelry Shopping Experience: $22
  • Diamonds and Cocktails a Shopping Experience in Grand Cayman: $25
  • Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
  • Stingray City Catamaran Sunset Tour: $59
  • 4 Stops Tour: Stingray, Snorkeling, Starfish & 7 Mile Beach: $60
  • Stingray City and Starfish Experience with Coral Reef Snorkeling: $62
  • Cayman Best Stingray City Reef Snorkel and Starfish Point Tour: $63
  • 3 Stop Boat Tour Stingray City Coral Gardens and Starfish Point: $65
  • Fun Family 3 stops StingrayCity Adventure: $69
  • Stingray City Experience Plus One Snorkeling Stop: $75
  • 3-Stop Stingray City, Reef Snorkel & Starfish Point Tour: $79
  • Stingray City Experience Plus Two Snorkeling Stops on Grand Cayman: $80

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
  • Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $125
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Island Chocolate Experience with Tasting: $62
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $85
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
  • Sea Turtle Snorkel Tour: $59
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • St Croix Tiki Tours Frederiksted’s Tiki Boat Experience: $80
  • St. Croix African Heritage Walking Tour: $52
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • St. Croix’s Forts, Freedom, and Beaches: A Self-Drive Audio Tour: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Grand Cayman $13
    Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Grand Cayman

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


  • Beer
    $4.97

Sample the Local Flavors in Grand Cayman

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Grand Cayman:

  • Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery Tour Pass Ticket Only: $24
  • Taste of Cayman Distillery Experience: $75
  • Distillery Tour with Gin Tasting: $75

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
  • Frederiksted Historical Tour with Rum Distillery: $115


When comparing the travel costs between Grand Cayman 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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



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

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

Grand Cayman receives a lot of rain in the summer. Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Grand Cayman gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In July, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 28°C (83°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Grand Cayman 28°C (83°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Grand Cayman are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Grand Cayman throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. It's quite rainy in Grand Cayman. In October, Grand Cayman usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Grand Cayman gets 238 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

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


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

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Croix in the Winter?

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

Grand Cayman usually gets more rain in January than Saint Croix. Grand Cayman gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the winter, Grand Cayman is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the winter temperatures in Grand Cayman in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Grand Cayman 24°C (76°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Grand Cayman or Saint Croix in the Spring?

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

In April, Grand Cayman usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Grand Cayman gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In April, Grand Cayman is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Grand Cayman average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Grand Cayman 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 51 mm (2 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 25°C (77°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 26°C (79°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 27°C (81°F) 131 mm (5.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (83°F) 179 mm (7 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 172 mm (6.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 212 mm (8.3 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 238 mm (9.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 141 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 25°C (78°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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