Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or La Serena?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit La Serena 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 La Serena and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: La Serena or Saint Croix?
La Serena
La Serena is a charming town in Northern Chile. It is Chile's second-oldest city and the thriving capital of Region IV. With its beautiful architecture, its long golden shoreline, dignified stone churches, tree-shaded avenues and pretty plazas, La Serena has everything you could ask for!
Chileans on holidays flood in the city in January and February, though it is fairly peaceful outside the summer rush. Some of the city's architecture is from the colonial era, but most is actually neocolonial thanks to president Gabriel Gonzalez Videla, born in La Serena, and her 'Plan Serena' of the late 1940s.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Chile, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLa Serena $87Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in La Serena is $87, 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 La Serena and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLa Serena $42Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLa Serena $84Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in La Serena and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in La Serena 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: La Serena Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.La Serena $20Saint Croix $35
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 La Serena or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and La Serena 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 dayLa Serena $27Saint Croix $56
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.La Serena $24Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in La Serena
For La Serena, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day History and Flavors Tour in the Elqui Valley: $50
- La Serena and Coquimbo City Tour (SIB): $66
- La Serena and Coquimbo Guided City Tour: $76
- Full day Tour to Elqui Valley : $80
- Elqui Valley Full Day Tour: magical towns, pisco and mountains: $85
- Elqui Valley Tour from La Serena: $120
- La Serena & Coquimbo City Tour - Short excursion for cruise ships: $128
- Tour to the internationally renowned Pangue Observatory: $139
- Tour to Valle del Encanto Archeology, Petroglyphs, Flora, Fauna and Springs: $140
- Dama Island or Chañaral Navigation Tour Humboldt Penguin Reserve: $140
- Elqui Valley: Pisco Tour, Wine, Beer: $174
- Elqui Valley and Vicuña Private Tour Including Lunch: $183
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 dayLa Serena $22Saint Croix $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between La Serena and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is La Serena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since La Serena 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 La Serena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in La Serena 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 La Serena.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is La Serena Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit La Serena or Saint Croix?
La Serena 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 La Serena or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to La Serena as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
In the summer, La Serena is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in La Serena in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
La Serena usually gets less rain in January than Saint Croixin July. La Serena gets 4 mm (0.2 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 JulyLa Serena 18°C (64°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and La Serena 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 April, La Serena is generally much colder than Saint Croixin October. Daily temperatures in La Serena average around 15°C (59°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. In April, La Serena usually receives less rain than Saint Croixin October. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 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 OctoberLa Serena 15°C (59°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and La Serena during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
La Serena is much colder than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in La Serena averages around 12°C (54°F) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F)in January.
La Serena usually gets less rain in July than Saint Croixin January. La Serena gets 3 mm (0.1 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 JanuaryLa Serena 12°C (54°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit La Serena or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both La Serena and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, La Serena is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in La Serena in October average around 14°C (57°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F)in April.
In October, La Serena usually receives less rain than Saint Croixin April. La Serena gets 5 mm (0.2 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 AprilLa Serena 14°C (57°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and La Serena
| La Serena | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 13°C (55°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (54°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 12°C (54°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 12°C (54°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (59°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (63°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.