Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Leon?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Leon or Saint Croix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Leon and Saint Croix can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Leon or Saint Croix?
Leon
Leon is one of the oldest city's in Nicaragua and you can see hints of its colonial past in the architecture around town. Tourism is not a major part of the economy in Leon, but the city is gaining popularity with budget travelers and backpackers and more recently tour groups are including Leon in their itinerary.
With a population of just over 200,000, Leon is the second largest city in Nicaragua, after Managua. During the university season the population grows dramatically as there is a heavy presence of students in Leon. It is a popular university town, and this young population gives the city plenty of energy and entertainment.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLeon $59Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Leon is $59, 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 Leon and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLeon $16Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLeon $32Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Leon and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Leon 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: Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Leon $1.51Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $217
- Henry E.Rohlsen Airport(STX) to St. Croix island-Arrival Transfer: $109
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Cruise Port to St. Croix Airport: $71
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $164
- Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $49
- Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $49
- Saint Croix Airport (STX) to Saint Croix Hotels -Arrival Transfer: $109
- St Croix Airport to St Croix Hotels Private Round Trip Transfer: $217
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Leon or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Leon 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 dayLeon $12Saint Croix $56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Leon
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Leon.
- Tlakualli Food Tour: $19
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.Leon $5.81Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Leon
Here are a few actual costs in Leon for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Half Day Private Tour of Cerro Negro's Volcano Boarding: $35
- Leon City Walking Private Tour : $48
- Rum Tour & Chorotega Museum Experience: $62
- Hike El Hoyo Volcano "Private Tour" : $67
- Old Leon and Asososca Lagoon Private Tour: $82
- Volcano Boarding Private Tour : $84
- Kayak Private tour at Juan Venado Island: $92
- Telica Sunset Tour : $93
- Horseback Riding Private Tour : $103
- Half-Day Leon City Tour: $135
- Somoto Canyon "Private Tour from Leon" : $154
- 6 Hours Sunset Private Guided Tour of Telica Volcano in León: $163
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLeon $3.53Saint Croix $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Leon and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Leon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Leon 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 Leon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Leon 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 Leon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Leon Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Leon 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 Leon or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Leon and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Leon year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Leon gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Leon usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Leon 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 the summer, Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Leon in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLeon 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Leon as well as Saint Croix. Leon attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint Croix. Leon receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Leon usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croix. Leon gets 197 mm (7.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Leon is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Leon average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLeon 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Leon are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Leon throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In January, Leon usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Leon gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Leon averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLeon 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Leon or Saint Croix in the Spring?
Both Saint Croix and Leon during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Leon because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Leon usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Leon 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 the spring, Leon is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Leon in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLeon 29°C (84°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Leon
| Leon | 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) |
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.