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

Should you visit Liberia 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 Liberia 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: Liberia or Saint Croix?

Liberia

Liberia is a town in northwestern Costa Rica. It is the capital of the Guanacaste province, which is about 140 miles away from Costa Rica's capital, San Jose. The town has a population of about 56,000 and is one of the tourism centers of the country.

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 Adventure Tours to Costa Rica, and The Best Eco Tours in Costa Rica.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Liberia?

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 Liberia is $128, 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 Liberia and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Liberia $60
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Liberia $120
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Liberia and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Liberia 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 Liberia


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: Liberia Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Liberia $43
    Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Liberia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Liberia are as follows:


  • Bike Rental
    $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Liberia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Liberia:

  • Private transfer from Liberia Airport: $5.00
  • Costa Rica Private LIR Airport Arrival Transfer : $6.00
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Papagayo Peninsula: $12
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Playas del Coco: $14
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Riu Palace: $16
  • Private Transfer DE Liberia Airport A Nekajui to Ritz Carlton: $19
  • Private Transfer from Libera/Four Seasons Guanacaste Airport: $19
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport to Tamarindo Beach: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport A Nekajui to Ritz Carlton: $20
  • Private Transfer from Liberia Airport to Nekajui to Ritz Carlton: $20
  • Private Transfer From Liberia Airport To Dreams Las Mareas: $30
  • Private Transfer From Playas Del Coco To Nosara : $40

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: $84
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
  • St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
  • Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix hotels to St. Croix Cruise Port : $175
  • Private Transfer from St.Croix Cruise Port to St.Croix hotels: $175
  • Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Liberia or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Liberia 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
    Liberia $36
    Saint Croix $97
Typical Food Prices in Liberia

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


  • Snacks
    $1.97
  • Lunch at The Shack (for 1)
    $4.94
  • Lunch
    $11
  • Coffee & Tres Leches (for 2)
    $14
  • Ginger Ale
    $1.28

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
  • A Morning Cultural Experience Through Food Cooking Class St. Croix: $90
  • C'sted Sip & Savor Mixology Class with VI Food Tours: $131
  • Taste of Twin City Food Tour with VI Food Tours: $145

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Liberia $25
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Liberia

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

  • 2 Hour Coffee & Chocolate Tour in Playas del Coco: $40
  • Rincón de la Vieja Rainforest Hot Springs Experience: $40
  • La Leona waterfall adventure hike half day : $45
  • Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket: $55
  • Cultural Experience Tour: $68
  • Day pass to Ponderosa Adventure Park : $70
  • Rincón de la Vieja Extreme Canopy Adventure: $74
  • Vandará Nature Pass Thermal Springs & Cultural Tour in Costa Rica: $75
  • Nature Wildlife Safari Float Tour from La Fortuna-Arenal: $76
  • 8 Essential Guanacaste Experiences: culture, nature & wellness : $78
  • Volcano Horseback Ride, Mud Bath & Costa Rican Lunch Adventure: $80
  • 2 Hour ATV Private Tour in Costa Rica: $81

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
  • St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
  • Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
  • The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
  • Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
  • St Croix Island Tour: $118
  • Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
  • Horseback Riding Experience: $160
  • Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Liberia $13
    Saint Croix $27

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


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

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



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

Both Saint Croix and Liberia are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Liberia 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 Liberia. In July, Liberia usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Liberia gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In the summer, Liberia is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Liberia in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Liberia 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Liberia or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

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

December to April is the dry season in Liberia. April to December is the rainy season in Liberia. Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Liberia. Liberia usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croix. Liberia gets 254 mm (10 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Liberia is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Liberia average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


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

Should I visit Liberia or Saint Croix in the Winter?

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

In January, Liberia usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Liberia gets 8 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Liberia is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Liberia averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Liberia 27°C (81°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Liberia or Saint Croix in the Spring?

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

Also, December to April in Liberia is the dry season. April to December in Liberia is the rainy season. Liberia usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Liberia gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Liberia is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Liberia in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Liberia 29°C (85°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Liberia

Liberia Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (81°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 28°C (83°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 29°C (84°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 29°C (85°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 226 mm (8.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 164 mm (6.5 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 289 mm (11.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 28°C (82°F) 328 mm (12.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 27°C (81°F) 254 mm (10 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 27°C (81°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)