Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Lima?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lima 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 Lima 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: Lima or Saint Croix?
Lima
Lima, the capital city of Peru, is likely to be your point of entry for the country. Lima was founded in 1535 and was the seat of the Spanish rule for 300 years. It's a surprisingly modern city despite its rich history, but many beautiful churches and colonial architecture remain today. There are also large slum areas that highlight the poverty that exists in the city. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area have a population of about 8.5 million people, many of whom came from the Andes Mountains in search of work. Unfortunately the work opportunities are limited and the poverty is obvious as you arrive in Lima.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Peru, and The Best Adventure Tours to Peru.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLima $77Saint Croix $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Lima is $77, 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 Lima and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLima $49Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLima $98Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Lima and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Lima 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: Lima Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lima $5.73Saint Croix $35
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Lima are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Taxi Ride$5.43
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Short Taxi Ride$4.07
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lima
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lima:
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Door-to-door transfer from Miraflores to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Miraflores Kennedy Park to Lima Airport: $5.00
- QuickLlama: Transfer from Lima Airport to Miraflores Kennedy Park: $5.00
- Lima Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Miraflores: $5.63
- Lima Airport: BUS Transfer to/from Lima city center: $6.00
- Private transfers from Lima Airport or to Lima Airport: $17
- Transfer from Hotel/Airbnb Miraflores/San Isidro/Barranco to Airport: $18
- Transfer from Lima city to the airport: $18
- Taxi transfers from and to the Lima Airport and Paracas Ica: $20
- Miraflores City to Lima Airport(LIM) - Departure Private Transfer: $23
- Jorge Chavez International Airport: Private Transfer: $25
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 Lima or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Lima 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 dayLima $18Saint Croix $56
Typical Food Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of dining costs in Lima are as follows:
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Lunch for Two$4.34
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Ice cream$3.53
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Coffee$2.99
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Donut$0.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lima
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Lima.
- Lima Market Food Tour: $33
- Lima Market Food Tour: $34
- Lima Street Food Tour: $40
- Lima Food Tour: $45
- Cooking Workshop and Water Circuit Tour: $45
- Lima Street Food Tour: $45
- Street Food Tour in Miraflores District: $45
- Barranco Tour with Dinner: $47
- Bohemian tour of Barranco with Dinner: $47
- Private Cooking Class With a Local Family in Lima: $48
- Lima Night Food Tour: $48
- Lima Market Food Tour: $52
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.Lima $8.66Saint Croix $58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Lima are as follows:
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Entrance to Museo Larco (for 2)$16
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Movie Tickets$2.31
Tours and Activities in Lima
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lima are as follows:
- Free Walking Tour of Lima: $2.00
- Customize your trip to Peru with Lima Experience: $12
- Skip the Line: Larco Museum Admission Ticket: $13
- Skip the Line: Peruvian Regional Dances Ticket: $14
- Barranco Street Art Tour: $17
- Party tour Fridays Barranco / Saturdays Miraflores: $18
- Private Tour with guide in Museo de Arte de Lima - MALI: $20
- Guided and Private Bike Tour of Lima: $20
- Guided Walking Tour in Barranco: $20
- Lima Downtown Tour from Miraflores in 3 hrs: $21
- Historic Center Walking Tour with Pisco Sour Tasting: $25
- Costa Verde Express Tour: $25
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 dayLima $5.63Saint Croix $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Lima
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Lima are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$7.30
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Beer$4.07
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Cocktail$3.26
Sample the Local Flavors in Lima
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lima:
- Gin and Rum Distillery Tour: $12
- Exclusive Pub Crawl with 10+ benefits: $18
- Party Tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl and Drinks: $18
- Party tour in Miraflores with Bar Crawl Lima: $20
- Pub Crawl in Lima: $25
- Local Wine Tour: $50
- Ballestas Islands + Huacachina Oasis + Wine Tour !! The best price: $226
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lima and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Lima much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lima 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 Lima would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lima 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 Lima.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lima Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Lima 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 Lima or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Lima are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lima throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Lima usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Lima gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Lima is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lima in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLima 18°C (64°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Lima during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Lima 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. Lima usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Lima gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Lima is generally cooler than Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Lima average around 19°C (66°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberLima 19°C (66°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lima and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lima year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Lima usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Lima gets 4 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Lima is cooler than Saint Croix in the winter. The daily temperature in Lima averages around 23°C (73°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryLima 23°C (73°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Lima or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Lima as well as Saint Croix. Lima attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Lima usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Lima gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Lima is cooler than Saint Croix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lima in April average around 22°C (72°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilLima 22°C (72°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Lima
| Lima | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 23°C (73°F) | 4 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 23°C (73°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 22°C (72°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (66°F) | 7 mm (0.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 20°C (68°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 22°C (72°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.