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

Should you visit Manila 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 Manila and Saint Croix can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Manila or Saint Croix?

Manila

A sprawling metropolis that is home to more than 12 million people, Manila is one huge, misunderstood concrete jungle, full of diverse cultures, traffic, pollution, restaurants, shopping malls, noise and nightlife. If you're looking to soak in culture and feel the vibe of a place rather than seeking a city that specifically caters to tourists, Manila is the place to be. Capital of the Philippines, Manila is also the center for education, business, and transportation.

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 Philippines, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Manila?

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 Manila is $106, 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 Manila and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Manila $54
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Manila $108
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Manila and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Manila 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 Manila


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: Manila Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Manila $14
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Manila

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Manila:

  • MNL Airport to City Centre Private Transfer: $13
  • Manila Airport Chauffeur service Manila Airport private Transfer : $20
  • Private One-way Transfer From Manila To Manila Airport: $24
  • Manila Int Airport (MNL) to Manila - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Transfer from Manila Airport (MNL) to Manila Cruise Port: $29
  • Private Transfer from Manila Cruise Port to Manila Airport (MNL): $29
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Manila HTL-APT (MNL): $30
  • Manila Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) Private Transfer to Manila City: $30
  • Manila International Airport Private Transfer To & From City: $30
  • Manila Airport Transfer: $38
  • Manila Private Airport Transfer: Comfortable & Affordable: $38
  • Manila Airports Quality Safe and Reliable Airport Transfer: $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 Manila or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Manila 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
    Manila $31
    Saint Croix $97

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Manila

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Manila.

  • Ugbo Manila Street Food Tour with Tuktuk Ride: $60
  • ⭐ Manila Street Food Tour in the Downtown, Eat and Drink⭐: $62
  • Manila Food Tour: Explore World's Oldest Chinatown: $65
  • Manila Food Tour: Introduction to Philippine Street Food: $65
  • Guided Food Tour of Binondo with Tastings: $65
  • Street Food tour & Local Jeepney, Tuktuk Ride: $66
  • Binondo Chinatown Food Tour with Free Food Samples: $70
  • Manila Chinatown Food Tour with Local Guide: $71
  • Authentic Manila Chinatown Food Tour Exploration : $75
  • Intramuros and Chinatown Food Tour with Food Samples: $80
  • Cultural Dance Show with Dinner in Manila: $120
  • Day Tour in Manilas History and Savor a Cultural Dinner: $175

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.
    Manila $19
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Manila

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

  • Skip the Line: Hike Eat Swim at Mount Purro Nature Reserve Ticket: $22
  • A Night in Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $23
  • Fort Santiago Guided Tour: $25
  • Explore the Urban Art of Mural and Street Art Tour: $25
  • Viva Old Intramuros Walking Tour: $27
  • The Dessert Museum Entry Ticket: $27
  • Historical Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $30
  • Old Manila Intramuros Area Walking Tour: $30
  • Manila night cruise, night life, foodie tour and 3d theather: $32
  • Guided Sunset Bamboo Bike Tour in Intramuros: $34
  • Intramuros Night Bamboo Bike Tour: $34
  • Experience Intramuros with Bamboo Bicycle - Ecotours: $37

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
    Manila $9.90
    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 Manila and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Manila much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Manila is in Asia 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 Manila would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Manila 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 Manila.

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



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

Both Saint Croix and Manila are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Manila 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 Manila. In July, Manila usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Manila gets 408 mm (16.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

In July, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 27°C (80°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Manila 27°C (80°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Manila or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Manila during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Manila 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Manila. Manila usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croix. Manila gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Manila is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the autumn. The daily temperature in Manila averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Manila 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Manila or Saint Croix in the Winter?

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

In January, Manila usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Manila gets 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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


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

Should I visit Manila or Saint Croix in the Spring?

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

Manila usually gets less rain in April than Saint Croix. Manila gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

In April, Manila is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Manila average around 29°C (84°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Manila 29°C (84°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Manila

Manila Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 17 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 25°C (77°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 27°C (80°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 29°C (84°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 29°C (83°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 303 mm (11.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 27°C (80°F) 408 mm (16.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 27°C (80°F) 452 mm (17.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 27°C (80°F) 357 mm (14.1 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 26°C (79°F) 240 mm (9.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 25°C (77°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)