Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Saint Croix?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $80Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $80, 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 Mombasa and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Safe Private Airport Transfer in Mombasa: $19
- Transfer From Mombasa (Moi Airport/SGR) To Diani: $35
- Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Arrival Private Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $43
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $43
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City Hotels to Mombasa Cruise Port: $79
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $79
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfers To Vipingo & Kilifi Hotels: $95
- Private Day Tour of Mombasa City with Transfers: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Croix
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Croix:
- St.Croix Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Arrival Private Transfer: $91
- St. Croix to St. Croix Airport (STX) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
- St. Croix to Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) - Departure Transfer: $84
- 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 Port to St. Croix Airport (STX): $87
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St. Croix : $180
- Private Transfer from St. Croix Airport to St. Croix Cruise Port : $87
- Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) to St.Croix - Round-Trip Transfer: $167
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Saint Croix $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $35
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $35
- Mombasa City Tour : $40
- Half day Mombasa City Tour: $42
- Haller Park Tour observing hippos, giraffes, birds, monkeys, crocs & others: $45
- Half-Day Scenic Bike Tour: $48
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $50
- Walking Tour Through Old Town Mombasa and Fort Jesus: $50
- Bus Tickets from Mombasa to Nairobi: $55
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
- Frederiksted Moke Tour: $75
- Guided Kayak Tour of Salt River Bay Ecology and History: $115
- Horseback Riding Experience: $160
- Parasail Experience in St Croix: $132
- Private Sailing Tour of Pirate Waters and Shipwrecks: $175
- St Croix Island Tour: $118
- St. Croix Ghost Tour of Historic Christiansted: $45
- The Frederiksted St. Croix Sea Turtles Snorkeling Tour: $89
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.79Saint 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 Mombasa and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Saint Croix?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Croix in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Saint Croix. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Saint Croix. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Mombasa is cooler than Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Croix. It's quite rainy in Mombasa. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Saint Croix. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Croix in the Winter?
Both Saint Croix and Mombasa during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.
Mombasa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint Croix. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In January, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Saint Croix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.