Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Ponce?
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 Ponce 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 Ponce 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: Ponce or Saint Croix?
Ponce
Ponce is on the south coast of Puerto Rico. It's the second largest city on the island and has been around since 1692 when it was originally founded by Ponce de Leon's grandson Juan Ponce de Leon y Loayza. The city has several nicknames, including La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South), La Ciudad Senorial (The Noble, or Lordly, City), and La Ciudad de las Quenepas (Genip City).
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.
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Ponce Prices
Puerto Rico PricesSaint Croix Prices
USVI Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPonce $230Saint Croix $277
The average daily cost (per person) in Ponce is $230, 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 Ponce and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPonce $151Saint Croix $149
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPonce $302Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Ponce and Saint Croix
Looking for a hotel in Ponce 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.Ponce $10Saint Croix $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ponce
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ponce:
- San Juan Departure Share Transfer: $27
- Isabela / Hatillo to Aguadilla Airport(BQN) - DepartureTransfer: $44
- San Juan Puerto Rico Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- San Juan PR Cruise Port to San Juan hotels - Arrival Transfer: $46
- Private Transfers from SJU Airport to Isla Verde, Condado or San Juan área : $60
- Transfer TO or FROM: Airport,Cruise,Hotel in DORADO or RIO GRANDE: $70
- Private Transfer from San Juan City Hotels to Ponce Cruise Port: $79
- Aguadilla Hernandez Airport (BQN) to Isabela - RoundTrip Transfer: $87
- Rio Grande hotel to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Vega Baja to San Juan Airport (SJU) - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Transfer SJU Airport to Humacao and Nagüabo. Vice Versa One Way Trip: $185
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 Ponce or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Ponce 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 dayPonce $61Saint Croix $97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ponce
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ponce.
- Latin Night with Dinner and Local Music with Transportation: $59
- Puerto Rico Art and Wine Dinner with One Way Transportation: $89
- Private Cooking Class with a Fun Local in San German, Puerto Rico: $96
- Private Half-Day Island Authentic Food Tour : $130
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.Ponce $56Saint Croix $58
Tours and Activities in Ponce
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ponce are as follows:
- Private Sunset Walking Tour in San Juan: $25
- Guided Walking Tour in Ponce: $30
- Historical Walking Tour in Old San Juan: $30
- La Perla Cultural Tour: $35
- Prive Tours in Puerto Rico: $40
- Las Tinajas Waterfall: Guided Short Hike Adventure from Fajardo: $55
- Walking Guided Tour of History and Myths of Old San Juan : $60
- 2.5-Hour Historical Walking Tour of Old San Juan: $65
- Half-Day El Yunque Rainforest Tour from Fajardo: $65
- Half-Day Small-Group River Experience in El Yunque with Local : $68
- El Yunque Rainforest, Waterslides & Beach Tour from San Juan: $75
- Party Bus Experience in San Juan, Puerto Rico: $79
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPonce $16Saint Croix $27
Sample the Local Flavors in Ponce
Also in Ponce, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Artisan Puertorrican Winery and Distillery Tour: $50
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 Ponce and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Ponce much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ponce would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ponce 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 Ponce.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ponce Expensive? and Is Saint Croix Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Ponce 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 Ponce or Saint Croix in the Summer?
Both Saint Croix and Ponce are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ponce throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Ponce usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Ponce gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPonce 28°C (83°F)Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Saint Croix in the Autumn?
Both Saint Croix and Ponce during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ponce 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 Ponce. Ponce usually gets less rain in October than Saint Croix. Ponce gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the autumn, Ponce is around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ponce in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPonce 28°C (82°F)Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Saint Croix in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ponce and Saint Croix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ponce year-round. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Ponce usually receives more rain than Saint Croix. Ponce gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
In January, Ponce is generally around the same temperature as Saint Croix. Daily temperatures in Ponce average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPonce 25°C (77°F)Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Ponce or Saint Croix in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ponce as well as Saint Croix. Ponce attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.
Ponce usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Croix. Ponce gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Ponce is around the same temperature as Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Ponce averages around 26°C (79°F) in April, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPonce 26°C (79°F)Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Ponce
| Ponce | Saint Croix | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (78°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (80°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (78°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.