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

Should you visit Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt 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: Puerto Montt or Saint Croix?

Puerto Montt

The Lake District is a region of snow capped volcanoes, pale green lakes and endless miles of virgin and ancient forests. Found 1,016 km away from Santiago de Chile, Puerto Montt is famous for its beautiful lakes and its germanic architecture, old wooden houses and its legendary Iglesia Catedral, found on the town's main square, la Plaza de Armas. The monument, entirely built with alerce (cypress) wood, is the oldest building of the city. The capital of the Lake Region is a good starting point for many memorable excursions in the area.

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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Croix or Puerto Montt?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Puerto Montt is $89, 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 Puerto Montt and Saint Croix in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Puerto Montt $61
    Saint Croix $149
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Puerto Montt $122
    Saint Croix $298
Compare Hotels in Puerto Montt and Saint Croix

Looking for a hotel in Puerto Montt 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 Puerto Montt


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: Puerto Montt Hotel Prices and Saint Croix Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Puerto Montt $6.43
    Saint Croix $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Puerto Montt

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Puerto Montt:

  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $21
  • Puerto Tepual Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas - Arrival Transfer: $21
  • Puerto Montt Airport(PMC) to Frutillar - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
  • Puerto Montt Airport Arrival Transfer to Hotel in Puerto Varas: $24
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $27
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Airport (PMC) to Puerto Montt Port: $31
  • Private Transfer from Puerto Montt Port to Puerto Airport (PMC): $31
  • Puerto Montt Airport (PMC) to Puerto Varas City- Arrival Transfer: $33
  • Puerto Montt Shuttle Transfer: $34
  • Puerto Montt Airport to Puerto Varas - RoundTrip Private Transfer: $42
  • Puerto Airport (PMC) to Frutillar - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $42
  • Cruce Andino Office Private Transfer from Puerto Montt: $44

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 Puerto Montt or Saint Croix?

Prices for flights to both Saint Croix and Puerto Montt 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
    Puerto Montt $21
    Saint Croix $56

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Puerto Montt $14
    Saint Croix $58

Tours and Activities in Puerto Montt

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

  • Frutillar Tour: $31
  • Half day Llanquihue and Frutillar City tour : $44
  • Private Tour: Puerto Montt Sightseeing: $47
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Tour from Puerto Montt: $56
  • Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls Guided Tour: $62
  • Osorno Volcano Tour+Petrohue Falls / Cruises / Spanish: $68
  • Alerce Andino National Park/Alerce Millenario/Cruises: $77
  • Private. City Tour Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas: $92
  • Austral / Hornopiren Road Tour: $102
  • Frutillar & Llanquihue Private Tour from Puerto Montt: $128
  • 6 Hours Shared Tour in Calbuco and Millennial Forest : $130
  • Tagua Tagua Lake and Wild Patagonia Tour: $133

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Puerto Montt $4.49
    Saint Croix $27


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

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



When is the best time to visit Puerto Montt or Saint Croix?

Puerto Montt has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Croix experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Puerto Montt or Saint Croix in the Summer?

Both Saint Croix and Puerto Montt are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Croix because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Puerto Montt is much colder than Saint Croix in the summer. The daily temperature in Puerto Montt averages around 16°C (60°F) in January, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 29°C (83°F)in July.

In January, Puerto Montt usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin July. Puerto Montt gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Puerto Montt 16°C (60°F) 
    Saint Croix 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Puerto Montt or Saint Croix in the Autumn?

Both Saint Croix and Puerto Montt during the autumn are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Croix year-round.

In the autumn, Puerto Montt is much colder than Saint Croix. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Puerto Montt in April average around 11°C (51°F), and Saint Croix averages at about 28°C (82°F)in October.

Saint Croix gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Puerto Montt. Puerto Montt usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Saint Croixin October. Puerto Montt gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F) 
    Saint Croix 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Puerto Montt or Saint Croix in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Puerto Montt and Saint Croix. Saint Croix attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Puerto Montt is generally much colder than Saint Croixin January. Daily temperatures in Puerto Montt average around 7°C (45°F), and Saint Croix fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Puerto Montt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Puerto Montt usually receives more rain than Saint Croixin January. Puerto Montt gets 229 mm (9 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Puerto Montt 7°C (45°F) 
    Saint Croix 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Puerto Montt or Saint Croix in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Puerto Montt as well as Saint Croix. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Croix throughout the year.

Puerto Montt is much colder than Saint Croix in the spring. The daily temperature in Puerto Montt averages around 11°C (51°F) in October, and Saint Croix fluctuates around 27°C (80°F)in April.

Puerto Montt receives a lot of rain in the spring. Puerto Montt usually gets more rain in October than Saint Croixin April. Puerto Montt gets 121 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Saint Croix receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Puerto Montt 11°C (51°F) 
    Saint Croix 27°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Croix and Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt Saint Croix
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 16°C (60°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 26°C (78°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Feb 15°C (59°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 13°C (55°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 11°C (51°F) 143 mm (5.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 234 mm (9.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 224 mm (8.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 7°C (45°F) 229 mm (9 in) 29°C (83°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 8°C (46°F) 209 mm (8.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Sep 9°C (47°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 28°C (83°F) 127 mm (5 in)
Oct 11°C (51°F) 121 mm (4.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 126 mm (4.9 in)
Dec 14°C (58°F) 103 mm (4.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)


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